If you are tired of the cliché beach vacation or feeling lackluster about camping out in the woods, these unusual places around the world will inspire you to look at your upcoming vacation time with a whole new set of eyes. More people are turning away from lazy days spent on white sand in favor of more active and adventurous vacations; whether it be in their own backyard or jaunting off on the other side of the globe.
10. Leshan Giant Buddha
Found in Sichuan, China, it is one of the largest depictions of Buddha in the world standing over 233 feet tall. Construction started during the Tang Dynasty in 713 and took over ninety years to complete. It’s nestled at the conflux of the Min, Dadu and Qingyi rivers. You don’t have to be Buddhist to appreciate the massive statue captured in all of its majestic stillness. The hike to and from the location is just as picturesque as the views are one you arrive and the spot is renowned as the premiere sight to see in the city. Just one of the Bodhisattva’s shoulders is large enough to fit an entire basketball court and the instep is large enough for over one hundred people to stand side by side. The Great Wall of China usually gets all of the attention, but this Giant Buddha deserves a mention as well.
9. Mendenhall Ice Caves – Juneau, Alaska
If cold weather, caves and seeing something out of the ordinary speaks to your soul, the Mendenhall Ice Caves in Juneau, Alaska may be your dream destination. Mendenhall Valley holds one of the world’s most unique ice caves, complete with blue shimmering ice walls and ceilings. Many who visit have claimed it feels like they were transported out of this world when standing in its depths. If you want to see and feel the magic of this twelve mile l...
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...l next to your favorite person and being able to watch the most spectacular show nature has to offer. If you want to bring the whole family, you can also stay in a glass igloo right in Santa’s Village. During the day, there are excursions for everyone, whether you want to shop in the quaint and charming village, take a sled dog run out to the Lappish wilderness or hop on a snowmobile and hit some trails, Lapland Village has something for everyone. While this is not the most unusual place, it promises a trip you will never forget.
Forget about lying on the beach this year, choose one of these unique and unusual places and have stories to tell for years. There are unique, bizarre and off-the-beaten path sites all over this great globe, whether the ones of this list is among your favorites or not, there are plenty more just waiting for you to explore.
Guanyin (Bodhisattva) (See Fig. 1 in Appendix) is an artefact, with Object Number of 2400, in the Honolulu Museum of Art. The medium, or material, of this sculpture of Guanyin is painted wood, and traces of pigment can still be seen on the sculpture. Its height is approximately 67 inches, or 170.2 centimeters. The origin of this sculpture is China, Northern Song (960-1126) or Tangut Xia (1038-1227). According to the museum, this sculptural art piece was purchased, or acquired, in 1927 from a renowned collection of Matsukata Kojiro, who passed away in 1950.
The Buddha was and is an important figure in several different cultures, and his influence has spread over large areas. Across these different cultures, many forms of art portrayed him in different ways. In Japan, one of the Buddha’s titles stood out as the “Amida Buddha.” The statue that this paper will be detailing portrays “Amida, the Buddha of Infinite Light” (“Amida”). The statue is located in the Dayton Art Institute’s Japanese Art Gallery 105 with the acquisition number 1935.1. Created in the thirteenth century during the Kamakura period, this statue stands out in the Dayton Art Institute as a prominent Buddha figure. It is made of wood with lacquer and gilt, and it was built to be approximately the size of a normal person.
Walking into the Hall of the Buddhas, there was a sense of peace and guidance lingering inside me. The seated Bodhisattva, of the Northern Wei dynasty (386-534), CA.480, from the Yungang, Cave xv, Shani Province, made of sandstone, guarded the entrance. At first, I thought it was a time to be disciplined, but the transcending smile from the statue was a delicate fixed gesture that offered a feeling of welcome. It was not a place to confess your wrongdoings; neither was it a place for me to say, “Buddha I have sinned.” It was a room to purify the mind, the mind that we take for granted without giving it harmony. There was a large mural decorating the main wall called “The Paradise of Bhaishajyaguru”(916-1125). I sat down wandering if the artist of the portrait knew that his work would one day be shared on this side of the world, in my time. Much like Jesus Christ and his followers, the mural is a painting of healers and saviors. It was a large figure of the Buddha of medicine, (Bhaishajyaquru) surrounded by followers of Bodhisattvas, Avalokiteshvara, and Mahosthamaprapta with twelve guardian generals who have pledged to disseminate the Buddha’s teaching (Tradition of Liao 916-1125, Metropolitan Museum wall plaque).
It is an excellent destination for an amusing day of outdoor activities. Plus, you’ll get a bonus of astonishing scenic views.
The Leshan Buddha and the Laozi Statue essentially hold the same purpose, to commemorate an icon to their specific philosophical beliefs; both Laozi and Buddha are considered ones to be worshipped, dieties that many believers follow and praise. The Giant Buddhaof Leshan happens to be an icon for a more social religion, Buddhism, therefore it is designed to accommodate heavy foot traffic. It also demonstrates how Buddhist society could harmonize and solve problems together; problems like the turbulent river and the rocks. The Giant Laozi Statue is an icon for a religion that promotes seclusion from society in order to balance one’s Dao, Daoism. Both are largly followed religions, Buddhism being much more followed. To visit either of these statues would be breath taking due to their immensity and level of importance in modern and acient history.
In all of my travels across the United States of America, the `hottest' vacation spot hands down is in Key West, Florida and the `coolest' place to travel to is Denali National Park in Denali, Alaska. These vacation destinations are the two most beautiful and most relaxing places in the nation! I personally have experienced a week of enjoyment at both locations and find myself wanting to go back to each of them in the future because I had such a great time. Even though these are both awesome places to spend a week of vacation time, they differ in weather and climate patterns, they each have unique attractions and activities to do, and both vary in travel costs and various other expenses.
Located in downtown Seattle, this site is a museum to the Klondike Gold Rush in the Yukon and Alaska. It displays the role of Seattle during this period when many ventured north to become rich. This park has a sister location in Alaska and a partnership with Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site, Dawson Historical Complex National Historic Site, and other Parks Canada sites as part of Klondike Gold Rush International Historical Park.
This maraculous artifact is a wood with pigment scultupre of the Buddha showcasing each signifcant event in his life. The first figurine of Buddha starting from the lower left corner depicts his mother Queen Maya, we can infer that this depecits the gift of life as she is the one who ultimatly allows him to have a place on earth. The second depiction of Buddha, he is in the iconic pose, sitting down, looking downwards in complete serenity. Here we can infer that he has reached englightment as his graciously has one hand to the ground connecting his being with earth. Additionally, the third depiction of Buddha exemplifies his first sermon, discussing the doctrine of the Middle Path. Furthermore, the fourth figurine describes his powers that managed to calm a raging elephant that was about to trample him. Buddha visited his mother who died very shortly after he was born, in heaven to preach to her, as depiected in the fifth figurine. Figurine 6 depeicts the series of miracles, including levitation, that occured in Sravasti in response to the people who questioned his powers. Additiionaly, figurine 7 depiects a mokey giving Buddha honey as an offering thereafter was so overwhemled with joy that it caused him to fall into a well. Finally, the last figurine the Buddha is laying down peacefully inidicating the final
"Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History." Altarpiece Dedicated to Buddha Maitreya (Mile) [China] (38.158.1a-n). N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2014.
Would you prefer vacationing in a dense jungle or a scorching hot desert? Thankfully, I have had the privilege to do both. Over the past year, I have traveled to the beautiful rainforests of Costa Rica and the barren wilderness of Bonaire. By studying the parallels and differences of both destinations, one has the ability to understand the travel expectations, habitats, and activities of Costa Rica and Bonaire.
Both depict an image of Buddha from different time periods. This essay will compare and contrast “Seated Buddha” (image 1), a sculpture from the Gupta period, India, and “Seated Buddha” (image 2), a hard stone from the Qing Dynasty, China. By looking at these two images
One Place I Would Like to Visit on a Class Trip New York City is the one place I would very much like to visit on our next class trip. New York City is very large and has lots of exciting and educational activities, such as going to the theater, museums, landmarks and shopping. New York City is located in the state of New York, only 30 minutes to Newark Airport in New Jersey. It makes a perfect place for a class trip. The tourist season runs the entire year, making visiting time flexible.
Throughout someone’s life they will go to many places with their family, friends, another relatives. I have been on a few vacations that have made a lasting impact on my life. But one of the most memorable vacations I have experienced was with my cousins. I went to goa beach. Most of you probably don’t know about that beach but it is a very famous one in south India. I enjoyed myself to the fullest. The beach environment was enlightening. I would not have wanted to take this trip with anyone other than my cousins. We had a great time on the ocean sands and swimming in the ocean everyday made this vacation unforgettable.
I am planning a trip to my dream destination, the United Kingdom! I have always dreamed of going to London and exploring all of the beautiful landscapes the country has to offer. On my voyage I will be accompanied by my boyfriend, Damian, and my younger sister, Taylor. Before we can begin our journey we have to do the proper research so our trip will be everything we want it to be.
My most memorable family vacation took place two years ago. We went to Corsica, a French island situated in the south of France right next to Italy. I remembered waking up early excited to visit this new land. Used to take long flights, I was surprised to arrive to the destination after a one-hour flight. Even though the flight was short for me, it was stressful for my mom, she has never felt secured in a plane, probably due to the fact that she is afraid of height. When finally arrived at the destination, the dry and warm weather was there to welcome us. We all felt relief, and knew that this was the beginning of the summer. Excited, we had a lot of activities planned for the few weeks, me and my father could not wait to dive in the clear