Island sights in Asia
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Shāmiàn Island
The leafy oasis of Shāmiàn Island , which was acquired as a foreign concession in 1859 after the two Opium Wars, is a peaceful respite from the city. Back in the 19th century, the British and French were granted permission to set up their warehouses on this 'sand surface island'. The sandbank was connected to the mainland by several bridges, with iron gates that prohibited any Chinese from entering the island. Major renovation has restored some of the buildings to their original appearance, transforming them into chic restaurants and hotels.
Shamian Dajie is a tranquil stretch of gardens and trees. The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, built by the French in…
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Koh Ta Kiev
There are quite a few islands dotting the gulf within day-trip distance of Sihanoukville. For snorkelling, Koh Ta Kiev is one of the best.
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Elephanta Island
In the middle of Mumbai Harbour, 9km northeast of the Gateway of India, the rock-cut temples on Elephanta Island are a Unesco World Heritage Site and worth crossing the waters for. Home to a labyrinth of cave-temples carved into the basalt rock of the island, the artwork represents some of the most impressive temple carving in all of India. The main Shiva-dedicated temple is an intriguing latticework of courtyards, halls, pillars and shrines, with the magnum opus a 6m-tall statue of Sadhashiva – depicting a three-faced Shiva as the destroyer, creator and preserver of the universe. The enormous central bust of Shiva, its eyes closed in eternal contemplation, may be the…
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Koh Paen
Koh Paen is a rural island in the Mekong River, connected to the southern reaches of Kompong Cham town by an elaborate bamboo bridge in the dry season or a local ferry in the wet season. The bamboo bridge is an attraction in itself, totally built by hand each year and looking like it is made of matchsticks from afar. There are plenty of local wats on the island and locals make a living fishing, as well as growing tobacco and sesame.
During the dry season, several sandbars, the closest thing to a beach in this part of Cambodia, appear around the island. The best way to get about the island is by bicycle, which is possible to arrange through some of the budget guesthouses…
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Koh Trong
Lying just across the water from Kratie is the island of Koh Trong, an almighty sandbar in the middle of the river. Cross here by boat with a bicycle in tow and enjoy a slice of rural island life. This could be the Don Khong of Cambodia in years to come and attractions include an old stupa and a small floating village, as well as the chance to encounter one of the rare Mekong mud turtles who inhabit the western shore.
Catch the little ferry from the port or charter a local boat (USaround US$2) to get here.
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Lamma Island
The third-largest island after Lantau and Hong Kong, Lamma is known for its lively pubs, seafood restaurants, beaches and hikes. The laid-back lifestyle, strong feeling of community and relatively low rental make it a popular place with expats. The most interesting way to see a good portion of the island is to follow the 4km-long 'Family Trail' between the two main villages, Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan, which takes a little over an hour, and return to Central by ferry from there.
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Nokonoshima
Nokonoshima, famous for its flower fields, is only about 10km in circumference. There's a swimming beach and camping ground at the northern end of the island. Buses 300 and 301 depart frequently from Nishitetsu Tenjin bus centre (¥360, 20 minutes). Ferries depart from Meinohama Municipal Ferry Terminal, west of the city centre near Meinohama station (¥220, 10 minutes).
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Iriomote-jima
Dense jungle blankets much of Iriomote-jima, an island that could well qualify as Japan's last frontier. Trekking through the interior, you may find leeches, which in Japan is probably good enough to merit the 'wilderness' tag. The island's major attractions are beaches, rivers and waterfalls, and the rarely seen Iriomote yamaneko (wildcat).
Much easier to find are the curious sakishimasuo trees, with their twisting, ribbon-like root buttresses. You'll find them all over the island, but particularly along the coast north of Ōhara.
Iriomote-jima has several small towns and a perimeter road that runs about halfway around the coast. No roads run into the interior, which is…
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Koh Kong Island
Cambodia's largest island, about 25km south of Krong Koh Kong, towers over seas so crystal clear you can make out individual grains of sand in a couple of metres of water. Its seven pristine beaches, all of them along the western coast, get so few visitors that sand crabs scamper obliviously up and down the beach and the shoreline is dotted with colourful shells of the sort you usually see only in souvenir shops.
There's a police post near the 20km-long island's northern end, above the second beach you come to, so skippers may be reluctant to stop nearby - or even stick around the area too long. It's forbidden to explore the thickly forested interior. The island is not…
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Gu Hill
Connected to the northern shores of the West Lake by the Bai Causeway is Gu Hill, the largest island in the lake and the location of the Zhejiang Provincial Museum (Zhèjiāng Shěng Bówùguan), Zhongshan Park (Zhōngshān Gōngyuán) and the Louwailou Restaurant. The island's buildings and gardens were once the site of Emperor Qianlong's 18th-century holiday palace and gardens.
Also on the island is the intriguing Seal Engravers' Society (Xīlíng Yìnshè), dedicated to the ancient art of carving the name seals (chops) that serve as personal signatures. In the northwest is the lovely Quyuan Garden (Qūyuàn Fēnghé), a collection of gardens spread out over numerous islets and…
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Nánwān Hóudăo (Monkey Island)
About a thousand macaque monkeys live on this narrow, hilly peninsula near Xīncūn. A government research park and wildlife centre has been established to investigate all the monkey business. It sounds tacky, but it's peaceful if you avoid the tourist groups. However, during mating season (Feb-May) the monkeys are, shall we say, over-hospitable.
For maximum monkey contact, visit in the morning or evening, otherwise you might have trouble spotting them in the foliage. It's all right to feed them but don't try to touch them. And keep a tight grip on your camera; these monkeys are wily!
Frequent minibuses run to Xīncūn directly from Sānyà. Ferries from Xīncūn's pier…
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An Thoi Islands
Off the southern tip of Phu Quoc are the tiny An Thoi Islands . These 15 islands and islets can be visited by chartered boat, and it's a fine area for sightseeing, fishing, swimming and snorkelling. Hon Thom (Pineapple Island) is about 3km in length and is the largest island in the group.
Other islands here include Hon Dua (Coconut Island), Hon Roi (Lamp Island), Hon Vang (Echo Island), Hon May Rut (Cold Cloud Island), Hon Dam (Shadow Island), Chan Qui (Yellow Tortoise) and Hon Mong Tay (Short Gun Island).
Most boats depart from An Thoi on Phu Quoc, but you can make arrangements through hotels in Duong Dong. The Tropicana Resort has a large boat for charter that can make…
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Dadohae Haesang National Park
This marine national park, situated off the southwest corner of the peninsula, is made up of over 1700 islands. Hongdo (Red Island) and Heuksando are the most popular. Hongdo is worth visiting for its sheer cliffs, bizarre rock formations, spectacular sunsets and wooded hillsides cut by steep ravines. Heuksando is flatter and more populous.
Dadohae Haesang National Park occupies much of the coast and coastal waters of Jeollanam-do. Some of the isles support small communities with income from fishing and tourism; others are little more than tree-covered rocks.
Mokpo, Hongdo and Heuksando make up the gateway to the western sector. They are popular spots in July and Auguest,…
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Ko Phing Kan (James Bond Island)
The biggest tourist drawcard in the park is the so-called '', known to Thais as Ko Phing Kan (literally 'Leaning on Itself Island'). Once used as a location setting for The Man with the Golden Gun, the island is now full of vendors hawking coral and shells that should have stayed in the sea.
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Prince Kamran Baradari Park
The baradari (summer pavilion) of Prince Kamran, son of the first Mughal emperor Zahiruddin Babur, stands on a small island in the Ravi River (the river is on the northern outskirts of town). When it was completed in 1540 the Ravi was several hundred metres away and the baradari was in a large garden adjacent to the town. Its two storeys still open to a 12-columned vaulted veranda (baradari literally means 12 gates).
These days a great deal of its former romance has disappeared and few travellers make the trip here.
If water levels are not too low, rowing boats make the return trip from the Lahore side for Rs25 per person (minimum 10 people). Alternatively, you can…
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Manora Island
Manora Island sits a short ferry ride from Keamari Harbour, the entrance to Karachi's busy port. The island was the site of the fort where Karachi's Talpur rulers surrendered to the British, who later erected a (still-intact) lighthouse in its place. The island has a small beach overlooked by the remains of a 19th-century Hindu temple. Swimming isn't recommended due to strong currents and pollution. There are food stalls around the beach, some selling fresh fish in batter.
The main reason to come to Manora Island is to enjoy the sea breezes on the ferry trip out here. Boats in the harbour will also run longer trips for the right fee, but note that photography is forbidden…
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Kinkasan
Kinkasan (Golden Mountain) is one of the three holiest places in Tōhoku. Women were banned until the late 19th century. An overnight stay is ideal for those seeking tranquillity from frenetic Japanese life. The island features a pyramid-shaped mountain (445m/1460ft), an impressive shrine, a handful of houses around the boat dock and mostly untended trails.
There is no tourist information, no Internet and no convenience store on the island - so come prepared. Most visitors seem to be day-trippers, which means the island is delightfully deserted in the early morning and late afternoon.
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Huáng Dǎo
About 30 minutes by boat from Qīngdǎo and a further 30 minutes by bus is the beach of Huáng Dǎo , which is quieter and cleaner than Qīngdǎo's beaches. The ferry leaves from the Qīngdǎo local ferry terminal (Qīngdǎo lúndùzhàn), to the west of the train station. The first departure is at 06:30, with the final boat returning at 21:00. Once you reach the island, take bus 1 to its terminus.
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Lesser Yingzhou Island
The smaller island in the lake is Lesser Yingzhou Island where you can look over at Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Sāntán Yìnyuè), three small towers in the water on the south side of the island; each has five holes that release shafts of candlelight on the night of the mid-autumn festival. From Lesser Yingzhou Island, you can look over to Red Carp Pond (Huāgang Guānyú), home to a few thousand red carp.
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Umanda Mandir Cruise Bats
Some tourists pay a fortune to spot rare golden langurs in Bhutan's national parks. Yet at Umananda Mandir these loveable monkeys often loiter at the gates, politely soliciting snacks from devotees. This Shiva temple complex sits on a prettily forested river-island, accessed by a 36-seater Umanda Mandir cruise boats. The boats depart when full (roughly half-hourly) from Kachari Ghat which itself offers attractive afternoon riverviews.
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Atauro
The idyllic island getaway of Atauro is visible from Dili, but a world away. It's home to a close-knit community of around 8000 people, mostly subsistence fishers and farmers. The island's eco-lodge, Tua Koin, provides traditional thatched-hut accommodation. Roll out of bed and into the sea, with world-class snorkelling.
All profits fund community projects, such as schools.
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Bamboo Island
Bamboo Island has basic accommodation, with boat trips out there encompassing spots of snorkelling along the way. (Though those who have just arrived from Thailand will be disappointed.) The island is surrounded by clear waters and the bungalows are sweet with shared bathrooms and breezy terraces. There is also a large restaurant. A boat out here costs USaround US$8 return.
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Benten-Dō
Take a stroll down the causeway leading to the island on which Benten-dō stands. The temple is dedicated to Benzaiten, the Buddhist goddess of the arts, wisdom, the sea and the protector of children (she covers a lot of territory). More interesting than the temple itself is its location and the opportunity to see the birds and botany that thrive around the pond.
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Ko Nang Yuan
Just off the island's northwest coast, the rugged Ko Nang Yuan is a lonely island featuring three dramatic cone-shaped peaks connected by a remarkable sandbar. This idyllic beige strip is a stunning natural phenomenon that finds its way onto virtually every local postcard. Ferries from Mae Hat and water taxis from northern Sai Ri stop regularly at Ko Nang Yuan.
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Ko Fan Yai
The largest cove following Ao Thong Sai has several names, but the beach is generally known as Hat Choeng Mon. It's clean, hushed and recommended for families or for those who don't need nightlife and a variety of restaurants (these can be found at nearby Hat Chaweng). Opposite the beach is Ko Fan Yai, an island that can be reached on foot at low tide.
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