A sacred mountaintop temple offers a fine cup of tea to visitors who can survive the journey.

The most famous location in China was home to whole dynasties worth of imperial rulers.

The nation’s first institution dedicated to the conservation of Bhutanese textiles.

This Himalayan airport provides one of the most difficult landings in the world.

This 17th-century Bhutanese monastery is ensconced in Buddhist legend.

This penis-focused monastery is dedicated to Buddhism's "Divine Madman."

This colorful overpass is one of Bhutan's longest suspension bridges.

The largest and, arguably, most scenic fortress in Bhutan.

The small cliffside monastery known as the Tiger's Nest is said to be the meditation site of an eighth-century Buddhist master.

A British general, a suggestive tree, a map of paradise.

This small group of sand dunes manages to pack in a strange rainbow of colors.

At the foot of an active volcano sits a church miraculously spared by its lava.

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

In this desolate valley resides a gorgeous set of rocks sporting a technicolor design.

Exploring the wilder, more passionate sibling of Erg Chebbi feels like discovering a secret sun-kissed planet from another galaxy.

The oldest known university in the world is in Fez, Morocco.

Traditional 11th-century outdoor tannery.

Fortune tellers, snake charmers, poets, and storytellers all gather on this historic square in Morocco.

Thousands of narrow alleyways in an ancient medieval city make up what's believed to be the world's largest car-free urban zone.

A fortified city, home to a remaining population of five families

World's largest film studio, where visitors tour the decaying sets that litter the harsh desert environment.

The other side is actually green.

Massive stele returned to Ethiopia after 70 years in Rome.

Supposedly this Ethiopian chapel holds the Ark of the Covenant, guarded by virgins who cannot leave the building.