The Mango Road

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    • China
      • All along the Watchtowers
      • The Fire Carts of Xishi
      • Walking the Line
    • Cambodia
      • Silk islands of Koh Dach
    • Hong Kong
      • The New Territories
        • Hiking: Ghost Brides and Haunted Villages
        • On the Trail of Two Monasteries
        • Ping Shan Heritage Trail
        • Salt, fish and the Battle of Tai O Bay
        • The Green Hub
        • Veggies and Rebellion
      • Tai Ping Shan and Sheung Wan
      • On the Waterfront
      • The waterways of Tai Tam
      • The Tai Tam West catchwater
      • Violet Hill and The Twins
    • India
      • Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: The little blue train
      • War, subterfuge and a nice cup of tea
    • Indonesia
      • Botanical Gradens, Bogor
      • The sweet smell of steam
      • Sunrise over Gunung Bromo
    • Laos
      • Watching the river flow
    • Malaysia
      • The Jungle Line
      • Penang’s Living Art Gallery
      • Climbing Mt Kinabalu
      • North Borneo Railway
    • Nepal
      • High as a Kite
    • Thailand
      • Bangkok on foot
      • Historic towns of the Sukhothai Kingdom
      • Sukhothai, The Cradle of Thai Civilisation
      • Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam
      • Simian City
      • Ko Kret: Potters Island
      • Wat Pariwat aka Wat David Beckham
  • A Postcard from …
    • Bagan
    • Cambodia
      • Angkor
    • Darjeeling
    • Hanoi
    • Hong Kong
      • An abandoned Hakka mansion
      • Devil beating in Causeway Bay
      • Nong Ping and Big Buddha
    • Kolkata
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    • Singapore
    • Thong Pha Phum
  • Airports
    • Cambodia – Phnom Penh
    • Hong Kong – Chek Lap Kok
    • Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur, KLIA2
    • Thailand – Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi
    • Thailand – Bangkok, Don Mueang
    • Vietnam – Noi Bai, Hanoi
    • Vietnam – Da Nang
  • Food
    • Tai O Lookout – Hong Kong
    • Beer Republic – Bangkok
    • Glenary’s – Darjeeling
    • Shanak’s – Phnom Penh
    • Som Tam – Some Like it Hotter
    • Chops – Hanoi
    • 80/20 – Bangkok
    • Coliseum Cafe & Bar – Kuala Lumpur
    • Guppy’s – Bangkok
    • Kunga – Darjeeling
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China

New routes to Hong Kong
• News • Americas China Hong Kong South Korea 

New routes to Hong Kong

27th February 202627th February 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments

Flights from Chongqing, Seoul, and Los Angeles New routes to Hong KongFlights from Chongqing, Seoul, and Los Angeles February 27th,

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New links between Uzbekistan and China
• News • Central Asia China 

New links between Uzbekistan and China

25th February 202625th February 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments

Flights from Tashkent to Hangzhou and Shenzhen to be launched New links between Uzbekistan and ChinaFlights from Tashkent to Hangzhou

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New service from Singapore to Saudi
• News • Americas Central Asia China Middle East Singapore Taiwan 

New service from Singapore to Saudi

20th February 202620th February 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments

Air Astana launches new route to Guangzhou, and EVA Air to Washington New service from Singapore to SaudiAir Astana launches

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Batik introduces Penang to Perth
• News • Australia China Indonesia Malaysia 

Batik introduces Penang to Perth

13th February 202613th February 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments

Also, new routes between Canberra and Denpasar, Shanghai and Adelaide Batik introduces Penang to PerthAlso, new routes between Canberra and

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Air Astana launches Almaty to Shanghai route
• News • Africa China Malaysia 

Air Astana launches Almaty to Shanghai

11th February 202611th February 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments

Algiers links with Kuala Lumpur and Qingdao with Penang Air Astana launches Almaty to ShanghaiAlgiers links with Kuala Lumpur and

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Greater Bay to Hohhot and the Maldives
• News • China Hong Kong Laos Madives 

Greater Bay to Hohhot and the Maldives

9th February 20269th February 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments

Sichuan Airlines to launch Chengdu to Vientiane service Greater Bay to Hohhot and the MaldivesSichuan Airlines to launch Chengdu to

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Hainan Airlines fly Shenzhen to Madrid
• News • China Europe Philippines Vietnam 

Hainan Airlines fly Shenzhen to Madrid

6th February 20266th February 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments

China Eastern links Xi’an and Vienna, Cebu Pacific goes to Hanoi Hainan Airlines fly Shenzhen to MadridChina Eastern links Xi’an

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New meets old A journey to Nantou Ancient City
• A Postcard From ... • China 

New meets old

5th February 202614th February 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments slider, Stories

A journey to Nantou Ancient City New meets oldA journey to Nantou Ancient City I burnished my old fart credentials

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Chongqing Air goes to Malaysia
• News • China Malaysia 

Chongqing Air goes to Malaysia

4th February 20264th February 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments

Three new flights from the Chinese city to Kota Kinabalu, Penang and KL Chongqing goes to MalaysiaThree new flights from

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China Southern flies to the Finnish capital
• News • China Europe South Korea Vietnam 

China Southern flies to the Finnish capital

23rd January 202623rd January 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments

Xiamen Airlines go to Ho Chi Minh, and Asiana to Chengdu and Chongqing China Southern flies to the Finnish capitalXiamen

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A hefty strand of spider silk stretched across the A hefty strand of spider silk stretched across the footpath slammed into my face as I set off on my walk this morning. A reminder that Summer is just around the corner and that soon the trees in my neck of the woods will be festooned with nephila pelipes or golden orb weavers. Their name comes from the yellow sheen on the webs of mature spiders.
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They are quite majestic beasts but for those unfamiliar, they are the stuff of nightmares. Fully grown the body is about the size of my thumb with a leg span a little wider than my outstretched hand. The webs are commonly about a metre across, though I have seen some that were easily 1.5 metres, and are spun from some of the strongest silk known. Though they do look very pretty when caught in the sunlight. Multiple spinnerets at the blunt end of the spider mean they are quite capable of making spider rope and they are also able adjust the composition of the silk according to their environment. 
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These huge spiders are always female. The males are a rusty brown color and little bigger than a fingernail. They hang about on the edges of the web waiting, presumably until she has a meal large enough to hold her attention so that he can dart in, do the business and retreat without becoming a light snack himself. I’ve read that a bite can be quite painful but the venom itself is not considered dangerous. I have no plans to put it to the test.
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#spider #spiders #spidersofinstagram #spidersoftheworld #spiderlove #instaspider #bigspider #orbspider #spiderweb #arachnid #arachnidsofinstagram #arachnidsoftheworld #goldenorbweaver #nephilapilipes #nephila #wildlife_perfection #wildlifephotos #wildlifelovers #naturelovers #nature #naturalworld #naturephotography #earthfocus #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #creepycrawly #lifeonearth #wildasia #asia #hongkong
Hire a bamboo raft and cruise down the spectacular Hire a bamboo raft and cruise down the spectacular Li River. towards the ancient village of Xingping, near Yangshuo, China. Towering limestone karsts, sculpted by the elements, rear up from an otherwise flat plain. The riverbanks are fringed with bamboo and the occasional hamlet.
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#karst # limestone #geology #landscape #earthofficial #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #awesome_earthpix #landscapephotography #liriver #丽江 #lirivercruise  #riverfun #raft #boat #riverlife #yangshuo  #chinadestinations #raw_china #china #chinatravel #loves_united_china #chinalife #chinatrips #ruralchina #traveltheworld #traveladdict
The Ruin of St Paul's, Macau #macau #architecture The Ruin of St Paul's, Macau
#macau #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #travel #travelphotography #nightphoto
Wat Chaiwatthanaram was commissioned in 1630 by Ki Wat Chaiwatthanaram was commissioned in 1630 by King Prasat Thong, who reigned from 1629 to 1656, to honour his foster mother whose ashes are interred here. Since its construction, all of Ayutthaya’s Kings made pilgrimages here to attend royal funerals. See stories for another view.
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#WatChaiwatthanaram #ayutthaya #buddha #buddhism #temple #thaitemples #faith #religion #thailand #ayutthayathailand #amazingthailand #ig_thailand #loves_united_thailand #loves_thailand #ig_asia #loves_united_asia #super_asia_channel #unlimitedasia #unesco #unescoworldheritage #history #culture #statue #smartphone #igmoment #travel #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #CreateExplore #stayandwander
Tai Fu Tai Mansion, San Tin. It was built in 1865 Tai Fu Tai Mansion, San Tin. It was built in 1865 by Man Chung-luen, a successful merchant and philanthropist after he had been awarded the title of Dafu by the Qing Emperor.
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#taifutaimansion #architecture #architectureporn #archıtecturelovers #building #buildingporn #historicbuildings #historicalplace #hongkonghistory #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #newterritories #exploringhongkongsnewterritories #traveltheworld #traveladdict #themoderndayexplorer
Winter solstice over the Pui O River, Lantau Islan Winter solstice over the Pui O River, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
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#landscape #sunset  #wetlands #awesomehongkong
Incense coils at a Chinese temple in Macau. . #mac Incense coils at a Chinese temple in Macau.
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#macau #incense #smoke #burn #religion #religionsoftheworld #photography #travelphotography 📷 #travelphotography
New Lucky House on the corner of Nathan Road and J New Lucky House on the corner of Nathan Road and Jordan Road, Yau Ma Tei. Built in 1964 its 16 floors boast 200 units and 35 guesthouses.
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#citynights #addicted_to_nights #nightphotography #nightimages #nightlights #nightphoto #dusk #cityscape #urbanlandscape #urbanromantix #buildings #buildingporn #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #travel #travelhk #華豐大廈
Say cheese! . . . #trainmarket #railwaymarket #tra Say cheese!
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#trainmarket #railwaymarket #train #market #mahachai #vegetables #wetmarket #spicylife #chilies #lifestyle #dayatwork #thailand #amazingthailand #ig_thailand #loves_united_thailand #loves_thailand #loves_united_asia #ig_asia #super_asia_channel #unlimitedasia #travel #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #CreateExplore #stayandwander #passionpassport
It's hiking season in Hong Kong. But beware the ol It's hiking season in Hong Kong. But beware the old abandoned villages are hungry.

#hongkong #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hiking #hikingadventures #hike #abandonedplaces #abandoned #spooky #spookyseason #architecture
Diwali in Kolkata . . . #diwali #festivaloflights Diwali in Kolkata
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#diwali #festivaloflights #diwalidecorations #diwalicelebration #festival #streetsofcalcutta #streetsofkolkata #thisiskolkata #ohkolkata #oldcalcutta #india #kolkataphotography #kolkatadiaries #oldcalcutta #india #great_captures_people #ig_captures_people #travelportrait #splendid_people #portrait #portrait_mood #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld
Notice the scale of the clouds against the trees. Notice the scale of the clouds against the trees. 
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Sunset at the Laban Rata rest house, 3,272 metres (10,375ft) above sea level on Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
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#mountkinabalu #gunungkinabalu #kinabalu #labanrata #sabah #malaysia #borneo #amazingborneo #sunset #clouds #landscape #landscapelovers #landscapephotography #earthpix #awesome_earthpix #earthofficial #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #fantastic_earth #earthscience #nature_brilliance #artofnature #natureinspiration #cloudscape #mountainlandscape #seetheworld #traveltheworld #asiatravel #exploretheworld #travelenthusiast
Mt Kangchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in th Mt Kangchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world at 8,586 m (28,169 ft), appears to be floating on a cloud
Gunung Sumbing a 3,371 metre volcano in Central Ja Gunung Sumbing a 3,371 metre volcano in Central Java. Although the volcano is still active the only recorded eruptions date from 1730.
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#gunungsumbing #volcano #geology  #offthebeatenpath #landscape
Locomotive 779, Himalayan Bird, chuffs out of Darj Locomotive 779, Himalayan Bird, chuffs out of Darjeeling station with a train load of joyriders towards Ghum. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway opened in 1881 to bring tea down from the hills and essential supplies for plantation workers up. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

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These days regular services are diesel hauled with the steam locos being used only for tourist trips.
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#train #steamtrain #toytrain #railway #nostalgia #railwayphotography #railways_worldwide #railways_of_our_world #railsupremacy #steamtrains #indianrailways #darjeelinghimalayanrailway #oldtrains #unesco #unescoworldheritage #heritage #travel #wanderlust #darjeeling #incredibleindia #travelrealindia #travelblogger #travelbloggerlife #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict #travellife #lensbible #travelenthusiast
Potter wasp (Phimenes flavopictus). #wasp #potter Potter wasp (Phimenes flavopictus).

#wasp #potterwasp #Phimenesflavopictus #waspsofinstagram #bugs #insectsofinstagram #bug #insectphotography #insect #insect_perfection #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #creepycrawly #abugslife #nature #insectworld #bugsofinstagram #insectstagram #insectlicious #beautiful_insects #insectguru #fulgoromorpha #earthcapture #inmygardentoday #colorfulbug #insects_of_our_world #insectlovers #insectlover🐞 #insectlovers🌿
A-Ma Temple, Macau. The temple was built in 1488 t A-Ma Temple, Macau. The temple was built in 1488 to honour the sea goddess, Mazu aka Tin Hau, the most revered deity along the South China coastal regions.
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#macau #macau🇲🇴 #macautravel #macauig #macau_ig#china #amatemple #tinhau #mazu #temple #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #travel #travelphotography #travelgram
The Eiffel Tower and the Big Ben tower. There's a The Eiffel Tower and the Big Ben tower. There's a photo essay at: https://www.smarttravelasia.com/Special/CotaiPhotoEssay.htm

#bigben #eiffel #macau #cotai #cotaistrip
Sunset over the Pui O River, Lantau Island, Hong K Sunset over the Pui O River, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
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#wetlands #puio #lantau #lantauisland #southlantau #landscape #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #landscapephotography #naturelover #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #hongkongphotography #countrypark #wonderful_places #peacefulplace #bythisriver #estuary #seetheworld #doyoutravel #traveldeeper #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere
Main altar of the Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay, Main altar of the Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay, Hong Kong.
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One of the oldest and largest temples dedicated to Tin Hau. It was built in 1266 by two brothers who were salt traders from Fujian province. One day their boat was caught in storms and as they were swept overboard they appealed to Tin Hau for help. To show their gratitude they built the temple on the spot where they came safely to land.
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#tinhau #天后古廟 #temple #天后 #廟 #historicbuilding #historictemples #chinesetemple #hongkonghistory #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #exploringhongkongsnewterritories #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict #themoderndayexplorer
Ching Chung Koon Monastery, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong . Ching Chung Koon Monastery, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
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#ChingChungKoon #temple #monastery #chinesetemple #shrine #taoism #hongkonghistory #tuenmun #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #globetrotter #exploringhongkongsnewterritories #traveltheworld #traveladdict #themoderndayexplorer
The little rural hamlet of Muk Wu is dwarfed by th The little rural hamlet of Muk Wu is dwarfed by the towers of Shenzhen. Between them, though not visible, is the river that separates the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from the rest of China.
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Muk Wu used to be in what was known as the closed area, a stretch of land that was set up in the 1950s, firstly to prevent gun smuggling during the Korean War, but was later expanded to stem the tide of illegal border crossings. Previously only residents and their families were allowed in but the restrictions have since been rolled back so that now only the river banks and border crossing areas are closed.
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#exploringhongkongsnewterritories
Rua de Felicidade, or Street of Happiness. Macau's Rua de Felicidade, or Street of Happiness. Macau's former red light district
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#macau #macao #macau_ig #macau🇲🇴 #macautravel #backstreets
An old tree catches the bright, early morning ligh An old tree catches the bright, early morning light in Shap Long. I've no idea what kind of tree but it is a rather attractive one. It also serves as a reminder, on my morning walks, that another steep hill is imminent.
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Shap Long is a small village on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula in southern Lantau.
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#tree #treephotography #oldtre #shaplong #香港 #hikinghk #chimawan #chimawancountrytrail #lantau #lantauisland #hkig #hkiger #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #visualhongkong #hongkongphotography #offthebeatenpath #earthpix #landscape #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #landscapephotography #exploringhongkongsnewterritories
The Great Mosque of Central Java, Semarang. . . . The Great Mosque of Central Java, Semarang.
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#mosque #masjid #placeofworship #indonesia #loves_united_indonesia #icu_indonesia #ig_world_colors #dusk #nightphotography #nightphoto #nightlights #addicted_to_nights #travelblogger #travelbloggerlife #traveller #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict #travellife #total_asia #lensbible #ig_reddit #redditphotography #canon5dmarkiv
Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan, Ayutthaya, Thailand. Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan, Ayutthaya, Thailand. The 19-metre-high Buddha statue, known as Luang Pho Tho, dates back to 1334 although it has been renovated numerous times since then.
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#watphananchoengworawihan #ayutthaya #buddha #buddhism #temple #thaitemples #faith #religion #thailand #ayutthayathailand #amazingthailand #ig_thailand #loves_united_thailand #loves_thailand #ig_asia #loves_united_asia #super_asia_channel #unlimitedasia #unesco #unescoworldheritage #history #culture #statue #smartphone #igmoment #travel #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #CreateExplore #stayandwander
Water buffalo. . . . #waterbuffalo #buffalo #herd Water buffalo.
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#waterbuffalo #buffalo #herd #bovine #mammals #livestock #feral #cattle  #bubalus #bubalusbubalis #puio #lantau #newterritories #hongkong #swimminginthecreek #discoverhk #utravelhk #instahk #hongkonginsta #hongkonger #hongkong #hongkonginsta #hongkongphotography #ilovehongkong #hongkongphoto #ig_hongkong #traveladdict #travellife #ig_asia #asiatravel
The interior of Man Mo Temple on Kong Kong's Holly The interior of Man Mo Temple on Kong Kong's Hollywood Road. The temple is dedicated to Man Cheong who is the god of literature and Mo Tai, also known a Kwan Tai, who is responsible for martial arts, justice and war.
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#manmotemple #temple #文武廟 #manmotemplehongkong #文武庙 #historicbuilding #historictemples #chinesetemple #hongkonghistory #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict #themoderndayexplorer
Well before breakfast there was a tremendous pound Well before breakfast there was a tremendous pounding of drums and clashing of cymbals as a pride of lion dancers came prowling the village, chasing out bad spirits and bestowing luck and prosperity on our little community. I saw the last two but I'm sure there were at least another two before I even made it out of bed. Kung Hei Fat Choi; Happy and prosperous Year of the Dragon to all.
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#chinesenewyear #lunarnewyear #yearofthedragon #kungheifatchoi  #恭喜發財 #gongxifacai #liondance #liondancing #festival #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong  #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #exploringhongkonkgsnewterritories #travel #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict
Chapel of Our Lady of Penha The church built in 1 Chapel of Our Lady of Penha

The church built in 1622 by the crew of the Portuguese ship São Bartholomeu who, after escaping from Dutch pursuers, vowed to build a church to commemorate the Virgin Mary if they made it back to Macau.

#macau #macau_ig #macau🇲🇴 #macao #church #citynights #addicted_to_nights #nightphotography #nightimages #nightlights #nightphoto #dusk #cityscape #urbanlandscape #urbanromantix #buildings #buildingporn #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #travel #travelphotography #travelgram
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