
| What to see and do in Asia | |||||
Click from the list below to see that country's most interesting places. The purpose of this page is to give you a general idea of things you
shouldn't miss out on if you're traveling in Asia. Everything below is a guideline, what you do in each city or national park is up to you. |
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| Afghanistan | India | Maldives | South Korea | What to See in: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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| Armenia | Indonesia | Mongalia | Sri Lanka | ||
| Azerbaijan | Iran | Nepal | Syria | ||
| Bahrain | Iraq | North Korea | Taiwan | ||
| Bangladesh | Israel | Oman | Tajikistan | ||
| Bhutan | Japan | Pakistan | Thailand | ||
| Brunei | Jordan | Palestine | Turkey | ||
| Burma | Kazahkstan | Philippines | Turkmenistan | ||
| Cambodia | Kuwait | Qatar | United Arab Emirates | ||
| China | Kyrgystan | Russia | Uzbekistan | ||
| East Timor | Laos | Saudi Arabia | Vietnam | ||
| Georgia | Lebanon | Singapore | Yemen | ||
| Hong Kong | Malaysia | ||||
| Capital - Kabul - Afghanistan's capital was once a great city, but after decades of wars and violence it is now largely in ruins and dangerous. A | |||||
| Bandi I Amir - If you travel almost 10,000 feet up in Afghanistan's mountains, you'll find five great lakes created by the natural fault lines that are called the King's Dam by locals. The mountains themselves aren't too impressive, resembling enormous piles of dirt, but the deep blue lakes are an oasis in this valley. | |||||
| Herat - Afghanistan's third largest city, Herat is the best place in the country to experience Afghan culture and see some of its most | |||||
| Minaret of Jam - Unknown to the world a hundred years ago, the tower of Minaret of Jam was Afghanistan's first world heritage site. Afghanistan doesn't have many high rise buildings, so imagine the surprise of finding the ancient 20 story tall tower in a remote part of the country. The tower was constructed of baked bricks over 800 years ago and it is believed to be the location of the ancient summer capital of King Ghurid's dynasty. | |||||
| Mazar-e-Sharif - Located not too far from the border of Tajikistan, Afghanistan's fourth largest city is also said to be the country's most | |||||
| Capital - Yerevan - Aside from being the capital of the world's first Christian county, Yerevan also is one of the oldest cities in the world. | |||||
| Echmiadzin - This city was once the capital of Armenia during the 2nd and 3rd century. Around that time Gregory the Illuminator founded an orthodox church that is one of the oldest in the world. Echmiadzin is filled with many important Orthodox sites. | |||||
| Karahunj - Karahunj was built using large stones to help study astronomy. It is similar to Stone Hedge, but it is much older. No precise | |||||
| Khor Virap - Literally meaning deep pit, Khor Virap earned its name from the role it played when the entire nation of Armenia converted | |||||
| Lake Sevan - As Armenia is a landlocked country with no access to the seas and oceans, Lake Sevan is where people go to cool off in | |||||
| Tatev Monastery - This 9th century monastery and fortress is one of the most beautiful in the world. It was built on the edge of a steep cliff | |||||
| Capital - Baku - Azerbaijan's capital and largest city is Baku, located on the Absheron Peninsula on the Caspian Sea. The city surprisingly | |||||
| Atesgah - Built by followers of the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism, the temple of Atesgah, also known as the Fire Temple, was built | |||||
| Mud Volcanoes - Azerbaijan is also called the land of fire because of its abundant natural resources such as oil and natural gas. Another | |||||
Capital - Manama - The modern city of Manama is the capital of the ancient island of Bahrain. The city's modern skyline is made up of skyscrapers and large hotels. Most visitors start exploring Bahrain by visiting the National Museum, which has everything you could want to know about the country's 7,000 year old history. As a Muslim country mosques are found all over Bahrain, and like most non Muslims are forbidden to enter. An exception is Bahrain's largest mosque, the Al-Fatih which gives non Muslims a unique opportunity to enter. | |||||
Barbar Temple - Most are surprised to find that the ancient temples in Barbar were actually constructed several thousand years ago. The first of three temples is dated back to 3000BC, the second came in 2500BC and the last around 2000BC. After standing for 4 to 5 thousand years not much is left of the original towers. The Barbar temples are still a popular place to visit, and the foundations of the temple complex can be fun to explore. | |||||
Muharraq Island - Just a few miles away from the mainland, Muharraq Island is likely to be your point of entry as you land at the international airport. Many people immediately head out to the capital or other areas and leave a lot of Muharraq unexplored. The island has history going back to 5,000 years and was once dominated by the Greeks who converted the locals to Nestorian Christianity. Muharraq is also a good place to see Bahrain's past, as it hasn't been modernized like the rest of the country. | |||||
Royal Tombs - Among the 80,000 burial mounds that are found throughout Bahrain, the Royal Tombs standout as the most impressive. Located outside the capital in the village of A'ali, the burial mounds stand up to 50 feet in height and 150 feet in diameter. There has not been any compelling evidence yet, but many believe the Royal Tombs to be the burial place of previous Kings who ruled the island nation. | |||||
Capital - Dhaka - Capital of the most densely populated country in the world, Dhaka is a busy and congested city with a metropolitan area of some 12 million people. The 400 year old city has an old Dhaka section with hundreds of mosques and temples, and an old fort that was left unfinished by a previous ruler. The city's main commercial area is known as Motijheel, and another popular place to visit in the city is the waterfront called Sadarghat. | |||||
Cox's Bazar - 'The world's longest sandy beach' stretches out 120 kilometers along the Bay of Bengal in southeastern Bangladesh. This beach should be one of the best in Asia, but conservative locals have preserved it and prevented any large development in the area. With 120 kilometers of sand, there are plenty of places to sunbathe in swim, either near a town or out in a remote area alone. | |||||
Mainimati Ruins - Bangladesh's most significant historical site, the ruins of Mainimati provide an opportunity for archaeologists to excavate the area and find secrets to their past cultures. With over 50 Buddhist sites found throughout the ruins, this place was once very important to the people of Bangladesh during 800A.D. to 1300A.D. Visiting the ruins are fairly easy, as the site is accessible and includes a large museum sharing artifacts and detailed history of the site. | |||||
Somapuri Vihara - An enormous 27 acre monastery, Somapuri Vihara is one of the biggest attractions of Bangladesh. Built in the 8th century, Somapuri Vihara is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the world. In 1985 it became a world heritage site because of its history and hundreds of temples and buildings covering 21 acres. | |||||
Sundarbans - The jungle of the Sundarbans is a large area filled with crocodiles, river dolphins and even tigers. The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world and is famous for its 400 wild Royal Bengal Tigers. The Royal Bengal Tigers are famous for eating people, and usually kill and eat about 100 to 250 people a year, making a trek through Sundarbans a true adventure. | |||||
| Bhutan | |||||
Capital - Thimphu - Less than 50 years old, Thimphu already has about 100,000 residents after King Jigme Dorje Wangchuk decided to relocate the capital. Thimphu still maintains its traditional Buddhist atmosphere by law and other than Pyongyang it is the only capital in Asia without traffic lights. Many cultural events take place in Thimphu and the nearby city of Paro, where one of the most picturesque monasteries in the world, the Taktshang, is built on the wall of a mountain face. | |||||
Bumthang District - This central district of Bhutan has more historical sites and ancient temples than any other district in the country. The Jambay Lhakhang is said to be one of over 100 temples built some 1,500 years ago to ward off an evil ogress. Bumthang district is also a place where some of Bhutan's most interesting cultural events and festivals take place. Many dances in traditional clothing as well as mythical costumes take place in Thangbi Mani. | |||||
Punakha - The former capital of Bhutan, Punakha is located at a lower altitude than the rest of the country and has a warmer temperature in the winter with hot summers. As a result, the Punakha Dzong, Bhutan's largest fortress, was built at this location and is the winter home of the leading Buddhist body. Despite the lower altitude of Punakha, the city is still surrounded by 20,000 foot peaks and some amazing scenery. | |||||
Capital - Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei's capital and only real city, Bandar Seri Begawan, is ruled by a Muslim king who resides in the | |||||
Jerudong Park - A gift from the King to the people of Brunei, Jerudong park is an amusement park larger than Hong Kong's Disney Land. | |||||
Ulu Temburong - Brunei's best national park is the Ulu Temburong rainforest located in the country's eastern enclave. Because it is | |||||
Water Village - One of the best attractions in Brunei is the water village known as Kampong Ayer, where houses and shops are built on | |||||
Capital - Naypyidaw - At the very end of 2005, the capital of Burma was abruptly moved from the city of Yangon to the unheard of town of Naypyidaw. Not much is known about the new capital, as Naypyidaw is of course mostly centered around the country's militaristic regime so few locals or travelers have any reason to visit. Even for travelers who are interested in a visit, air fare is only available to Burmese generals, so be prepared for a long 10 hour journey by bus or train. One good place to start a visit are the three giant sculptures of former Burmese Kings that were recently built in the new capital. | |||||
Bagan Ruins - Along the banks of the Ayerwaddy river are the largest collections of Buddhist temples, pagodas, and other ruins in the world. The history of the ruins begins back in the 11th century, when the Bagan's region was experiencing their golden age. For nearly 200 years Buddhists thrived in this ancient city until they were attacked and over run by invading Mongols. | |||||
Mount Popa - This picturesque extinct volcano rises nearly one mile into the sky in the center of the country. At the top of Mt. Popa is the Brumese famous Taungkalat shrine which was dedicated to the Mahagiri Nats spirits. Mt. Popa and the shrine are very important to the people of Burma, with many visiting from around the country. In order to climb to the shrine, you'll be required to remove your shoes and socks and climb the 777 steps to the top. | |||||
Yangon - Burma's most interesting city, Yangon was the former capital of the country beginning in the 19th century when it was under control of the British. As a result of European influence, Yangon has more colonial buildings than any other city in southeast Asia. The city has dozens of religions sites such as Buddhist, Christian and even a Synagogue. The Shwedagon Paya is the most important religious site in the country and is a good venture point for exploring Yangon's monuments, markets, gardens and Inya Lake. | |||||
Capital - Phnom Penh - Cambodia's most populous and wealthiest city, Phnom Penh is home to 1 out of 7 Cambodians. When it was ruled by Pol Pot in the mid to late 1970s, many sites in the city such as the Tuol Svay high school were turned into prisons and torture centers. Today, the city has seem huge economic growths, with modern districts and high rise buildings being built in the capital. Many museums are in Phnom Penh to show the city's history, and there are dozens of religions wats and the Royal Palace to be explored. | |||||
Ankor Wat - Ankor Wat is perhaps southeast Asia's most famous religious temple. It was built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple. Over the centuries, it was eventually converted to a Buddhist temple or wat. Ankor Wat has a European castle like entrance, with a 2.2 mile wall surrounding the grounds in addition to a large moat. The temple itself is one of the largest and most important in southeast Asia, and is Cambodia's greatest national treasure. | |||||
Killing Fields of Choeung Ek - Between 1974 and 1979 one of the most brutal regimes the world has ever seen ruled Cambodia known as Khmer Rouge. The Khmer Rouge regime killed anyone who they believed might have been sympathetic to the previous Cambodian government or anyone who had any ties to organizations outside the country. Nearly 2.2 million lives were lost, and many mass graves were dug in the "Killing Fields". A monument Choeung Ek provides a memorial to one of humanity's greatest tragedies in the past century. | |||||
Kirirom National Park - Translated as "happy mountain", which was named by King Monivong in the 1930s, Kirirom is a relatively small area of 130 square kilometers, but its dense mountain forests are packed with wild life. With its elevation around 2,200 feet, animals that make Kirirom national park their home include elephants, tigers, and even the rare spotted linsang, a type of belly crawling cat that is sometimes even mistaken for a snake! | |||||
Siem Reap - One of Cambodia's most popular destinations, this city has many important cultural and historic places for the country. The city is focused around the Old Market where colonial buildings are found. Apsara dance performances are also popular in the city and easily found. Since the country was devastated by land mines, the Cambodia land mine museum is another must see. | |||||
| China - Click here to see photos form China | |||||
Capital - Beijing - As the capital of the world's most populous country, Beijing is the cultural and historical center of China. The most famous | |||||
Guilin - The dramatic scenery of the Yangtze River against the towering Nan mountains draws thousands of both national and international tourists to Guilin. For a mid size city, Guilin has a surprising amount of attractions ranging from one of Asia's largest aquariums to a theme park to several festivals and native shows. The real reason to visit Guilin is to see the surrounding beauty, best done by stopping by the small town of Yangshuo and taking a small traditional boat down the Yangtze River. | |||||
Shanghai - With a population close to six million, Shanghai is China's own Tokyo or New York City, which has quickly grown to the country's economic capital in just 200 short years. The city even has it's own Manhattan, which is known as Pudong to locals. In Pudong is where you'll find all the modern marvels such as the home of the Shanghai stock exchange, their iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, and the Shanghai World Financial Center. The remaining districts of Shanghai range from old traditional areas to the western and upscale French Concession district. | |||||
Tibet - Considered an independent nation by many foreigners, Tibet has a unique and distinct culture from the rest of China. Mostly famous for its location several thousand meters up in the Himalayans and its deep and peaceful Buddhist culture, Tibet is easily a favorite for most world travelers. The picturesque monasteries such as the incredible Potala Palace never fail to fascinate visitors. With Mt. Everest and the largest canyons in the world both located in Tibet, the country has some of the best outdoor activities. | |||||
Xian - A city that is over 3,000 years old and having served the capital for 13 different dynasties, a visit to Xian should be mandatory for all | |||||
Capital - Dili - Becoming the country's capital in 2002, Dili has made a remarkable recovery from the war with Indonesia and working hard to | |||||
Atauro Island - Just north of East Timor's capital, Atauro Island offers some of the best eco tours and most tranquil beaches in the country. The island is only about 100km2, but it has excellent scuba diving, bird watching, and even a mountain just under 1,000 meters to hike. Ataura Island is also a great place for cultural experiences, such as learning how to ride in a dug out canoe or fish with natives. | |||||
Cape Fatucama - East Timor's mini Rio De Janerio, Cape Fatucama has many similarities between the famous Brazilian city. Fatucama is | |||||
Com - Like the rest of East Timor, Com offers great snorkeling and scuba diving at its beach. Com is the countries only mainland beach resort, with many facilities to accommodate travelers and water sport enthusiasts. The small village provides a good and easy weekend getaway for travelers and workers in the capital. | |||||
Capital - Tbilisi - As the capital of the land where Europe meets Asia, Tbilisi is full of many religions, races and cultures. The city is one of | |||||
Batumi - On the eastern Black Sea, Georgia's biggest port city is rapidly growing from the large investments of other nations. Luxurious hotels are being built along the sea and its quickly becoming a major port not just for Georgia but also the entire Caucasus region. The subtropical city is dotted with palm trees and not far away are nice beaches and scuba adventures for those who visit in the hot summer. | |||||
Borjomi - The resort city of Borjomi is located in the mountains next to the giant Borjomi Kharaguali national park. The area is famous for | |||||
Gori - Founded by one of Georgia's greatest kings in the 11th century, Gori is a very old city and rich in history. The most popular | |||||
Vardzia - In 1185 the cave city of Vardzia was built during the Kingdom of Georgia's golden age. The city was carved out of the | |||||
| Capital - Hong Kong - The world's most vertrical city lives on an island just south of the Chinese mainland. Hong Kong is one of the largest and | |||||
| Capital - New Delhi - India's capital boasts a population of nearly 14 million people, and is full with so much history and culture it's almost impossible to begin listing all the possiblities. Obvious places to visit include the Taj Majal which is a day trip west of the city, then famous Red Fort, Akshardham Temple, Humayun's Tomb, Gandhi's memorial and countless other places. During your exploration of New Delhi, you're likely to find yourself taking auto rickshaws, navigating crowded back alleys, and stopping at random restaurants and markets. | |||||
| Bandhavgarh National Park - Located in central India, Bandhavgarh national park is dominated by rocky hills and green valleys dense with wildlife. As a matter of fact Bandhavgarh is famous in India for having the highest concentration of tigers in the world and it was in these forests that the first white tiger was ever captured. Many other large animals live in the park such as a species of sloth bear, various deer, monkeys, jackals and even leopards. | |||||
| Goa - Unfortunately many of India's beaches by large cities have horrible reputations for being covered in waste and filth. Goa beach that is located on India's western coast on the other hand is known for its clean beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, and wide range of culture and hospitality. The beach is somewhat touristy, but the natural beauty and ocean make up for it. Since Goa is a popular destination there are plenty of options for night life, restaurants, and accommodations. | |||||
| Himalayas - The Indian Himalayas offer travelers, hikers, and climbers challenges of all sorts such as simple treks to climbing Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest mountain. For the more common hiker, there are countless trails that reach altitudes over 5,000 meters and have beautiful views of the surrounding valleys and glaciated peaks. There is virtually no dangerous wildlife in these mountains, but some unique species to look out for includes the Lammergeier, Tahr and the Snow Leopard. | |||||
| Mumbai - Formerly known as Bombay, the city Mumbai has reinvented itself by modernizing its downtown and skyline and becoming one of the largest commercial hubs in the world. Citizens of Mumbai aren't the least bit shy, and you are just as welcome to travel to their upper class downtown areas as you are to the sprawling slums. India's largest city has all sorts of entertainment, international restaurants, cultural shows and festivals. | |||||
| Varanasi - This city is actually best avoided by sensitive travelers with a weak stomach or those who are very superstitious. Varanasi is truly one of the most unique cities in the world, and no where else on earth will you find yourself in an urban environment with the population so comfortable with the dead. The Ganges River passes through the city, and in this river is where people drink water, use the restroom, bathe, and also release their dead. The city is built directly up to the river with steps called ghats descending into the water where dozens of temples and places of worship are filled by locals. | |||||
| Indonesia - Click here to see photos from Indonesia | |||||
Capital - Jakarta - Indonesia's capital is one of Southeast Asia's largest cities, and has several districts that sprawl out for miles in all directions. | |||||
Bali - The island of Bali is over 93% Hindu in a land that is the most populous Muslim country in the world. The more relaxed Hindi culture | |||||
Borobudur - Over two million stones were used to construct the the Mahayana Buddhist temple in the 9th century. The temple has a pyramid | |||||
Komodo Island - Just one of over 17,500 islands that make up Indonesia, Komodo island attracts tourists who come here for some adventure. Scuba diving is one of the most popular activities with people looking for marine life such as whale sharks, manta rays, seahorses and several other exotic species. Komodo national park which includes a few other surrounding islands was created to protect the Komodo dragon, the largest and most powerful lizard in the world. | |||||
| Iran | |||||
Capital - Tehran | |||||
Caspian Sea - | |||||
Esfahan | |||||
Shiraz | |||||
Perposoli | |||||
Capital - Baghdad - Once one of the greatest cities in the middle east if not the world, Baghdad has suffered greatly since the reign of Saddam Hussein followed by the US invasion in 2003. In the greater Baghdad area is the remains of the ancient city of Babylon, and still standing is the ancient Arch of Ctesiphon. There are almost an endless amount of historical places to visit in Baghdad, but the city is also an important place for Iraqi culture and many are surprised by all the performing arts and institutions the city has to offer. | |||||
Kurdistan - The northern part of Iraq is made up of Kurdistan which offers a completely different experience from other parts of the country. Even Kurdish people self proclaim their area to be the 'other side' of Iraq. This largely mountainous and peaceful part of Iraq is a great place for hiking with points up to 11,000 feet and dozens of popular waterfalls in the region. | |||||
Mosul - Mosul is located right on the border of Kurdistan in northern Iraq, and is known for being one of Iraq's most educated cities. The University of Mosul is one of the largest in the middle east with a huge medical program. Mosul also has the highest number of Christians than any Iraqi city and holds the tombs of several important people from the Old Testament. Another impressive site nearby is the ancient Temple of Hatra, ruins inside the remains of a city founded by the Seleucid Empire, and one of the 10 lost cities of Tayyab. | |||||
Ur - Known in the bible as Ur of the Chaldees, this city was once the capital of the Sumeria civilization, and continued to flourish during the following centuries. The 'man of faith' from the Christian bible, or the Islamic prophet Abraham was said to be born in Ur of the Chaldees. The Great Ziggurat of Ur still stands in the city and is one of the largest temples built by the Sumerians. The Great Ziggurat of Ur was dedicated to the Moon God and stands over a 100 feet tall with a large base of 210 feet by 150 feet. | |||||
Capital - Jerusalem | |||||
Dead Sea - 1,388 feet below sea level and located on the border of Jordan and Israel, the dead sea holds many geological world records. On land, it's the lowest point on earth, the sea itself is the saltiest in the world, so much that no life lives in the sea other than bacteria and fungus. The salt water content is also high enough that people will float naturally because of the unusual buoyancy. The surrounding landscape is filled with wildlife such as camels, the Arabian leopard, jackals, foxes, and more.
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Tel Aviv | |||||
Haifa | |||||
Capital - Tokyo - As the world's biggest and safest city, Tokyo is a destination fun for everyone. The only drawback is the city is very | |||||
Hokkaido - Japan's northern most island, Hokkaido is a very popular place to go skiing and snowboarding for Japanese because of its large mountains and cold climate. Hokkaido is probably the best place in Japan to experience the great outdoors. For those who prefer the city life, the capital of Hokkaido is the large city of Sapporo. | |||||
Hiroshima - Hiroshima became infamous to the world after the first atomic bomb was dropped in the heart of the city during world war | |||||
Kyushu - The island of Kyushu is southwest of Japan's mainland, but is close enough to be linked with bridges. Kyushu is a large island | |||||
Okinawa - Sometimes described as Japan's Hawaii, Okinawa is a large tropical island that is a couple hours flight south of Tokyo. Not only is the climate very different, but the culture is also very different from mainland Japan as well. Okinawa was a key island in world war two and the site of Japan's biggest battles on the homeland. Scuba diving here is also said to be one of the top ten places in the world, if you don't have your license you are in luck, Okinawa has some of the cheapest diving classes. | |||||
| Jordan | |||||
Capital - Amman - | |||||
Aqaba - The city of Aqaba is Jordan's largest port located on the Red Sea. The city has many places to go shopping and it's duty free so it's a | |||||
Dana Nature Reserve - | |||||
Dead Sea - | |||||
Petra - Also known as the Rose City, Petra is made up of several buildings literally carved out of the rocks of a valley in southern Jordan. | |||||
Wadi Rum - A desert in Jordan that also is shared by Saudi Arabia, Wadi Rum is an excellent place to view sand dunes, impressive rock | |||||
Capital - Astana | |||||
| Kuwait | |||||
Capital - Kuwait City - The bustling metropolis of Kuwait City is one of the richest cities in the world filled with luxury hotels, enormous shopping malls as well as fancy restaurants and beach clubs along the gulf. Since Kuwait is a country with one of the highest GDP, many travelers will find things to be relatively expensive here but on the plus side it is a tax free country. One of Kuwait's most famous icons are the Kuwait Towers, also the countries biggest tourist attraction. | |||||
Capital - Bishkek | |||||
Capital - Vientiane | |||||
Capital - Beirut - This city was once called the Paris of the middle east but a long civil war completely destroyed the city in the 1970s. Just when Beirut was almost completely recovered, in July 2006 a one month war with Israel set the city back again. With the city quickly recovering again, the downtown area, nightlift, beach clubs and other attractions are once again bringing tourists to Beirut. | |||||
Byblos - An ancient city that was founded around 5,000 BC, Byblos is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Byblos was the first Phoenician city and also served as the capital for the civilization from 1200 to 1000BC. The ancient city today has the oldest port in the world, several castles and churches from the crusaders, and of course ancient Phoenician temples. | |||||
Beiteddine Palace | |||||
Jeita | |||||
Grotto - One of Lebanon's most beautiful places, the Jeita Grotto cave system is made up of both a lower and upper area. Jeita Grott was closed for 20 years during the civil war but reopened to the public again in the mid 90s. Today it is a very popular tourist attraction for both Lebanese and foreigners, and therefore has many other activities in the area. The most popular are taking a cable car ride through the mountains, or a boat ride in a subterranean lake in the caves. | |||||
Tripoli - | |||||
| Malaysia - Click here for photos from Malaysia | |||||
Capital - Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia's capital has grown from a small village to one of the largest most modern cities in the world in less | |||||
Gunung Mulu Park - On the third largest island in the world is the Gunung Mulu park. This mountainous rainforest is a world heritage site because of its great geological rock formations and its huge biodiversity of wildlife. What makes this forest even more amazing, is the giant Mulu cave which has the largest enclosed space in the world. The cave is home to some of the most unique wildlife on the planet, where thousands of insects live permanently without any sunlight. | |||||
Penang - An island among the straights of Malacca, a visit to Penang will show you a little bit of everything from Malaysia. Tall buildings, | |||||
Taman Negara Park - Untouched by previous ice ages and avoiding the nearby active volcanoes for tens of thousands of years, the rainforest of Taman Negara Park is the oldest primary rainforest in the world. It is so dense, that it's possible to be only a few feet from a large animal and not even notice it. The park is very difficult to reach, and is best to fly to and spend your nights camping in the wilderness. | |||||
| Maldives | |||||
| Capital - Male | |||||
| Capital - Ulan Bataan | |||||
| Capital - Kathmandu | |||||
| Mt. Everest | |||||
| Capital - Pyongyang - One of the most unique capitals in the world, Pyongyang is a country that has been closed off to the rest of the world | |||||
| DMZ - The 155 mile long border that runs across the Korean peninsula separating the north and south, is the most fortified military border | |||||
| Kaesong - An ancient capital of North Korea, Kaesong is a unique place in the country in modern times and is located right across the | |||||
| Myohyang - One of North Korea's most sacred places, Myohyang is a small mountain located in the north western parts of the country. | |||||
| Nampo - Nampo is North Korea's largest seaport and is located on its western shores in the Yellow Sea. Nampo's biggest icon is the | |||||
| Capital - Muscat | |||||
Capital - Islamabad - Karachi - This city lies on the Arabian sea and is Pakistan's largest city. Combined with the surrounding area, Karachi is the world's second largest city. Karachi has nice weather for the most of the year, so there are also many beaches nearby. | |||||
Punjab - This eastern area is one of the four provinces of Pakistan that shares a border with India. The famous city of Lahore as well as the ancient city of Taxila are both found in Punjab. | |||||
Northern Areas - The northern areas is another province of Pakistan that is located along the border of China. Here the border is made up of the Himalayas, the world's highest mountains. If you enjoy the mountains then you do everything from climbing K2 which is the world's most dangerous mountain, or simply enjoy trekking and camping at lower altitudes while enjoying the magnificent scenery. | |||||
Swat - This part of Pakistan is unique, because alongside the NWF is an area called the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The FATA is an area that is not controlled by the federal government of Pakistan, but instead is in control by local tribal leaders. The rest of NWF is made up of very scenic mountains and the famous city of NWF, Peshawar. | |||||
Capital - Jerusalem - Both the capital of Israel and Palestine, Jerusalem is shared by the two countries and have the capital split into three main sections. There is the old city where you can find all the history and religious sites, then the Arab and Israeli sections. Famous for all of its religious sites, many people forget that Jerusalem is also a busy modern city with plenty to do. | |||||
Bethlehem - The city of Bethlehem is one of the most important places in the world for Christians, Muslims and Jews. Several sites here are important for all three religious, with the famous being the church of Nativity which was built over the spot that Jesus was believed to have been born. The church is still active and is very well could be the oldest in the world. | |||||
Nablus - Arguably one of Palestine's most beautiful cities, Nablus is located up in the mountains and is the West Bank's most populated city. Unfortunately Nablus is a region of instability due to the conflict with Israel, so most of Nablus's religious sites such as Joseph's tomb and the ancient biblical city of Shechem and others are often left undiscovered by most tourists. | |||||
Ibrahimi Mosque - The Cave of Machpelah is said to be the burial place of Adam and Eve. This is the reason why Abraham himself chose to be buried in the cave as well. Sometime during 600AD a church was built which was later converted into a mosque. The mosque still stands today and is controlled by both Israel and Palestine. | |||||
| Capital - Manila | |||||
| Qatar | |||||
| Capital - Doha | |||||
Capital - Moscow - Until the early 1990s, Moscow was closed off to much of the world when it was part of the Soviet Union. Now that | |||||
Kamchatka - Most would agree that Kamchatka is Russia's Yellowstone Park. Like Yellowstone, Kamchatka is largely a vast wilderness that has very harsh winters and cool summers and both are excellent places to view bears and other animals. While Yellowstone has the largest concentration in the world of geysers, Kamchatka has the largest concentration of volcanoes, 160 total, 29 of them active. | |||||
St. Petersburg - Said to be Russia's most beautiful city, St. Petersburg is filled with amazing Russian architecture and quite a bit of history to go along with it. The city was Russia's capital for over 200 years, until the Soviet Union came along when the capital moved to Moscow and St. Petersburg was known as Leningrad. The city is located in the far north not very far from the arctic circle. During the summer, the sun never fully sets, and many people go out to celebrate the 'white night' festivals. | |||||
Siberia - Making up over 75% of Russia's territory, and basically occupying all of northern Asia, Siberia is the continent's gateway to the Arctic. Siberia has some major cities in it, but is largely rural and unexplored. In July 2007, a baby wolly mammoth from the ice age was found fully preserved for about 10,000 years. Polar bears and reindeer roam the land, and in the north you can find walruses resting on giant icebergs and view many species of whales. | |||||
Sochi - The Black Sea resort of Sochi is quite different from the rest of Russia. Relaxing on a hot beach in Sochi surrounded by palm trees | |||||
Vladivostok - Russia's largest port on the Pacific Ocean, Vladivostok is somehow like Russians cities in the west but at the same time different. Vladivostok sits right on the border of North Korea and China, so has a large population of Asians which add to the culture of this city. During the Soviet Union, the country was closed off to most foreigners, but Vladivostok was closed off even to Soviets who lived outside the city. Now that the city is visitable by everyone, its beginning to prosper and become a major destination. | |||||
Volgograd - From the late 1600s to World War 2, Stalingrad has been lost and captured, risen and fallen countless times in countless battles. The city is most famous for its most recent battle during world war two. Not only was the battle a major turning point in the war against Germany, but it was one of the devastating fights in terms of destruction and human lives. The entire city was essentially destroyed,and the combination of deaths for both German and Russian soldiers is close to the two million mark. Today the city marks its history with the giant statue of mother Russia. | |||||
| Capital - Riyadh | |||||
Capital - Singapore - The city state of Singapore is second most densely populated country in the world, with millions of people crammed | |||||
Capital - Seoul - The greater area of Seoul has over 20 million people, giving the densely populated city a busy atmosphere similar to | |||||
DMZ - The 155 mile long border that runs across the Korean peninsula separating the north and south, is the most fortified military border | |||||
Seju | |||||
| Capital - Colombo | |||||
| Kandy | |||||
Capital - Damascus - Continuously inhabited for almost 7,000 years, the capital of Syria is one of the oldest cities in the world. The city is surrounded by the Ghouta oasis which makes life possible in what would otherwise be a inhospitable desert. The capital is full of history and as the largest city in Syria, you won't have a problem finding things to do. | |||||
Allepo - Allepo is another one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and needless to say, it is rich in history and culture. Long ago it was an ancient trading city that was known to many European countries. Over the centuries earthquakes have damaged some structures but many are still standing. | |||||
Bosra - Another ancient city in Syria, Bosra was once inhabited by the Nabateans, Romans and eventually Arabs. The city has many ancient structures that are in very good condition, including the best preserved Roman theater in the world. | |||||
Krak des Chevaliers - The castle of Krak des Chevaliers is one of the best preserved medieval castles in the world. The castle was built by the crusaders and construction started around 1150 AD. Over the hundreds of years frescos painted in the castle still remain and are some of the best preserved arts from the crusaders. | |||||
Qala'at Samaan - Devoted to St. Simeon Stylites, the Basilica was built after his death in 459AD. Simoen Stylites was one of Syria's early Christians and became famous for preaching atop some stone pillars that were up to 60 feet in height. Today the basilica is very well intact and definitely one of Syria's highlights. | |||||
Temple of Bel - Bel was the ancient god worshiped by the Babylonians thousands of years ago which was also adopted by the Romans and named Jupiter. The Temple of Bel has a huge courtyard and in the middle the temple proper that was built in 32AD. | |||||
| Capital - Taipei | |||||
Capital - Dushanbe - | |||||
Pimirs - | |||||
Wakhan Valley - | |||||
Penjikent - | |||||
Capital - Bangkok - Thailand is one of the most energetic countries in the world, with both locals and tourists partying from late afternoon | |||||
Chiang Mai - Founded in 1296 by one of Thailand's Kings, Chiang Mai is the country's second largest city and one of the most culturally
important places in the country. With over 300 temples and dozens of festivals taking place throughout the year, Chiang Mai always has
something culturally significant going on. | |||||
Nakhom Pathom - | |||||
Phuket - | |||||
Capital - Anakara - | |||||
Antalya - | |||||
Fethiye - | |||||
Istanbul - Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Square | |||||
Mt. Ararat - | |||||
Troy - | |||||
Capital - Ashgabat - | |||||
Derweze - | |||||
Karakum Desert - | |||||
Kugitang Nature Reserve - | |||||
Merv - | |||||
Tolkuchka Bazaar - | |||||
Capital - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates is ruled by the King Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan who resides in the capital of Abu Dhabi. | |||||
Al Ain - Considered to be the cultural capital of the country, Al Ain is located in the extreme south of the country on the border of Oman | |||||
Dubai - Quickly moving to the number one tourist destination in the world, Dubai has some of the most luxurious hotels in the world with | |||||
Liwa Oasis - Experience the desert live of Arabia in one of the peninsula's biggest oasis's. The Liwa desert is a popular trip among tourists in UAE and has lots of activities such as hiking, camel treks, sand skiing or just off roading in the desert. Many pools make up the oasis and are surrounded by groves of date trees and sometimes even small farms owned by the local villages. | |||||
| Capital - Tashkent | |||||
| Capital - Hanoi | |||||
| Da Nang | |||||
| Ho Chi Minh | |||||
Capital - Sana'a - One of the oldest and best preserved urban settlements, Yemen's capital of Sana'a is most famous for its old city. Old | |||||
Aden - Another ancient city of Yemen, this was the capital of the southern part of the country until the north and south were reunited in | |||||
Shibam - This small city of several thousands is nicknamed the 'Manhattan of the Desert' for its towering high rises that rise about the | |||||
Socotra - These unique islands which are also claimed by Somalia but occupied and maintained by Yemen are one of the country's |
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