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.

This significant temple complex, within the dense jungles on the northern edge of the Angkor Archaeological Park, was commissioned by the great King Jayavarman VII in honour of his father and the Bodhisattva of universal compassion, Avalokiteshvara. Known as Preah Khan, or the Sacred Sword, the temple was erected in 1191 during the golden years of the ancient Khmer Empire.

The Blue Temple, also known as Wat Rong Suea Ten, is a striking Buddhist temple, renowned for its stunning blue and gold color scheme. Built in 2005 on the site of an ancient abandoned shrine, it is a relatively new addition to Chiang Rai’s historical landscape and was funded by a local artist named Phuttha Kabkaew, who had a strong vision of fusing the beauty of traditional Buddhist art in the contemporary world.

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.