TripAdvisors names top landmarks

23 May 2016  2054 | Cambodia Travel News

SINGAPORE Cambodia’s Angkor Wat tops  TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice™ awards for Asian landmarks, while coming in third in the global category.

Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for landmarks worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.

Taj Mahal in India, second in the Asian category, figured  fifth in the global ranking. It was the  only other Asian landmark in the top 10.

inside no 5The awards also honoured top landmarks in Asia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

“The Travellers’ Choice Landmarks highlight some of the world’s most iconic, must-see man-made attractions that have won the TripAdvisor community worldwide,” said TripAdvisor APAC communications director, Janice Lee Fang.

For those planning to visit a winning landmark this year, TripAdvisor has also identified the average bookable accommodation rates in each destination from June to August 2016.

Asia’s top 10 landmarks

1. Angkor Wat – Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Angkor Wat welcomed over 2 million visitors last year. Dubbed the “City of Temples”, the wat is a harmonisation of ancient architecture, intricate carvings and sophisticated structures.

2. Taj Mahal – Agra, India.

The Taj Mahal sees an increase in visitor arrivals from all over the world each year. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage”.

3. Great Wall at Mutianyu – Beijing, China.

Located approximately 70 km northeast of central Beijing, the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall stretches over 5 km and used to serve as the northern barrier to defend the capital and imperial tombs.

inside no 5.2Mutianyu is one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall that is open to tourists.

4. Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) – Bangkok, Thailand. Famed for its giant reclining Buddha gilded in gold measuring 15 metres tall and 46 metres long, Wat Pho is one of Bangkok’s oldest temples and remains as a must-visit for first-time visitors to Bangkok.

The temple compound is also home to the leading school of massage in Thailand with two massage pavilions located within the area.

5. Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine – Kyoto, Japan

Originally dedicated to the god of rice, the Fushimi Inari Shrine is famous for its tunnels of brightly painted red ‘torii’ (arches or gates) that frame the pathways through the forest. It now serves as a site where people come to seek blessings for prosperity, and remains as one of Kyoto’s most famous sights.

Fushimi Inari Shrine is also a popular location for movie and TV shoots – including “Memoirs of a Geisha”.

6. Shwedagon Pagoda – Yangon, Myanmar.

inside no 5.1One of the most famous pagodas in the world, the Shwedagon Pagoda is a majestic, gilded stupa that is 99 metres tall and sits atop of a hill – making it a prominent feature of Yangon’s skyline. The pagoda consists of hundreds of temples, stupas and statues that is a reflection of some of Myanmar’s best heritage.

The gold plating of the stupa is made of genuine gold plates attained from donations from Burmese and from previous monarchs.

7. Petronas Twin Towers – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

An iconic landmark of Kuala Lumpur, Petronas Towers are twin skyscrapers that dominate the city skyline. The towers held the records for the world’s tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004, A double-decker skybridge connects the two towers on the 41st and 42nd floors.

It took eight years to complete these towers but the budget only allowed for it to be completed in six. Two construction consortiums were then hired for each tower, and they raced each other to the top!

8. Amber Fort – Jaipur, India.

Amber Fort is one of the finest example of stunning Rajput architecture. It is one of the major tourist attractions in Jaipur and known for the artistic Hindu style elements in its architecture.

This fort along with Jaigarh Fort, is located immediately above on the Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) and connected by a subterranean passage. This passage was meant as an escape route in times of war to enable the royal family members to shift to the more redoubtable Jaigarh Fort.

9.The Grand Palace – Bangkok, Thailand.

The Grand Palace was historically the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand). Today, it is still used for official events. The spectacular complex is divided into three main zones: The Outer Court is home to other structures including Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha); the Middle Court houses the most important residential and state buildings and is used for important ceremonies; and the Inner Court is reserved for the king and his queen and consorts.

10. Cu Chi Tunnels – Ho Chin Minh, Vietnam.

Built by freedom fighters during the Indochina conflict, the Cu Chi tunnels boast an extensive network of over 200 km of tunnels and remain as a reminder of the country’s past.

Serving as a functioning underground cities, the tunnels included hospitals, schools, kitchens and meeting quarters.

Global top 10 landmarks.

1. Machu Picchu – Machu Picchu, Peru.

Average bookable accommodation rates in Machu Picchu1: June: USD582 July: USD59 August: USD59

2.Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Average bookable accommodation rates Abu Dhabi: June: USD112 July: USD119 August: USD120

3.Angkor Wat – Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Average bookable accommodation rates in Siem Reap: June: USD63 July: USD63 August: USD65

4.St. Peter’s Basilica – Vatican City, Italy.

Average bookable accommodation rates in Vatican City: June: USD123 July: USD108 August: USD102

5. Taj Mahal – Agra, India.

Average bookable accommodation rates in Agra: June: USD33 July: USD34 August: USD34

6.Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba – Cordoba, Spain.

Average bookable accommodation rates in Cordoba: June: USD81 July: USD63 August: USD70

7.C hurch of the Savior on Spilt Blood – St Petersburg, Russia.

Average summer bookable rates in St Petersburg: June: USD108 July: USD81 August: USD74

8. The Alhambra – Granada, Spain.

Average bookable accommodation rates in Granada: June: USD83 July: USD67 August: USD71

9. Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool – Washington, D.C.

Average bookable accommodation rates in Washington, D.C.: June: USD307 July: USD260 August: USD226

10. Milan Cathedral (Duomo) – Milan, Italy.

Average bookable accommodation rates in Milan: June: USD141 July: USD135 August: USD151

sourced:ttrweekly.com 

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