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GLOBAL SHANANIGANS

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Sacred Tombs of The Pagoda Forest
Located at the base of Mount Shaoshi in Henan Province, the Pagoda Forest at Shaolin Temple is a sacred necropolis within the broader monastery complex. With its origins tracing back to 618 AD during the Tang Dynasty, the forest is home to over 240 stone and brick pagodas, each serving as a tomb or memorial for esteemed monks, abbots and martial art masters.


Sacred Nara Deer Park
Although not formally declared a public park until 1880, the sacred origins of Nara Park stretch back to 708AD, when Japan’s capital was transferred to the Heijo Palace area, now the city of Nara. As the heart of early Japanese civilisation, Nara became a place where political ambition, religious reverence and spiritual mystery intertwined.


The Ruins of Ta Prohm
While Angkor Wat stands in meticulously restored grandeur, Ta Prohm has been surrendered to the wild embrace of the jungle. Towering silk-cotton trees and strangler figs entwine themselves around crumbling sandstone walls, their roots creeping through sacred corridors like ghostly fingers reclaiming what was once theirs. This temple complex was constructed in 1186 AD during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, one of the most prolific & devout rulers of the Khmer Empire.


Reed Flute Cave
The Reed Flute Cave, or Ludi Yan as it is known locally, has a fascinating history that stretches back over 1200 years, beginning during the Tang Dynasty. This 180 million year old karst cave complex, located in Guilin, has long been a symbol of natural beauty and historical significance. Its geological formations are a breathtaking testament to the slow, steady power of time, yet its human history is just as remarkable.


Ueno Tōshō-gū – The Shōgun’s Golden Shrine
Within the quiet, tree lined paths of Ueno Park in Tokyo lies one of Japan’s most elegant yet often overlooked historical treasures, Ueno Tōshō-gū. Built in 1627, this shrine was constructed to honour the memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the formidable figure who unified Japan’s fractured feudal domains and established the Tokugawa Shogunate, a regime that would rule Japan in relative peace and stability for over two and a half centuries.


Wat Phan Tao - Temple of a Thousand Kilns
Wat Phan Tao is one of Chiang Mai’s lesser known yet historically rich temples, quietly nestled in the heart of the city’s ancient walled quarter. Located just beside the more prominent Wat Chedi Luang, it often sits in its shadow, both figuratively and literally, but offers a tranquil, deeply atmospheric contrast. The temple dates back to the 14th century, during the reign of the Mangrai Dynasty and originally served not as a grand site of worship but as the residence for mo


Seven Stars Cave
Hidden beneath the dramatic limestone cliffs of Guilin’s Seven Stars Park lies a sprawling karst cave system, veiled in myth and mystery. Named after the seven towering peaks that crown the landscape, said to mirror the celestial pattern of the Big Dipper, this subterranean realm has captivated explorers and spiritual seekers for a millennia.


Huanglongxi Ancient Town
Founded more than 1700 years ago during the Han Dynasty, Huanglongxi began as a vital Silk Road trade settlement nestled on the banks of the winding Huanglong River in Chengdu. Legend says the town earned its name from a fierce yellow dragon that once guarded the serpentine stream weaving through its cobbled alleyways, a guardian spirit as mysterious and enduring as the town itself.


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.


Terrace of the Leper King
Located within the Royal Square at the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the Terrace of the Leper King is an elevated stone platform, adorned with a series of enigmatic bas reliefs, which dates back to the late Angkorian period during the reign of King Jayavarman VII.
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