There are more than 300 public Japanese gardens in North America and the West Coast of the United States is the home of many splendid Japanese or Japanese-inspired gardens. If you ever pass through San Francisco I can recommend two remarkable Japanese gardens for a visit. The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park in …
There is no shortage of great outback adventures in Australia. To get a good taste of the outback, without needing a four-wheel drive, the trip from Port Augusta via Uluru and Alice Springs, all the way to Darwin, is an unforgettable experience through the heart of the red continent. Part 1 of the trip describes a route …
Wybe Kuitert analyses in this article how the early historical settlement and development of Seoul, which started in the 1390s, had a strong connection with the natural landscape, and how this is still readable in the landscape. Particularly Seoul’s rolling hills were favourable and secure places to live. In contrast many water-induced areas and flood …
In this article by Wybe Kuitert, the author reminds us that many historic gardens may at present appear like rather isolated green spaces, but that such gardens and parks were often laid-out as an integral part of a wider, continuous landscape. The author gives examples of historic gardens in Japan and The Netherlands to illustrate …
Controversy exists in Fiordland in New Zealand over a proposal for a new tunnel to shorten travel time for tourists to the famous Milford Sound. The region is part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read the article online at the Daily Mail. Text by Jan Haenraets. Photo: dailymail.co.uk.
The Tripitaka Koreana is one of the most complete Buddhist scriptures and are housed at the Haensa Temple. They consist of 81,258 printing woodblocks of about 70x24cm. It took the craftsmen 16 years, from 1236 to 1251 to complete the carving. The depository building, the ‘Janggyeong Panjeon’ consists of two main buildings and while simple …
The heritage site of Herkenrode is located in the city of Hasselt, Belgium. The history of the site goes back to 1182 when the foundations were laid for this former Cistercian abbey. Herkenrode has had a chequered history, with periods of impressive heights, but sadly also periods of demise and dereliction. Since 2000 the site has experienced a transformation through …
