As every week, at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we keep travelling around the Asian continent. Today we are giving a touch of colour to this Thursday by taking you to China to discover the amazing Mount Danxia.

Mount Danxia is part of the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park, in northwestern China’s Gansu province. It spans an area of 300 square kilometres. It is one of the four sacred Chinese mountains of Dayunwu Mountain Range.

The word danxia is the name some Chinese landscapes are given when they have strips of red sedimentary rock in steep cliffs.

Mount Danxia is famous for its colour, it is considered the most colourful mountain in the world. This particular colour comes from the erosion and from its sandstone composition. It is located in an arid area.

Precisely, the effect of the erosion caused by the weather throughout the years is also the responsible for the strange shapes we can find in this place.

These mountains are one of the main natural wonders of the world. If you like the mountain and love painting and photography, these rainbow mountains will captivate you. The best time to visit Mount Danxia and experience and unforgettable moment is during sunset.

If you want lo live a 100% Asian experience, Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa is your place. Our exclusive microclimate guarantees an exceptional temperature throughout the year. We are looking forward to seeing you this winter!

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we pamper your health and beauty. That´s why today we want to tell you about Japanese natural hot springs.

Japanese hot springs are known as onsen. Due to the mineral salts of their thermal waters, they have beneficial properties for skin care, beauty care and health care.

Onsen are famous all over the country, there are over 2,000 onsens in Japan. Visiting them is a ritual for Japanese people. They consider it a purification of their body and spirit. Water up to 40 ºC helps remove toxins. Besides, flowers perfumed sachets are added to the hot water to increase relaxation.

There are different types of onsen. We can find outdoor or indoor baths and public and privates ones. They have two rooms: the sink and the bathroom, where we can find the ofuro or traditional Japanese bath.

The main function of onsen is relaxing, a ritual to pamper the body and rest the mind. Many Japanese people visit onsen to relax the muscles, stimulate blood circulation and purify themselves. Through this bath, people achieve a perfect mental phase for thinking and meditating.

Some of the main onsen are Dogo Onsen, one of the most ancient onsen in Japan, Hondani Onsen and Minara Onsen.

Give yourself a few days off at Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa and enjoy a Zen moment at our Relaxation Area.

Today at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we are talking about beauty and nature. We are taking you from our lush gardens to others that you will love: Gardens by the Bay.

Gardens by the Bay is one of the main tourist attractions in Singapore. Opened on 29 June 2012, they are one of the most fascinating gardens in the world.

It is a park spanning over 100 hectares of land. It is a must see visit for all nature lovers. Gardens by the Bay is split up into three big areas: Bay Central Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay South Garden. At this garden, which is the most famous and the largest garden, you can find the massive Supertrees, which are the main attraction of the park. The tallest supertree is 50 metres high.

Gardens by the Bay has several outstanding zones. Some of the most important areas of the park are the two huge conservatories: Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. The Cloud Forest, enveloped in fog, holds the Secret Garden; while at the Flower Dome we can find tons of colour flowers distributed through different theme gardens. Between both conservatories, there are 220,000 plants from all over the world.

Gardens by the Bay is also an important green project. Its trees are capable of collecting the rainwater and accumulating energy thanks to photovoltaic cells. When the night comes, its own illumination depends on this accumulated energy. By this time of the day, everybody at the park can see an authentic performance of lights and sounds.

At the 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we also have spectacular tropical gardens. If you visit us, we suggest you our Botanical Tour, through which you will be able to know all the details about a collection of over 300 tropical species.

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we like being pampered and pampering ourselves. One of the best ways to do it is practicing yoga. But, how did this discipline appear? Keep reading

It is difficult to set the origin of yoga, but according to some excavations, it comes from Indus Valley, about 5,000 years ago.

The evolution of yoga is closely connected to the three main periods of Hindu civilization: Vedic Period, Pre-Classical Yoga and Classical Period.

The Vedic Age goes from 1,500 BC to 500 BC. During this period, the ancient texts of Vedas were written. These are the oldest sacred scriptures in the world. Yoga is part of Vedas.

Pre-Classical Period goes from the sixth century BC to the beginning of the Christian period. Among the greatest epic poems of tis period we find Bhagavad-Gita, where God Krishna teaches Arjuna yoga training.

And the Classical Period, which goes from the beginning of Christian period to the fifteenth century. During the second century, Patanjali, who is considered the father of modern yoga, wrote the Yoga Sutra, which is the guidebook of classical yoga.

In particular, the word yoga comes from the Sanskrit “ioga”, which comes from the verb “iush” and means focusing the mind.

It is a mental and physical discipline, which searches for physical, mental and spiritual comfort of the human body. Body, spirit and mind strengthen and relax through the practice of different body positions called “asanas”, breathing and meditation. Some of the most famous “asanas” are Sun Salutation, Moon Salutation and Earth Salutation.

There are over 100 different types of yoga. Most famous ones are Hatha Yoga, one of the most dynamic ones, Kundalini Yoga, one of the most spiritual ones; and Bikram Yoga, one of the most physical types of yoga.

If you visit Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, don´t hesitate to join one of our yoga classes at our gardens. You deserve a few days off at our Asian paradise by the Mediterranean.

If you like Asian food and you want to live a high-level gastronomic experience, at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we offer you a wide variety of dishes and restaurants. However, today we focus on the different kinds of Japanese restaurants.

Most Japanese restaurants are specialised in a specific type of food. The kind of restaurant is indicated with Japanese signs outside. Each restaurant has its own recipes although it serves the same food as the others. All of them emphasize seasoning, quality and food presentation.

Almost all restaurants offer a lunch menu, known as teishoku, and a take away menu, called bento.

Which ones are the main Japanese food restaurants?

First, we have the restaurants specialize in sushi. There are two kinds of these ones: Shushi-ya and Kaiten-zushi. Kaiten-zushi resturants serve sushi on plates that sit on a rotating conveyor belt that runs by every table. The colour of each plate indicates the price.

Another one of the traditional Japanese restaurants is the Soba-ya, which specialises in two types of noodles: soba (thin noodles) and udon (thick noodles).

Ramen-ya restaurants serve another kind of noodles called ramen. It is a noodle soup dish that was originally imported from China. It is served with some appetizers.

Tonkatsu-ya offer, as it name says, tonkatsu. Tonkatsu is breaded and deep-fried pork, and it is served with shredded cabbage and other vegetables as an accompaniment.

Yakitori-ya restaurants serve yakitori, grilled chicken skewers with sauce.

Okonomiyaki-ya restaurants are one of the most famous ones. They specialise on okonomiyaki, which is worldwide known as the Japanese pizza. In some establishments customers are the ones who prepare their own okonomiyaki.

Tempura-ya restaurants are experts in tempura. Tempura are pieces of battered, deep fried vegetables and seafood.

At Sukiyaki-ya establishments, cooks cook the food on the customer´s table. They serve sukiyaki; a type of nabemono or Japanese stew. Sukiyuki is basically thinly sliced beef, cooked vegetables, tofu and different sauces.

And finally, we can find Kaiseki-ryōri restaurants, which are Japanese haute cuisine restaurants. They serve light recipes in small portions.

If you visit our Asian spot in the Mediterranean Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we suggest you our Champagne Bar, where you will be able to enjoy the best of the culinary traditions of Japan. Little Asian pleasures…

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we still have so many Asian spots to explore… Today we want to show you an unknown India. We are going into Ellora Caves.

If there is something popular about Asia, it is the way the country integrates different cults and religions. And Ellora Caves are a good example. They keep in the same place Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves.

Ellora Caves are located 30 kilometres away from Aurangabad. They were built by the request of Rashtrakuta Dynasty. They are known for their amazing sculptures worldwide.

They represent a decisive point of Indian rock-cut architecture. There are 34 caves: 12 Buddhist caves, 17 Hindu caves and 5 Jain caves. They all were built next to each other, confirming the religious harmony of this time of the history of India.

Buddhist caves were created between the fifth and eighth century. Most of them are viharas or monasteries with several cells. The most famous Buddhist cave is number 10, which is known as Vishwakarma. It is the only chaitya griha amongst the Buddhist group of caves. It keeps a huge seated Buddha statue.

Hindu caves were built between the sixth century and the eighth century. Cave 16, called Kailasa or Kailasanatha, is the centerpiece of Ellora. It was designed to symbolize Mount Kailash, Shiva´s dwelling.

The 5 Jain caves date back to the ninth and tenth centuries. They all belong to the Digambara sect. They present exceptionally detailed art works.

If you are an Asian culture lover, you will fall in love with our 5 stars resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Plan a getaway to the heart of Asian luxury in the Mediterranean and enjoy a few well-deserved days off.

Today at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we are celebrating that here summer continues in October. And how do we celebrate? We are going to Japan to celebrate its famous Taiiku-no-hi or Health and Sports Day.

Next Monday October 12, Japan has a national holiday too. The country celebrates Health and Sports Day, a day dedicated to enjoy sports and cultivate health and mind.

It was first held on October 10, 1966, to commemorate the opening of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics. And since the year 2000, it is held annually on the second Monday in October. Under the Happy Monday System, the holiday was set on a Monday so workers could have a long weekend and spend time with their families and enjoy sports.

On Taiiku-no-hi, Japanese schools and high schools hold sports festivals known as undokai, with events, games and sports competitions.

The main activities taking place on Health and Sports Day are: athletic competitions, relay races, tamaire, catching the anpan, cut the rope, dance and gymnastics performances.

Besides Health and Sports Day, on October 12 Japan also celebrates Okonomiyaki Day, one of the most delicious and famous Japanese recipes.

At Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we also have scheduled daily activities so that kids have a great time playing and making new friends. Create unforgettable moments at our Asian paradise by the Mediterranean…

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we don´t get tired of discovering the hidden details and treasures of Asia. Today we are travelling to India to talk about an impressive Hindu temple: Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is the biggest temple in India. It is located in the middle of Kaveri River, Srirangam Island, in Tamil Nadu.

Despite being unknown worldwide, it is the largest working temple in the world, only beaten by Angkor Wat, with an area of 3 square km.

It was built in the ninth century by request of Ganga Dynasty, and later, during the thirteenth century, its structure was modified and strengthened. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is the first and the most important one of the 108 temples related to Vishnu, one of the three main Hindu deities. And it is dedicated in memory of Ranganatha, who is considered the last figure of Vishnu. Vishnu’s followers go on pilgrimage to the temple to pray.

The temple is a magnificent architecture construction, decorated with pleasing relieves and numerous painted sculptures, representing gods. It is guarded by 21 towers or gopurams, which mark the limits of the sacred space.

The entrance of the temple is called Rajagopuram and it´s is 72 metres high. According to the legend, from this tower you can sight Sri Lanka´s coast. It has a lot of halls, but the main one, it is located in the entrance of the temple and has over one thousand columns.

If you are planning an Asian getaway, don´t miss the chance to travel to Asia without leaving Spain… Asia Gardens Hotel &Thai Spa.

One more week, at the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we keep travelling around the Asian continent to discover all the secrets it hides. Today we are going to China to find out more about Chinese paper cutting. Are you joining us?

Chinese paper cutting is one of the most important traditional Chinese popular arts. Throughout the centuries, paper cut has been associated with good luck, and nowadays it´s used in Chinese parties and celebrations.

Originally, Chinese women decorated their hair with gold and silver ornaments made of papercuts to attract good luck and men used them to attract good luck in sacred ceremonies.

We have to date back to the sixth century to talk about its origin, although it didn´t become popular in China until the period between the seventh and thirteenth centuries, during Chinese festivals; and in the fourteenth century worldwide.

Designs include a large range of themes. The most represented ones are the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, for holidays; deities, for New Year´s Eve; Chinese symbols related to good luck, happiness and health; flowers, birds, dragons, fishes and insects.

Other range of special designs are still meaningful currently at festivals and holidays. For example, on the lunar New Year, “Fu” symbol is pasted backwards on the door in order to attract good luck. At a wedding, a large red paper with “Xi” symbol is shown to symbolize happiness.

Red is the most used colour for Chinese paper cutting. It is the most popular colour for Chinese culture. It is directly related to life, vitality and prosperity.

If you want to be in Asia without leaving Spain, Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa is waiting for you, a luxury resort in the Mediterranean with lots of Asian activities for your relaxation and comfort. We are looking forward to seeing you!