TRAVEL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA (I) (UNIT 12)

UNIT 12

TRAVEL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA (I)

Read the passage.

          Travelling in Southeast Asia can be very exciting since each country has something unique to offer. The following are descriptions of the tourist attractions of five of these countries.

 

Brunei Darussalam  

Brunei is a country which comprises two enclaves on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo.

Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam, has many sights to offer. The Hassanal Bolkiah Aquarium, for instance, features a colourful display of tropical fish. At the Brunei Arts and Handicraft Training Centre, you can buy traditional Brunei handicraft such as silverware, brocade and ceremonial daggers. 

Even finer examples of bronze and brassware, along with fascinating displays of Chinese ceramics and jade, can be seen at the Brunei Museum.

In the centre of Bandar Seri Begawan, and overlooking an impressive view of the water village, Kampong Ayer, is the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, which is ranked as one of the most attractive mosques in Asia.

Temburong Zoo in the eastern part of the country has a good variety of tropical wildlife.

 

Cambodia  

The kingdom of Cambodia occupies part of the Indochina peninsula in Southeast Asia. There is plenty to see in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, starting with a tour of the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum, Independence Monument, Wat Phnom and the market areas where hand - woven silks, silver, gems and antiques will compete for your attention. 

Located within the Royal Palace compound, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles. The walls surrounding the compound are covered with frescos depicting episodes from the Khmer version of the Ramayana, the Reamker. 

The National Museum, located just north of the Royal Palace, represents the finest of Phnom Penh’s architecture. On display inside are more than 5,000 works of art, ranging from the 6th to the 13th Century. Visitors can rest by the peaceful, palm-shaded central courtyard and lotus ponds and think about one of Asia’s richest cultures.

Angkor Wat, which is situated in northwest Cambodia, is the largest temple in the world. It is unlike all the other Khmer temples in that it faces west, and it is inspired by 12^th Century Hinduism.

 

Indonesia   

Indonesia is a land of surprises, featuring the rich culture and arts of its people amidst the sandy beaches and cool mountains. The volcanoes in Indonesia are among the most active in the world.

It has a population of over 170 million with many different ethnic groups and some 250 spoken languages. 

Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia on the northwest coast of Java, is a place where industries like textiles, chemicals, plastics, etc. are concentrated. Not to be missed is one of the world’s wonders-the biggest Buddhist temple in the world - at Candi Borobudur in Java, built during the 9th Century.

In east Java, one can find the most exciting mountain scenery. One can visit mountain resorts such as Tretes and Selecta; take a short ferry ride from the city of Surabaya to Madura for a heart-stopping bull race, filled with excitement.

Yogyakarta is regarded as a special cultural centre of Java. It offers festivals; royal ceremonies, batik and silver work, and the sultan’s palaces are proof of its heritage.

In western Sumatra, one can find Indonesia’s largest national park, in the region of Kerinci-Seblat with its rich variety of animal species and plants.

 

 

Loas   

Laos is situated in the Souvan-naphoum peninsula. It comprises many ethnic groups, each minority group having its own tradition and beautiful culture. So Laos is a country rich in tradition and culture. 

Laos, which has a population of 5 million, covers about 236,800 square kilometres. It has a wealth of natural resources which are still unexplored. The forests are rich in medicinal herbs and there are many species of wild animals there. In addition to pagodas and historical sites, the famous Wat Sisaket Temple with its big Buddha image, the old Hotai library whose walls are covered with sapphires and wall paintings are well worth seeing. It is said that if one does not visit this temple, one will not have seen the heart of Vientiane.

Some of the Buddha images and artifacts show the finest designs which indicate the high skills of the artists of the 19th Century.

 

Malaysia 

Malaysia is separated into two sections by the South China Sea; Peninsula Malaysia links with Thailand on the mainland of Asia, while East Malaysia comprises the states of Sabah and Sarawak.  

Visitors must not miss Kuala Lumpur or KL, the capital, with its many sights to keep the tourist occupied, as well as its excellent shopping facilities. 

Second to KL in size are the historic trading cities of Melaka and Penang, with buildings dating back hundreds of years and wonderful unspoilt districts where visitors can breathe in the romance of the past. 

Malaysia is famous for its pleasant beach resorts, Langkawi, Pangkor, Tioman Island, Damai Beach in Sarawak, and, again, Penang. Each of these offers water-sports of all kinds as well as snorkelling and scuba diving around the numerous coral reefs that line Malaysia’s shore.