Magic and Ghosts: A Short, Odd History of Himeji Castle
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Four hundred years of myth, superstition, bloodshed, and glory reverberate through the 83 buildings of this hilltop fortress. This is Himeji Castle.
Heritage
Ao Dai: A Short History of Vietnam’s Most Popular Dress
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For 300 years now, the ao dai has been a symbol of Vietnamese femininity. Since that time, however, it has evolved.
Sunthon Phu: The Bangkok Museum for Thailand’s Greatest Poet
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Sunthon Phu was Thailand’s greatest literary mind, and visitors can get a taste of his legacy at a little-visited museum in central Bangkok.
Ternate and Tidore: A Short History of the Spice Islands
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Literal backstabbing, sultans, and cloves – a mix of spices and the imperial influence once made the lesser-known Spice Islands one of the most important areas in Southeast Asia.
Building a Yurt on the Shores of Issyk Kul Lake
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Richard Collett travels to Kyrgyzstan to build a yurt on the shores of Issyk Kul Lake with a traditional builder, from the wooden willow planks to the tunduk.
A Short, Curious History of the White Temple of Chiang Rai
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Those who visit the White Temple of Chiang Rai are struck by its beauty and then its irreverence – from Hello Kitty on the inside to Pinhead from Hellraiser on the lawn.
Ipoh: What to do in Malaysia’s Next Big Destination
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It’s a little bit Penang, a little bit Cameron Highlands, and a little bit something new. Ipoh is a transitional destination on peninsular Malaysia worth a visit.
What to Read in Beijing: 10 Books to Keep you Inspired in the Middle Kingdom’s Capital
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From the Cultural Revolution and Chinese millennials to the Kangxi Emperor and hutongs, this list of books to read on your trip through Beijing will keep you entertained, informed, and enlightened.
Pyin Oo Lwin: An English Town in Burma
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Thomas Bird travels to Pyin Oo Lwin for horse-drawn carriages, colonial architecture, and a little England outside of Mandalay.
Yoshida Sanso: Hidden Kyoto Ryokan with a Royal Legacy
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There’s a lot of history packed into the Yoshida Sanso ryokan in Kyoto, the pick for travelers wanting to abandon the modern world without losing the creature comforts.
Ratchaburi: Thailand’s Last Shadow Puppet Show
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At a small temple in Ratchaburi outside of Bangkok, the centuries-old shadow puppet shows of Thailand’s national epic, the Ramakien, continue for a new generation.
The High Price of Death in Torajaland
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Jay Tindall travels to the fascinating and somewhat gruesome spectacle of a Torajaland funeral, one of the most interesting cultural events in Southeast Asia.