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Better bring a waterproof camera if you want to be a part of some of these crazy fun holidays

The Changing Face of Myanmar: Myint Zaw’s Goldman Prize–Winning Photos of a Country in Transition

On a sailboat cruise through Indonesia, a father and son forge a deeper bond.

A once-impenetrable country reveals itself to writer Matt Gross one meal at a time.

Xining: China’s Cultural Crossroads

Mandalay and Bagan are two of the most essential stops on any Myanmar agenda. Regarded as one of the world’s most spectacular temple complexes, Bagan deserves its status as arguably Myanmar’s top draw. Located on the banks of the Irrawaddy River, it is home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas, and ruins in the world. The former royal capital of Burma, Mandalay is one of the country’s most storied cities and is one of the most evocative names in Asia.

In a metropolis where the topography rarely deviates from pancake flat, the Golden Mount—a 260-foot-high mound crowned with a golden stupa—stands out, with more than 300 steps to reach the top. The hill was originally commissioned by King Rama III in the 19th century, and the views from the peak are among the best of the Old City. The stupa at the top contains a relic of the Buddha that was brought over from India. The lower temple, Wat Saket, is one of Bangkok’s oldest, dating to the Ayutthaya period (1351–1767), and the grounds were used as a cemetery.

Every sunrise at Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu brings with it the sound of ringing bells and mantras, the smell of incense, the spinning of prayer wheels, and woven in between it all, thousands of pigeons. Buddhist practitioners feed pigeons seeds every morning as offerings to acquire good karma, the watchful eyes of Boudhanath Stupa looming just behind the frantic yet calming scene of people and feathers. Situated in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu, Boudhanath offers travelers a look into the Tibetan Buddhist way of life and is one of Buddhism’s holiest sites (and also a UNESCO World Heritage site).

Boudhanath, situated on the north east side of Kathmandu, is one of the most significant Buddhist monuments in the world. The stupa’s dome is 43 meters tall and it’s painted-on Buddha eyes survey a flurry of activity in the square below. Pilgrims, monks, devotees worshipping with sun salutations, merchants, craftsmen and tourists mingle in this corner of town which used to be a Tamang village but is now primarily inhabited by the descendants of Tibetan refugees. Look closely and you’ll see evidence of the traditional Nepali painting technique on the white base of the stupa - paint is thrown onto the structure in arcs instead of applied with brushes. Visit some of the monasteries that surround the monument as well - some of them have nice second floor balconies for viewing the great stupa and its crown of prayer flags from a different angle (this photo was taken from one of them).

Boudhanath, one of the two “grand” stupas sitting within the Kathmandu Valley, lights up the skyline, nestled amongst endless rows of apartments and shops. This is the view from the Hyatt Regency Kathmandu (looking east), and after an evening celebrating the full moon by spinning prayer wheels and lighting butter candles at Boudhanath, this was the perfect perspective to wind down our day.

The final stop before the Hana Highway, Pā'ia was once a plantation town; today it’s a boho enclave full of galleries, independent boutiques, lazy cafés, and a Tibetan Buddhist stupa (place of meditation). Stock up on fuel for exploring at Mana Foods: Like Doctor Who‘s TARDIS, this indie health-food store is bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside. (It also has a shockingly vast selection at reasonable prices.) Other highlights include Mahina, often voted Maui’s best boutique, and the funky soaps, jewelry, clothes, and Hawaiiana of Alice in Hulaland. Downshift at Baldwin Beach Park, the best for bodyboarding and swimming. Then drive out to Ho’okipa Lookout (before the Mile 9 marker) to marvel at the massive breakers in winter or advanced windsurfers streaking across the sea almost all year round.

The Borobudur temple, located 40km north-west of Yogyakarta in Indonesia, is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. It’s made up of several levels and right at the top are these bell-shaped stupas, each containing a statue inside. The place is always crowded with visitors, including local children on school trips. But it’s definitely a place to visit, especially since it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

So as to not repeat the past, we must learn from it, even when it is difficult to face. Visiting the Buddhist memorial at Choeung Ek is one of those experiences. Located outside the city of Phnom Penh is the memorial and burial site of the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. An enormous commemorative stupa is filled with the skulls of people whose lives were taken during this horrible period in history. Throughout the surrounding park, there are many places to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in Cambodia.

Sunset from the plaza of the Schwedegon Pagoda, Rangoon, Burma.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok‘s Yai district. It is situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple is one of the best known Thai landmarks. The mosaics which cover the temple create a pearly sheen during sunrise and sunset. Ferries can be caught at the Tha Tien Pier across the river from Wat Arun every couple of minutes. Tha Tien Pier is located near the Grand Palace and Wat Po.