Shapotou : Tengger Desert, Ningxia, Zhongwei, China

Shapotou is located at Zhongwei, Ningxia Province, China. It lies on the banks of Yellow River (Huang He), where it crosses the boarder of the Tengger Desert. Shapotou is one the top most beautiful desert in China with 5 start China national tourist attraction rating.

This Shapotou Tourist Zone, presenting a unique combination of sceneries composed of the desert, the Yellow River, Majestic mountain and oases. It is not only possessed of the magnificent scenery of the Northwest, but also the beautiful scenery of the South.

As I mentioned on my last blog about Zhongwei, it is hot and sunny during the day time and cool during the night. So, remember to apply sun lotion and wear a hat or cap when you visit Shapotou. There is very little shade complex in Shapotou. Our local friend dropped us at the entrance of the Shapotou, so there is no hassle for us viting this beautiful place.

 

The entrance ticket cost us RMB90 per person. Additional RMB10 for tram to sand hill bottom. But if you are not in the hurry, talk a slow walk along the Huang He (Yellow River) to reach the sand hill.
On the way to the Sand Hill, there is drifting on the Yellow River by the sheep skin rafts. That is a real sheep skin, where the locals will remove the skin and skillfully make a balloon out of it. It was amazing seen the worker blowing at the sheep skin (imagine you are blowing a balloon). A number of these sheep skin balloon are tight together to form a base for a floor of bamboos.

 

Beside that, they also have speed boat and ziplines over the river. Upon reaching the bottom of sand hill, you have a choice of going up the hill with escalator or cable car (either one will cost you RMB20). The scenery from the top of the sand hill is magnificent.

 

 

 

There is another tram ride which cost you RMB20 round trip to the camel ride. Camel ride will cost another RMB80.

 

 

After the camel ride, go back to the top of the sand hill, you can try the Sand Slide. This is the biggest natural sand slide field in China. Here you can experience the "sandy slope singing bell". What does this mean is when you slide down the sand hill (over 100 meters in height and a slope of 60 degrees), you can hear the sound of the sand underneath them, like the bell sound. This is adventurous and breathtaking.

 

 

 

Legoland, Malaysia: Location and Map

Legoland Malaysia :
Address: 7, Jalan Legoland, Bandar Medini,, Nusajaya Malaysia, Nusajaya, Johor

Phone:07-597 8888

Hours:

 Close on Wednesday except School Holidays.

 

Opening Hours : 10am to 6pm / 10am to 8pm on weekend and schools holidays.

(Do check on the actual opening and closing hours before you go)

 

Directions:

 

No matter where you come from, the direction is pretty easy. All you need to search is NUSAJAYA. The signage is clear and will definitely lead you to Legoland.

 

1. If you are from Johor Bahru City Center or Singapore Woodland, search for Danga Bay direction and proceed straight towards Coastal Highway. Go all the way to Nusajaya and follow direction to Kota Iskandar. Before you reach Kota Iskandar, you will see Legoland.

 

2. If you are from North-South Highway (eg. from Malacca or KL), exit 253 of Tuas/Nusajaya. Proceed to Nusajaya exit 312 and follow the Legoland signage.

 

3. If you are from Singapore Tuas Second Link, it very be very easy and close, just exit Nusajaya and follow the Legoland signage.

 

 

Even if you ride camel, it will reach there one of this day.....

 

 

Legoland, Malaysia

Legoland was advertise quite regularly in Malaysia, that is why my kids keep asking us to bring them there. We manage to arrive around 11am. The sun already above our head welcoming us. It was really a hot and sunny day. Remember to wear a cap and apply some sun location. This was our past experience when we visit Dinesyland in Hong Kong, all of us got sick the next day.

Legoland Malaysia is located at Nusajaya, Johor. It is about 20 Min's from City Centre of Johor Bahru. I stayed at Pulai Spring Resort close to University Technology Malaysia, which about 30 mins to Legoland. Pulai Spring has 2 nice swimming pools.

As for the ticket you may get a cheap rate if you book early from their official website. Furthermore, there are quite a number of promotion with hotel package.

There are plenty of car parks at Legoland. So no worried about the car park but the further you park, the further you have to walk. When you arrive, no matter how far you walk, you have no problem due to incitement. But after end of a tiring day, hehe... for you to walk back to your car...ah...100 meters is like 1000 meters far. Worst still, you got to carry your kids cause they are not going to walk further.

There are stroller for rent after the entrance. My advise, do go for it, if you do not bring your own stroller. You can put your water bottle, or bags on it. The most important, if your kids is like mine, lazy to walk...stroller save you from all the tiring walking trip, especially the sunny hot day.

Legoland, has about 40 interactive rides. My sons enjoy most of the rides under the hot sun. Well, the most enjoyable ride for us is at the Land Of Adventure. Four person in a car, with each laser blasting gun. 4 D movie, was also good.

As for food, there are lots of restaurant. One thing, that i feel lack off is place for visitors to sit with roft or shelter. Malaysia weather is hot most of the time, with lacking of shelter of us parents, i really do not wish to re-visit Legoland again. If you compare this with Disneyland, there are lots of rooms for Legoland to improve. Anyway, overall, kids still love it.

 

 

 

Panoramic Scenery Central Plaza, Hong kong

Every year, I have to apply my Saudi's visa from the Saudi Arabia Consulate in Hong Kong. Saudi Arabia consulate is located at Central Plaza, Wanchai.

The main attraction I would like to introduce here is the panoramic scenery from Central Plaza. To reach 64th floor, the first lift will stop at 54th floor. Turn to your left before I continue to my second lift, there you are, a big area with all glasses with a beautiful panoramic scenery.

 

 

Take MRT to Wanchai station and there is a walking flyover bridge that connect to Central Plaza. Go for it, it is free anyway.