Shanghai has one of the best skylines, and the best place to see it is along The Bund. This waterfront view runs along the western bank of the Huangpu River. 
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Tag Archives: view
Drinks at Hancock Tower
Grab a drink at the Hancock Tower at night to admire the gorgeous view of the city. Be mindful that the drinks are a bit pricey starting at $13.
Location: 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park was once Seattle Gas Light Company in 1906. It was a plant to manufacture gas from coal. In the 1950’s, this plant became obsolete when importing natural gas became more popular. In 1975, Seattle turned it into a public park with remnants of the plant still standing.
The old boiler house is now a picnic shelter.
The pump house is now the play barn.
Here you can enjoy magnificent views of the Seattle skyline.
Kerry Park
In the Queen Anne Hill neighborhood, stop by Kerry Park and enjoy a panoramic view that encompasses the downtown Seattle skyline, the Space Needle, Elliot Bay, West Seattle peninsula, and Bainbridge Island.
On a nice day, you can spot Mt. Rainier in the back. This wonderful park was gifted by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sperry Kerry to the city.
Fushimi Inari-taisha
Home to the infamous thousands of red (vermillion) torii gates shrine. Below is the Romon Gate donated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1589. Behind it is Honden, the main shrine building.
Fushimi Inari is named after the mountain it sits atop, Mount Inari,
and the Shinto god of rice it gives homage to, Inari. Foxes are known to be Inari’s messengers. Therefore, you will see them everywhere before the shrines.
Beginning of the ascent to the thousands of red torii gates.
One of the many mini shrines that dot the mountain.
Senbon trail is the parallel rows of mini torii gates. Each torii gate is donated either by an individual or company in hopes of prosperity. The small gates start at 400,000 yen while the larger ones can cost up to 1 million yen.
One is not like the other.
After about a 40 min ascent, you will come across Yotsutsuji intersect with a view of Kyoto. Tip: Bring some snacks and water with you as it is mostly uphill. Onigiri is a small and filling snack. 7-11 offers a decent variety.
If you’re adventurous, you can continue the path for another 1.5- 2.5 hours to reach the full summit.
Admission: free.
(68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 612-0882, Japan)
Umeda Sky Building
Umeda Sky building consists of a pair of skyscrapers connected by a floating garden observatory, depicted above, with a 360 degree view of Osaka. The mirrors reflect the sky to give the observatory a floating effect.
Escalator down from the observatory.
View of how high up the observatory is.
Admission: 800 yen
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle played a major role in the unification of Japan in the sixteenth century. In 1583, Toyotomi Hideyoshi began the construction of the castle featuring eight stories, five stories main tower and three stories underground.
Despite it being an iconic landmark of Osaka, it has been rebuilt several times due to sieges and being burnt down multiple times. In 1615, Tokugawa Ieyasu seiged the castle from Toyotomi Hideyori, the heir of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
In 1620, it was reconstructed by Tokugawa Hidetatada, son of
Tokugawa Ieyasu. In 1655, lightning struck the main tower and burned it down. The current castle is a restoration, completed in 1997, representation of the Toyotomi period. The interior is now a museum of the history of Osaka Castle.
Before you is the amazing Osaka Castle. Just kidding. It’s one of the few remaining turrets.
The south half of the inner moat is grass while the north half is filled with water. This was how it was during the Toyotomi period and has remained that way since.
The inner stone wall was built in 1620 and still stands today. The granite boulders, from a rock quarry in Seto Inland Sea Rock, interlock together without mortar.
View of Osaka from the top floor with half of the golden Shachihoko. It is a mythical creature with a dragon head and fish body and symbolizes prestige and authority.
Admission: 600 yen
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