Asia

Ancient places can be found all over Asia. Their fascinating histories and impressive artifacts open intriguing glimpses to times past, and open up a window on Asian history. Visiting such historical places in Asia can be an unforgettable experience.

Science is constantly discovering new archaeological places and uncovering more evidence into what we once thought we knew about our history, therefore offering new pieces to the ever changing puzzle of humanity’s past and altering how we interpret it. This section will present the most interesting archaeological sites all over Asia, as well as new discoveries of ancient places that are worth paying a visit.

Ancient city of Babylon. Source: Berit Kessler / Adobe Stock.

5 April, 2023 - 00:56 Robbie Mitchell

The Monumental Fall of Babylon: What Really Shattered the Empire? (Video)

The fall of Babylon was one of the most momentous events in ancient history. The conquest of Babylon by the Achaemenid Empire, led by Cyrus the Great , marked the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire...

Aerial view of Sigiriya, Lion Rock, Sri Lanka. Source: Anton Petrus / Adobe Stock.

2 April, 2023 - 23:00 Joanna Gillan

The Ancient Rock City of Sigiriya: Fit for a King and Built by the Gods

Rising majestically 650 feet (200m) above the Sri Lankan landscape, Sigiriya is an ancient city built on a megalithic rock that has puzzled visitors for centuries. This remote wonder, located in the...

The Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan undergoing imaging to reveal the hidden text. Source: Lumiere Technology/Pascal Cotte and Salvatore Apicella

29 March, 2023 - 16:57 Robbie Mitchell

The Families Preserving Vietnam’s Traditional Dong Ho Art Folk Art (Video)

Dong Ho, a traditional Vietnamese folk art, almost met its demise due to the ravages of war . Once a staple in home decor during the Vietnamese New Year , the intricate paintings were nearly lost to...

Sari weaving. Source: ananaline / Adobe Stock.

26 March, 2023 - 21:00 Robbie Mitchell

The Sari Weavers Keeping a 16th Century Craft Alive (Video)

In the narrow alleys of Varanasi , India, a group of skilled artisans are keeping an ancient craft alive through their nimble fingers and artistic vision. They are the sari weavers , who continue to...

Onggi pottery vessels for making kimchi. Source: MIN CHEOL KIM / Adobe Stock.

25 March, 2023 - 16:00 Robbie Mitchell

How Master Potters Keep a 7000-Year-Old Kimchi Tradition Alive (Video)

Kimchi , the spicy and tangy fermented vegetable dish that has been a staple of Korean cuisine for over 7000 years, is more than just a food - it is a symbol of cultural identity and heritage. And...

The ruined remains of Kuldhara village in India. Source: bluesea / Adobe Stock

18 March, 2023 - 17:57 Lex Leigh

Abandoned for Love and Cursed for Eternity: What Happened in Kuldhara?

The Indian village of Kuldhara is shrouded in mystery. Once a prosperous and thriving community, the village was suddenly abandoned in the 19th century and has remained uninhabited ever since...

Aerial view of the Saudi Arabian mustatil excavated for the study. Source: Kennedy et al. - PLOS ONE / CC-BY 4.0

15 March, 2023 - 18:00 ashley cowie

The Cult, Pilgrimage – and Herding Past of a Saudi Arabian Mustatil

Within the desolate landscape of Saudi Arabia lie massive rectangular structures known as the mustatil . Dating back to the Late Neolithic era, researchers believe they were once used for ritualistic...

Representational image of a Buddhist monastery in Tibet. Source: matiplanas / Adobe Stock

15 March, 2023 - 13:54 Robbie Mitchell

10 Awe-Inspiring Facts about Ancient Tibet

Tibet, a region nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, is a place of incredible beauty, spirituality and cultural heritage. Known for its soaring mountain peaks, vibrant prayer flags and rich...

Sumerian Ziggurat. Source: Michael Rosskothen / Adobe Stock

12 March, 2023 - 19:52 Joanna Gillan

View the Majesty of a Sumerian Ziggurat in 3D Virtual Tour (Video)

A Sumerian ziggurat was a towering, stepped structures built in ancient Mesopotamia over 4,000 years ago. They were constructed by the Sumerians , who were one of the earliest civilizations in human...

A representation of an ancient Chinese battle scene. Stunning stone carved architecture. Source: Igor/AdobeStock

12 March, 2023 - 13:58 Aleksa Vučković

Extermination of the Wu Hu and the Merciless Policies of General Ran Min

Great diversity was not uncommon in the history of Ancient China. In such a vast nation, many ethnicities co-existed, and were instrumental in the shaping of its history. However, diversity did not...

The captivating Medusa Mosaic uncovered in the Odeon at Kibyra. Source: Mehmet Kılınc/Pexels

10 March, 2023 - 13:52 Aleksa Vučković

The Ancient City of Kibyra and its Stellar Rise to Power

The modern region of Anatolia, in Turkey, is well known as a hotspot of ancient civilizations. Also known as Asia Minor, it was a true crossroad of great powers in the pre-Christian era. From the...

The tomb of Colonel John Hessing in Agra, a copy of the Taj Mahal in red sandstone. Source: DeepanjanGhosh/CC BY-SA 4.0

1 March, 2023 - 00:47 Arunansh B. Goswami

The Red Taj Mahal and the Dutch Hessings of India

When we ask an average European family on a trip to India what they are hoping to see, their preference and plan, the answer we tend to get is: ‘the beautiful Taj Mahal, manifestation of a husband’s...

The long-lost remains of a Sumerian palace and temple in the ancient city of Girsu on the southern plains of Iraq. Source: British Museum.

20 February, 2023 - 14:00 Nathan Falde

4,500-Year-Old Sumerian Palace Uncovered in Iraqi Desert

Reaching the culmination of a search that has been going on for the past several years, a team of archaeologists affiliated with the British Museum has finally unearthed the long-lost remains of a...

The Forbidden City of China. Source: Source: ABCDstock / Adobe Stock

19 February, 2023 - 22:00 dhwty

The Great Forbidden City: A Glimpse into China's Imperial Past

The Forbidden City of China, a sprawling imperial palace that once housed the China’s powerful emperors, is a marvel of ancient architecture and Chinese history. Spanning an impressive 720,000 square...

Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey. Source: yusuftatliturk / Adobe Stock

16 February, 2023 - 22:00 Joanna Gillan

The Majesty of Mosques: 12 Captivating Photos That Showcase Islamic Architecture

Mosques are known for their stunning architecture and intricate craftsmanship. From the grandeur of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, to the delicate beauty of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul,...

A traditional burial site in Tana Toraja, whose culture is known for elaborate funeral rituals. Source: fabio lamanna / Adobe Stock

16 February, 2023 - 01:02 Joanna Gillan

Elaborate Funeral Rituals and Exhumation of the Dead in Toraja Culture

The unforgettable Tana Toraja is a regency located in the picturesque mountains of South Sulawesi in Indonesia. This region is home to the indigenous Torajan people, whose way of life is deeply...

Amber Fort seen from the bank of Maotha Lake, Jaigarh Fort on the hills in the background, and a tunnel runs between the two. Source: Jakub Hałun/CC BY-SA 4.0

14 February, 2023 - 13:58 Lex Leigh

Warrior Caste to Tourist Attraction: The Controversy of Rajasthan's Underground Tunnels

There are a surprising number of underground tunnels in the world, but one of the most mysterious examples is the underground tunnels of Rajasthan, India. According to historians, these tunnels are a...

The Buland Darwaza, or High Gate, was built in 1602 as the main entrance to the Jama Masjid mosque at Fatehpur Sikri in India. Source: Shuklaankit90 / CC BY-SA 4.0

11 February, 2023 - 13:51 Sahir

The Majestic Legacy of Fatehpur Sikri: A Masterful Mughal City

Fatehpur Sikri is a hidden gem just 37 km (23 mi) southwest of the bustling city of Agra. This majestic town has a rich and intriguing history with roots tracing back to the Sikarwar Rajputs, a...

Hattusa, the capital of the Hittite Empire before its collapse. Source: Suat/Adobe Stock

9 February, 2023 - 17:58 Sahir

The Role of Severe Drought in the Collapse of the Hittite Empire

A study of juniper tree-ring samples from central Turkey, along with other dating methods, shows that a climate crisis in the form of a severe drought in 1198–1196 BC, played a major role in the...

Buddhist Sohei warrior monks played a critical role in Japanese politics for centuries. Source: Brunogm / Adobe Stock

8 February, 2023 - 17:50 Aleksa Vučković

Bloodthirsty Buddhists: The Sohei Warrior Monks of Feudal Japan

When we think of Buddhism today, we think of pacifism, being at one with the world, love for one’s neighbor and nature, and other aspects of peaceful living. Modern Buddhist monks are devoted to...

The recently destroyed walls of Gaziantep Castle. Source: DHA/ Daily Sabah

6 February, 2023 - 18:00 Gary Manners

Historic Monuments Including Gaziantep Castle Destroyed in Earthquake

The catastrophic earthquake of magnitude 7.8 that hit Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6, 2023 has caused horrific loss of life and injuries in 10 cities in the affected region. It has also destroyed a...

The Reed Flute Cave in southern China is a beautiful geological marvel. Source: Dennis Jarvis / CC BY SA 2.0

5 February, 2023 - 13:52 Lex Leigh

China’s Reed Flute Cave: A Natural Masterpiece with a Rich History

There are a lot of fascinating natural wonders in the world, but one of the most interesting is the Reed Flute Cave in Guilin, in southern China. The Reed Flute Cave is a limestone cave known for its...

The abandoned and earthquake-damaged ruins of Kayakoy have become a tourist attraction. Source: Nullplus / Adobe Stock

3 February, 2023 - 17:57 Lex Leigh

Kayakoy: An Abandoned Ghost Town Opens For Tourismi

Since the beginning of time, cities have been built and abandoned for countless reasons. War, famine, drought, and more have led communities to flee and relocate to regions that better suit their...

The mythical city of Shambhala, as generated by AI technology. Source: EwaStudio / Adobe Stock

31 January, 2023 - 00:59 Joanna Gillan

What is Shambhala? Understanding the Mysterious Kingdom of Shambhala

Shambhala, which is a Sanskrit word meaning “place of peace” or “place of silence,” is a mythical paradise spoken of in ancient texts, including the Kalachakra Tantra and the ancient scriptures of...

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