ZHANGJIAJIE

Zhangjiajie is a prefecture-level city in the northwestern part of Hunan province, People's Republic of China. It comprises the district of Yongding and counties of Cili and Sangzhi. Within it is located Wulingyuan Scenic Area which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 as well as an AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration.

1. HISTORY

The city itself was previously named Dayong and has a recorded history dating back to 221 BC. Humans lived here along both banks of the Lishui River, now within the boundaries of Zhanagjiajie City, very early during the Stone Age. Human settlement in this region dates back 100,000 years, rivaling such famous sites as Xi’an, Beijing and others. In 1986, the Academy of Chinese Social Science discovered Stone Age relics in Cili County, unearthing 108 articles of stoneware; mostly tapered-form, hacked-tamped and plate-shaped works. According to archaeological experts’ textual research, all of these wares were produced about 100,000 years ago. Shortly thereafter, in 1988, the Archaeological Institute of Hunan Province found other relics in Sangzhi County, including three pieces of stoneware which were estimated to have been fashioned over 100,000 years ago.

Ten thousand years ago, those who lived within the boundaries of what is now Zhangjiajie City employed fire to bake pottery. Archaeologists have found more than 20 relics of this kind in Cili County, while in Sangzhi County, a black clay pot adorned with a unique design was unearthed dating back ten thousand years. During that period, this pottery-firing technique was the most advanced in China. These technological advancements in the fashioning of stone tools and pottery would seem to indicate a highly developed culture in this region. However, the society which developed only endured briefly before waning and being superseded by other regional powers. This seems understandable in view of Zhangjiajie's remote geographical position, its undeveloped land and river transportation, and its mountainous terrain making cultivation difficult. For these reasons, Zhangjiajie has been labeled "the Land of the Savage Southern Minority" since the earliest recorded history. Additional name descriptors have been the "Wuling Rude People" and "Tujia Rude People", indicative of discriminatory views held against the regional culture.

The new name of Zhangjiajie City was adopted in 1994, after the National Forest Park in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area in order to give it more prominence and after this site had been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. The National Forest Park had been given the name of Zhangjiajie after the name of a small village located within its bounds, and now a popular tourist attraction within the park. The three-character name can be interpreted as follows: "Zhang" is a common surname in China; "jia"  can be translated as "family"; and "jie" can be translated as "homeland", giving the completed translation of "Zhang family homeland." It has been reported that at least one tourist guide has said that the name may have been chosen to convey the idea or impression of "Open the family door to welcome the world", but this is not the locally accepted and directly-translated meaning of the name. The official version of its name is linked to a Han general, Zhang Liang, who resettled in the area after a suspicious Liu Bang, the Han emperor, started to persecute his staffs and generals who had contributed to his becoming emperor. It was so named to signify that the Zhang family had set up home there.

2. FACILITY

Zhangjiajie city has many tourist attractions such as The Wulinyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area comprises the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the Tianzishan mountain ranges, Baofenghu and the Suoxi Valley, and is a very popular filming and tourist destination.

Also in the Zhangjiajie area, Huanglongdong  and Longwangdong  are caves known for many natural rock formations (much like Wulingyuan) and its underground cataract.
The Bailong Elevator is also located in the area.

BERGEN

Bergen is the second biggest city after the capital city of Norway, Oslo. Bergen is a city and municipality on the Bergen Peninsula in Hordaland county on the west coast of Norway. The city was established before 1070 AD.

Bergen is an international centre for aquaculture, shipping, offshore petroleum industry and subsea technology, and a national centre for higher education, tourism and finance. Natives speak a distinctive dialect of Norwegian known as Bergensk. The city has an airport, a light rail system the busiest port in Norway and is the terminus of the Bergen Line.

The city centre and northern neighbourhoods are located on the shoreline of Byfjorden fjord. Bergen is known as the city of the Seven Mountains.

1.       HISTORY

The city of Bergen was founded in 1070 AD by Olav Kyrre, king of Norway. He was the son of King Harald Hardrada who died in the famous battle of Stamford Bridge, Great Britain, in 1066. Olav Kyrre was 10th in line of Norwegian kings, and his reign was at a very peaceful time. His nickname Kyrre indeed means peaceful. Population growth, a flourishing trade and increasing papal interest in Norway contributed to the founding of the city.

Bergen, originally called Bjorgvin, started as a small settlement at the east and south shores of Vaagen, a small inlet from the Byfjord (City fjord). Later it spread to the west shore and to areas further south. Bergen is the geographical centre of western Norway. It has an excellent ice-free harbour sheltered from the North Sea by a chain of islands. It is surrounded by mountains and is called ‘The city between the seven mountains’.

The thirteenth century was an important period in the history of Bergen. King Haakon Haakonsson made Bergen the capital of Norway and its dependencies Iceland, Greenland and many of the Scottish islands, in 1217. It replaced Trondheim, the first capital, and was itself replaced by Oslo in 1299. King Haakons son, Magnus the lawmaker, modernized the laws of the country. Civil wars ravaged the city, but it was fortified and castles, monasteries and churches were built. Towards the end of that century Bergen became the city of the northernmost bureau of the Hanseatic League. Bergen was from the beginning an important trade centre and central harbour for western Norway. The Black Death plague in 1349 came to Norway from a foreign ship in the harbour of Bergen. It wiped out one third of Norway’s population and was a severe setback also to Bergen.

2.  FACILITY

Bergen is a beautiful city with many places to go. This city has many destinations to vist and many activities to do. This city has many hotels, B&B and Inns for tourists.  Many hotels are the popular mid-range hotel, with wifi, perfect location or with prefect view of Bergen. Clarion Collection Havnekontoret, Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Bergen, Clarion Hotel Admiral are some popular mid-range hotel with good faicilitis in Bergen.

Tourists can do activites like light hiking at Mount Floyen and the Funicular on Floibanen, or take a Vidden trail from Mt. Ulriken to Mt. Floyen. Segway Tour can be a good idea for tourists to stroll around the city without feeling tired by walking.

The tourists csn take the train from Bergen to Flåm.at  Flåm Railway.

The Bergen Fish Market with it’s abundance of fish, flowers, fruit, vegetables, handicrafts and souvenirs. A very popular object for photographers. Want to taste raw oysters? You’ll get the chance at the Fish Market in Bergen. Another very popular thing is to buy freshly boiled shrimps and eat by the waterfront next to the stands at the Fish Market or at Bryggen (next to the Fish Market).

That is a little information about Bergen. This city is very colorful, like a puzzle with their own beauty. The weather in the spring-summer time is very warm with the sun shines bright and the clear blue sky. That’s one of reason why I choosed this city. 

SANTORINI

Greece is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, ranking in the world's top 20 countries. According to the Greek Ministry of Tourism, the nation received about 20 million visitors in 2013, a large number for a small country of 11 million. Visitors are drawn to the country's beaches and reliable sunny summer weather, its nightlife, historical sites and natural beauty.

One of many Tourist Destinations in Greece is Santorini. Look at the picture above, how can anything be this magnificent?

Santorini is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast of Greece’s mainland. It is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago which bears the same name and is the remnant of a volcanic caldera.

1. HISTORY

Berdasarkan penemuan di situs arkeologis Santorini, kehadiran manusia di pulau tersebut dimulai pada Masa Neolitik. Pulau ini merupakan lokasi peradaban penting sekitar tahun 3600 SM. Dulunya, Santorini dikenal dengan nama Stongili dari bahasa Yunani yang berarti "Bundar". Penemuan di kota penting dekat Akrotiri dan pantai merah menunjukkan adanya peradaban Minoa di pulau tersebut. Kota itu sangat mirip dengan Pulau Kreta yang banyak dihiasi ornamen dinding dan tembikar bergaya Minoa.

Pada tahun 1500 SM, terjadi letusan gunung berapi yang menenggelamkan bagian tengah Santorini dan beberapa gempa bumi yang terjadi kemudian menyebabkan musnahnya sebagian besar pulau tersebut. Tahun 1300 SM, Fenisia menghuni pulau ini hingga 1100 SM ketika Lakonia mulai menduduki pulau tersebut dan menamaninya menjadi Thera. Pada abad e-6 dan 7 SM, Thera pernah memiliki hubungan perdagangan dan komersial dengan sebagian besar pulau dan kota yang ada di Yunani. Selama Periode Helenistik, Thera menjadi pusat perdagangan dan pangkalan angkatan laut yang penting karena posisinya yang strategis di tengah Laut Aegea. Hal ini terjadi karena penguasa Dinasti Ptolemeus saat itu (penerus Alexander Agung) sedang mengkampanyekan dominasi terhadap Laut Aegea.

Pada tahun 1200 dan 1579, pulau ini sempat berada di bawah kekuasaan Byzantium dan Venesia. Orang-orang Venesia mengganti nama Thera menjadi Santorini, yang diambil dari Saint Irene, sebuah gereja di pulau itu. Tahun 1579, Kekaisaran Ottoman dari Turki merebut pulau tersebut dan memberikannya otonomi yang adil hingga pembebasan Santorini yang terjadi setelah Revolusi Yunani pada tahun 1821. Letusan gunung berapi sempat terjadi berkali-kali di pulau ini, di antaranya pada tahun 1570-an, 1650, 1707, 1866-1870, 1925-1926, 1928, 1939-1941, dan 1950.

2.     Facility

Santorini is one of the most favourite tourist destination in Greece when the holiday is coming. This place has many facilities that will spoil the tourists. Astro Palace Hotel and Suites, El Greco, Majestic Hotel, Aigialos Hotel are some of the best downtown hotels in Santorini. There are also many places that you have to visit. For example Hiking Trail Fira on Oia, Ancient Thera, Perissa Beach, Amoudi Bay on Oia any many more beautiful places. If you tired for stroll around by walk, there are many sightseeing tours that avaible in Santorini. Tourists can choose from the cheap one til the excecutive and expensive one. Santorini MTB Day Adventures on Karteradhos, Santorini Photo Day Tours on Fira, Black Pearl Executive Tours in Megalochori, Santorini Sea Trips Anemos on Oia are

some of many sightseeing tours that you tourists can choose. Santorini has many Specialty & Gift Shops for tourists too. Gems and Jewelries are the most things to sell. But there are also another gift shops besides jewelries and gems such as pottery at  Galatea Pottery on Akrotiri or Books at  Atlantis Books on Oia.

Santorini is one of many favourite places for holiday even for honeymoon. The reason why I choosed this place because is extremely beautiful, the weather is warm enough for Asian people, the sun is shines brightly, the scenery of the sea and the archipelago is magnificent 

Sources :

www.google.com

www.tripadvisor.com

www.wikipedia.com

www.pinterest.com