A preposterously luxurious hotel with gold-plated iPads, Rolls Royce chauffeurs, and a staff that trains by watching "Downton Abbey."

On any given day this sprawling market houses literally tons of government-regulated gold, gems, and precious metals.

This indoor ski resort has a mountain contained inside a mall.

A faithful reproduction of Al-Jazari's enormous water clock.

This artificial archipelago was supposed to resemble a map of the world.

Malaysia's floating mosque.

This Khmer-era temple includes a lintel that was stolen and displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago for years before returning to Thailand.

This Bangkok high-rise looks like a rudimentary LEGO elephant.

Bangkok celebrated its shifting monarchy with a militaristic homage to democracy.

A small 12th-century temple surrounded by waters believed to have curative properties.

A secluded, little-known temple hidden amid the dense jungle.

Though it was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, Baphuon was converted to a Buddhist temple in the 15th century, complete with a massive hidden statue.

A tall karst islet popularized by 007.

Cavemen, elephants, and eagles greet passengers driving through the town's main intersection.

This nugget of paradise earned its name for obvious reasons.

The lavish, well-preserved home of a wealthy Baba Nyonya family is now a cultural museum.

Hang out with thousands of butterflies in one of the world's largest such enclosures.

Little India's hidden gem of kindness and good food.

A gorgeous gilded tower houses what may be the world's largest collection of gin.

A striking series of six bridges connect islands in Indonesia.

Colorful umbrella-covered trees in Singapore's Little India look straight out of Dr. Seuss.

This tranquil park with a spiral viewing tower is an off-the-beaten-path area where renowned people have planted a small grove of trees.

A public statue crafted by Singapore's pioneering sculptor, Ng Eng Teng.

A manifestation of modernist architectural ideas, this massive, multi-purpose building was one of the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.