One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak - Gilbert K. Chesterton. Some of the most precious sights and breathtaking destinations in Morocco are generally off the beaten path; where modernization and city life has not yet stripped the villages of culture and tradition, and where simple, uncomplicated lives have created a peaceful and tranquil lifestyle. Of course nothing stays a secret forever, and one of these secrets of natural splendor lies a mere ninety minutes outside the city of Marrakech. It is the village of Ouirgane and its surrounding landscapes.
Kbal Spean, Bridge Head in Khmer, is an Angkorian era archaeological site on the southwest slopes of the Kulen Hills to the northeast of Angkor in Siem Reap District. The site consists of a series of stone rock relief carvings in sandstone formations of the river bed and banks. The motifs for stone carvings are mainly myriads of lingams (phallic symbol of Hindu god Shiva), depicted as neatly arranged bumps that cover the surface of a sandstone bed rock, and lingam-yoni designs. There are also various Hindu mythological motifs, including depictions of the gods Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Lakshmi, Rama and Hanuman, as well as animals (cows and frogs). The river, being sanctified by flowing over the religious sculptures, flows downstream, bifurcating into the Siem Reap River and Puok River, which eventually flows into the Tonlé Sap Lake after passing through the plains and the Angkor temple complex. Kbal Spean is commonly known as the "Valley of a 1000 Lingas" or "The River of a Thousand Lingas”.
The Rice Terraces in Longsheng show a picture of great momentum and imposing beauty, being reputed as having no match in the world. Longsheng Rice Terraces, also called Longji Rice Terraces, are reached from Guilin by mountain roads amid spectacular scenery. With a history of more than 700 years, the area is still being used for growing premium quality rice by Yao and Zhuang villagers. The rice terraces are built into the hillsides and look like great steps cut into the slopes as they wind around the mountainsides. This ingenious construction makes best use of the scarce arable land and water resources in the mountainous area.
