The attached photo captures the awe-inspiring sight of the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam, located at the heart of the Masjid al-Haram mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This iconic structure is a focal point for millions of Muslims worldwide, who travel here to perform Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.Read More →
Arguably the most significant archeological excavation of the 20th century, the Terra-Cotta Army is a collection of life-sized terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. The massive earthen army was buried with the Qin Shi Huang to protect the emperor in his afterlifeRead More →
Once the capital of the Khmer Empire,Angkor is is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Angkor was a megacity in its heyday, supporting at least 0.1% of the global population from 1010-1220. The city is home to the iconic and magnificent Angkor Wat, one of Cambodia’sRead More →
A vast, arid region of northern China and southern Mongolia, the Gobi Desert is known for its lonely dunes and the unique animals that call this otherworldly landscape home. Snow leopards and Bactrian camels make tracks in the Gobi’s cool sands. The Khongoryn Els sand dunes, within the Gobi GurvansaikhanRead More →
The coast-hugging train route between Danang and Hue in Central Vietnam is a four-hour journey along central Vietnam’s east coast. With Hai Van Pass on one side of the tracks and rugged cliffs overlooking the East Sea on the other, the train ride is spectacularly scenic and one of quickestRead More →
Dating to the 16th century, the indigenous Ifugao people developed and maintained four terrace complexes for the cultivation of rice along the eastern slopes of the Cordillera Central mountain range in the Luzon region of the Philippines. Facing limited land and soil resources, hundreds of manmade terraces stand testament toRead More →
India’s state of Kerala on the tropical Malabar Coast boasts nearly 400 miles of Arabian Sea shoreline and is best known for it’s network of canals, backwaters, and palm-lined beaches. The Western Ghats occupy the inland area of Kerala, whose slopes support tea, coffee, and spice plantations as well asRead More →
The Everest Region, officially named Khumbu, includes the Sagarmatha National Park (above Monju) and the Sagarmatha National Park Buffer Zone (between Lukla and Monju). Sagarmatha, the Nepali name for Mount Everest, is a truly exceptional and awe-inspiring region with many of the highest, most dramatic peaks, glaciers, and deep valleysRead More →
Lake Baikal is an immense, ancient lake in the mountainous region of Russia’s Eastern Siberia, north of the Mongolian border. Lake Baikal is considered the biggest and deepest lake in the world. An extensive network of hiking paths, called the Great Baikal Trail, surround the lake. The small village ofRead More →
Japan’s bustling capital, Tokyo, is the core of the most populated urban area in the world with a population of over 37 million people. The gargantuan megalopolis of Tokyo combines the ultra-modern with traditional Japanese culture, custom, costume, and cuisine. Glass, concrete, and neon give way to tranquil parks andRead More →
