Equator Monument of Pontianak

The path of the sun over the monument is such that exactly at the noon no shadow is cast by the monument's spire.
Five kilometres north of the centre of Pontianak, one can find the precise spot at which the Equator bisects the earth. In an instant, visitors can travel between the Northern and Southern hemispheres without moving a muscle. Marking this spot is a monument erected in 1928 bay a Dutch astronomical expedition. Ten years later, "Monument Khatulistiwa" was further developed by an Indonesian architect by the name of Syalaban. A uniqe natural phenomenon can be observed twice a year at the side of the monument. The phenomena is visible for a period of only 5-10 minutes. In anticipation of this special time, the Dayak and Malay ethnic groups, among others, exhibit their rich cultural heritage through traditional dance, music and handicraft displays. These twice-yearly festivals should not be missed; once witnessed, they will not soon be forgotten.

Shaolin Temple Of China

By Pauline Go

The famous Shaolin Temple is located in the beautiful Songshan Mountains, which is 50 miles southwest of Zhenzhou, the capital of Henan Province. It is just 8 miles from Dengfeng. It is the most famous temple in entire China renowned for its martial arts and its contribution to Chinese Buddhism.

The temple was established in 495 AD during the rule of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386 - 534 AD). Batuo, and Indian Buddhist monk, came to Luoyang , the capital city of the dynasty, with the view of spreading Buddhism. Incidently, Emperor Xiaowen was a follower and believer so he decided to build a temple in Songshan Mountains for Batuo to live in. Here the monk translated many Buddhist works and established a faithful following.

In 517 AD, another Buddhist monk, Damo came to live in the temple. Damo is the creator of Chinese Zen. Many people believe that Damo wrote the famous Yijinjing, on which Gongfu or Shaolin martial arts is based. However, there is no comprehensive evidence. There are others who believe it was a Taoist priest from Tiantai Mountain who wrote Yijinjing in 1624. To add to mystery this priest, Zongheng, made up a story telling people that Damo wrote it.

The temple plays an important role in Chinese martial arts. It is believed that all martial arts in China emerged from Shaolin. The temple was strategically located and had to find ways and means of protecting itself from invaders. The temple also was supported by different dynasties over centuries. This is because 13 Shaolin monks saved Li Shimin, the emperor of Tang Dynasty. After this, the temple was allowed to keep monks who were also soldiers. During the Ming Dynasty, the temple had over 1,000 soldier monks and the emperor used them to quell rebellions and to fight against Japanese bandits. However, during the Qing Dynasty (1316 - 1644), martial arts were forbidden by law.

Although the Shaolin Temple had soldier monks, it was always being attacked. A few times it was severely damaged by fire. However, the biggest destruction was done by Shi Yousan, a warlord, who set fire to temple in 1928 and destroyed most of the buildings.

Today one can see over 300 ancient inscriptions on stone and 232 pagoda from different dynasties. The oldest pagoda dates back to Tang Dynasty. These pagodas are tombs of notable Shaolin monks. There is also a large mural in the Qianfo Hall dating back to the Ming Dynasty.

About Author: Pauline Go is an online leading expert in travel industry. She also offers top quality travel tips like : Find First Class Air Jamaica Flights And Vacation , When Was The Great Wall Of China Built, Germany Facts For Kids Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pauline_Go

Cork City - A City With History

By Ronan Menton

Cork City is the second city of Ireland and is widely recognised as a city of history. Located in County Cork which is known in Ireland as the rebel county because of it significance during the Irish Civil war in 1922. This was the County where Michael Collins was killed, an act that effectively ended the civil war in Ireland. Cork is home to the oldest yacht club in the world and also has a fantastic maritime history. The city developed from a monastery that was build by St Finbarr in the 7th Century.

The city of Cork is located between two channels of the River Lee which forms an island. Cork City has a population of around 150,000 people who have a character of their own. Cork City itself is a bustling economic center with fantastic shopping and eating facilities, not to mention the quality of pubs in cork. Here you should enjoy a great atmosphere alongside great service, lively debate and conversation in a modern setting fit for Cork City.

County cork is the largest county in Ireland and has a great range of geographical features. Here you will see everything from inland rivers and river valleys to rolling farmland and a sea eroded coastline. Among the other interesting towns in County Cork is Youghal which is situated on the South East coast of Cork. This is a popular holiday destination which offers quality beaches alongside a fantastic reputation for top quality food.

There are a few options available when travelling to Cork. Train services run from Dublin City numerous times each day and take roughly three hours. Alternatively you can choose to fly into Cork City Airport or drive.

Ronan Menton is the webmaster for a number of travel related websites and has been for some in Ireland, been associated with search engine optimisation in the Irish travel industry. He spends two months a year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and now see it as his second home. Among the many sites he is currently working on are the following: hotels in Cork and hotels in Tralee. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ronan_Menton