Kudus ~ Central Java ~ Indonesia

Today we go to Kudus, to attending my mom's family wedding party. Magelang to Kudus take 3,5 hours. I use GPS to track our route.

Kudus is a regency (Indonesia: kabupaten) in Central Java province in Indonesia. Its capital is Kudus. It is located east of Semarang, capital of Central Java.

The city of Kudus was something of an important Islamic holy city in the sixteenth century. It is the only place in Java that has permanently acquired an Arabic name ('al-Quds', Jerusalem). Sunan Kudus, one of the nine Wali Sanga, was said to have been the fifth imam (head) of the mosque of Demak and a major leader of the 1527 campaign against 'Majapahit', before moving to Kudus.

The Mosque of Kudus (Masjid Menara) which dates from this period, remains a local landmark to this day. It is notable for both its perseverance of pre-Islamic architectural forms such as Old Javanese split doorways and Hindu-Buddhist influenced Majapahit-style brickwork, and for its name al-Manar or al-Aqsa. The date AH 956 (AD 1549) is inscribed over the mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca).

Credit: Wikipedia

When we entering the regency, we can see this symbol after passed the bridge.

Kudus, Kota Kretek (Clove Cigarette City), because there's a big cigarette brand/manufacture company in here, it's Djarum.

The road from east Semarang to Kudus, passed by Demak, and it's only straight road, no need to turn left or right. Just cross outer Demak, to avoid the crowded in the Demak Regency.

If you didn't want to enter Semarang City, you can use toll-road and come out at the east side.

We only attend the wedding party for 2 hours. Then we go back to Magelang again.

We decided to passed by Salatiga, and eat Bakso Taman Sari, expensive Meat Ball. But delicious and when you tired, it feel fresh to eat hot soup and meat ball.

Then we go back to Magelang from Kopeng.

Fenghuang / Phoenix City > FengHuang--ZhangJiaJie--ChengDu--JiuZhaiGou Day 03 - 19th August 2012 > China

Woke up early, then eat breakfast at 08:00. Then we go to Fenghuang City by bus. It took 7 to 8 hours via toll then another 1 hour throught mountain which means the road is bad. But the view is different from others city.

Fenghuang County / Phoenix City is an ancient town. There's 2 part of the city, the modern one and the ancient one. Our hotel is on the modern one.

Credit:

- Wikipedia

- Travel China Guide

Fenghuang County (凤凰县/鳳凰縣 /Fènghuáng Xiàn) is under the administration of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan province, China, bordering the prefecture-level cities of Huaihua to the southeast and Tongren (Guizhou) to the west. It has an exceptionally well-preserved ancient town that harbors unique ethnic languages, customs, arts as well as many distinctive architectural remains of Ming and Qing styles. The town is placed in a mountain setting, incorporating the natural flow of water into city layout. Over half of the city's population belong to the Miao or Tujia minorities. It was the center of the unsuccessful Miao Rebellion (1854–73), which created a Miao diaspora in Southeast Asia during the last two centuries. The city is revered in Miao traditions and funeral rites and is the location of the Southern China Great Wall (中国南方长城 / 中國南方長城 / Zhōngguó Nánfāng Chángchéng / Miao: "Suav Tuam Choj"), a fortification built by the Ming dynasty to protect the local Han Chinese from Miao attacks.

The ancient town of Fenghuang was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on March 28, 2008 in the Cultural category. This ancient town was regarded as the most beautiful town in China by New Zealand writer Rewi Alley. It was built in 1704, and has 300 years of history. The ancient city is a gathering place for Miao and Tujia ethnic minority.

Though there is no airport or train station in Fenghuang County,it is quite convenient to go to Fenghuang. The nearest airport Fenghuang Airport in Tongren City is only 34km away from Fenghuang County and the nearest train station in Jishou City is only 50km away. After arriving at Fenghuang Airport or Jishou Train Station, tourists may take a bus or taxi to Fenghuang County. Besides, Zhangjiajie Airport and Huaihua Train Station are also often used as transfer stop for Fenghuang County.

We arrive at Fenghuang at 15:00 then we go to the ancient part and walk around. It's beaufitul. We even managed to ride boat.

Then when sunset, we go back to hotel to eat dinner and rest.

The weather is too hot, and not comfortable.