Taman Negara National Park was established in Malaysia in 1938/1939 as the King George V National Park. It was renamed to Taman Negara after independence, which literally means "national park" in Malay. The total area of Taman Negara is 4,343 km².
Taman Negara encompasses three states, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu, each with its own legislation. The Taman Negara Enactment (Pahang) No. 2 of 1939 is enforced in the state of Pahang, the Taman Negara Enactment (Kelantan) No. 14 of 1938 in the state of Kelantan and the Taman Negara Enactment (Terengganu) No. 6 of 1939 in the state of Terengganu. The enactments have similar contents.
Taman Negara Pahang is the largest at 2,477 km², followed by Taman Negara Kelantan at 1,043 km² and Taman Negara Terengganu at 853 km².
The park has been developed into a famous ecotourism destination in Malaysia. There are several geological and biological attractions in the park. Gunung Tahan is the highest point of the Malay Peninsula; climbers can use Kuala Tahan or Merapoh as their departure point. Taman Negara is the home of some rare mammals, such as the Indochinese Tiger, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Malayan Gaur (seladang) and Asian Elephant. Tahan River has been preserved to protect the Malaysian mahseer (ikan kelah in Malay), a type of game fish.
Others attractions found near Kuala Tahan (Park headquarters for Pahang) include a canopy walkway, Gua Telinga (cave system), Lata Berkoh (rapid). Visitors can enjoy the tropical rain forest, birdwatching or jungle trekking (e.g. Tenor Rentis) and the river views along the Tahan River.
Taman Negara - holidays under rainforest canopy
NAINITAL - THE PARADISE CITY
Nainital - Introduction
Need a break from the heat and the dust? Arrive at the hill resort of Nainital. The popular summer retreat of India, Nainital attracts innumerable tourists during the summer heat. The hill resort is indeed a pleasure. The gorgeous greens and the majestic mountains add to the beauty of the hill resort. The small town of Nainital in Uttaranchal is dotted with cottages, villas and bungalows. Situated at an altitude of 1,938 meters the hill resort of Nainital offers several places of interest to the tourists. The hill resort is believed to have derived its name from the goddess Naina. There is a temple dedicated to the goddess Naina too in Nainital. Other legend claims that the Naini Lake in Nainital lends its name to the hill resort. The natural beauty and the charm of the scenic spots besides the cool weather make Nainital the place to be in during the summers.
Nainital - Past
The hill resort of Nainital has since long been the refuge of the sun scorched souls of the plains. The British made it there summer headquarter. The British sugar manufacturer of Saharnpur brought Nainital into limelight. Way back in 1841 AD Nainital was frequented. The natural beauty and especially the Lake made Nainital one of the favourite summer destinations. Since then till date the people throng the hill resort of Nainital.
Nainital - Tourism Places to Visit
The hill resort of Nainital is dotted with places of tourist interest. Amongst the many landmarks in Nainital is the Naini Lake. The Lake is also referred to as the Tririshi Lake. The tourists find the lake breathtakingly beautiful. You may even enjoy boat rides on the lake. Nainital Boat Club also offers yachting facilities at the Lake. The prime attraction of Nainital hosts the annual Kingfisher Yachting Competition in the third week of June.
Hanumangarh Temple - Nainital While in Nainital you must visit the Cheena Peak or the Naina Peak. You can enjoy the panoramic vistas of the snow-capped Himalayas and the Nainital Valley. Then there is the View Point that is another vintage point in the hill resort of Nainital. Check out the spectacular sights of the Himalayas and the Tibetan borders too. You may carry or hire binoculars to get the better views. You may take the ropeway that starts at the Mall in Nainital.
Then there is the Hanumangarh temple. Besides praying you may enjoy the sunset from the temple. Close to the temple is an observatory. Night view of the moon from the observatory should not be missed.
Nainital also has the St. John Church. The church is one of the oldest buildings of Nainital built after the British turned it into a hill resort.
The British Cemetery and the vintage point of the Dorothy's Seat on the Tiffin peak are other places worth seeing in Nainital.
Nainital - Tourist Destinations Near By
From Nainital you may further visit the Sat, Bhim and the Naukuchiya Tal.
Sat Tal is 21 km away from Nainital. It was a cluster of seven tal or lakes originally. The pine and oak trees add to the beauty of Sat Tal. You may try boating in the lake and enjoy the scenic beauty of the lake at the same
Then there is Bhim Tal at a distance of 23 Km from Nainital. The lake offers opportunities for water sports too. The natural beauty of the place makes it an excellent excursion option from Nainital.
The Naukuchiya Tal, 27 km from Nainital is another place worth visiting. The nine corners of the Lake lend it the name. It is the picture perfect spot to visit far from the madding crowds in Nainital.
Nainital - What to Buy
The hill resort of Nainital offers several shopping items to its tourists. You must check out the renowned Handloom products and Kumaon woollens for their quality and warmth. Nanital also offers shaped candles that are locally produced. The candles are available in captivating colors and delightful designs. These attractive items make excellent options as gifts and souvenirs.
Nainital - How to Reach
The hill resort of Nainital is easily accessible. The Airport at Pant Nagar is 71 km away from Nainital. Flights link Pant Nagar with other places like Delhi. From Pant Nagar you may reach Nainital through bus or taxi.
The Kathgodam Railway Station is 35 km from Nainital. It connects Nainital with Delhi, Agra, Bareilly, and Lucknow. From the station you may reach Nainital through bus or taxi.
The excellent road network links Nainital with Delhi, Bareilly, Almora, and Ranikhet. The bus stand of Tallital is just one km from the city center of Nainital.
For local transportation within and around Nainital there are taxis, Ponies, cycle rickshaws and buses run by the State Road Transport Corporation.
Nainital - Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit any hill resort in India is certainly the summer months from March to June. The months of September and October are also pleasant to be visited. Though the monsoon season in between from end of June to August should be avoided.
Nainital - Where to Stay
Accommodation is easily available in Nainital. You may take your pick from the several hotels and lodges that cater to the needs of the tourists. The accommodation options are in ample in Nainital. They suit the budget of the varying tourists that flock to the hill resort, especially during the summer months. Good food is also available at the several restaurants and eateries in Nainital.
Nainital - Fairs and Festivals
Goddess Naina Devi Festival
The hill resort of Nainital plays hosts to several fairs and festivals that attract tourists and the localities alike. As the name indicates the Autumn Festival is celebrated in the autumn season. The annual festival takes place in honor of the goddess Naina Devi in the month of September. The hill resort gets renewed after the monsoons.
The winter months of October and November see the Kumaon Festival. The Kumaon festival is Organised by the Tourism Department of Uttar Pradesh. Besides the gaiety in the air the festival is the perfect time to get an insight into the local cultures and traditions.
For the adventure sort lovers, Nainital is the place to be in for Regatta. Annually in the third week of June, a sailing race takes place in the Naini Lake. You may hire the Yachts from the Nainital Boat Club and enjoy!
St-Ursanne - Clos du Doubs
The little mediaeval town of St Ursanne is in the heart of the Jura on the River Doubs. Highlights of this romantic place are the monastery with its cloisters and the Romanesque-Gothic collegiate church, whose origins go back to the 12th century. The nature reserve is an Eldorado for walkers and cyclists.
St. Ursanne, along with Delémont and Porrentruy the third historic town in the canton of Jura, has a picturesque, mediaeval appearance, with three beautiful town gates. The historic centre has changed little over the centuries and is specially noted for its merchant’s houses from the 14th to the 16th centuries. The main feature is the former monastery founded by the Benedictine monks, with a Romanesque pillar basilica and cloisters. The south porch of the collegiate church (about 1200), in Burgundy Romanesque style, is one of the most important examples of this style in Switzerland.
The little River Doubs cuts deep into the Jura range, and then at St. Ursanne abruptly changes course to the west by 180°. There is an especially charming view of the romantic little town from the mediaeval bridge over the Doubs.
According to the legend, the holy man Ursicinus – an Irish monk – gave his name to this secluded corner. His hermitage in a cave can be reached by a steep flight of 180 steps. Only with the opening of the railway line, with its many tunnels, from Delémont to Porrentruy (1877) and on into France did St. Ursanne emerge from its long isolation.
Surrounded by a tight bend in the Doubs, an almost uninhabited ridge of hills called the Clos du Doubs, mostly covered in trees and very lonely, rises up to give fantastic views. The panorama extends from Belfort over the Vosges as far as the Freiberg mountains. The natural wilderness of the Clos du Doubs can be reached by footpaths and a mountain bike route that is even suitable for beginners. Many fishermen are drawn to the Doubs. People say that the best river trout are to be found in the Doubs. However, the lush river landscape round the Doubs is also popular with canoeists and kayakers. A very special experience is the four-day walk, nearly 80 km long, from St. Ursanne along the Doubs to Les Brenets or vice versa. Of course, it can also be done in separate day walks. At the end of each stage, post bus routes take you back up from the valley of the Doubs to the Jura plateau.
Highlights
Old Town and monastery – charming mediaeval town on the River Doubs with narrow alleyways, fine buildings and bridges and an imposing Romanesque-Gothic collegiate church with cloisters.
Nature reserve of Clos du Doubs – a mostly wooded ridge (917 m), surrounded by a loop in the River Doubs, with panoramic views over the Vosges as far as the Freiberg mountains.
Old mill at Soubey – the last in a whole series of mills along the Doubs. This restored mill dates from 1565 and still ground the corn from surrounding farms until 1968. It included a sawmill and also generated electricity.
Grottes de Réclère and Préhisto-Parc – impressive caves with stalactites and stalagmites, of European importance, 1.5 km of the cave system can be visited with a guide, and a Dinosaur Park on the evolution of the animal world.
Porrentruy – mediaeval little town dominated by an imposing castle, in the curve of the Jura in the Ajoie region.
Guggisberg Switzerland
The tiny Local History Museum in the village centre of Guggisberg is dedicated to the story of Vreneli. But Guggisberg offers much more. From bathing and barbecue fun on the banks of the River Sense (here the border to Fribourg) to equally as much pleasure on the panoramic terraces of traditional taverns, and well-signposted biking, cross-country skiing, walking and hiking tours. Offers are rounded off by a privately-run Farming Museum as well as horse trekking and horse-drawn carriage rides. Guggisberg (1115m) is particularly appealing when the sun shines on the sea of fog below.
Another folk song is almost as well known as the Vreneli song: «S'isch e länge Wäg ufs Guggershörnli» or «It’s a long way up to the Guggershorn». Actually it isn’t that far from Guggisberg to the Guggershörnli - but it is extremely steep. The hike to the 1283m summit takes a good hour. Allow equally as long to enjoy the panoramic views.
Also belonging to Guggisberg is Ottenleuebad, with its hotel/restaurant, group of holiday homes and a small skilift. Ottenleue is primarily one of the gateways to the Gantrisch cross-country ski region, with its scenic and very snow-sure pistes. Another small ski & cross-country ski area is found near the village of Riffenmatt.
Guggershorn (1283m) - the climb is richly rewarded with one of the most stunning panoramas in the Swiss Mittelland.
Vreneli ab em Guggisbärg - two-day hike along the banks of the Sense, through wetland forests and flower-filled meadows to Vreneli’s home, Guggisberg and the Guggershorn.
Gantrisch cross-country ski centre - spectacular views of the Gantrisch chain from a sunny yet snow-safe southern slop
