Submerged trees jut ghost-like out of an idyllic turquoise mountain lake.

Extremely isolated Silk Road caravanserai in the middle of nowhere.

An abandoned settlement originally established by British colonialists in the Andaman archipelago.

This magical place built as an astronomical center starred as a James Bond villain's lair.

In the world's most bombed country relative to its size, this incredible organization helps pick up the pieces.

An ancient jungle temple carved into a rocky overhang of the Dane Soung Plateau.

More than 200 statues filled with cryptic symbols give this park spot an aura of horror vacui fantasy.

A mysterious, hidden cluster of Buddha sculptures carved into the rocks.

Monks turned this mountain into a temple by digging grottoes, tunnels, and a huge pagoda-like hall.

A restaurant devoted to "trouser grip" wrestling, an ancient form of Viking wrestling that is Iceland's national sport.

The highest monastery in the world operates a tiny guesthouse with doors open to all.

One of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world keeps an eye out in every direction.

Nailing a coin to this holy stump is just another way to ask the gods for relief from dental pain.

Sacred Buddhist home of some spiritual monkeys.

Everything from a plane to your own two feet are needed to reach this jungle resort.

A curious collection of oddities including a lock of Alexander Hamilton's hair and Harry Houdini's ouija board.

A storefront museum in Asbury Park honoring the Jersey Shore’s deep history of mystery—including the Jersey Devil.

The best place in New York to pick up the controversial, notoriously foul-smelling Asian "king of fruits."

Self-sufficient greenhouse floating on the Hudson River.

This small New York museum examines Chinese history from its origins right up to its arrival in the city.

The factory for the popular Dumbo location, the Greenpoint shop is a quiet gem.

The famous author's cottage hideaway.

Abandoned power station once home to a squatter community, now being developed into an arts center.

The world’s oldest and biggest bookstore stocking only mystery, crime fiction, espionage, and thrillers.