This historic textile city was abandoned after being ravaged by fire.

One of the longest natural sand beaches in the world.

A tiny mosque decorated with mosaics using an early form of recycling.

One of the largest and most scenic of Bangladesh's tea gardens.

This colorful palace is an oasis of calm amid the hustle and bustle of the Buriganga riverfront.

This mysterious but iconic tapered tower appears in many Azeri fairytales and legends.

In oil-rich Azerbaijan, people bathe in the black stuff.

The building's fluid, wavelike walls are a true feat of architectural ingenuity.

Foreign invaders almost left this lovely Caucasus palace alone—almost.

A unique museum dedicated to culture and artistry of carpet weaving.

Home to nearly a third of the world's mud volcanoes, Azerbaijan is home to a messy, bubbling, and sometimes explosive landscape.

A quirky house created entirely out of glass bottles combines a collector's spirit with an artist's flair.

Swirling layers of white and red rock earned these mountains their festive nickname.

A scenic canyon with thick forests and historic ruins.

A shrine of fire worship built on top of a natural flame.

Mysterious hillside with a continuously burning natural fire.

Museum dedicated to overthrowing the Soviets, complete with diorama of Soviets being beaten to death with shovels.

The abandoned palace stands as a wounded but proud beacon of Afghan hope.

200-foot-high minaret and only remnant of Afghanistan's lost city of the Turquoise Mountain.

Despite a history of destruction, this former citadel survives to document Afghanistan's oft overlooked history.

A sobering museum dedicated to landmines and the personnel working to remove them from Afghanistan.

Largest sub-glacial lake ever discovered.

These giant volcano sponges in Antarctica are thought to be the world's oldest living animal, at 15,000 years old.

One of only two civilian settlements in the desolate lands of chilly Antarctica.