From the secluded valleys of Bhutan to the hustle and bustle of Beijing, Asia is a land of diverse cultures and terrain. Travel across the continent and discover all it has to offer.
Vietnam
Revolutionary Road
Efforts to turn the Vietnam War's notorious Ho Chi Minh Trail into a major highway have uncovered battle scars from the past while paving a way to a brighter future
Bhutan
The Changing Face of Bhutan
As the last Himalayan Buddhist kingdom cautiously opens itself to the world, traditionalists fear for its unique culture
SLIDESHOW: The Arts of Bhutan
China
Forbidden No More
As Beijing gets ready to hosts its first Olympics, a veteran journalist returns to its once-restricted palace complex
Calendar of Events
Highlights and Hotspots
Celebrations, ceremonies and competitions sure to delight even the most seasoned traveler
EXPLORE MORE
Burma
- Sacred and Profaned
Misguided restorations of the exquisite Buddhist shrines of Pagan in Burma may do more harm than good
India
- India's Holiest City
At Varanasi, Hindu pilgrims come to pray—and to die—along the sacred Ganges River
Malaysia
- Singapore Swing
Peaceful and prosperous, Southeast Asia's famously uptight nation has let its hair down
Cambodia
- Jewel of the Jungle
Traveling through Cambodia, our writer details the history and archaeology of Angkor's ancient temples
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Videos
Destination Asia
The Smithsonian Channel has spent some time over in Asia. Watch videos ranging from Buddhists monks praying to Pandas in their native mountain landscape.
FROM THE SMITHSONIAN LIFE LIST
Have you traveled to these places? Tell us about your adventures.
• Angkor Wat
• Pagan
• Taj Mahal
• The Great Wall
• Yangtze River
• Zen Garden of Kyoto
Travel with Smithsonian
Treasures of Angkor Wat and Vietnam
Expert local historians enhance your journey to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam
At the Smithsonian Store
Asian Jacket Sculptures
The intricate porcelain-bisque openwork of these costume sculptures emulates the brocaded silks of traditional Chinese coats.
