Dambulla, situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, is best known for its rock temple complex that has been in use for over two thousand years. The Dambulla Cave Temple, also called the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is made up of five caves carved into a granite outcrop, filled with over 150 Buddha statues and intricate wall paintings. These caves were first used by King Valagamba in the 1st century BCE as a refuge during exile, and later transformed into a sacred site.

Andong-si is a city in North Gyeongsang Province known for its preserved traditions, Confucian heritage, and historic villages. The Nakdong River passes through the city, while surrounding hills and wooded areas shape its landscape. Andong is closely associated with Hahoe Folk Village, traditional mask dance, and Korean scholarly culture.

Astana, officially known as Nur-Sultan, is the modern capital of Kazakhstan and a striking example of contemporary urban design in Central Asia.

Kaziranga National Park stretches across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River in Assam, shaped as much by water as by wildlife. Established in the early 20th century, it became central to conservation efforts in India, most notably for the greater one-horned rhinoceros. The park’s history reflects a long negotiation between protection, seasonal flooding, and the human communities that live around its edges.

Polonnaruwa, located in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, served as the island’s capital nearly a thousand years ago. Today, it offers one of the most extensive and well-preserved archaeological sites in South Asia. Visitors can walk among the ruins of royal palaces, Buddhist monasteries, and intricately carved stone temples. One of the highlights of Polonnaruwa is the Gal Vihara, a group of colossal Buddha statues carved directly into granite.