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 capitals of China. Representation of classic ancient Chinese architecture with a modern cityscape in the background. Source: gui yong nian / Adobe stock

27 March, 2020 - 01:01 Aleksa Vučković

The Jewels of the East: Top 8 Ancient Capitals of China

Considering the fact that the history of ancient China spans many centuries, it is only natural that its empires and kingdoms had a great deal of sprawling capitals and major cities. Throughout its...

Artist’s representation of the sealed door of Vault B at Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

24 March, 2020 - 17:20 dhwty

Risky Wealth: Would You Dare to Open the Mysterious Sealed Door of Padmanabhaswamy Temple?

Ropes of gold several meters long, Napoleonic coins, Venetian jewelry, diamond belts, emeralds the size of ostrich eggs, and barrels of golden rice…these are just some of the treasures said to have...

The oldest board game in the world, the Royal Game of Ur. Source: Shriram Rajagopalan / CC BY 2.0

5 March, 2020 - 02:06 Niels Bjerre Jo...

Play the Oldest Board Game in the World: Royal Game of Ur - Part 2

In the first part of this article, we attempted to unravel the mystery symbolism on the oldest board game in the world - the Royal Game of Ur. The Heliopolitan creation myth was used to explain how...

The Sphinx Gate in Hattusa, Turkey.

3 March, 2020 - 23:36 dhwty

Hattusa: The Cursed City of the Hatti and the Hittite Empire

Hattusa, also known as Hattusha, is an ancient city located near modern Boğazkale in the Çorum Province of Turkey’s Black Sea Region . This ancient city once served as the capital of the Hittite...

Representative image for Queen Mother of the West. Source: wichansumalee / Adobe Stock

2 March, 2020 - 18:45 dhwty

Queen Mother of the West and Her Peaches of Immortality

Xiwangmu (西王母), whose name means ‘Queen Mother of the West’ is a goddess in the Taoist pantheon, and worshipped in Chinese folk religion. Xiwangmu is considered to be one of the most prominent female...

Gaval Dash, Gobustan’s musical stone, Azerbaijan Source: Kodec/ Adobe Stock

12 February, 2020 - 02:05 Ed Whelan

The Hypnotic Musical Stones of Gobustan

Azerbaijan in the Caucasus has long been at the crossroads of civilizations. Its unique geology has created many astonishing features that make parts of the country appear otherworldly. One of the...

Jantar Mantar in India. Source: Aliaksei / Adobe Stock.

9 February, 2020 - 22:04 dhwty

Jantar Mantar – The Ancient Astronomical Observatories of India

The Jantar Mantar refers to a group of five astronomical observatories built in India during the 18th century. The largest and best-known of these observatories is located in Jaipur , a city founded...

Miagao Church, a Baroque Spanish Style Historic Site, Philippines. Source: nathanallen/ Adobe Stock

8 February, 2020 - 02:01 Ed Whelan

Miagao and The Baroque Churches of the Philippines

There are many important architectural and historic sites in the Philippines dating from the four centuries of Spanish occupation . Their influence is to be found in many areas, including the Baroque...

Turabek Khanum Mausoleum, Turkmenistan Source: Maurizio/ Adobe Stock

7 February, 2020 - 01:47 Ed Whelan

Konye-Urgench, Protected After Genghis Khan’s Destruction

In an area of protected landscape of Turkmenistan lies an abandoned city that once played a critical role in the history of Central Asia. Situated on the Silk Road , Konye-Urgench was a wealthy city...

There are many hidden travel destinations in India. Source: Roop Dey / Adobe Stock.

5 February, 2020 - 01:50 Saurav Ranjan Datta

Odd and Inexplicable Places in India Even Indians Don’t Know About!

A land of mysteries, a civilization which has endured several mutations, India is indeed a myriad of many contradictions and paradoxes. As the famous BBC correspondent Mark Tully would say, ‘there...

Meridian Gate, The Imperial City of Hue Source: Michele / Adobe Stock

3 February, 2020 - 01:42 Ed Whelan

The Imperial City of Hue and the Nguyen Legacy of Vietnam

Although there are many popular historic sites in the beautiful country of Vietnam, one of the most visited is the Imperial City at Hue. As well as being the stronghold of the last independent...

Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Tempel in Colombo Source: hecke71 / Adobe Stock

1 February, 2020 - 01:57 Ed Whelan

A 2,500-year-old Site Blessed by Buddha - Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara

Sri Lanka, a beautiful country renowned for its beaches, is also a historic country with many Buddhist sites. Among the most important temples in the largely Buddhist country is Kelaniya Raja Maha...

The Gate of Imperial Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc in Hue, Vietnam.

28 January, 2020 - 01:51 Ed Whelan

The Buried Secret of Tu Duc’s Tomb, Vietnam

Vietnam was ruled by many emperors during its long and turbulent history. Emperor Tu Duc, one of the longest-reigning monarchs in the nation’s history, constructed a tomb complex which is truly...

Bahla Fort, one of four historic fortresses in Oman

26 January, 2020 - 01:59 Ed Whelan

Bahla Fort: Oman’s Incredible Desert Oasis

Oman is the oldest independent nation in the Arab world and has many important historic forts that date from the pre-gunpowder era in the Middle East. Bahla Fort, which stands proud over the modern...

Spiral staircase of underground crossing in tunnel at Fort Canning Park, Singapore Source: (martinhosmat083/ Adobe Stock)

25 January, 2020 - 01:49 Ed Whelan

Fort Canning Park, The Oasis of Singapore or Haunted Hill?

Singapore, the remarkable city-state in Asia, is regarded as one of the most dynamic societies on earth and offers a great many sites. Fort Canning Park is located on a small hill on the island. It...

Ajina-Tepa remain in Tajikistan Source: Aleksandar/ Adobe Stock

22 January, 2020 - 01:35 Ed Whelan

Ajina-Tepa, Tajikistan – Abandoned Buddhist Cloister on the Famous Silk Road

Although Central Asia is no longer inundated by tourists, in the past it was a dynamic and diverse area, largely thanks to the Silk Road . One of the many remarkable sites in this region is the...

Boat with oars on a rock, Al Jassasiya, Qatar Source: Alizada Studios/ Adobe Stock

21 January, 2020 - 01:52 Ed Whelan

Creators of the 800 Al Jassasiya Rock Carvings Remain Undetected

While some societies leave few remains, especially if they were not literate, rock carvings have helped historians understand prehistoric people and mysterious cultures . Some of the most impressive...

Tombs of Mada’in Saleh Source: mstarling / Adobe Stock

20 January, 2020 - 02:07 Ed Whelan

Mada'in Saleh - Saudi Arabia’s Abandoned Nabatean City

Although archaeological remains may not be the first thing that spring to mind when most people think of Saudi Arabia, it has incredible historic sites. Mada'in Saleh, which was designated a World...

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond at sunset Source: ARTIT/ Adobe Stock

18 January, 2020 - 02:01 Ed Whelan

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond: Waters that Reflect the History of South Korea

One of the most beautiful among the many extraordinary sites in South Korea is the architectural remains of Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, which consists of intricately decorated pagodas overlooking...

The Hanging Coffins of Sagada, Philippines

16 January, 2020 - 17:14 dhwty

Unique and Unsettling: The Hanging Coffins of Sagada, Philippines

The Igorots are an indigenous tribe living in Sagada, Luzon Island, Philippines. The Igorots practice unique funerary customs, in which the dead are buried in coffins which are tied or nailed to the...

Niah National Park, Where the Caves Continue to Give 40 Thousand Years On

10 January, 2020 - 01:52 Ed Whelan

Niah National Park, Where the Caves Continue to Give 40 Thousand Years On

Because Malaysia has an amazing climate and incredible natural scenery, the country is popular with international visitors . It also has many remarkable national parks, such as Niah National Park...

Depiction of the Captivity of Judah. Source: The Providence Lithograph Company / Public domain

2 January, 2020 - 23:03 John W Dickerson

The End of Ancient Judaism: The Captivity

The twelve tribes of ancient Judaism were united into a single kingdom under the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon. The destruction of this kingdom and the forced exile of its population is known as...

The ruins of the temple sanctuary at Vat Phou, Laos

1 January, 2020 - 12:42 Ed Whelan

The Stunning Vat Phou Temple Tells Secrets of Laos' Past

Laos is a country that we know little about, it is only in recent years that the nation has opened to the outside world. But the country has many important archaeological sites, amongst the most...

Temple Khajuraho, India

19 December, 2019 - 12:56 Kerry Sullivan

Khajuraho: The Sexiest Temples in India

The Khajuraho temple complex is a series of beautifully built and decorated buildings in Madhya Pradesh. Of the 85 temples originally built by the Chandela dynasty between 900 AD and 1130 AD, only 25...

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