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| What to see and do in Asia |
Afghanistan - Click here for photos of Afghanistan
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 museum built by the Afghan government is a great way to begin your travels by getting an understanding of
the historic and current situation in the country . Right outside the museum is an enormous palace and although it is
essentially destroyed, it is still an impressive structure and is a reminder of Kabul's better times.
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
important historic sites. Some places of interest are the citadel, created by Alexander the Great, the Friday Mosque, one
of the most beautiful in the country, and dozens of ancient cemeteries and shrines that hold the tombs of past Afghan
Kings and other important leaders.
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
beautiful. It is far away from most of the violence that plagues Afghanistan today in the south. The city is most famous for
the blue mosque, called Hazrat Ali in Farsi, and is believed by Shi'ites to contain the tomb of the Prophet Ali. Also in the
area is a former city built by Alexander the Great known as Balkh, where the 2,000 year old city walls still stand today.
Armenia - Click here for photos from Armenia
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.
To share its history with the rest of us, Armenia has over 20 museums in its capital, including one about the Armenian
genocide that took places in 1915. Yerevan is a safe city that you can explore on foot, a good place to start your tour
would be Republic Square.
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
age has ever been determined, but Karahunj is estimated to be anywhere from 3,500 to 7,000 years old. Karahunj isn't
impressive to the eye, but it makes up for this with its creative design. In addition to making the rock formations, holes
carved out of the stones that you perfectly align with the stars during the right time of year.
Khor Virap - Literally meaning deep pit, Khor Virap earned its name from the role it played when the entire nation of Armenia converted
to Christianity. This huge monastery complex had a pit where a Christian named Gregory the Illuminator was thrown
inside and stayed there for 13 long years. The events afterwards led the King to give up Paganism and officially declare
Armenia a Christian nation.
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
the hot summer. At almost 2,000 meters above sea level, the lake is one of the highest in the world. Lake Sevan is a very
nice place to relax on the beach or to dine in at the many fine restaurants. If you feel like being more active then you can
go boating, fishing, or even rent jet skis
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
along the Vorotan Canyon giving a very dramatic first impression. This is a popular tourist destination as there are many
rooms to explore in this ancient building. Many rooms have stone windows to give you an excellent view straight into the
forested valley below.
Azerbaijan - Click here for photos from Azerbaijan
Capital - Baku - Azerbaijan's capital and largest city is Baku, located on the Absheron Peninsula on the Caspian Sea. The city surprisingly
is very westernized and friendly, and probably holds the best night life in the region. The city is divided into its modern
section and Old Baku, which is surrounded by a large stone wall. There is plenty to do from visiting historical buildings,
riding jet skiis in the Caspian Sea, to going to a night club along the waterfront.
Atesgah - Built by followers of the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism, the temple of Atesgah, also known as the Fire Temple, was built
around a natural gas leak in the ground. The surrounding buildings were used as a hotel for the Indian traders on the silk
trail. Parts of the building have been converted to a museum with a deeper explanation of the culture and beliefs of
Zoroastrians. What makes the temple more sacred is it is one of three remaining in the world.
Mud Volcanoes - Azerbaijan is also called the land of fire because of its abundant natural resources such as oil and natural gas. Another
interesting phenomenon are Azerbaijan's mud volcanoes, which literally spit out cold mud and have most have the
traditional cone shape of real volcanoes. There are about 800 mud volcanoes in the world, but over half of them are
found in Azerbaijan.
Bahrain
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.
Bangladesh
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
Brunei - Click here for photos from Brunei
Capital - Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei's capital and only real city, Bandar Seri Begawan, is ruled by a Muslim king who resides in the
largest residential palace in the world. The capital includes many other mosques and some Buddhist temples which
are open to foreigners on non service days. The largest mosque in the far east is in the capital and is named after the
current Sultan. Many luxurious accommodations are available in Brunei such as one of the Sultan's former palaces.
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.
Unfortunately it is usually empty nowadays and has a ghost town like atmosphere. If you ever dreamed of having an
amusement park to yourself the Jerudong Park is your next trip. Most people make a quick stop to the park and
spend a few hours at the most. The park is still unique in the world and a symbol of Brunei's wealth so plan a visit.
Ulu Temburong - Brunei's best national park is the Ulu Temburong rainforest located in the country's eastern enclave. Because it is
physically separated by Malaysia, the best way to reach the Ulu Temburong rainforest is by boat. Hiking and overnight
camping are possible in the rainforest, and many board and canopy walks have been built for great views. Some unique
wildlife lives here such as flying snakes and frogs, and the endemic proboscius monkeys famous for their strange noses.
Water Village - One of the best attractions in Brunei is the water village known as Kampong Ayer, where houses and shops are built on
stilts high above the water. The first Europeans to visit the water village several centuries ago called it the Venice of the
East. Like Venice, the only way to explore the village is by taking water taxis or using the network of planks and
boardwalks that connect houses and shops. Over 30,000 people make their home in the water village.
Burma
Capital - Naypyidaw
Cambodia
Capital - Phnom Penh -
Ankor Wat -
Killing Fields of Choeung Ek -
Kirirom National Park -
Phnom Sontuk -
Siam Reap -
China
Capital - Beijing
Guilin
Shanghai
Xian
East Timor
Capital - Dili - Becoming the country's capital in 2002, Dili has made a remarkable recovery from the war with Indonesia and working
hard to become recognized by the rest of the world. Dili is one of the few places in the far east where you can enjoy real Portuguese food
and visit colonial Portuguese structures.
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. The beach is
met by large steep tropical mountains with bars and restaurants lined up at the bottom. Also like Rio, Cape Fatucama even has a large
statue of Jesus that was inspired by Brazil's Christ the Redeemer.
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.
Georgia - Click here for photos from Georgia
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
the few places where you can find ancient mosques built right next to synagogues who lived in peace for hundreds of
years. Tbilisi was founded in 5 A.D, so needless to say it comes with lots of history and has many attractions. Some
include the Sameba which is one of the largest orthodox churches in the world, freedom square, and the Metekhi church.
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
its spring water which is the country's number one export, and locals believe the springs themselves have healing powers.
The national park has lots of cabins for rent and lots of wildlife to find. In the winter skiing is very popular, and with its
large mountains and many ski runs, even attempted to be the host of the 2014 olympics.
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
attraction of the city the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. The small humble home that Stalin was born and raised is still
preserved and is open for tours. A large museum dedicated to the Soviet leader is located right by his home, and includes
several of his famous possessions such as his armored train that transported him all over the Soviet Union
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
mountains and had 13 floors and over 6,000 rooms. A hundred years after its construction, a large earthquake ripped the
mountain in half exposing the city. Vardzia still continued to be inhabited for several hundred years, and after the city was
converted to Christianity, large Christian frescos and a church was built inside the city that is still visible today.
Hong Kong
Capital - Hong Kong
India
Capital - Mumbai
Goa -
Indonesia
Capital - Jakarta - Indonesia's capital is split into several districts, with travelers mostly heading to the central, south and western districts.
The central is where you'll find all the national monuments and government buildings such as the Presidential Palace. Both the western and
southern districts hold all the museums, nightlife and shopping areas, with a large Chinatown also in the western area. Jakarta is also close
to the famous, thousand islands, for those who want to see some beautiful Indonesia coast without leaving the capital.
Bali - The city of Bali is over 93% Buddhist in a land that is the most populous Muslim country in the world. The more relaxed Buddhist
culture has given Bali an international reputation for exotic beaches with beach front villas, great night life with the country's best bars and
clubs and all types of accommodations for both backpackers and luxury travelers.
Borobudur - Over two million stones were used to construct the the Mahayana Buddhist temple in the 9th century. The temple has a
pyramid like structure with 6 square levels making up the base and then followed by three circular levels at the top that have dozens of
Buddhist statues. The temple was believed to be abandoned after about 600 years of use and is now Indonesia's largest tourist attraction.
Other Buddhists pilgrims still visit Borobudur where they celebrate the annual holiday of Vesak.
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.
Ujuong Kulon - One of three national parks that are also world heritage sites in Indonesia, Ujuong Kulon is found on the western tip of the
country's main island of Java. The park has the largest remaining lowland rainforests on the main island, and is also known for its many
volcanoes. What makes Ujuong Kulon stand out from the rest of the national parks in Indonesia is its remaining population of Java Rhinos.
Only a few dozen Java Rhinos remain in the world, with 40 to 50 of them here in Ujuong Kulon.
Iran
Capital - Tehran
Caspian Sea -
Esfahan
Shiraz
Perposoli
Iraq
Capital - Baghdad
Umm Qasar
Babylon
Temple of Hatra
Ur of the Chaldess
Arch of Ctesiphon
Israel
Capital - Jerusalem
Dead Sea -
Tel Aviv
Haifa
Japan - Clicki here for photos from Japan
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
crowded and expensive, with some apartments being the size of an average American's living room. This enormous city
is split up into many districts that could take weeks to explore. You can expect to find everything from expensive car
shows, high tech robot museums, ancient Japanese shrines, and to the party scene of Roppongi.
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
two. The radiation has cleared and the city has since rebuilt itself. Two buildings that survived the atomic bomb are still
standing, and on the exact location where the bomb was dropped is now a memorial and a museum known as Peace
Park. In the center is an eternal flame that will be extinguished when the world has rid of all nuclear weapons.
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
with many famous sites such as Nagasaki, the second city in Japan where the atomic bomb was dropped. Japan's most
active volcano, Sakurajima, is almost constantly smoking and is located at the very southern part of the island. Some
attractions are the largest city on the island Fukuoka, the famous dormant volcano Mt. Aso, and the monkey temple.
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 - Click here for more photos from 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 great place to go on a shopping spree and avoid paying any taxes. Aqaba is a nice peaceful town with many
Jordanians coming here to go swimming and enjoy the sea. Scuba diving is also available from Aqaba as the Red Sea is
one of the best places in the world.
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.
This ancient city was built before the Roman times and was once the capital of the Nabataeans. The city is most famous
for its treasury building which is tourist's first view of the ancient city after they hike a few miles through the siq. Later on
the Romans come to Petra and added some of their own buildings including a large amphitheater that is still largely intact.
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
formations and desert wildlife in the middle east. Wadi Rum is a very large area, so there are plenty of camping options
available which will give you an idea of what the desert life is like. Many people enjoy hiking in the day and taking part in
off roading through the sand dunes, then at night enjoying a feast around the camp fire.
Kazakhstan
Capital - Astana
Kuwait
Capital - Kuwait City
Kyrgyzstan
Capital - Bishkek
Laos
Capital - Vientiane
Lebanon
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.
Tripoli -
Byblos -
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.
Malaysia - Click here for more 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
than two centuries. At one point the Petronas Towers where the highest buildings in the world at 1482 feet. The rest of
the city is filled with equally impressive mosques, Bhuddist and Hindu temples. The national zoo, huge shopping districts
and the all night entertainment means you can never have too much time in Kuala Lumpur.
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,
religious temples, and tropical beaches are all found on the island. Among the religious structures, Kek Lok Si is the
largest Buddhist temple in the country. A 3.5 mile hike to the top of Penang hill will give you an amazing view of the
entire island. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also great here in Penang.
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
Mongolia
Capital - Ulan Bataan
Nepal
Capital - Kathmandu
Mt. Everest -
North Korea
Capital - Pyongyang -
DMZ - The 155 mile long border that runs across the Korean peninsula separating the north and south, is the most fortified military border
in the world. Since 1953, the border has been maintained while both North and South Korea technically remain at war.
Occasionally small exchanges of gunfire still occur, but this does not stop tours available from both sides from running. A
visit to the DMZ will allow you to visit the negotiation rooms, watch towers, and explore secret underground tunnels.
Oman
Capital - Muscat
Pakistan
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.
North Western Frontier - 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.
Palestine
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.
Philippines
Capital - Manila
Qatar
Capital - Doha
Russia - Click here for more photos from Russia
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
its doors are open, tourists are free to visit Moscow and all of its treasures. The city is most famous for the Red Square,
where in a small area are many famous places such as St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's tomb, the Kremlin are more. Other
popular places to visit in Moscow are Gorky park, and the modern part of the city where all the night life is located.
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 willy 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
contradicts Russia's reputation of extreme cold temperatures and snow storms. Sochi is often visited by Russian president
Vladimir Putin who comes to enjoy the nice subtropical weather. Scuba diving and sailing is available on the beach, while
not to far away are scenic mountains that have large ski resorts for the winter.
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 fallin 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.
Saudi Arabia
Capital - Riyadh -
Singapore - Click here for more photos from Singapore
Capital - Singapore - The city state of Singapore is second most densely populated country in the world, with millions of people crammed
in on a tiny island. Singapore is also famous for it strict laws and reputation of low crime. The downtown area of
Singapore is pretty much made up of giant shopping districts in between towering skyscrapers. As Singapore is where
the Indian subcontinent meets the Orient, the city is also has an Arab, Chinese, and Indian districts.
South Korea - Click here for more photos from South Korea
Capital - Seoul - The greater area of Seoul has over 20 million people, giving the densely populated city a busy atmosphere similar to
Tokyo. Also rich in history, Seoul has been a major city in Korea since 600BC, severing the capital of many different
dynasties through out the centuries. Things to do in Seoul include visiting the many ancient palaces and festivals, indoor
theme parks shopping districts, or going clubbing in the city's downtown area.
DMZ - The 155 mile long border that runs across the Korean peninsula separating the north and south, is the most fortified military border
in the world. Since 1953, the border has been maintained while both North and South Korea technically remain at war.
Occasionally small exchanges of gunfire still occur, but this does not stop tours available from both sides from running. A
visit to the DMZ will allow you to visit the negotiation rooms, watch towers, and explore secret underground tunnels.
Sri Lanka
Capital - Colombo -
Kandy -
Syria
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.
Taiwan
Capital - Taipei
Tajikistan
Capital - Dushanbe
Thailand - Click here for more photos from Thailand
Capital - Bangkok - Thailand is one of the most energetic countries in the world, with both locals and tourists partying from late afternoon
until early morning the next day. Bangkok has places for both party animal and those who want a quieter night out.
Bangkok is by far one of the best places in the world to enjoy night life, but this is just one of many things to enjoy. The
city has hundreds of temples and palaces to be explored.
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 -
Turkey
Capital - Ankara -
Fethiye -
Istanbul - Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Square
Antalya -
Mt. Ararat -
Troy -
Turkmenistan
Capital - Ashgabat
Karakum Desert
Kugitang Nature Reserve
Merv
Tolkuchka Bazaar
United Arab Emirates
Capital - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates is rules by the
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
in the desert. Al Ain is UAE's third largest city of 600,000 people, who settled in Al Ain over a thousand years ago.
Al Ain has several century old forts, museums, and archeological sites to show what life was like in the desert before
modern times. Al Ain also has a sports center and even an indoor ice skating rink.
Dubai - Quickly moving to the number one tourist destination in the world, Dubai has some of the most luxurious hotels in the world with
numerous others being constructed. The tourist boom in Dubai is fueling dozens of unique attractions, some include an
underwater hotel to the highest building and structure in the world. Aside from the beaches and hotels, wealthy travelers
also come to Dubai to enjoy activities such sailing, scuba diving and even an indoor ski resort.
Liwa Desert -
Uzbekistan
Capital - Tashkent
Vietnam
Capital - Hanoi
Da Nang
Capital - Ho Chi Minh City
Yemen
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
Sana'a became a world heritage site in 1984, where you can visit the city's 14,000 tower houses that reach up to 8 stories. The
government has done a great job separating the old and new parts of the city, so a visit to Old Sana'a is like stepping back in time.
Aden - Another ancient city of Yemen, Aden is the site of many important religious stories from both the Quran and the bible. Many
believe that Cain and Abel are buried somewhere in Aden.
Marib -
Shaharah -
Shibam -
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 museum built by the Afghan government is a great way to begin your travels by getting an understanding of
the historic and current situation in the country . Right outside the museum is an enormous palace and although it is
essentially destroyed, it is still an impressive structure and is a reminder of Kabul's better times.
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
important historic sites. Some places of interest are the citadel, created by Alexander the Great, the Friday Mosque, one
of the most beautiful in the country, and dozens of ancient cemeteries and shrines that hold the tombs of past Afghan
Kings and other important leaders.
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
beautiful. It is far away from most of the violence that plagues Afghanistan today in the south. The city is most famous for
the blue mosque, called Hazrat Ali in Farsi, and is believed by Shi'ites to contain the tomb of the Prophet Ali. Also in the
area is a former city built by Alexander the Great known as Balkh, where the 2,000 year old city walls still stand today.
Armenia - Click here for photos from Armenia
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.
To share its history with the rest of us, Armenia has over 20 museums in its capital, including one about the Armenian
genocide that took places in 1915. Yerevan is a safe city that you can explore on foot, a good place to start your tour
would be Republic Square.
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
age has ever been determined, but Karahunj is estimated to be anywhere from 3,500 to 7,000 years old. Karahunj isn't
impressive to the eye, but it makes up for this with its creative design. In addition to making the rock formations, holes
carved out of the stones that you perfectly align with the stars during the right time of year.
Khor Virap - Literally meaning deep pit, Khor Virap earned its name from the role it played when the entire nation of Armenia converted
to Christianity. This huge monastery complex had a pit where a Christian named Gregory the Illuminator was thrown
inside and stayed there for 13 long years. The events afterwards led the King to give up Paganism and officially declare
Armenia a Christian nation.
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
the hot summer. At almost 2,000 meters above sea level, the lake is one of the highest in the world. Lake Sevan is a very
nice place to relax on the beach or to dine in at the many fine restaurants. If you feel like being more active then you can
go boating, fishing, or even rent jet skis
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
along the Vorotan Canyon giving a very dramatic first impression. This is a popular tourist destination as there are many
rooms to explore in this ancient building. Many rooms have stone windows to give you an excellent view straight into the
forested valley below.
Azerbaijan - Click here for photos from Azerbaijan
Capital - Baku - Azerbaijan's capital and largest city is Baku, located on the Absheron Peninsula on the Caspian Sea. The city surprisingly
is very westernized and friendly, and probably holds the best night life in the region. The city is divided into its modern
section and Old Baku, which is surrounded by a large stone wall. There is plenty to do from visiting historical buildings,
riding jet skiis in the Caspian Sea, to going to a night club along the waterfront.
Atesgah - Built by followers of the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism, the temple of Atesgah, also known as the Fire Temple, was built
around a natural gas leak in the ground. The surrounding buildings were used as a hotel for the Indian traders on the silk
trail. Parts of the building have been converted to a museum with a deeper explanation of the culture and beliefs of
Zoroastrians. What makes the temple more sacred is it is one of three remaining in the world.
Mud Volcanoes - Azerbaijan is also called the land of fire because of its abundant natural resources such as oil and natural gas. Another
interesting phenomenon are Azerbaijan's mud volcanoes, which literally spit out cold mud and have most have the
traditional cone shape of real volcanoes. There are about 800 mud volcanoes in the world, but over half of them are
found in Azerbaijan.
Bahrain
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.
Bangladesh
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
Brunei - Click here for photos from Brunei
Capital - Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei's capital and only real city, Bandar Seri Begawan, is ruled by a Muslim king who resides in the
largest residential palace in the world. The capital includes many other mosques and some Buddhist temples which
are open to foreigners on non service days. The largest mosque in the far east is in the capital and is named after the
current Sultan. Many luxurious accommodations are available in Brunei such as one of the Sultan's former palaces.
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.
Unfortunately it is usually empty nowadays and has a ghost town like atmosphere. If you ever dreamed of having an
amusement park to yourself the Jerudong Park is your next trip. Most people make a quick stop to the park and
spend a few hours at the most. The park is still unique in the world and a symbol of Brunei's wealth so plan a visit.
Ulu Temburong - Brunei's best national park is the Ulu Temburong rainforest located in the country's eastern enclave. Because it is
physically separated by Malaysia, the best way to reach the Ulu Temburong rainforest is by boat. Hiking and overnight
camping are possible in the rainforest, and many board and canopy walks have been built for great views. Some unique
wildlife lives here such as flying snakes and frogs, and the endemic proboscius monkeys famous for their strange noses.
Water Village - One of the best attractions in Brunei is the water village known as Kampong Ayer, where houses and shops are built on
stilts high above the water. The first Europeans to visit the water village several centuries ago called it the Venice of the
East. Like Venice, the only way to explore the village is by taking water taxis or using the network of planks and
boardwalks that connect houses and shops. Over 30,000 people make their home in the water village.
Burma
Capital - Naypyidaw
Cambodia
Capital - Phnom Penh -
Ankor Wat -
Killing Fields of Choeung Ek -
Kirirom National Park -
Phnom Sontuk -
Siam Reap -
China
Capital - Beijing
Guilin
Shanghai
Xian
East Timor
Capital - Dili - Becoming the country's capital in 2002, Dili has made a remarkable recovery from the war with Indonesia and working
hard to become recognized by the rest of the world. Dili is one of the few places in the far east where you can enjoy real Portuguese food
and visit colonial Portuguese structures.
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. The beach is
met by large steep tropical mountains with bars and restaurants lined up at the bottom. Also like Rio, Cape Fatucama even has a large
statue of Jesus that was inspired by Brazil's Christ the Redeemer.
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.
Georgia - Click here for photos from Georgia
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
the few places where you can find ancient mosques built right next to synagogues who lived in peace for hundreds of
years. Tbilisi was founded in 5 A.D, so needless to say it comes with lots of history and has many attractions. Some
include the Sameba which is one of the largest orthodox churches in the world, freedom square, and the Metekhi church.
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
its spring water which is the country's number one export, and locals believe the springs themselves have healing powers.
The national park has lots of cabins for rent and lots of wildlife to find. In the winter skiing is very popular, and with its
large mountains and many ski runs, even attempted to be the host of the 2014 olympics.
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
attraction of the city the birthplace of Joseph Stalin. The small humble home that Stalin was born and raised is still
preserved and is open for tours. A large museum dedicated to the Soviet leader is located right by his home, and includes
several of his famous possessions such as his armored train that transported him all over the Soviet Union
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
mountains and had 13 floors and over 6,000 rooms. A hundred years after its construction, a large earthquake ripped the
mountain in half exposing the city. Vardzia still continued to be inhabited for several hundred years, and after the city was
converted to Christianity, large Christian frescos and a church was built inside the city that is still visible today.
Hong Kong
Capital - Hong Kong
India
Capital - Mumbai
Goa -
Indonesia
Capital - Jakarta - Indonesia's capital is split into several districts, with travelers mostly heading to the central, south and western districts.
The central is where you'll find all the national monuments and government buildings such as the Presidential Palace. Both the western and
southern districts hold all the museums, nightlife and shopping areas, with a large Chinatown also in the western area. Jakarta is also close
to the famous, thousand islands, for those who want to see some beautiful Indonesia coast without leaving the capital.
Bali - The city of Bali is over 93% Buddhist in a land that is the most populous Muslim country in the world. The more relaxed Buddhist
culture has given Bali an international reputation for exotic beaches with beach front villas, great night life with the country's best bars and
clubs and all types of accommodations for both backpackers and luxury travelers.
Borobudur - Over two million stones were used to construct the the Mahayana Buddhist temple in the 9th century. The temple has a
pyramid like structure with 6 square levels making up the base and then followed by three circular levels at the top that have dozens of
Buddhist statues. The temple was believed to be abandoned after about 600 years of use and is now Indonesia's largest tourist attraction.
Other Buddhists pilgrims still visit Borobudur where they celebrate the annual holiday of Vesak.
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.
Ujuong Kulon - One of three national parks that are also world heritage sites in Indonesia, Ujuong Kulon is found on the western tip of the
country's main island of Java. The park has the largest remaining lowland rainforests on the main island, and is also known for its many
volcanoes. What makes Ujuong Kulon stand out from the rest of the national parks in Indonesia is its remaining population of Java Rhinos.
Only a few dozen Java Rhinos remain in the world, with 40 to 50 of them here in Ujuong Kulon.
Iran
Capital - Tehran
Caspian Sea -
Esfahan
Shiraz
Perposoli
Iraq
Capital - Baghdad
Umm Qasar
Babylon
Temple of Hatra
Ur of the Chaldess
Arch of Ctesiphon
Israel
Capital - Jerusalem
Dead Sea -
Tel Aviv
Haifa
Japan - Clicki here for photos from Japan
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
crowded and expensive, with some apartments being the size of an average American's living room. This enormous city
is split up into many districts that could take weeks to explore. You can expect to find everything from expensive car
shows, high tech robot museums, ancient Japanese shrines, and to the party scene of Roppongi.
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
two. The radiation has cleared and the city has since rebuilt itself. Two buildings that survived the atomic bomb are still
standing, and on the exact location where the bomb was dropped is now a memorial and a museum known as Peace
Park. In the center is an eternal flame that will be extinguished when the world has rid of all nuclear weapons.
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
with many famous sites such as Nagasaki, the second city in Japan where the atomic bomb was dropped. Japan's most
active volcano, Sakurajima, is almost constantly smoking and is located at the very southern part of the island. Some
attractions are the largest city on the island Fukuoka, the famous dormant volcano Mt. Aso, and the monkey temple.
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 - Click here for more photos from 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 great place to go on a shopping spree and avoid paying any taxes. Aqaba is a nice peaceful town with many
Jordanians coming here to go swimming and enjoy the sea. Scuba diving is also available from Aqaba as the Red Sea is
one of the best places in the world.
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.
This ancient city was built before the Roman times and was once the capital of the Nabataeans. The city is most famous
for its treasury building which is tourist's first view of the ancient city after they hike a few miles through the siq. Later on
the Romans come to Petra and added some of their own buildings including a large amphitheater that is still largely intact.
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
formations and desert wildlife in the middle east. Wadi Rum is a very large area, so there are plenty of camping options
available which will give you an idea of what the desert life is like. Many people enjoy hiking in the day and taking part in
off roading through the sand dunes, then at night enjoying a feast around the camp fire.
Kazakhstan
Capital - Astana
Kuwait
Capital - Kuwait City
Kyrgyzstan
Capital - Bishkek
Laos
Capital - Vientiane
Lebanon
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.
Tripoli -
Byblos -
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.
Malaysia - Click here for more 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
than two centuries. At one point the Petronas Towers where the highest buildings in the world at 1482 feet. The rest of
the city is filled with equally impressive mosques, Bhuddist and Hindu temples. The national zoo, huge shopping districts
and the all night entertainment means you can never have too much time in Kuala Lumpur.
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,
religious temples, and tropical beaches are all found on the island. Among the religious structures, Kek Lok Si is the
largest Buddhist temple in the country. A 3.5 mile hike to the top of Penang hill will give you an amazing view of the
entire island. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also great here in Penang.
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
Mongolia
Capital - Ulan Bataan
Nepal
Capital - Kathmandu
Mt. Everest -
North Korea
Capital - Pyongyang -
DMZ - The 155 mile long border that runs across the Korean peninsula separating the north and south, is the most fortified military border
in the world. Since 1953, the border has been maintained while both North and South Korea technically remain at war.
Occasionally small exchanges of gunfire still occur, but this does not stop tours available from both sides from running. A
visit to the DMZ will allow you to visit the negotiation rooms, watch towers, and explore secret underground tunnels.
Oman
Capital - Muscat
Pakistan
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.
North Western Frontier - 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.
Palestine
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.
Philippines
Capital - Manila
Qatar
Capital - Doha
Russia - Click here for more photos from Russia
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
its doors are open, tourists are free to visit Moscow and all of its treasures. The city is most famous for the Red Square,
where in a small area are many famous places such as St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's tomb, the Kremlin are more. Other
popular places to visit in Moscow are Gorky park, and the modern part of the city where all the night life is located.
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 willy 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
contradicts Russia's reputation of extreme cold temperatures and snow storms. Sochi is often visited by Russian president
Vladimir Putin who comes to enjoy the nice subtropical weather. Scuba diving and sailing is available on the beach, while
not to far away are scenic mountains that have large ski resorts for the winter.
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 fallin 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.
Saudi Arabia
Capital - Riyadh -
Singapore - Click here for more photos from Singapore
Capital - Singapore - The city state of Singapore is second most densely populated country in the world, with millions of people crammed
in on a tiny island. Singapore is also famous for it strict laws and reputation of low crime. The downtown area of
Singapore is pretty much made up of giant shopping districts in between towering skyscrapers. As Singapore is where
the Indian subcontinent meets the Orient, the city is also has an Arab, Chinese, and Indian districts.
South Korea - Click here for more photos from South Korea
Capital - Seoul - The greater area of Seoul has over 20 million people, giving the densely populated city a busy atmosphere similar to
Tokyo. Also rich in history, Seoul has been a major city in Korea since 600BC, severing the capital of many different
dynasties through out the centuries. Things to do in Seoul include visiting the many ancient palaces and festivals, indoor
theme parks shopping districts, or going clubbing in the city's downtown area.
DMZ - The 155 mile long border that runs across the Korean peninsula separating the north and south, is the most fortified military border
in the world. Since 1953, the border has been maintained while both North and South Korea technically remain at war.
Occasionally small exchanges of gunfire still occur, but this does not stop tours available from both sides from running. A
visit to the DMZ will allow you to visit the negotiation rooms, watch towers, and explore secret underground tunnels.
Sri Lanka
Capital - Colombo -
Kandy -
Syria
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.
Taiwan
Capital - Taipei
Tajikistan
Capital - Dushanbe
Thailand - Click here for more photos from Thailand
Capital - Bangkok - Thailand is one of the most energetic countries in the world, with both locals and tourists partying from late afternoon
until early morning the next day. Bangkok has places for both party animal and those who want a quieter night out.
Bangkok is by far one of the best places in the world to enjoy night life, but this is just one of many things to enjoy. The
city has hundreds of temples and palaces to be explored.
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 -
Turkey
Capital - Ankara -
Fethiye -
Istanbul - Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Square
Antalya -
Mt. Ararat -
Troy -
Turkmenistan
Capital - Ashgabat
Karakum Desert
Kugitang Nature Reserve
Merv
Tolkuchka Bazaar
United Arab Emirates
Capital - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates is rules by the
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
in the desert. Al Ain is UAE's third largest city of 600,000 people, who settled in Al Ain over a thousand years ago.
Al Ain has several century old forts, museums, and archeological sites to show what life was like in the desert before
modern times. Al Ain also has a sports center and even an indoor ice skating rink.
Dubai - Quickly moving to the number one tourist destination in the world, Dubai has some of the most luxurious hotels in the world with
numerous others being constructed. The tourist boom in Dubai is fueling dozens of unique attractions, some include an
underwater hotel to the highest building and structure in the world. Aside from the beaches and hotels, wealthy travelers
also come to Dubai to enjoy activities such sailing, scuba diving and even an indoor ski resort.
Liwa Desert -
Uzbekistan
Capital - Tashkent
Vietnam
Capital - Hanoi
Da Nang
Capital - Ho Chi Minh City
Yemen
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
Sana'a became a world heritage site in 1984, where you can visit the city's 14,000 tower houses that reach up to 8 stories. The
government has done a great job separating the old and new parts of the city, so a visit to Old Sana'a is like stepping back in time.
Aden - Another ancient city of Yemen, Aden is the site of many important religious stories from both the Quran and the bible. Many
believe that Cain and Abel are buried somewhere in Aden.
Marib -
Shaharah -
Shibam -
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.
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.
| What to See in : |
