ASIA TRAVEL GUIDE

Asia is an amazing continent to visit. It has a total of 49 countries and a population of 4.3 billion. The most spoken languages in Asia are Mandarin, Hindi, Arabic, Malay, Vietnamese, Korean, Cantonese, Wei, Thai and English. On this page you have a list of Asia Best Destinations.

TOP ASIA

★ Sacred city of Bukhara, Uzbekistan
★ 16th century World Heritage Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, Iran
★ 427 meters / 1401 ft below sea level Dead Sea salt lake, Israel - Palestine - Jordan
★ Birthplace of Jesus's Cave in Bethlehem, Palestine
★ Citadel of Arbil, the oldest continuously inhabited town in the world, Iraq
★ 15h century Timurid architecture of Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
★ Hazrat Ali's Sacred shrine and Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan
★ 14th century Tashilhunpo Monastery and fortress in Shigatse, Tibet
★ 15th century monasteries and monuments of Bhaktapur, Nepal
★ 17th century fort and old district of Nizwa, Oman
★ The endless Great Wall, China
★ 2134 m / 7001 ft mountain top, 62 BC tomb-sanctuary of Mount Nemrut, Turkey
★ 9th century peaceful Woljong Temple, North Korea

INSPIRING PLACES TO VISIT IN ASIA

1- VISIT LHASA, TIBET

Visit Lhasa, Tibet - People’s Republic of China

Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, is located on a small basin on the north bank of the Kyichu River at an average elevation of 3,600m / 11,800ft, making it a great base to admire the wonderful surrounding Himalaya Mountains, going as high as 5,500m / 18,000ft. The city being a mixture of traditional Tibet with sophisticated China, Lhasa's most notable landmark, the Potala Palace, stands tall over the city of conventional regional architecture and such monuments like the impressive and mystic Jokhang Monastery.

Make no mistake, Lhasa is clearly a city under occupation of the Chinese. It was sixty years ago, but you will find armed soldiers and patrols a bit everywhere. Nevertheless, wandering around Lhasa is an absolute pleasure. Head to the Barkhor district and take a walk. Take in the aura of the "Forbidden City". Discover this city Tibet before heading to the rural one.

★ Read the page: Kathmandu to Lhasa 8 day Tibet Tour.

2- VISIT PETRA, HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN

Visit Petra, Jordan

Petra is much more than just an historical and archaeological city cut on the rocks of the mountains forming the eastern flank of Wadi Araba valley. Carved in this big valley which runs from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba, the Rose City, as it is called because of the color of the rocks, represents Jordan worldwide. Its precise location, on the slope of Jebel al-Madhabah, also refers to the Bible, since some have identified this as Mount Hor.

Petra was only known to the Western world in 1812. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, described as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage". The whole scenery is mind-boggling and really inspiring, as was the people who imagined the construction of rock chambers and the water conduit system.

3- VISIT KATHMANDU, FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF NEPAL

Visit Kathmandu, Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

Kathmandu is both a noisy and vibrant city and one where the transcendent quietness of temples stands out. The capital of Nepal is full of history and magnetic places to visit, all within touching distance to the Himalayas, concentrating half of the world's 8000-metre / 26,000-feet peaks. This is where most mountain exploration activities are planned, including the ascension to the Everest.

Visiting Kathmandu means finding the temples at Durbar Square, the world heritage site of Boudhanath Stupa, the country's most important Hindu temple (Pashupatinath) and the Royal Palace converted into the Narayanhiti Palace Museum after the 2001 massacre of the Royal Family by the then Crown Prince. The valley town of Bhaktapur, built in dark carved wood and glowing pink brick embellished by fine stone sculptures is also one of the places to wander in.

4- VISIT JERUSALEM, STATE OF ISRAEL

Visit Jerusalem, State of Israel

Jerusalem certainly doesn't need introductions. We are talking about the holiest city in the world, where civilizations have put their culture together in a culture rich mix. Walking around Jerusalem reminds us of its History in every corner.

Inside the Old City walls the number of delightful places to visit is vast: Western Wall, Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock (Al-Aqsa Mosque), Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Hurva Synagogue, Via Dolorosa,... Other than these sites, it is great to get lost in the alleys of the markets. History, theology and archaeology all come together in each of the quarters of the Old City acting as a home to Jewish, Christian and Muslim people.

Other places to check out in Jerusalem are the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament), Wohl Rose Park and Teddy Park, Yad Vashem (Israel’s living memorial to the millions murdered in the Holocaust), Montefiore Windmill, the neighborhoods of Ein Karem and Nachlaot,etc.

5- VISIT ISTANBUL, REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

Visit Istanbul, Republic of Turkey

Istanbul is a beautiful city located between Europe and Asia. Nobody is indifferent to the exoticism of Istanbul. This city has endless monuments, mosques, trendy neighborhoods, palaces, gardens, markets, museums and cultural activities to entertain us for at least a week. Simply walking among this lively place is something to cherish and remember.

Places to visit Istanbul are the Basilica Cistern, the amazing Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace, the magnificent Blue Mosque, the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, the Süleymaniye Mosque, the Chora Church, the Galata Tower and the Grand Bazaar. The food is simply excellent. Don't leave without trying the Baklavas, a sweet pastry of layers of filo with chopped nuts in between, all sweetened and held together with syrup or honey.

6- VISIT SINGAPORE, REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

Visit Singapore, Republic of Singapore

The city-state of Singapore is as if one single man had built it from scratch. Everything seems to be well-designed, well-executed, well-placed. A pleasure to find. Singapore’s prosperity has existed since it became a tax-free port with the settlement of a British trading post in 1819. Today, it is probably the perfect balance between ancient culture and the western world, where the powerful industries of high-tech, finances and tourism thrive.

So, visiting Singapore takes us across the birthplaces of its Malaysian, Chinese and Indian population. It is a varied and rich experience for sure. Check it out: street performances of Chinese opera, ballet, a lively arts scene of international and local talent, the shopping areas of Arab Street and around Orchand Road, the tasty and sometimes odd cuisine, the many shrines and temples of which The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is the biggest and most impressive, Chinatown,… All of these places are a lot more than, but may feel like, an appetiser for the cherry on top of the cake, a skyline to keep our eyes watering over the Lion City. All very colorful. All very Singapore.

7- VISIT GREAT WALL OF CHINA, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Visit Great Wall, People's Republic of China

It can be seen from space! That’s how big it is! The Great Wall of China is a colossal piece of architecture, engineering and effort of a great people. Its purpose was to keep enemies outside the territory of what now is China. The construction started in 220 B.C. under Qin Shi Huang and continued until the Ming dynasty, in the 17th century AD. It is in UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1987.

Being the world's largest military structure, the Great Wall of China has over 20,000km / 12,400mi, starting in the east at Shanhaiguan and ending in Jiayuguan, to the west. Trust me, this construction is really gigantic seen from up close. It consists of walls, horse tracks, watch towers, shelters, passes and even has fortresses. Walking around the walls also gives us a privileged viewpoint over the landscapes around, wherever in China you may be.

8- VISIT BETHLEHEM, STATE OF PALESTINE

Visit Bethlehem, State of Palestine

Well, if there’s a city in the world, for westerners, that doesn’t need introduction, that city is Bethlehem. Even if you don’t believe in Jesus, the story of his birth (and the story that follows) has sure come up as early as in kindergarden or your first memories of Christmas. According to the Hebrew Bible, Bethlehem was where David was born crowned as the king of Israel. It is, of course, also the birthplace of Jesus, so says the New Testament. This was where everything started for His believers.

Throughout times, the city has seen many changes take place and peoples arrive. The Romans came. The Samaritans came. The Arab Caliphate came. And the Egyptians, the Seljuks, the Crusaders, the Ottomans, the British Empire at the end of WWI, the Jordans as a result of the Arab-Israeli War which started in 1948. Finally, it was captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War.

Since 1995, Bethlehem is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank, only 10km / 6.2mi from Jerusalem. It is not a large city, only 25,000 inhabitants who live mainly out of tourism. Pilgrims and tourists alike want to walk in the same places where part of the History of the world was made and other beautiful places: The Church of the Nativity, Rachel's Tomb, the Milk Grotto, Shepherd Fields, the Herodium, the Mar Saba Monastery,… There are also a few interesting museums to discover like the International Nativity Museum, the Olive Oil Museum and the Palestinian Heritage Center. Just walking around the Old City of Bethlehem is an incredible experience you can’t miss. The narrow streets transport us to the past. Follow the Star Street and take it from there.

9- VISIT BEIJING, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Visit Beijing, People's Republic of China

Beijing, capital of China, ruled by the Manchu, the Mongols, the Communists,… The importance of this city has been huge over time and is now taking its power in the world economy as China gets further and further ahead of the game. Beijing is an immense city of 22 million people, with cranes decorating the skyline everywhere you look. It’s still growing. But the gems of the great past behind the city are cherished by the locals and the authorities, as well as tourists.

Visiting The Forbidden City alone is a major task. Over 9,000 rooms in an immense palace built between 1406 and 1420. Along times, The Forbidden City was sacked, rebuilt and restored. That is why what we see now dates back to the 18th century, Qing Dynasty. Go for happy walks in this amazing piece of History. Another of Beijing’s most representative places is Tiananmen Square, where massive parades and gatherings take place. And where the protests of 1989 resulted in a bloodshed. Daily, the raising and lowering ceremony of the Chinese National Flag, at sunrise and sunset, are well worth seeing. Still in Beijing city or nearby, there are many more awesome places to visit: Great Wall of China, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Ming Tombs, Lama Temple, Beihai Park (Winter Palace), Beijing Capital Museum.

10- VISIT MAZAR-I-SHARIF, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN

Visit Mazar-i-Sharif, Islamic Rep of Afghanistan

Mazar-i-Sharif is the 4th largest city of Afghanistan. After a few years under Taliban control, on November 9th 2001, the city was finally recaptured by the Northern Alliance with the assistance of the United States of America. Since then, there have been several Taliban attacks to get control of the city again.

The major tourist attractions in Mazar-i-Sharif are its well-known shrines and Muslim and Hellenistic archeological sites. The name of the city, in fact, means “Noble Shrine”, a reference to the famous pilgrimage Shiite Muslim mausoleum of Hazrat Ali, the cousin and son of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, right in the city center. This beautiful structure of blue tiles well deserves the name Blue Mosque. The whole place is in pristine shape and going about the shining floor is a pleasure. Be sure to check out the mosque at night, when it is lit by colored lights.

★ Read the page: Driving in Afghanistan – Survival Guide.

11- VISIT YAZD, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

Visit Yazd, Islamic Republic of Iran

Yazd is a spectacular city in the Iranian desert. Apart from the the twelfth century Jameh Mosque, you can also have an attentive look at the Water Museum, the Amir Chakhmakh complex (an extraordinary construction), Atashkadeh (the Temple of Fire),… There are many more incredible places but the one that stands out is called “Yazd Tower of Silence”. Not actually towers, the structure consists of huge circular walls built on top of two hills. The purpose was for the dead to be left to be “cleaned” by vultures, according to Zoroastrian belief. So, you’ve guessed it: Yazd is the center of the Zoroastrian culture.

As for the old city, it is completely built in traditional architecture, which uses mud for the construction of walls. Besides site seeing, something you can’t absolutely miss is the medieval bazaar, one of the Middle East’s best-preserved bazaars. Exploring the historic neighborhoods and relaxing in the parks in Yazd, hiking in the mountains in search for the perfect view over the city, hitting the cafes to get close to the locals are all your choices. Take them all!

★ Read the page: 79 Reasons to Visit Iran.

12- VISIT WADI RUM, HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN

Visit Wadi Rum, Jordan

Wadi Rum really leaves an impression on us. The desert views in the south of Jordan are amazingly dramatic. We witness the great show of mountains of sandstone and granite rising from the sand going to heights of 1700m / 5,600ft and more. The massive narrow canyons and fissures are equally impressive.

The rock drawings dating from before History are still found on the rocks. And so are the Zalabia Bedouin tribes living in large goat-hair tents. Nowadays, they mostly make a living out of helping climbers and trekkers explore the region, where eco-adventure tourism has risen in recent years. Besides these activities, visitors are fond of riding Arab horses and camping under the stars.

13- VISIT BAM, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

Visit Bam, Islamic Republic of Iran

Bam Citadel was once the largest adobe building in the world. Located in the desert on the southern edge of the Iranian high plateau, Bam's origins date back to the Achaemenid period (6th to 4th centuries BC) but its peak happened in the 7th to 11th centuries, when the city was in the crossroads of vital trade routes and a big producer of silk and cotton garments.

Arg-e Bam is massive. It is even surprising how the fortified medieval town built with mud layers has survived so far in time. People settled in this are long time ago basing their livelihood on the underground irrigation canals, the qanāts, from the oasis. Today, a modern new city of Bam was built nearby.

★ Read the page: 79 Reasons to Visit Iran.

14- VISIT SAMARKAND, REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN

Visit Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Samarkand, the second largest city of Uzbekistan, lies in the valley of the river Zerafshan. The city is as as old as Babylon or Rome and so has its share of changes throughout times with the conquests of Alexander the Great, the Arabs, Genghis-Khan and Tamerlane. The cultures of Iranian, Indian, Mongolian, the West and the East: This is Samarkand.

The beautiful, even majestic, Samarkand is a legendary city on the Silk Road. Its monuments of ancient architecture are a unique testimony of its heritage. Among many others, the highlights are Registan Square, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Imam al-Bukhari Mausoleum, the Shakhi-Zinda compound and the Gur-Emir ensemble. Each of these places is like a visual representation of pure poetry. The delicate blue tiles, the carved marble and the many minarets around town are an absolute must.

15- VISIT NISSI BEACH, REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS

Visit Nissi Beach, Republic of Cyprus

The sandy Nissi Beach is located in the resort of Ayia Napa, Cyprus. It attracts many visitors due to the beautiful scenery provided by the large stretch of beach with pure waters. The name Nissi was given after one of the small islets close to the coast, which are within walking distance through the shallow waters. Other than people, another frequent visitor is the Great White Pelican, a considerable-sized bird which wanders around looking for something to eat.

Nissi Beach's popularity, aside from the natural obvious reasons allowing for water sports and relaxing, comes from the many night clubs. DJs get the crowds excited with the music played in lively events such as foam parties and catwalk fashion shows.

16- VISIT SAMAIL, SULTANATE OF OMAN

Visit Samail, Sultanate of Oman

Samail Castle, or Samail Hosn, rests in a valley with the same name, surrounded by the rocky black Hajar mountains and palm groves whose dates provide the locals with a significant part of their economy. This is a beautiful castle in an equally beautiful landscape. Inside Samail Castle we find a lot of exhibition rooms showing local artefacts and telling the story of the building.

The location of the castle is in the Wadi Samail (valley), the biggest in Oman. Here, we can also find other fortifications such as Bait Al Khubar, the Al Shahbaa Fort and a large number of smaller forts and Watch Towers.

★ Read the page: 25 Amazing Places to Visit Oman.

17- VISIT AQRAH, REPUBLIC OF IRAQ

Visit Aqrah, Kurdistan - Republic of Iraq

The name Aqrah comes from the Syriac word for "barren", which all the way makes an understandable introduction to this city. Built on the hills of Kurdish Iraq, Aqrah offers a gorgeous view over the entire region, especially if you climb to the tall narrow tower of the mosque.

In Aqrah, a visit to the market is a very interesting program. Around town, we find several springs and even waterfalls. Something we could not predict given the origin of the name of the city...

18- VISIT GIRNE, TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

Visit Girne, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Girne (widely known for it Greek name, Kyrenia) is probably one of the most beautiful towns in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. With rugged mountains on the background, Girne was founded in the 10th century by the Myceneans, the first Greek invaders of Cyprus. The charm of the city is set mostly on the nice harbour area. This is where we can see the greenest landscape in the island, as well as the peaceful waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

The Venetian Castle in Girne is well worth a visit. The same goes for the religious sites of the Anglican Church, the Cafer Paşa Camii, the Ottoman Cemetery and the Chrysopolitissa Church. These highlights clearly show the importance of the spiritual side of town. As for culture, we can go in the teeny Folk Museum and Icon Museum to get a glimpse of the island's way of life. A good place to do it is also the Bandabuliya, an old building built in 1878 to act as the town hall, recently transformed into a market and a tourism and craft centre.

19- VISIT MURGHAB, REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN

Visit Murghab, Tajikistan

The word Murghab means "prairie river" in Persian, which makes its location by the Murghab River easy to guess. Standing in the Pamir Mountains, at 3,650m / 12,000ft, this is the highest town in Tajikistan. Its placement near important regional roads make it the regional trade center, illicit drugs included.

Founded by the Russians as a military outpost in 1895, Murghab doesn't look much more than a temporary frontier. Being the only significant town in the eastern half of Gorno-Badakhshan, the population still is around 4,000 people living a simple life. The views over the ice-capped peaks of the mountains are a constant presence in their day.

20- VISIT TASH RABAT, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

Visit Tash Rabat, Kyrgyzstan

Tash Rabat is a structure made of crushed stone on clay mortar of 31 rooms, many of them having a dome. Located 3200m / 10,500ft up in the Kyrgyzstan mountains, in the At-Bashin ridge, the mountains around embrace everyone who visits the well-kept 15th century caravanserai of Tash Rabat. A caravanserai was a roadside inn where travelers would regain their strength from the day's journey in the Silk Road. Tash Rabat is thought to have been originally built as a Nestorian monastery in the tenth century, even though there weren’t any artefacts found considered sacred to Christians.

If you want, you can stay at Tash Rabat in the yurtcamp of the caretaker and then explore the area hiking or horse-trekking. Then, you can move on to the main north-south highway, to Lake Chatyr-Kul and Torugart Pass, or to the ruined fortress of Koshoy Korgon.

21- VISIT HAZRAT-E-TURKESTAN, REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

Visit Turkistan, Kazakhstan

Turkistan is the present name of the city once called Hazrat-e-Turkestan, north of Chymket, in Kazakhstan. The ancient name of the city means “Saint of Turkistan”, which is obviously enough to understand its religious importance to the thousands of visiting pilgrims every year. Turkistan is considered as the Second Mecca of the East. The city of Turkistan was an important trade center of the past, going as far as the 4th century, and the most important learning center for Kazakh steppes people.

There is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the city, which is a delightful place to visit, the Mausoleum of Khwaja Ahmad Yasavi, built by Timur’s orders in 1389. This majestic construction truly catches our eye, both in the splendour of the lines and in the intricate design of multicolored tiles. The big dome is very impressive from the ground.

22- MUYNAK, ARAL SEA UZBEKISTAN

Visit Muynak, Aral Sea Uzbekistan

Muynak is a town which fell in disgrace in Uzbekistan. Once in a prosperous and nature-blessed region, it fell at the hands of man’s actions. This is the story. Muynak used to be a bustling fishing community right on the bank of the Aral Sea. It was, in fact, the only port city in the whole Uzbekistan, a center of industrial fishing and canning. But then, the Aral Sea disappeared…

The monoculture of the land was dominated by cotton production which used the water from tributary rivers of the sea into irrigation. On top of that, there was pollution caused by agricultural chemical runoff causing the water to evaporate. The Aral Sea completely vanished from Muynak. What is left is the town’s major tourist attraction, an armada of rusting remains of ships, a cemetery of ships. A really impressive view. There is also a one-room museum dedicated to Muynak’s heritage as a center of the fishing industry, kept by the few inhabitants who still stay, most of them ethnic Karakalpaks.

23- VISIT KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

Visit Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur’s essence always reminds me of Singapore and that is why I posted similar photos of the two. Like this last city, KL — as it is widely known — is also a blend of (the Malay, Chinese and Indian) cultures, different religions and a mixture of the new and of the traditional, which are all characteristics that make it a very interesting place to visit in Asia. Even being less well-organized, clean and tranquil than Singapore.

Top attractions in Kuala Lumpur are the Petronas Towers, of course, the city’s Twin Jewels. And you can even go up there! Then there are the Menara KL Tower, Chinatown, the earliest Moorish-style Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Central Market (a cultural landmark where the artistic community gets together). Don’t leave Kuala Lumpur without trying the food at Jalan Alor. And, surely, don’t leave without visiting the Batu Caves, a 400-year-old limestone hill with a 100-year-old temple within it.

24- VISIT ERBIL, REPUBLIC OF IRAQ

Visit Erbil, Kurdistan - Republic of Iraq

Erbil (or Arbil) is the capital and largest city of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq. This is not the Iraq we see in the news. Or at least it wasn’t when I was there. 1.5 million people live in Erbil, a city that dates back to 6000 BC, being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Sasanians, Arabs and Ottomans were here and left their marks.

The prosperous and economically successful city of Erbil has a lot to keep a visitor occupied: markets, carpet shops, huge mosques and a few centenary churches. An archaeological museum housing a large collection of pre-Islamic artefacts. And a citadel considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the most prominent hill. Outside of town, nature provides the waterfalls of Gali Ali Bag, the highest ones in Iraq and in the Middle East.

25- VISIT MALACCA, MALAYSIA

Visit Malacca, Malaysia

Malaka has its origins in the 14th century fights for control over the Malay Peninsula between Java and the Thai Kingdom. It was a trading center in the region, growing into a rich and cosmopolitan market town trading spices and textiles with India and Indonesia. Malaka, in the Malay world, had a sophisticated language, advanced literature, outstanding dances and a superior hierarchical court structure. When the colonial era came, the Portuguese (my people) led by Afonso de Albuquerque decided to conquer Malaka in 1511, as part of their plan to extend their influence in Asia by dominating ports in the region. They stayed for 130 years and introduced Catholicism by the works of St Francis Xavier. Then came the Dutch. And then came the British…

Together with long-standing Chinese presence and the Europeans’ one, Malaka doesn’t lack an appealing heritage to tourists. Its architecture and culture can’t be found anywhere in East and Southeast Asia. Malaka is a nice, interesting town. I really love the combination of red and white on the buildings, just like in the photo. "The Historic State” features many sites which well represent the richness of the cities’ legacy and that are worth a visit: Fort A Famosa, St. John's Fort, St. Peter's Church, Christ Church, Francis Xavier Church, the Museum of History and Ethnography, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Jonker Street (antique goods), Portuguese Square, Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple, Tranquerah Mosque and so on and so forth.

26- VISIT NAQSH-E RUSTAM, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

Visit Naqsh-e Rustam, Islamic Republic of Iran

Naqsh-e Rustam lies 12km / 7.4mi away from Persepolis, in the Fars Province of Iran. Basically, it is a big rock which serves as a necropolis. The site is pretty spectacular, particularly the reliefs on the stone, the oldest one dating to 1000 BC.

There are four tombs of Achaemenid kings a bit above the ground. Locally, they are known as the “Persian Crosses”, because of the facades of the tombs. In fact, the entrance of each of these tombs is at the center of each cross. Past the entrances, there is a small chamber containing a sarcophagus of a king from the Sassanid period, presumably of Darius I the Great, Xerxes I, Artaxerxes I and Darius II.

★ Read the page: 79 Reasons to Visit Iran.

27- VISIT BHAKTAPUR, FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF NEPAL

Visit Bhaktapur, Nepal

Bhaktapur is an ancient Newar city in Nepal founded in the 9th century, once the capital of the country during the “Malla” Kingdom, from the 13th to the 15th. Together with six more sites, it is part of the group of monuments and buildings that UNESCO considers World Heritage with the aggregated name "Kathmandu Valley”. Besides Bhaktapur, the other incredible artistic and historic achievements are the Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka (in Kathmandu), Patan, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath and the Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan.

Bhaktapur, literally “City of Devotees”, has probably more temples than you can visit. It also boasts the best old city center and best preserved palace courtyards in Nepal. The artwork in terms of wood, metal and stone is absolutely fascinating. The core of the city is Layaku, or Durbar Square, where Hindu gods and goddesses are honored in the pagoda and shikhara-style temples. A place to sit and watch life go by while appreciating the magnificence. At Durbar Square, don’t dare to miss The Lion Gate, The Golden Gate (Lu Dhowka), The Palace of Fifty-five Windows, the stone Batsala Temple, Pashupati Temple.

Following the streets out of the square will take you to a number of other must-see places in Bhaktapur. Head to the five-storeyed pagoda-style Nyatapola Temple, look for the Bhairab Nath Temple, find the Dattatraya Temple,… Only 6km / 3.7mi from Bhakathapur, Changu Narayan Temple awaits you, another one listed by UNESCO. Just outside the main city gate, Ta Pukhu (Siddha Pokhari) is a big rectangular water pond with great views over the snowy peaks. There are many more places to see in Bhaktapur. But I think these are enough to make you want to go there. Right?

28- VISIT AMADIYA, KURDISTAN REPUBLIC OF IRAQ

Visit Amadiya, Kurdistan - Republic of Iraq

Amadiya is a historic city in Kurdish Iraq that goes back to the Assyrian era. Built in a strategic location on the flat top of a mountain, it was from where the royal Abbas family ruled after the expulsion of the caliphs from Baghdad. This region is also thought to have been the home of the most important Magi priests of Ancient Persia, the “Three Wise Men”, the ones who went to Jerusalem when Jesus Christ was born.

The views over the dramatic plateau from Amadiya are tremendous. The city was a center of Chaldean astrology and astronomy but now only has around 6,000 people living there. The ones I encountered were very nice and helped me find the Bahdinan Gate, the last standing part of the ancient fortress which once existed.

29- VISIT SHIGATSE, TIBET

Visit Shigatse, Tibet - People's Republic of China

Shigatse is Tibet’s second city, after Lhasa. It is located high in the mountains like pretty much everything in the country. It is the home of the Panchen Lamas, the Dalai Lama’s religious and political rivals throughout the ages. With the altitude of 3850 m / 12631 ft providing breathtaking views, the city is a beautiful place to forget about your worries and wander about the laid-back streets and alleyways of the old town. You can’t get lost. Just use the Drolma Ridge to the north to get you oriented.

What is there to do in Shiagatse? Visit the great Tashilhunpo Monastery, the second largest in Tibet, founded in 1447 by Gendun Drup, the first Dalai Lama. There is also Shigatse Dzong, a fortess originally built in the 17th century by Karma Phunstok Namgyal, the second in the line of the Nyak family, who ruled Tibet for almost 100 years. Don’t leave without taking in the market and its atmosphere.

★ Read the page: Kathmandu to Lhasa 8 day Tibet Tour.

30- VISIT ANAK TOMB NO. 3 OF THE GOGURYEO TOMBS COMPLEX, NORTH KOREA

Visit Complex of Goguryeo Tombs, Democratic People's Republic of Korea - North Korea - DPRK

The Complex of Goguryeo Tombs was considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004, the first in North Korea. And for good reason. It is located near Pyongyang, in a beautiful surrounding which includes lots of vegetation and some rocky mountains on the back. This pyramid-like construction (without the top) discovered in 1949 consists of sixty three individual tombs from one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, Goguryeo kingdom, which rose as one of the strongest in the north east of China and Korean Peninsula between the 5th and 7th century B.C..

Anak Tomb No. 3 is one of the chamber tombs of Goguryeo. What sets it apart from the rest is the type of structure and mural, more similar to some tombs found in the Chinese province of Liaoning than to those of Goguryeo. The mural and the epitaph are beautiful. Archaeologists think that the woman and man in the wall paintings illustrate the royalty buried in the tomb. The images are really cool to see, especially having that amount of detail after all these centuries.

★ Read the page: 88 Reasons why I liked North Korea – Explicit.

31- VISIT PINGYAO, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Visit Pingyao, People's Republic of China

Between Beijing and Xian there’s a mandatory stop, one of the Chinese Historic and Cultural Cities. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, together with its Zhenguo Temple and Shuanglin Temple. Meet Pingyao. During the Qing Dynasty (17th to early 20th century), this was a financial centre of China. But the city dates back 2,700 years. The well-preserved ancient walls guarded their wealthy inhabitants' rich mansions provide the perfect set for a visit nowadays.

Walking around the car-free streets with traditional eighteenth- and nineteenth-century buildings is captivating. The authorities made a real effort to keep the atmosphere as original as possible. There are charming wood-and-painted-glass lanterns hanging outside which add to the character of the whole city of Pingyao. Here, visitors can experience the traditional Shanxi beds (kang) laid up on platforms in lovely old courtyard mansions. Not far from Pingyao there are some rural temples and imposing fortified clan villages worth a visit.

32- VISIT AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Visit Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

This is my favorite city in the United Arab Emirates. With immense history and tradition, Al Ain has many monuments, forts, historic buildings, oases, ruins, archaeological complexes, palaces and museums. The name of this city in Asia literally means “The Spring”. Now, this Garden City (after its greenery) located on the border with Oman is not a small one, at more than half a million inhabitants. But it’s still a quiet place compared to the busy rhythm of life near the coast.

Al Ain was once an essential post on the trading routes between Oman and the Gulf, as we can see through the many forts around the city and by the archaeological finds that go back to the Neolithic. It was due to all this and all other accounts on the historical and cultural significance of Al Ain that UNESCO considered it a World Heritage Site, in 2011. The first site in Abu Dhabiand in the UAE to have this distinction. While visiting, don’t miss the beautifully restored mud-brick Al Jahili Fort, the views over the mountain Jebel Hafeet (only a few kms away from the city center) and the camel market.

★ Read the page: 43 Places to Visit United Arab Emirates.

33- VISIT OSH, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

Visit Osh, Kyrgyz Republic

Osh is frequently mentioned as the “capital of the south” of Kyrgyzstan. At 3,000 years old, if not more, the city is a melting pot of Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Russians, Tajiks and other smaller ethnic groups. Once, Osh was an important center of trade and the economy flourished. But nowadays, with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the separation of the states, the nearby Uzbekistani border slices a piece of the potential opportunities for business. Nevertheless, Osh is still capable of having the most crowded outdoor market in all of Central Asia, the “Great Silk Road Bazaar”. This is The place to visit in town.

Osh has a few monuments to boast of. One of the last remaining statues of Lenin is here. And so is a monument to Kurmanjan Datka, born into a rich family of the Mongush clan and named “Queen of the South”, the stateswoman who began annexation of this region to Russia in the 19th century. The Russian Orthodox church is a great sight, peacefully cohabiting in the same city with the largest mosque in the country, next to the bazaar, and the 16th-century Rabat Abdul Khan Mosque.

Want a superb view over Osh? That can be arranged. You see, the only World Heritage Site in Kyrgyzstan is nearby Sulayman Mountain, offering all the views we can dream of. Also in this mountain, The National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex Sulayman enclose a great collection of archaeological, geological and historical finds on local flora and fauna.

34- VISIT WOLJONG TEMPLE, NORTH KOREA

Visit Woljong Temple, North Korea

For me, Woljong Temple is the absolute most monumental Buddhist temple in North Korea, more precisely in the Jol Valley, just east of Asa Peak. This isolated location means that the perspective you get over the mountain is awesome, as well as the one of multiple colors of the tree leaves that envelop Woljong Temple.

Originally built in 846, it was later rebuilt in the beginning of the Yi Dynasty (15th century). At present times, Woljong Temple has beautiful buildings made of wood. The pagoda style one is so iconic that it was depicted on a 1958 postal stamp. The main construction is called Kungnakbo Hall, where really interesting red and blue murals cover the walls. I had the opportunity to attend a private Buddhist ceremony given by the monk who takes care of the temple, which made this place even more fascinating.

35- VISIT THE DEAD SEA, ISRAEL, PALESTINE, JORDAN

Visit Dead Sea, Israel - Palestine - Jordan

It’s dead, all right! The only glimpse of life you will be able to find in the Dead Sea is on the people who, like me, enjoyed themselves floating effortlessly on the salty waters. It’s a strange sensation to be able to stay afloat like you were sleeping on a bed of fluffy foam. But an unforgettable one too.

Want to know how this happens? Easy! The Dead Sea is 427m / 1401ft below sea level, which is Earth's lowest elevation on land. This is one of the world's saltiest bodies of water (34.2% salinity in 2011). Such hyper saline water, 9.6 times the oceans’, doesn’t allow animals to live in it… but is also what makes our body not sink. From ancient times, the Dead Sea has attracted visitors from the Mediterranean basin as one of the world's first health resorts. It is even mentioned in the Bible as a refuge for King David. Along the years, the salt lake produced balms for Egyptian mummification, potash for fertilisers, salt for cosmetics and herbal sachets,…

Nowadays, this salt lake fed by the Jordan River occupies the Great Rift Valley across Israel, Palestine and Jordan. If you want to try this amazing experience and get tanned without getting burnt (since the salt haze hits the beach after the evaporation of water and protects from UVB sun rays), take the journey. As a bonus, you will be offered medically proven benefits in skin diseases and joint problems. As for the Dead Sea skin-care products, you will have to buy them. For yourself as a souvenir or as a present for your friends and family.

36- VISIT HAGHPAT MONASTERY, REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

Visit Haghpat in Armenia

Haghpat Monastery is a 10th century religious complex in Armenia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, together with Sanahin Monastery. The two monastic complexes serve as exemples of the highest flowering of Armenian religious architecture, a style gathered from elements of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture and the traditional vernacular architecture of the Caucasian region. Founded by Queen Khosrovanuysh, wife of the Bagratid king Ashot III, the complex of Haghpat Monastery has different amazing buildings.

The biggest church, the Cathedral of Surb Nishan, has a central dome resting on the four pillars of the lateral walls. Inside there are frescoes and works of art in bas-relief representing its founders. The walls outside contain triangular recesses. Another structure, the small domed Church of Sourb Grigor (St. Gregory), had two side chapels and a tall bell tower added to the original church. We can also find a few magnificent khachkars (cross-stones) of the 11th-13th centuries on the grounds of the monastery.

The surrounding mountains are very nice. Haghpat Monastery was built on a lush promontory overlooking the Debed River, halfway up the hill to offer protection and be a bit hidden to keep the monastic humility. My tip to enjoy your visit to this enchanted place even more is to wait for a mass with emotional Orthodox chants.

37- VISIT YUNGANG GROTTOES, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Visit Yungang Grottoes, China

Yungang Grottoes are located only 16km / 10mi west of the city of Datong. The caves are an extremely interesting thing to see and, because of that, have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001. 252 caves and 51,000 statues are respectful numbers for these grottoes, praised for their Buddhist cave art in 5th and 6th-century China.

Carved on a sandstone cliff around 400 AD, the Yungang Grottoes are very well preserved. Originally, they spread across more than 15km / 9.3mi but today only 1km / 0,62mi remain. To understand the changes of style along the caves, you need to follow a certain sequence of caves across the three clusters (east, central and west). Have fun exploring these precious grottoes.

38- VISIT MOUNT NEMRUT, REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

Mount Nemrut, Republic of Turkey

At 2,150m / 7,050ft above sea level, Mount Nemrut, or Nemrut Dağı, is a place you must visit at sunrise or sunset to suck in all the grandeur of the site and its environs. This remote hill was the choice of Antiochus I (69–34 B.C.) to build his mausoleum, one of the most incredible constructions of the Hellenistic period, an obvious evidence of the Greek and Persian origins of this kingdom’s culture. No wonder it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as early as 1987.

The site is crazy! The big heads made of rocks are absolutely gorgeous. Many of them, double my size. Not mentioning the full-size statues lined up in the temple. You will never forget this place!

39- VISIT NIZWA, SULTANATE OF OMAN

Visit Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman

Right now, Nizwa is one of the oldest cities in Oman and in the past it was one of the centers of trade, religion, education and art of the country and also its capital. Its geographical position, at the crossroads of routes connecting key regions of Oman, made Nizwa an important meeting point. Nizwa is a prosperous city where the importante of the culture of dates is evident by the wide plantation of date palms.

All three major tourist attractions in the city were renovated using the same traditional materials in the 1990s, which means they look absolutely amazing. Built in the year 1668 AD, the Nizwa Fort is the most visited monument in Oman. Its architectural lines and patterns are simply amazing. Nizwa Souq is where you can find some of the the city’s famous handicrafts and agricultural products. What really pops here is the silver jewellery and Khanjar making (curved daggers). Finally, Falaj Daris is a World Heritage Site. A falaj refers to water that runs through a channel dug in the earth, the source being groundwater found in the subsoil of valleys. That is why Falaj Daris is considered the life maintainer of Nizwa, since it provides the plantations with the essencial irrigation.