![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/myson5-1038x576.jpg "My Son")
From Hoi An, I visited the ruins of My Son today. These relics of the ancient Cham culture have suffered a lot during the Vietnam war, but are still a charming sight. Continue reading The lost ruins of My Son
Tag Archives: Temples and Sacred Sites
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/hoian08-1038x576.jpg "Hoi An lanterns")
City of (Lantern) Lights
I am not quite sure whether I like Hoi An: It has without doubt a very pretty old town – but it is also sooo touristy. Continue reading City of (Lantern) Lights
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/OI001083-1038x576.jpg "\"Uncle Ho\" in front of City Hall")
The communistic-capitalistic Saigon
I am on a three-weeks long trip through Vietnam, which I have started in Ho Chi Minh City (the former Saigon). Walking through the streets here, it is easy to forget that one is visiting one of the last communist countries of the world. Continue reading The communistic-capitalistic Saigon
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_2687-1038x576.jpg "Yulong River")
Highlights of China
In October 2016, it was time to explore a region of which I did not know much about before: China. I spent three weeks there, exploring some of the most well-known sights of this country.
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161026_161533.jpg "Hong Kong Harbour")
Hikeable Hong Kong
Hongkong is a true cultural melting pot: With its skyscrapers, it resembles an American city, and the doubledecker busses remind me of London. At the same time, the Chinese-Asian influence is very well noticable – and in the hinterland there are some great hiking opportunities. Continue reading Hikeable Hong Kong
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_2407-1038x576.jpg "Shaolin Temple")
The Skilful Shaolin Monks and the Magnificent Song Shan
We spent the last one-and-a-half days at the Shaolin Temple, learning a bit about its history (and Kung Fu), as well as enjoying the beautiful Song Shan mountain. Continue reading The Skilful Shaolin Monks and the Magnificent Song Shan
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_2376-1038x576.jpg "Fengxian Cave")
The Buddhas of the Longmen Caves
Today, we visited the Longmen Caves. Out of the walls of these caves (and the surrounding cliffs), more than one hundred thousand (!) Buddha statues have been carved in the time of the Northern Wei dynasty (some 1,300 to 1,500 years ago).
Update from October 31, 2016
Additional pictures are available.![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_2024-1038x576.jpg "Tian'anmen Gate")
Welcome to the People’s Crowd’s Republic of China
Beijing is big, very big even, and (rather unsurprisingly) full of Chinese. That it is also swamped by (mainly Chinese) tourists, however, came as a surprise to me.
Update from October 31, 2016
Additional pictures are available. Continue reading Welcome to the People’s Crowd’s Republic of China
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/OI000547-1038x576.jpg "Fuego seen from Acatenango summit")
The Ruta Maya
In Winter 2016, I got to know the culture of the Mayas (in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador). I also had some relaxing days on the beach, and went hiking in the Guatemaltecan highlands.
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/1-IMG_0456-1038x576.jpg "Patan Durbar Square")
All good kingdoms come in threes
Today I visited Patan, the capital of the third former kingdom in Kathmandu Valley (along with Kathmandu and Bhaktapur). The city can best be described by a phrase that is obviously not only popular in Thailand, but also in Nepal: same same, but different
. Continue reading All good kingdoms come in threes