Experience Asia

Given its vast size, China has relatively few well known historical sites. Tourists come to see the Great Wall, the Imperial Palace or Forbidden City and the extraordinary Terracotta Army. These are easy to get to in a country where language and a seemingly difficult writing system are still seen as impenetrable barriers to independent travel. As tourism increases tour operators are starting to include lesser known historic cities and religious monuments to their itineraries.

One part of the Terracotta Army, left exposed as excavated.‎ © 颐园新居/Wikimedia

Given its vast size, China has relatively few well known historical sites. Tourists come to see the Great Wall, the Imperial Palace or Forbidden City and the extraordinary Terracotta Army. These are easy to get to in a country where language and a seemingly difficult writing system are still seen as impenetrable barriers to independent travel. As tourism increases tour operators are starting to include lesser known historic cities and religious monuments to their itineraries.

Jordan may very well be 85% desert, but it is its position between Europe, Africa and Asia that has seen every one come and go. The ancient Greeks, Romans, Muslims, Christian Crusaders have all left their mark. There are many archaeological sites, wonderful castle and beautifully preserved ancient churches.In the rolling hills to the north are many ruined Roman cities. To the south is Petra, the rock-cut architecture of the ‘Rose City’ seen in many films including not surprisingly Indiana Jones.

Al-Khazneh, also known as the Treasury, lit up at night for visitors. © Susanahajer/Wikimedia

Jordan may very well be 85% desert, but it is its position between Europe, Africa and Asia that has seen every one come and go. The ancient Greeks, Romans, Muslims, Christian Crusaders have all left their mark. There are many archaeological sites, wonderful castle and beautifully preserved ancient churches.In the rolling hills to the north are many ruined Roman cities. To the south is Petra, the rock-cut architecture of the ‘Rose City’ seen in many films including not surprisingly Indiana Jones.

Officially the Russian Federation, Russia is the world’s largest country including much of eastern Europe and stretching over all of northern Asia. European Russia is known for baroque and neoclassical architecture, magnificent palaces, a Tsarist history, revolution and brutal communism. By contrast Asian Russia and Siberia is associated with the frozen bodies of Pleistocene animals. Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals were living here as long ago as 40,000 years.

The instantly recognisable domes of Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow.‎ © Ludvig14/Wikimedia

Officially the Russian Federation, Russia is the world’s largest country including much of eastern Europe and stretching over all of northern Asia. European Russia is known for baroque and neoclassical architecture, magnificent palaces, a Tsarist history, revolution and brutal communism. By contrast Asian Russia and Siberia is associated with the frozen bodies of Pleistocene animals. Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals were living here as long ago as 40,000 years.

In 1265 Marco Polo described Sri Lanka as the finest island of its size in the world. And for centuries since, visitors to the island have been agreeing. Sri Lanka has a fascinating recorded history of over 2,000 years, with archaeological evidence of humans living here in the Stone Age, perhaps as long ago as 500,000 years. The northern plains of the island bear the remains of remarkable cities and religious monuments of the early Buddhist Sinhalese civilisation.

One of four rock relief statues of Buddha‎ at the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. © Dan Lundberg/Wikimedia

In 1265 Marco Polo described Sri Lanka as the finest island of its size in the world. And for centuries since, visitors to the island have been agreeing. Sri Lanka has a fascinating recorded history of over 2,000 years, with archaeological evidence of humans living here in the Stone Age, perhaps as long ago as 500,000 years. The northern plains of the island bear the remains of remarkable cities and religious monuments of the early Buddhist Sinhalese civilisation.