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In the Shadow of the Dragon - Exploring Huanglongxi Ancient Town
Founded over 1700 years ago during the hen, Huanglongxi is an ancient Silk Road trade settlement located on the banks of the Huanglong River in Chengdu. The town was originally known as Huanglong, named after the yellow dragon who once guarded the stream which snakes through its cobbled alleyways.
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The Rice Terraces of Tegallalang
Carved like emerald steps into Ubud’s natural amphitheatres, locals say the spirit of the rice goddess still watches over the iconic Tegallalang Rice Terrace, blessing the fields with life and balance. Also known as Ceking, the terraces are a large collection of beautiful verdant rice paddies, carved into the hillside by generations of farmers and shaped by centuries of Balinese ingenuity.
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Bali’s Buried Past - Blood on the Island of the Gods
One of the most horrific chapters in Balinese history occurred during the anti-communist purges which swept across Indonesia in the mid 1960's and barely anyone dares talk about it. In the years leading up to the massacre, Bali was already a fractured island, mirroring the deepening political and social divisions across Indonesia.
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Yeh Pulu - Water of the Stone Jar
Hidden in a lonely ravine between the Petanu and Pakrisan Rivers, the ruins of this unique 14th-century rock relief lay buried for centuries under volcanic eruptions and vegetation. The site was excavated by Dutch authorities in 1925 and in 1949, a stone gutter was cemented on top in order to drain off water, to prevent erosion and vegetation from taking hold, revealing even more of the stone mural.
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The Sacred Bull of Preah Ko - Guardian to the Gods
Preah Ko is a profoundly significant temple that often gets overshadowed by the grandeur of Angkor Wat and Bayon. Preah Ko, which translates to “Sacred Bull,” was the very first temple built in the ancient city of Hariharalaya, located in present-day Roluos, 15 kilometres southeast of Siem Reap. This temple predates Angkor Wat by over two centuries and is key to understanding the architectural and spiritual foundation of the Khmer empire.
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Banryutei Rock Garden - Dragon of Eternity
Tucked behind the imposing facade of Kongōbu-ji Temple, the head temple of Koyasan’s esoteric Shingon Buddhism, lies Japan’s largest Zen rock garden, Banryūtei, or “The Garden of the Reclining Dragon.” Far from your average gravel swirls, Banryūtei is a deliberate masterpiece spanning over 2300 square metres. It was established in 1984, some 1150 years after the death of Grand Master Kobo Daishi, as a place of calm contemplation.
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Ayutthaya - The Fallen City of Siam
Once a vibrant and influential hub, this ancient metropolis was founded in 1350 by U-Thong (later crowned Ramathibodi I) and became the...
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Wat Chalong - A Temple of Healing & History
Built in the early 19th century, Chalong Temple (Wat Chaitararam) is the largest and most revered of Phuket's 29 Buddhist temples. Located near the southern tip of the island, it attracts both locals and visitors from around the world, drawn by its historical and spiritual significance.
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Adashino Nembutsuji Temple - Whispers of the Departed
Tucked away in the misty northwestern hills of Kyoto, the secluded temple of Adashino Nenbutsuji rests in quiet solemnity. Surrounded by bamboo groves and age-old trees, it is both picturesque and profoundly haunting. In antiquity, this hillside was a final destination for the forgotten dead, those who passed with no family, no mourners and no names.
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Vính Tráng Pagoda - A Survivor of War and Time
Originally established in the early 19th century as a humble hermitage tucked beneath the shade of dense tropical foliage, Vĩnh Tràng...
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Baoguo - Temple of Divine Mountain
Situated at the foothills of Mount Emei, the Baoguo Temple serves as a gateway to one of China's Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains and...
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Trunyan Village - The Island of Skulls
Protected by steep, jungled slopes, the remote mountain village of Trunyan rests on the eastern shores of the vast Batur crater lake, at...
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Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque - A Symbol of Faith and Grandeur
Often considered as one of the most beautiful mosques in Asia, the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque was completed in 1958 and is dedicated to...
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The Mausoleum of Khai Dinh - The Puppet King
Leaning against the Chau Chu Mountain in the outskirts of Hue, this elaborately designed, hillside tomb has elements of Vietnamese and...
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Hoa Lư - The Ancient Capital
Located south of the Red River Delta Region 90 km's from Hanoi, Hoa Lư was a bustling capital city in turmoil during the 10th and 11th...
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Gunung Kawi Tampaksiring - The Mountain of Lost Kings
Carved into the rock cliffs on both sides of the Pakrisan River, this 11th century temple site and funerary complex is of profound...
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Wat Rong Khun - The Temple of Light
Better known as the White Temple, Wat Rong Khu is a relatively modern Buddhist temple, a privately owned art exhibit and the creation of...
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Baan Dam - The Black House Museum
Baan Dam is the unique brainchild of famed Thai artist Thawan Duchanee, who started creating the open-air gallery in 1975. Spanning some...
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Banteay Srei - The Citadel of Women
Chiselled from rose-pink sandstone, this beautiful, miniature Hindu temple was built in 967AD and is the only major temple credited to be...
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Okunoin Cemetery - Whispers from the Forest
With over 200,000 tombstones snaking through nearly two kilometre’s of the sacred Wakayama mountain forest, the Okunoin cemetery is the...
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