Shanghai’s origins date back over a thousand years but its transformation from a modest fishing village to one of the world’s largest metropolises is marked by turmoil and bloodshed. The area was initially a small settlement under the Song dynasty between 960 - 1279AD, primarily a fishing and textile hub.

The Telaga Waja River, flowing down the verdant slopes of Mount Agung in East Bali, is best known today for its rafting adventures but beneath its rushing waters lies a deep, often overlooked historical and cultural undercurrent. Historically, this river has served as both a geographical and spiritual artery for the people of Karangasem. It provides water for rice fields through a traditional irrigation system called subak and many Balinese believe it to be sacred.

Yaoshan Mountain scenic area, standing at 909 metres, received its name in 221 BC with the construction of the Yao Emperor Temple at its summit. As the tallest peak in the Guilin region, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding karst landscape, limestone formations that define the area’s iconic scenery. This early naming coincided with the unification of China under the Qin Dynasty, marking Yaoshan as a site of both natural prominence and emerging cultural si

Standing proudly at 1175 metres above sea level, on the peak of Mount Lempuyang, this ancient temple complex is among Bali’s oldest and most revered, believed to predate most Hindu temples on the island. Although there is some confusion about the site’s exact age, the establishment of temples here stretches back at least a millennium.

When the Zhangjiajie Glass Footbridge opened to the public in August 2016, it instantly shattered world records as the highest and longest glass bottomed suspension bridge. Stretching 430 metres across and suspended 300 metres above the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, it connects the dramatic cliffs of Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountains, terrain said to have inspired the floating mountains in Avatar.

This relatively modern monastery and temple complex was established in 1975 by a Vipassana Abbot named Ajahn Jamnian, who was in search of a secluded and tranquil place for deep meditation practice. Drawn by the natural serenity of the area, he found this remote forested location ideal.

Often hailed as the “Gateway to Heaven,” Tianmen Mountain stands as one of China’s most breathtaking natural marvels. Perched above the city of Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province, this majestic peak rises to 4,980 feet above sea level. From its lofty heights, visitors are rewarded with sweeping panoramic views of rolling valleys, jagged cliffs and pristine forests that have remained untouched for centuries.

Officially protected in 1980, Khao Sok National Park spans over 739 square km's in Thailand’s Surat Thani Province. This vast expanse of wilderness is made up of a maze of limestone karst formations, lush jungle rivers and dense rainforest, all resting on what was once the floor of an ancient ocean. The park is home to one of the oldest evergreen rainforests on Earth, estimated to be over 160 million years old, predating even the Amazon and Congo rainforests.

Rising high above the mountains of Doi Inthanon National Park, these two beautiful pagodas were built to commemorate the 60th birthdays of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1987 and Queen Sirikit in 1992. These monuments stand as powerful symbols of Thailand’s deep reverence for its monarchy, its enduring Buddhist traditions and the unity of the Thai people.

Nestled in Jiangsu Province, Suzhou is often called the “Venice of the East”. But this poetic comparison doesn’t quite do it justice. Suzhou isn’t just romantic, it’s resilient, with a past that includes dynastic grandeur, colonial upheaval, civil war devastation and an astonishing rebirth. Founded over 2,500 years ago during the Spring and Autumn Period, Suzhou was originally known as Wu.

Nestled in the eastern highlands of Bali, in the quiet village of Ababi at the foot of Mount Agung, Tirta Gangga is a royal water palace steeped in beauty and spiritual reverence. Commissioned by the last Raja of Karangasem in 1946, this sacred estate pays homage to Balinese Hindu devotion. Its name, meaning “blessed water from the Ganges,” reflects its role as both a royal retreat and a site for spiritual purification and ceremonial bathing.

This UNESCO World Heritage area, also known as Halong Bay on land, stretches along the Ngo Dong River and is flanked by views of majestic karst cliffs, limestone caves, grottoes, and vibrant green rice fields. Tam Cốc literally translates to “three caves,” referring to the Ca, Hai and Ba caves carved by centuries of flowing water. Locals often refer to the surrounding fields as the Green Sea, a poetic nod to the way the wind ripples through the endless rice paddies like waves

Situated at the foothills of Mount Emei, the Baoguo Temple serves as a gateway to one of China's Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains and stands as testament to the rich history and spiritual heritage of the region. Originally founded around 100AD, the current temple complex underwent extensive restoration during the Ming Dynasty in the 16th century, under the watchful eye of Emperor Kanxi.

Spanning approximately nine kilometres, the famous Campuhan Ridge walk is a narrow spine between the eastern and western branches of Ubud’s Wos Rivers. Literally meaning the ‘joining of the waters’, the Campuhan hamlet meanders through a lush valley hinterland. Dense river ravines quickly give way to an undulating sea of electric green rice fields and a mosaic of cascading terraces around the village of Bangkiang Sidem.