UNESCO is considering the nomination of Bagan into the global heritage list!

Myanmar’s Ministry of Culture says the ancient city of Bagan could be nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List within three years.

Local media reported that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), is considering the nomination of Bagan to its global heritage list.

In June, the Pyu cities of Sri Ksetra, Hanlin and Beikthano became the first sites in Myanmar to be included on the heritage list.

Last month, officials from the ministry and UNESCO met international experts in Bagan to discuss how the city could be protected from ill-considered development caused by a sharp rise in tourist arrivals.

UNESCO has threatened to discontinue recognition at some important sites in Southeast Asia, including Luang Prabang in Laos, if checks and balances are not introduced to manage tourism flows.

During the Bagan meetings it was decided that an improved inventory of all the historical pagodas and temples at the site, as well as stricter enforcement of heritage laws, would be required before the site could be nominated, according to the culture ministry.

The Myanmar Times quoted Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library, deputy general director, U Thein Lwin, as saying experts from Japan and Italy were helping officials come up with a plan to maintain the site in line with international standards.

It could take up to three years for Bagan to achieve full recognition by UNESCO.

A 1998 law bans development inside cultural heritage sites, but some hotels  opened in prohibited areas before the law was enacted, while others were allowed later in direct contravention of the law.

Another task is cataloguing the large number of historical monuments in Bagan. In 1975, the number of identified structures stood at 2230, but rose to 3122 by 1997 and now stands at 3312.

One of the most important archaeological sites in Asia, Bagan is expected to attract large numbers of tourists in coming years, with arrivals forecast to increase to 5 million in 2015. UNESCO listing is likely to give visitors numbers a further boost.

The Bagan region attracted 200,000 tourists last year compared to 150,000 visits in 2013.

Source: Ttrweekly

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Ha Long Bay becomes world’s 20 geological wonders!

Ha Long Bay in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh has been listed in the 20 geological wonders of the world by travel guide website Rough Guides.

A corner of Ha Long Bay.

Ha Long Bay , which spans 1,553km2 and includes 1,969 islands of various sizes, was twice recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and 2000.

In 2011, Ha Long Bay outranked 261 other landscapes from all over the world and was voted one of the seven new natural wonders of the world.

The recognition acknowledges the bay’s exceptional rock cave and limestone mountain system which took millions of years to form, as well as its outstanding biodiversity.

Other places on the list of Rough Guides include Lying areas Danakil (Ethiopia), Cal Orko stonewalls (Bolivia ), De l’Ankarana National Park (Madagascar) , Nitmiluk canyon (Australia); Brighstone Bay (UK) and Antelope Canyon (the US).

Rough Guides is a leading publisher of travel and reference information known for its ‘tell it like it is’ attitude, accurate, up-to-date content and informed contemporary writing.

Source VNA

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New Heritages Promoted in Myanmar

Hotels and Tourism Minister U Htay Aung has urged tour operators to sell trips to three ancient Pyu cities that were recently awarded World Heritage site status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The three ancient Pyu sites are: Sri Ksetra in Bago Region’s Pyay township; Hanlin in Sagaing Region’s Shwebo township; and Beikthano in Magwe Region’s Taungdwingyi township.

Those were recognised by UNESCO for their unique historical and cultural status on 22 June.

The cities, which date back to the period 200 BC to 900 AD, are the first sites in Myanmar to be inscribed on the UNESCO list.

Hotels and Tourism Minister U Htay Aung told local press that the new sites could help to boost tourism.

“I would appeal to travel agents, worldwide, to add them in to their trip plans for the coming season.”

Remains of the palace citadels, brick Buddhist stupas and burial grounds at the sites currently draw around 60,000 local and foreign visitors every year.

Officials are now campaigning for Myanmar’s better-known ancient city of Bagan, home to a sprawling complex of Buddhist temples, to join the Pyu cities on the UNESCO list.

Bagan’s temples, some of which are around 1,000 years old, are one of the country’s most treasured religious sites and a top attraction for foreign tourists flocking to Myanmar.

However, the Pyu sites identified by UNESCO are far from ready to cater to international visitors. Some tour operators raised concerns about transportation and said there was not enough detailed information on what tourist-friendly infrastructures exists to allow them to make intelligent decisions on when and how to package the attractions in tour programmes.

Shan Yoma Travel and Tours managing director, U Hla Aye, said: “At the moment, I don’t know what road conditions are like on the route to Beikthano and Hanlin. We can’t just prepare the trips without knowing the situation in detail.”

He also suggested that the tourism ministry and industry bodies should assist tour operators to gain information on transport, itineraries and hotels, do’s and don’t’s in the region before the agents can prepare the trip plan.

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Trang An Awarded New World Heritage Site

The Trang An Tourism Complex in Vietnam’s northern Ninh Binh province has been declared a World Culture and Nature Heritage site by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

It is the first heritage site in the country that combines both natural and cultural aspects required by UNESCO.

The recognition was announced at a meeting of the Heritage Committee of the United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in Doha, Qatar.

The Trang An Tourism Complex consists of three adjacent areas. These consist of the cultural area, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu (under three shortlived dynasties – Dinh, early Le and early Ly between 968 and 1009).

The natural aspects are the limestone peaks, streams and caves at Trang An, Tam Coc and Bich Dong and Hoa Lu.

Then there is the primeval forest. The whole complex covers 4,000 ha – and a buffer zone of beautiful green paddy fields.

Situated on the southern shore of the Red River Delta, Trang An is a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with valleys, some of which are submerged, and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs.

Exploration of some of the highest altitude caves that are dotted across the landscape has revealed archaeological traces of human activity dating back almost 30,000 years. They illustrate the occupation of these mountains by hunter-gatherers and how they adapted to climatic and environmental changes.

Vietnam now has eight World Heritage sites: Halong Bay (Quang Ninh province); Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh province); Hue Complex of Monuments (Thua Thien Hue province); Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Sanctuary (Quang Nam province); Thang Long Imperial Citadel (Hanoi) and Ho Citadel (Thanh Hoa province).

The newly recognised Trang An complex meets UNESCO’s three criteria for possessing cultural, aesthetic and geographical values.

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New World Heritage comes to Myanmar

Myanmar welcomed the designation of its ancient Pyu kingdom cities as a UNESCO world heritage site, marking its first entry onto the UN cultural agency’s prized list.

An annual World Heritage Committee meeting in Doha on Sunday granted endangered status to the remains of the cities of Hanlin, Beikthano and Sri Ksetra in the country’s Irrawaddy basin.

“We are happy. We all worked hard to make this happen for a long time,” Daw Me Me Khaing, director of the archaeology department at Myanmar’s culture ministry, told AFP.

Inclusion on the list has significant economic implications as a World Heritage Site is eligible for financial assistance toward preservation, while the status is a powerful draw for tourists.

Remains of the palace citadels, brick Buddhist stupas and burial grounds at the site currently draw around 60,000 local and foreign visitors every year, according to Daw Me Me Khaing, who hopes the new status will bring many more.

“We will have a better situation for our heritage sites as we gain experience from this,” she said.

Officials are now campaigning for Myanmar’s better-known ancient city of Bagan, home to a sprawling complex of Buddhist temples, to join the Pyu cities on the UNESCO list, she added.

The temples, some of which are around 1,000 years old, are one of the country’s most treasured religious sites and a top attraction for foreign tourists flocking to Myanmar as it emerges from decades of military rule.

But experts have previously warned that haphazard renovation work on some of the temples has irreversibly damaged the landscape, which could threaten Bagan’s chances of winning World Heritage status.

The brick, walled and moated cities at Pyu reflect the Pyu kingdoms that flourished for over 1,000 years between 200 B.C. and 900 A.D., according to UNESCO.

“These ancient cities built along the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) Valley belong to the Pyu, a people speaking a language closely related to Myanmar and now extinct,” UNESCO said in a statement.

The Paris-based Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) oversees the system of granting coveted World Heritage Site status to important cultural and natural sites.

Obtaining the status for sites is a point of pride for many nations and can boost tourism, but it comes with strict conservation rules.

Other sites given the status this year include a French cave that is home to the world’s earliest known figurative drawings, and ancient terraces in the West Bank that are under threat from the Israeli separation barrier.

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Ha Giang builds community tourism

Ha Giang

From Threeland Travel's Blog - November 2012

The provincial People’s Committee says developing tourism is a key to improving economy and living conditions of local people in Ha Giang, a far-north province noted for its community-based tourism.

The committee vice chairman, Nguyen Minh Tien, said that due to its status as home to UNESCO World Heritage nature sites — Dong Van Plateau and the terrace fields in Hoang Su Phi district — tourism could help build economic prosperity.

Ha Giang located in northeast Vietnam shares a 270 km long border with Yunnan province of South China, and is known as Vietnam’s final frontier.

“As we have beautiful landscape, the province is an attractive nature destination for tourists who are looking for home stay and community tourism,” he said.

He added: “Ha Giang has been the poorest province in the country for the past 20 years, so we must develop the province’s economy using the platform of tourism.”

The province has 22 ethnic groups that can be used to host home stay and community-based tourism.

The provincial Culture, Sports and Tourism Department vice director, Hoang Van Kien, said: “Many residents want to join authorities to develop tourism and receive guests to stay in their homes.”

However, he suggested that the investment to develop community tourism should focus on just a few really spectacular villages.

“The number of tourism villages has increased in recent years, but when I made a recent survey I realized that some of these villages only receive a few guests a year.”

Mr Kien indicated: “We have three Tay ethnic group villages that are very similar and this wasted investment and resources. In the future, I think we need to develop routes using a single village representing one ethnic group.”

 Visit us at Threeland Travel Vietnam to get further information about traveling around the world and exploring Vietnam; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

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Funding grows to restore Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat - Cambodia

From Threeland Travel's Blog - September 2012

The Cambodia government signed an agreement with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, late last week to assist in safeguarding Angkor Wat, the country’s most prestigious World Heritage site.

The deal was inked between Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Council of Ministers, Sok An and UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, Anne Lemaistre. Rome University’s Professor, Valter Maria Santoro, who heads the Italian technical mission for stone consolidation in the temple, said the two-year project will focus on the restoration of a moat embankment at Angkor Wat.

Mr Sok An said the second phase project will cost US$250,000 including US$200,000 from the Italian government and US$50,000 from the Cambodian government.

“The Italian government, through UNESCO, has been involved in helping to safeguard Angkor Wat Temple since 1994…. the continuous support signifies a further cooperation between Cambodia, UNESCO and Italy.”

Currently, Cambodia has been collaborating with 14 countries and 28 international teams who are handling 60 different projects to preserve and restore the temple.

The Angkor archeological park is Cambodia’s most important cultural tourism attraction, located 315 km from the capital Phnom Penh.

The temple was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.

From January to June this year, 1.06 million international tourists visited the temple, with South Korea, Vietnam and China topping the suppliers’ list. There were 61,340 Thai tourists, a 201% increase over the same period.

Visit us at Threeland Travel Cambodia to get further information about traveling around the world and exploring Cambodia; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

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Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia Replica To Be Built in India

Angkor Wat Temple

From Threeland Travel's Blog - September 2012

Cambodia's stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat is getting a replica made in India. On the banks of the Ganges River in the state of Bihar, a larger version of the massive temple is being built.

Angkor Wat, located in Siem Reep, was built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II and is an icon for the country.

The Mahavir Mandir Trust is undertaking a $20 million project that will take ten years to complete.

Acharya Kishore Kunal, told The Hindustan Times, "The launch of the project has been timed to coincide with the ongoing centenary year celebrations of the foundation of Bihar."

The Indian version is called Virat Angkor Wat Ram temple and has hopes to be the world’s largest Hindu temple complex. The tallest point of the building will reach 67.6 meters.

Kunal said to the BBC, "It will be the world's largest Hindu temple... bigger in size, shape and height than the Angkor Wat of Cambodia ... It will be known as Virat Angkor Wat Ram temple but will also house other Hindu deities like Radha-Krishna, Shiv-Parvati, Ganesh, Surya and 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu."

The site of the build has mythological significance as it is believed that Vishvamitra, Ram, Lakshman who are all dieties were welcomed by King Sumati of the Vaishali kingdom where the site is located.

Angkor Wat is one of the world's biggest tourist destinations and Cambodia's biggest tourist draw.

Visit us at Threeland Travel Cambodia to get further information about traveling around the world and exploring Cambodia; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

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Vientiane Service to be started by Bangkok Airways

Bangkok Airways

From Threeland Travel's Blog - September 2012

Bangkok Airways announced, Tuesday, it will start flying to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos effective 1 December.

The carrier has been operating a daily flight to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang since 2001. It also started a flight to Pakse during 2007 and halted it due to poor traffic.

The new service will depart Bangkok at 0815 and arrive in Vientiane at 0930. The return flight will depart at 1010 and arrive in Bangkok at 1125.

Reservations are now available with the lowest fare under its Web Saver category priced at Bt7,615 all inclusive and its business Blue Ribbon Class fare priced at Bt19,825. Three carriers are now operating flights to the capital city, Vientiane — Thai Airways International, Lao Airlines (double daily each) and the new Lao private carrier, Lao Central Airlines (daily).

There are no low-cost airlines serving the route mainly because of a reluctance of the Lao government to allow budget airlines access to routes that are profitable for its national airline.

Lao Central sells the cheapest fare at Bt2,400 for a roundtrip fare for the first 20 seats, but this will end 30 September. After the promotion the lowest fare will be Bt4,800 until the end of October. The regular fares start from Bt6,045.

THAI’s 52nd Anniversary promotion ending 30 September quotes Bt8,055 for an economy class fare and Bt14,180, for business class. After the promotional period, the economy fares will start from Bt10,880 for economy class and Bt15,855 for business class. Laos’ national carrier, Lao Airlines sells at around Bt8,200.

In addition, Bangkok Airways is running a ‘Fly Mid-Week, Receive Double Points’ campaign for frequent flyers who travel to Chiang Mai and Phuket on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during September and November.

Visit us at Threeland Travel Laos to get further information about traveling around the world and exploring Laos; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

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Banyan Tree Launches Vietnam Promotion

Banyan Tree hotels & Resorts

From Threeland Travel's Blog - July 2012

Celebrating its first foray in Vietnam, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts has launched an introductory promotion to mark the launch of Banyan Tree Lang Co, part of Vietnam’s first world-class integrated resort, Laguna Lang Co, in November 2012.

Framed by a three-kilometer beach and lush countryside, the 280-hectare integrated resort resides near Lang Co Bay in the Chan May region overlooking the East Sea, an area renowned for its pristine coastline, tropical jungles, rugged mountain peaks and proximity to the country’s most storied UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the cities of Hue and Hoi An along with the relics of My Son.

Nestled in a unique crescent bay, Banyan Tree Lang Co offers a retreat from which to explore the culturally rich destination of Central Vietnam.

Inspired by the artistic heritage of Vietnamese dynasties past, the resort features 32 lagoon pool villas and 17 beach pool villas are set on the shores of Canh Duong beach.

Guests will be able to tee-off at the 18-hole championship golf course designed by golf legend Sir Nick Faldo, or luxuriate in relaxing and revitalizing spa therapies at the Banyan Tree Spa.

The promotion provides the following inclusions:

• Daily breakfast for two persons

• Stay two consecutive nights; receive complimentary US$735 worth of hotel credits per stay

• Stay three consecutive nights; receive complimentary US$735 worth of hotel credits per stay and private round trip transfers.

The offer is valid for bookings from now through 30 March 2013 with a minimum stay of two consecutive nights for stays from 1 November 2012 through 31 March 2013. The hotel credits are only valid during the stay and not exchangeable for cash and can be redeemed at Banyan Tree Lang Co’s restaurants, Banyan Tree Spa Lang Co and Banyan Tree Gallery.

If you are interested in this hot deal, please visit Threeland Travel Indochina and contact us. We are pleased to get back to you as soon as possible.

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Banyan Tree to Open Laguna Lang Co in Vietnam on November 2012

An integrated resort, Laguna Lang Co, will open in Vietnam on 1 November 2012.

Nestled along the coast of tranquil Central Vietnam, Laguna Lang Co is Banyan Tree’s first foray in the country, and echoes the ethos of Laguna Phuket, the company’s flagship integrated resort community in southern Thailand.

Framed by a three-kilometre beach and lush countryside, the 280-hectare community resides near Lang Co Bay in the Chan May region overlooking the East Sea, an area renowned for its pristine coastline, tropical jungles, rugged mountain peaks and proximity to the country’s most storied UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the cities of Hue and Hoi An along with the relics of My Son.

The development is nestled in a crescent bay, and will include Banyan Tree and Angsana branded hotels and spas, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Sir Nick Faldo, private villas and residences available for sale, convention facilities and a plethora of recreational activities for guests of all ages.

Phase 1 of the project represents a US$200 million investment funded through the Banyan Tree Indochina Hospitality Fund, the first real estate investment fund established by the group in 2008.

“Banyan Tree has long been interested in establishing a presence in Vietnam to replicate the success of our flagship integrated resort in Phuket,” said Mr. Ho KwonPing, Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings, Ltd. “Central Vietnam is an ideal foothold for our inaugural development in Indochina with its natural beauty and areas of rich historical interest such as Hue and Hoi An. We are confident that Laguna Lang Co will flourish as a holiday and premium properties destination for both domestic and international luxury tourism.”

Laguna Lang Co

From Threeland Travel Indochina's Blog - June 2012

Hotels

Banyan Tree Lang Co features 32 one-bedroom lagoon villas (131 sqm) and 17 one-bedroom beach villas (124 sqm) set on the shores of Canh Duong beach. A spa highlights Banyan Tree’s treatments and services, while a Marine Centre provides opportunities to learn about and explore the vibrant waters of the East Sea.

Banyan Tree’s sister hotel, Angsana Lang Co , is a contemporary getaway featuring 229 suites (from 52 sqm to 179 sqm), 100 of which come equipped with their own private pools. All suites in every room category feature picturesque mountain, lagoon, or sea views, and incorporate local materials such as bamboo and mother of pearl, along with traditional arts with a contemporary twist, lanterns and elegant framed calligraphy.

Lang Co

Lang Co beach

From Threeland Travel Indochina's Blog - June 2012

Tucked away in traditional Cu Du Village in the Phu Loc District of Thua Thien Hue Province, the rustic hinterland of Laguna Lang Co is historically a favoured holiday retreat for Vietnamese royalty. The destination resonates with mystique and natural beauty and is accessible within an hour’s drive from the airports of both Da Nang and Hue.

 Laguna Lang Co sits at the crossroads of several distinctive UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient capital city of Hue on the shores of the Perfume River, the charming and age-old city of Hoi An and the ruins of My Son, a sanctuary featuring a wealth of temples and monuments with intricate carvings.

Resort Residences

Lang Co Villa

From Threeland Travel Indochina's Blog - June 2012

The resort residences present an array of ownership opportunities with villas and condominium units offering ocean views. Taking inspiration from Vietnamese traditions and culture, each one, two or three-bedroom villa (from 158 sqm – 236 sqm) of Banyan Tree Residences Lang Co features a private plunge pool.

 Limited villas are available for sale, and ownership confers membership in Banyan Tree’s worldwideprivate residential community.

Angsana Residences Lang Co showcases the rich history of Vietnam with a modern twist. The first three-storey beachfront condominium development of its kind in Vietnam, each one or two-bedroom Angsana Residences home (from 88 sqm to 254 sqm) features a contemporary aesthetic complemented by a modern plunge pool and sea views.

Owners of Banyan Tree and Angsana Residences Lang Co will also enjoy exclusive privileges on global exchange programmes, golf memberships and other services offered within Laguna Lang Co .

Championship Golf Course

Lang Co Golf Club

From Threeland Travel Indochina's Blog - June 2012

The Laguna Lang Co Golf Club, an 18-hole, par-71 championship course designed by Sir Nick Faldo, delivers a golfing experience that can be enjoyed by skilled and novice players alike. The site’s natural rugged terrain has been preserved, offering a distinctive course with changing landscape framed by mountains on three sides and the East Sea to the west. The course weaves between soaring trees, flowing streams, verdant rice paddies and dramatic rock features, and are noted for their oceanfront footage.

Tours & Activities

Laguna Lang Co offers a wealth of activities to meet the needs of groups, couples and families of all ages. The Marine Centre features aquatic activities such as jet skiing, parasailing, water skiing, wind surfing, kayaking and banana boat rides, while the Activities Centre offers archery, mountain biking, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), kids’ ATVs, 2-seater mini cars and horse riding. The Handicraft Centre immerses guests in Vietnam’s rich artistic legacy with classes in various fine arts led by local masters.

If you want to make any enquiry or booking about the resort, please feel free to visit Threeland Travel Indochina and contact us at help@threeland.com 

(Source: Asiatraveltips)

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