Sunday, February 22, 2026

Summer Palace, Beijing

 

The Summer Palace (also known as Yiheyuan) in Beijing is a vast UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the largest and best preserved imperial garden in China. It was built in the 1870s during the Qing Dynasty's (1644-1911).  It became a public park in 1924. It includes Longetivity Hill, Kunming Lake and Seventeen Hole Bridge.

The Summer Palace is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces in Beijing.  It is one of the most popular landmarks in Beijing and one of the best example of an imperial palace in China.
The Summer Palace is more than just a royal residence.  It is also a place where Princess Dowager Cixi  and emperors of the Qing Dynasty conducted court affairs, accept royal visitors, and engage in foreign diplomats.  This place is a witness to important historical events and diplomatic relationships that shaped its legacy.  This historical site must be included in your places to visit when going to Beijing.


The places to look on in Summer Palace is the Long Corridor, Garden of Virtue and Harmony, Wenchang Gallery, The Hall of Serenity, and the Tower of Buddhist Incense. If it is your first time traveling this the city, Summer Palace is a must visit. The ticket prices are CNY 20 for off-peak and CNY 30 for peak season, through ticket CNY 60 (all inclusive peak) and CNY 50 (all inclusive off-peak).  It is CNY 15 for students and seniors and free for children under six year old.  


We visited the Summer Palace in December and the lake is all frozen.  The ideal season to visit the Summer Palace is during spring or autumn.  This UNESCO site can be reached via Didi or by the metro.  Its exact location is at 19 Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing or 20 kilometer drive away from the Tiananmen Square.

The Summer Palace has three gates: East Gate or East Palace Gate; North Gate or Beigongmen, or North Palace Gate; and The South Gate, also known as South Palace Gate.

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Bangkok, Thailand

 

Bangkok, officially known as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, is the capital city of Thailand. Its full name is Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahidilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit, and listed as the world's longest location name in the World's Guiness Book of Records, which means " The city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city of Ayutthaya of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous royal palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn."


Bangkok is a major tourist hub known for its temples (Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho),  lively streets (Khaosan road), delicious street foods, sprawling markets (Chatuchak, floating markets), modern malls,and lively nightlife.


Thailand as a country, is leaded by a king, under a constitutional monarchy lead by Kinga Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuha, also known as King Rama X.  He is the tenth king of the Chakri Dynasty. 

Chatuchak is primary a weekend market open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 6pm, but also operates during weekdays with limited sections.  Wednesdays and Thursdays for plants (7am to 6pm) and Fridays for wholesale.   

the famous Poy-Sian

The 100 Baht Shop 

We tried the MRT during our first day and the grab taxis on the following days


We spent our second day exploring Iconsiam and tried the Meridian Cruise.  The boarding area for the cruise is at this mall. There are a lot of shops inside the mall but it will be more economical to shop at Chatuchak Market because the price difference is quite large.  For example the bags at Chatuchak costs 100 baht but in Iconsiam it only costs 150 baht. 

grilled crocodile at Iconsiam Mall


We spent our Christmas in Bangkok

the famous Iconsiam fountain

Netflix hosted a major Squid Game Promotion Season 2 in Bangkok



It was a lot of fun riding the Meridian Cruise.  Though there were problems in boarding the cruise because of the ongoing event at the Iconsiam (countdown event) and a lot of us became confused in transferring piers.  Nevertheless, our trip was amazing.  There's our kababayan singer who sang songs in different languages in a great tune - magnificent.  Buffet is great with a lot of choices.  The trip is awesome going through different tourist spots from afar.  Definitely you must grab this trip when visitin Bangkok.  It costs us Php 1200 through Klook. 




birthday celebrants for the month of December



 
Our accommodation is only 5 minutes walk from the famous Khaosan Road. It is the famous, bustling backpacker hub in the Bang Lamphu area, famous for its vibrant nightlife, cheap eats, street food, massage areas, hostels, bars, and market.  We bought our shirts and the famous elephant pajama in Khaosan Road, the prices are also affordable. 






we visited of Chinatown too!
                                                                                      

During our 3rd day in Bangkok, my kids chose to visit the Bangkok National Museum instead of the temples.  Bangkok National Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in Thai history and culture.  The collection is impressive, with magnificent pieces ranging from royal artifacts to Buddhist sculptures, traditional painting and objects.



One of the best thing in Thailand also is the presence of several 7-11 stores that are so cheap than the prices in 7-11 Philippines.  A Thai 7-11 is not just a convenience store, it is a heaven for us who are travelling on a budget. From snacks, noodles, coffee, shampoo, toothpaste, lotion (I bought one for 36 baht) to cheap meals to medicines (bought a lot) and all that you can think of.  

Sawadee kah!!! I love Thailand!

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Angkor Wat

 

Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia, is the largest religious monument in the world, measuring 162.60 hectares.  It is one of the eight wonders of the world and one in our bucket lists.
Giant Ibis Bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap
Our Angkor Wat adventure started with our bus trip from Bangkok to Siem Reap.  We took the Giant Ibis Bus and booked online.  And from our hotel in Siem Reap, we were picked up by the Klook tour guide by 4am and got our tickets at the official ticketing center for US$37 each.  My seven year old is free from paying.
Bantog Backpackers in Angkor Wat waiting for sunrise

our super accomodating guide from Klook with our fellow tourists

                                                                                      
                                                                                     

An Angkor Wat tour guides visitors through Cambodia's most iconic temple complex, exploring its grand towers, intricate carvings, and vast courtyards.  The tour typically begins before sunrise behind the temple's silhouette.  Along the way, guides explain the history of Khmer Empire, the symbolism in the architecture, and the religious significance of the site








 

The second temple we visited is the Ta Phrom.  Ta Phrom was built in 1186 and was originally known as Rajavihara or Monastery of the King.  It is a buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of Jyavarman VII.  Massive silk-cotton and strangler fig tress grow directly  out of the stone towers and walls.  Roots cascade over doorways, wrap around carvings, and split stone blocks apart, creating a surreal fusion of nature and ruins.


The third temple we visited is the BANTEAY KDEI temple. In contrast to Angkor Wat, Banteay Kdei is peaceful and quiet. It's name means "Citadel of Chambers". It has lots of passages and small chambers.



Bayon Temple 
Bayon is famous for its over 200 massive stone faces carved into 54 towers.  The faces are serene, with gentle smiles and half-closed eyes.  They re widely believed to represent Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. It also stands out for its blend of artistic, historical, and symbolic richness. 



Our trip to Angkor Wat was an unforgettable experience. Walking through the ancient temples felt like stepping back in time. The sunrise over the main temple was absolutely breathtaking, and exploring the carvings and ruins made us appreciate Cambodia’s rich history and culture.
Bantog Backpackers 2016. Powered by Blogger.