Rediscovering the Mysteries of Angkor Wat
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The great ancient Khmer capital is a wonder of the world and beloved by 2.5 million tourists a year. But how did it come to be abandoned?
Heritage
Bishnois: Rajasthan’s Ancient Environmentalists
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“The two most important principles were prohibition of cutting of trees and protection of wildlife around us,” Khemkaran says. “And to this day the Bishnois adhere to them until death.”
Must-See Sites in Khiva, Uzbekistan’s Historic Heart
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Uzbekistan is well off of most travelers’ radar, but Khiva is a very special destination, a fascinating hub of Central Asia history that is not to be missed.
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.
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.