Asia

Afghanistan C

With a history spanning millennia, Kandahar currently stands out as probably the most conservative city of Afghanistan; it boasts a wide array of sights of historic significance such as mausolea and rock-hewn chambers.

Armenia

Dwarfed by the Ararat giant, Khor Virap Monastery is one of the icons of Armenia, and marks the place where Armenian hero Saint Gregory the Illuminator was held prisoner.

Azerbaijan

Khinalig: 5,000 years old, 2,200m up in the Caucasus, its stone houses unchanged for centuries. Getting there on a snowy road was adventure enough — but the dramatic gorge road on the way down sealed an unforgettable day.

Bahrain W

This comprehensive museum covers Bahrain's history from ancient times through pearl trading to modern development. It's essential viewing, especially before visiting the country's historic sites scattered across the island.

Bangladesh

Even a peek into the vast delta region of the Sundarbans gives you an idea of this largest contagious mangrove forest in the world, the enormous delta and biodiversity.

Bhutan

A unique temple in a country of temples, the Dumtseg Lhakhang is shaped like a stupa, yet functions as a Buddhist temple with three floors representing hell, earth and heaven.

Brunei

There are more cities built on water in the world, but Kampung Ayer is the largest; walking around one of the many wooden walkways makes for a picturesque visit.

Cambodia

On a visit to Phnom Penh, a must is to visit the Tuol Sleng museum of torture, which is chilling in confronting the visitor with brutally direct images of probably the darkest period of the country.

China C

This historic city in Jiangsu Province sits among lakes and canals, with the Grand Canal flowing through. Explore its rich heritage in medieval government buildings, traditional parks, and well-preserved old neighborhoods.

Georgia

While there are several sights to see in Tbilisi, just walking around the old and historical city is certainly worth as well, if only because it gives you a taste of daily life in the Georgian capital.

Hong Kong

For splendid views over Hong Kong, and a bit of unexpected adventure and challenge, a hike up to Lion Rock shows you a very different face of the famous and diverse city.

India

Running around the complex where the Dalai Lama lives, the kora circuit offers the full Tibetan experience of prayer wheels, colourful prayer flags, shrines, and worshippers.

Indonesia

Seeing the three different crater lakes of Keli Mutu was the goal of my visit to Flores, one of the great islands of the Indonesian archipel.

Iran C

Tucked away in the fold of a mountain is the legendary Zoroastrian shrine of Chak Chak: not just an attractive location, but also an impressive experience to live and find inner peace.

Iraq W

You can wander through Basra for hours on end without ever getting tired or bored: there is plenty to see, the people make you feel very welcome, and for distraction, there is always the lunapark.

Israel

The holiest of Jewish sites is not a synagogue, but a wall. This does not withhold religious Jews from using the plaza and the wall as an outdoor praying facility and is an excellent place to observe their prayers.

Japan W

Walking through the forest, past old graves, caves with Buddha statuettes, uniquely carved rocks, and two great temples: Ten-en Hiking Trail offers some delicate surprises.

Jordan

In a landscape of rolling, green hills, towering high above valleys and surrouding villages, is the Arab castle of Qalat ar-Rabad.

Kazakhstan

Hidden in the far south of Kazakhstan, Aksu Canyon offers a dramatic landscape with a deep gorge topped by snow-capped mountains marking the border with neighbouring countries.

Kuwait

Before you know it, the extensive collection of dressed and jewellery from the Islamic world will absorb you, and someone will come to you to tell you that the museum is about to close long before you are done.

Kyrgyzstan C

Second in size and centrally located in Kyrgyzstan, Song-Köl is the place to get the true sense of the country: yurts, horses, and nomads in a lovely landscape of green pastures and mountains.

Laos

Perhaps the most beautiful Buddhist temple in Laos, Wat Xieng Thong stands out even in the city of temples, Luang Prabang and, consequently, draws many visitors.

Lebanon

Towering high above the Mediterranean, the slopes of the Lebanon mountain range offer good skiing opportunities less than an hour from Beyrut.

Macau

Walking around the historic centre of Macau is a continuous alteration of colonial buildings and modernity, and it is easy to see why it has been declared Unesco heritage in its entirety.

Malaysia

Tucked away in a dead-end alley, the murals decorating the walls of Kwai Chai Hong are not only masterfully painted, they all seem to be part of reality, and invite visitors to interact with the persons depicted on them.

Maldives

Not surprisingly, fish is a major commodity in the Maldives, and the fish market in Malé gives you an idea of what kind of fish is swimming around the atoll waters; the fish are cleaned on the spot.

Mongolia

On a Sunday afternoon, people come to Chinggis Khaan square for a stroll, to sit on a bench, to let kids play, rent a bike, or have a look at the grand statue of Chinggis Khaan, the most famous of all Mongolians.

Myanmar C

Bagan, majestic site of Myanmar, where you can make your pick of thousands of old temples dotting the landscape as far as the eye can see.

Nepal

The highlight of our trek - literally: Larke Pass is the highest point of the Manaslu Circuit, and we were fortunate enough to have splendid weather on our way to the pass.

North Korea

Daily life in North Korea is different from any other country in the world - regulated and almost non-existent, at least not for the foreign visitor.

Oman

Privately owned Bait al Zubair is a museum offering an extensive introduction to Omani history, culture, heritage, arts, architecture, and publishing: a must-see for any visitor to Muscat.

Pakistan

For a surrealistic experience, the daily border ceremony at Wagah ranks high: where else can you see sworn enemies carry out a joint performance with music and chanting from an energetic and nationalistic crowd?

Palestinian Territories

A gripping sight that can make you depressive just by looking at it, the Wall Israel is constructing around the Westbank has also become a public place for artists and desperate Palestinians to express themselves.

Philippines

Close fo the friendly town of Sagada, you can find coffins hanging from the steep limestone cliffs, a traditional way of giving the dead their last resting place, a tradition that is still practised by the locals.

Qatar

The sheer beauty of the building that houses the National Museum of Qatar is a good reason in itself to visit, but the outstanding exhibition inside gives the visitor an excellent idea of the history of Qatar.

Saudi Arabia W

One of the holiest places in Mecca, Jebel al Nour holds the famous Cave of Hira and attracts a constant flow of pilgrims who make it all the way to the top of the mountain to follow in the footsteps of the prophet Mohammed.

Singapore

Pretty close to the bustling city state, Pulau Ubin offers a lot of options for adventure-minded people; merely visiting is stepping back in time a few decades - ideal for a day out of the city.

South Korea

Hiking up and down the mountains around the Gwanaksan range brings you viewpoints, half hidden temples, some rock climbing, an old Silla fortress, pine tree forests - all within the Seoul city limits.

Sri Lanka

A canal linking Colombo to the north: the Hamilton Canal runs parallel to the coast, and still provides an easy way for navigation and transportation between major cities in the west of Sri Lanka.

Syria

Doura Europos has served as a military colony, a fortress and a caravan city, and still offers great views over the Euphrates river to the present-day visitor.

Taiwan

Just outside Taipei, a trail throws everything at you — ropes, ladders, knife ridges with sheer drops on both sides. A stranger became a hiking companion, and together we conquered one of Taiwan's wildest hikes.

Tajikistan C

After the barren and wild landscapes of the Pamirs, Yashil Kul feels like paradise. The setting is marvellous - but come in summer, since this is the coldest places in Central Asia.

Thailand

A small island north of Bangkok in the Chao Phraya river, Ko Kret is a quiet, secluded retreat rich in temples and houses on stilts, small villages, famous for its pottery, and easily explored by foot.

Timor-Leste

Easily the most picture-perfect beach of the country, Jaco island is guaranteed to give you tranquillity and, if you are not cautious, a sun-tan, too - just a warning: it might be hard to leave!

Turkmenistan C

Probably one of the most most beautiful and wild nature areas in the entire country, Yangykala Canyon is different from what you probably expect in a canyon - and Gozli Ata, an attractive remote shrine.

United Arab Emirates

Situated on a steep hilltop, Dhayah Fort is visible from a distance and built on the perfect strategic location in the north of Ras al Khaimah close to the mountains in the background.

Uzbekistan C

One of the main cities along the ancient Silk Road, Kokand has the Khudayar Khan Palace as its jewel, Jami mosque as its spiritual anchor, and inhabitants who keep their history alive.

Vietnam

Among the most impressive ancient sites of the country, the most prominent Cham site in Vietnam is My Son, in the hills some 50 kilometres from Hoi An, with temples overgrown by vegetation.

Yemen C

The beach of Delisha offers an oil tanker, fine white sand, views of the central mountains of Socotra, and at the far end a huge sand dune from which you get magnificent views of the beach below.

Around the World in 80 Clicks

Personal travel impressions both in words and images from Asia. Clicking on the pictures enlarges them and enables you to send the picture as a free e-card or download it for personal use, for instance, on your weblog. You can also visit other continents on our beautiful planet by clicking on the world map above.
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Kandahar (Afghanistan)

With a history spanning millennia, Kandahar currently stands out as probably the most conservative city of Afghanistan; ... more
[Visited: April 2026]

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