Burj khalifa – Major attractions & sightseeing

burj khalifa attractions

The world’s tallest building is a phenomenal feat of engineering and home to luxurious apartments, offices and a top-class hotel. The Burj Khalifa stands at a staggering height of 829.8 metres and took 6 years to complete. 22 million man-hours eventually went into the construction of the modern architectural marve. Watch the amazing fireworks show from Dubai as ruler Sheikh Mohammed unveils the world’s tallest building, the Burj Dubai renamed as Burj Khalifa. At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the world’s highest observatory deck with an outdoor terrace, has defined its credentials as one of Dubai’s most popular tourist attractions, welcoming over 1.87 million visitors in 2013.

Standing tall at 828 metres in Downtown Dubai, the sky-piercing Burj Khalifa is the tallest man-made structure in the world. The glorious tower is one of the most prominent attractions in all of the Middle-East. It displays exceptional work of art and it is not without reason that it has been called the Jewel of Dubai. Climb up to the 124th floor on the observation deck, At The Top, for an uninterrupted view of the city’s skyline and beyond. This is one of the best ways to begin your sightseeing tour of Dubai. Interestingly, At The Top is the second highest outdoor observation deck in the world. The Burj experience is all about grandeur and splendour and is an absolute must for any visitor in Dubai.

Visitors to the observatory deck, located on Level 124 of Emaar Properties’ global icon Burj Khalifa, increased 13 per cent in 2013, up from 1.66 million visitors the previous year. International tourists accounted for over 50 per cent of all visitors to the leisure attraction, which offers majestic views across Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. Germans comprised the most number of international tourists at 23 per cent, followed by visitors from the UK (15 per cent); Russia and India (11 per cent each); US (10 per cent); Saudi Arabia (7 per cent); Australia, Italy, and China (5 per cent each); and France and the Netherlands (4 per cent each).

Further underlining its popularity, At the Top, Burj Khalifa, was this year crowned ‘Best Tourist Attraction in the Middle East’ at the Conde Nast Reader’s Choice Awards. Ahmad Al Falasi, Executive Director – Property Management of Emaar Properties PJSC, said: “At the Top, Burj Khalifa is a key contributor to Dubai’s tourism sector and is not only a must-see attraction for tourists but also popular among UAE residents. The one-of-a-kind attraction offers unparalleled views across the city, which inspires visitors to return time-and-time again.”

Sculpture of khajuraho temples, India

Erotic Art of Temples

Indian art and architecture has always celebrated sensuality and eroticism. Although most temples in India have their share of erotic sculptures, they are at their passionate best in the temples in Khajuraho and Konark, both of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. Khajuraho Temples are made mostly with sand-stone of variety of colours from pale buff, yellow and pink and brown. There are certain temples in which Granite stone is also used. Carving work on Granite is comparatively tough. On the other hand as Sand-stone is softer than Granite, sculpturer might have considered this property also while choosing the stone for most of the Temples. In ancient times, sulpturers are known by the name of “Shilp-shastri” or “Shilpi” means one who do sculpture art. Finishing of Sand-stone is much fine and accurate.

Most of these temples are built of sand stone, except the chausath yogini brahma and lalgaun Mahadeva which are constructed of Granite. The temples belong to the Shaiva, Vaishnava & Jaina Sects & they mark the culmination of the central Indian temple building style revealing distinctive peculiarities of plan and elevation. These compact temples without any enclosure wall are erected on a high platform. Normally the temple consists of Garbhagriha (Sanctum),Antarala (Vestibule), Mandapa & Ardhamandapa (Entrance Porch).

The Khajuraho temples mark the highest development of Indian architecture design. The sculptures represented at Khajuraho include the cult images, Parivara devatas (Family deities), Apsaras or Sura-Sundaris, secular & animal sculptures can be seen at Kandariya Madadeva Temple which displays tall & slender figures with distinctive physiognomy.

What brings hordes of tourist to explore Khajuraho temples are the erotic sculptures that cover the walls of many temples here. The erotic crafts only make up a small section of what these temples have to offer. The major share of the carvings is of Gods, deities and depiction of day to day activities of people in that era. The temples have been divided into three sections according to their location in the town. The western Group, The Southern Group and the Eastern Group.

These temples serve as finest example of Indian architecture that have gained popularity mainly due to their precise depiction of sexual life during medieval time period. These erotic sculptures can be easily locate by anyone on Kandariya Mahadev Temple. The sexual art is located outside the temple or even near the deities. It has been said by many people that the erotic art suggests Tantric practices. Many sculptures, i.e. around 10% display the sexual activities between people rather than among deities. The rest of the sculptures depict the everyday life of the people including women putting on makeup, potters, musicians, farmers, etc. Read more….

Big Ben London – Top Tourist Attraction

Big Ben London

Big Ben is one of the most symbolic London attractions and perhaps London’s single most famous site. No visit to the city is complete without a photograph of this iconic landmark. Big Ben is part of the Houses of Parliament (otherwise known as the Palace of Westminster) and was built in 1859. The famous tower clock known as Big Ben, located at the top of the 320-foot-high St. Stephen’s Tower, rings out over the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, for the first time on this day in 1859.

There were two bells cast as the clock tower’s hour bell. A first, sixteen ton weighing bell was cast by John Warner and Sons in 1856. Since the Clock Tower was not yet completed, the bell was hung temporarily in the Palace Yard. The bell soon cracked so it was recast in 1858 in the Whitechapel Bell Foundry as a 13.5 ton bell. Unfortunately soon after this bell was placed in the belfry in July 1859, it cracked as well. This time, instead of yet again recasting the bell, the crack was repaired and a lighter hammer was used to prevent any more cracks.

Big Ben travel, London Tourist Attractions, Famous around the world for keeping impeccable time, the Big Ben Clock Tower was fully operational on September 7th, 1859. The Big Ben Clock is used to ring in the London New Year and is a rallying point for the New Year’s celebration of the entire country of England. The BBC also broadcasts the chiming of the bells on Remembrance Day to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month; the end of World War I. A famous symbol of Parliament and all things English throughout the world, the Big Ben Clock is visible from many locations in London and is well worth visiting.

Big Ben is one of London’s best-known landmarks, and looks most spectacular at night when the clock faces are illuminated. You even know when parliament is in session, because a light shines above the clock face. The four dials of the clock are 23 feet square, the minute hand is 14 feet long and the figures are 2 feet high. Minutely regulated with a stack of coins placed on the huge pendulum, Big Ben is an excellent timekeeper, which has rarely stopped. The name Big Ben actually refers not to the clock-tower itself, but to the thirteen ton bell hung within. The bell was named after the first commissioner of works, Sir Benjamin Hall. This bell came originally from the old Palace of Westminster, it was given to the Dean of St. Paul’s by William III. Have a look…

The Eiffel Tower – Top Tourist attraction in paris

Eiffel Tower, Paris

The Eiffel Tower is the world’s most famous monument and the most famous landmark in Paris. The Eiffel Tower is Paris’ most-recognized icon. The Eiffel Tower, built in commemoration of the French Revolution, was the tallest building in the world when it was unveiled at the Paris World’s Fair in 1889. It is not complete if go to France without seeing the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of Paris and one of the top tourist attractions in France. The tower is the tallest building in Paris. Located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, Eiffel Tower has nick name the iron lady,French call it with La dame de fer.

This iron-lattice structure looms large in the collective imagination—and literally towers over Paris’s historic heart, never out of sight for long. Last year, 6.7 million paid to ascend the Eiffel Tower, and the savviest beat the crowds by purchasing tickets online in advance. Admire the Champs de Mars and surrounding streets spreading out below as you ride a glass elevator to the highest viewing level at 540 feet. —Kate Appleton

The man behind the Eiffel Tower was Gustave Eiffel, known from his revolutionary bridge building techniques, as employed in the great viaduct at Garabit in 1884. These techniques would form the basis for the construction of the Eiffel Tower. He was also known for the construction of the Statue of Liberty’s iron framework. Eiffel Tower also known as “La dame de fer” (the iron lady). The ‘metal asparagus’, as some Parisians snidely called it, was almost torn down in 1909 but was spared because it proved an ideal platform for the transmitting antennas needed for the new science of radiotelegraphy. The structure took more than two years to complete. Each one of the about 12,000 iron pieces were designed separately to give them exactly the shape needed. All pieces were prefabricated and fit together using approx. 7 million nails.

The eiffel tower most visited monument of france. You’ll probably want to get to the top first and, although you don’t get the best views of the Eiffel Tower from the very top, brace yourself for long queues of other travelers eager to take in the spectacular views of the city below. To make the most of your time in Paris, consider ordering tickets in advance online (please note, stair entrance tickets are not sold online) or plan to arrive before the tower opens to skip the long lines that may have you waiting for hours during peak season.

Big Ben in London – Facts and History

Big Ben Clock Tower

The Big Ben Clock, is actually a misnomer; it is the bell inside structure that is named Big Ben. Big Ben has become one of most prominent symbols of the city in the history of London. It has also become one of the best know sites in all of England. The title of “Big Ben” is often used to refer to the clock and clock tower but is actually the nickname for the great bell of the clock. The History of this iconic landmark is as dramatic as its stunning architecture. It all begins in 1834 when a fire ravaged the Palace of Westminster, destroying the majority of the buildings. What many people call Big Ben Clock Tower was actually named the Clock Tower or Saint Stephens Tower. Nonetheless, most people know the entire structure as Big Ben in London. To mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II’s 60 year reign as Queen, the tower was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012.

When the time came to rebuild, there was an open invitation to architects and, after much debate, Charles Barry was chosen. Parliament asked him to add a clock tower to his design and he was happy to oblige them. Unfortunately, he was not a clockmaker and after a few attempts to find one, Parliament chose George Airy to find one. Airy wrote up an exhaustive list of requirements that the clock should meet. Among them was the desire that the hourly strike would be accurate to within one second. Many felt that this, and Airy’s other requirements were impossible to realize.

Then Edmund Beckett Denison, an amateur clockmaker, began work on the problem. Along with Edward Dent, he designed a clock that featured a double three-legged gravity escapement. This was an innovative step in clock-making.’ The Bell was originally made by Warners of Cripplegate but unfortunately it cracked under testing. This bell was smashed up and re-cast by the Whitechapel Foundry and became what is now known as ‘Big Ben’ or ‘The Great Bell.’ When it was transported to Westminster, it was placed on a trolley and pulled along by sixteen horses. Crowds of cheering people lined the streets.

Facts of Big Ben

1. The best travel sight and attraction, Big Ben is actually the name of the huge bell, but most people use it to refer to the clock and the tower as well. It is the world’s largest chiming clock with four faces.
2. The clock tower was built between 1843 and 1858 and is 316 feet high and it is part of the Palace of Westminster. Although the public is not allowed inside, there are great views from the nearby London Eye.
3. Big Ben was probably named for the Commissioner of Works, Benjamin Hall, a man well known for his large size.
4. The clock tower has featured in dozens of movies, including Shanghai Knights and the 1978 version of The 39 Steps. Both films feature an exciting climax with the hero hanging from the clock hands.
5. The minute hand on Big Ben weighs about 220 pounds and is just over 12 feet long. Every year, the hand travels the equivalent of about 118 miles.