From esoteric vinyl emporiums to clubs and live venues serving up everything from house to heavy metal, there’s no lack of musical manna in Bangkok.

Attending a class in Kathmandu, Ronan O’Connell is mesmerized by the ancient, meditative powers of Thangka art: the medium and the message for Buddhists across the Himalayas.

Duncan Forgan’s interest is peaked as he discovers an activity at the height of fashion: scaling Indonesia’s mountains.

Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh is the ancestral land of the Apatani tribe, a pagan society famous for shamanistic traditions and the crude facial decorations of its female elders.

Deep in the jungles of Krabi and only accessible via boat lies Phi Hua cave, home to Thailand’s most extensive collection of ancient rock art. Words and pictures by Ronan O’Connell.

The Borneo Jazz Festival returns to Sarawak this month after a two-year ab-sence with a joyfully eclectic program. Marco Ferrarese gets the skinny from Hii Yuh Lin, the festival’s artistic director and a key figure in Malaysia’s live jazz scene.

The fame of Nepal’s top trekking circuits precedes them. For something quieter, yet still spectacular, the Tsum Valley is heaven-sent.

Banh mi culture reaches an apogee in Ho Chi Minh City. Here’s our pick of the city’s best Vietnamese filled baguettes.

The eastern seaboard of the UAE abounds with scenic splendor, cultural weight and some of the best beaches in the area. Duncan Forgan takes his bucket and spade.