Hidden Asian Landmarks: Secret Spots Your Travel Guide Won't Tell You About

Asian landmarks have many stories, some of which are not usually told to most travellers. Asia is the largest continent in the world with amazing well-known sights, but little do we know that there are little-known destinations that are worth divulging. The Great Wall is 21,000 km long, and in 2019, over 31.8 million international visitors will come to Japan, but still, some of the most interesting places are off the beaten track.

I have always been interested in what is off the beaten track. Asian destinations are filled with landmarks that most people have never heard of yet the turnout there is just as strong as it is in Japan. The most popular historical sites with such history as the Taj Mahal, built in 1632-1648 AD, definitely deserve their name. The actual meaning of landmarks, however, goes beyond the popular ones. Indeed, whereas India is ranked number one in tourism, with 5 major attractions, there are numerous other historical marvels here, left to have a nap in plain sight.

And we have assembled this guide to go beyond the standard destinations. Spiritual sanctuaries that serve more than 100,000 free meals a day, rain-drenched wildlife refuges in Borneo, and other places, these hidden gems present unfiltered experiences that have not been subject to mass tourism. I want to tell you the unique locations, not to mention why you should get there.

(toc) #title=(Table of Content)

Covert Histories You Never Knew Existed

Asia is full of historical treasures that are not as famous as its monuments. These obscure landmarks present unpretentious opportunities to those visitors who want to perceive the past with fewer people around.

1. Kunya-Urgench, Turkmenistan

On the Silk Road of ancient times stands a very beautiful and very interesting archaeological object, Kunya-Urgench, which was the capital of the Khorezmshah Empire. Not many international travellers are aware of this vast World Heritage Site, although it has historical importance. The Kutlug-Timur minaret is the tallest in Central Asia, and it has withstood the Mongols and centuries of the harsh desert environment.

The outstanding fact about this landmark is that it spans across a number of different eras-starting with pre-Islamic settlements to the magnificent Islamic architecture. Visiting these ruins reminds one of taking a stroll through the various historical scenes of Central Asian history because the various structures have a lot to say about conquests, culture, and impressive engineering efforts.

2. Shakhi Zinda Necropolis, Uzbekistan

Tucked away in Samarkand and overshadowed by more renowned buildings is Shakhi Zinda, an incredible row of mausoleums featuring some of the most stunning tilework in all of Asia. The main attraction in this Street of the Dead lies in the 20-plus buildings created in the period between the 11th and the 19th centuries and representing different artistic styles and architectural inventions.

The necropolis popularised itself as a pilgrimage site when Kusam ibn Abbas, another cousin of Prophet Muhammad, was reportedly buried here. Every mausoleum is adorned with elaborate blue majolica and mosaic decorations which have retained their original bright colours throughout time. It is a religious site that has not lost the same connection with the people today compared to other sites that are historical vestiges of the past.

3. Wiang Kum Kam, Thailand

Northern Thailand used to have its own cultural hub before Chiang Mai, and that, surprisingly, is the city of Wiang Kum Kam, discovered under a farmfield around the 1980s. It is an ancient capital dating back to the Lanna Kingdom of the 13th century but left to ruin after the terrible floods caused by Ping River.

Now we can explore the ruins of temples, statues of Buddha and ancient inscriptions on 850 acres of land. Unlike some more famous historical parks in Thailand, here you are very likely to spend time in solitude as you glance at the remains in dusty lanes between rice paddies. Excavations will lead to the discovery of new material and, thus, the archaeological site is still under discovery rather than being presented.

Off-the-beaten Trip Wonders of Nature

Beyond these busy cities of Asia are the natural wonders which are not yet fully explored by mainstream tourism. Exploring hidden treasures provides an intensive biodiversity and cleansing backdrops for brave travellers.

1. Philippines, Mount Hamiguitan

Mount Hamiguitan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in the southwest of Mindanao with an absolute range of elevation of 75 to 1,637 metres above sea level. This marvellous sanctuary boasts more than 1,380 species (341 of which are Philippine endemics) with the Philippine Eagle and Philippine Cockatoo under the critically endangered category. Additionally, the pygmy forest, which is the largest in the world, covering 1,200 hectares, is definitely the crown jewel of the mountain. In this case, volcanic soil in abundance has naturally stunted trees from approximately 4.5 feet tall to a century-old tree.

2. Sri Lanka Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Sinharaja is the remnant of the primary lowland rainforests of Sri Lanka. This UNESCO site encompasses 8,864 hectares, and it stretches to an altitude of 300 and 1,170 meters. Moreover, the reserve gets remarkable rainfall within the range of 3,614mm to 5,006mm yearly. The most exciting aspect of this forest is its outstanding endemism, in the sense that 139 species of endemic plants grow here; 95% of the endemic bird species of Sri Lanka also proliferate here. A canopy picture of the forest is illuminated like a miracle, and secret streams and falls set the magic mood of nature.

3. Tajikistan Tajik National Park

The National Park of Tajikistan is one of the least inhabited nature reserves in the world, which is at the same time one of the best preserved in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Hall has an area of about 2.5 million hectares, and it boasts some spectacular high-altitude lakes. Karakul (Black Lake) is located at an altitude of 3,900 metres above sea level and Lake Yashikul (Green Lake) gives some of the best sources of water anywhere. Moreover, the majestic mountain ranges of the park are traversed by the famous Pamir Highway, which in ancient times formed a portion of the ancient Silk Road.

4. Fanjingshan, China

Fanjingshan in southwest China has an area of extraordinary biodiversity that encompasses 40,275 hectares. The mountain has the highest peak, which is 2,570 metres, and this feature forms three different vegetation zones along the 2,000-metre-high elevation range of the mountain. It is also a scientific wonderland, with 3,724 species of plants (a 13 percent share of the Chinese flora). Two globally threatened endemic species are also found only in the mountains, the Fanjingshan Fir and Guizhou Snub-nosed Monkey. Its peak is crowned by two ancient Buddhist temples that are joined by a bridge, which makes it one of the most impressive temple scenes in Asia.

Spiritual and Cultural Sites that are not in the Guidebooks

There is a spiritual pulse in Asia that few tourists notice and that is the ancient temples and monasteries. These are holy sites that present rich cultural experiences that are not found on tourist tracks.

1. Bouddhanath Stupa, Nepal

Bouddhanath (or Boudha Stupa), one of the largest stupas of the spherical form in the world, was given the status of a world heritage site by UNESCO in the year 1979. This is a giant white dome with the omniscient eyes of the Buddha, signifying the enlightened mind of the Buddha. Following the 1959 Tibetan uprising, many refugees moving to Nepal began to cluster around the stupa, and they built more than 50 gompas (monasteries) which turned the region into a hotbed of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal.

The stupa was badly destroyed by the 2015 Nepal earthquake, but somehow it was the first one of the earthquake-damaged World Heritage sites in Kathmandu to be reconstructed in its entirety. Its total cost of renovation was about nine million, nine hundred seventy-nine thousand and 70 dollars, which is about nine million and 970, 000 dollars, which consumed more than thirty kilograms of gold, which shows its cultural significance.

2. Laos, Wat Xieng Thong, a temple

Wat Xieng Thong, or the Temple of the Golden City, was constructed between 1559 and 1560 under the reign of King Setthathirath and is considered a classic example of Lao architecture. This royal temple actually serves as a place of coronation as Lao kings used to be crowned here until 1975, and it is also found at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.

The most prominent aspects of the temple are the nine cascading roofs that are stencilled with beautiful and extremely detailed stencilling using gold. The interior is panelled in rich red and black with scenes of myth painted on the walls using gold stencils and dharmachakras on the ceilings which signify Buddhist law and reincarnation.

3. Meenakshi Temple, India

This is a magnificent temple complex in Madurai that belongs to the 4th century CE, although the current building belongs to the period that falls between the 16th and 17th centuries. The temple (devoted to goddess Meenakshi (an incarnation of Parvati) and her husband Sundareswarar (Shiva)) is approached by impressive gopurams-elegant gate towers of more than 170 feet).

Its Thousand-Pillar Hall (really 985 highly decorated columns) and Golden Lotus Pond, where pilgrims dip their bodies in sacred water, are inside. Festivals make the temple come alive throughout the year, with the one lasting 12 days of the year being the annual marriage between Meenakshi and Sundareswarar, which is held in April/May.

Contemporary Cloaked Monuments in a New Way

The Asian region reminds us of unfamiliar pleasures and discoveries in modern constructions that lead to a fusion of innovation and the interpretation of culture. These are some of the modern attractions that provide an outstanding experience for travellers who want to enjoy something more than the classic viewing of objects.

1. Supertree Grove of Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

The futuristic scenery in Singapore has 12 colossal Supertrees up to 50 metres tall. Within these vertical gardens, there are more than 200 plants of about 162,900. The real beauty of these structures lies in their usefulness, as seven of the Supertrees are designed to capture the sun's rays, others are designed to gather rainwater and can be used as air-ventilation canals. There is also a light and sound performance known as the nightly Garden Rhapsody that features 68 autonomous audio speakers and is hosted at 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm every day and its performance is mesmerising.

2. Baitereke Tower, Kazakhstan

The Baiterek Tower rises in Astana, 105 metres high, and it represents the movement of the capital of Kazakhstan in 1997. It has a gold-mirrored sphere on a cylindrical column which is 22 metres in diameter and only 79 centimetres in diameter. It is symbolic of a Kazakh folktale of the Tree of Life and the Samruk bird that is mythological. People who go to the 97-metre-high observation deck can put their hand in an impression of the first president of Kazakhstan and make a wish.

3. The Eco Features of Taipei 101, Taiwan

After becoming the tallest building in the world, in 2011, Taipei 101 earned the LEED Platinum certification, thus ranking it the tallest green building. The tower is built with a state-of-the-art ice storage system that stores ice during off-peak power hours and uses the ice during the relatively higher power hours of the day. Its windows have double-panes that shut out 50 per cent of external heat and a recycled water system provides up to 20-30 per cent of the needs of the building. There are eight emergency generators that are diesel-fueled with a running power of 46 hours.

4. Dotonbori Canal, Japan

Dotonbori is the bustling area in Osaka which revolves around the canal that changes at night. The waterway gives a reflection of a kaleidoscope of neon light which creates an enthralling mood. River trips will give a different view of this entertainment centre as you go through a total of nine bridges in the 20-minute outing. The land represents the kuidaore culture of Osaka, literally translating to go broke eating, with its consuming hamlets of restaurants on its banks literally lining its shores.

Conclusion

Asia is full of marvels that are there to be found by those adventurous travellers who are ready to go off of the beaten road. Along with our voyage over unseen attractions, we have encountered world wonders that have stood peacefully throughout the centuries, natural beauty with its own distinctive biodiversity, religious cultures and shrines with their devotion and modern attractions that incorporate technology and tradition into the equally unusual facade.

Such secret spots have one thing that is really special - authenticity. Whereas others scramble to get entry to the Taj Mahal or the Great Wall, you may get to explore the ancient ruins of Wiang Kum Kam or sunsets getting coloured in the pygmy forest of Mount Hamiguitan alone. Undoubtedly, such experiences establish stronger ties with locations and their histories.

Travelling has to be a challenge for us. Every concealed attraction is a chance to leave the comfort zones and explore something extraordinary. The spiritual power of Bouddhanath Stupa or the environmental initiatives of Taipei 101 makes us relize that landmarks are not on the map but on the mind, and they should happen because they expose us to some new meanings about the world.

My personal experience of travelling throughout Asia has taught me that this can hardly be above average whenever one has to choose between following the groups and venturing on their own. Rather, they appear when we least expect them to be German wine cafés behind the city streets, forest paths to an undiscoverable waterfall, or local flea markets.

The next thing you need to do when you think of organising your Asian tour is to make room in your schedule. Bring along your curiosity as well as your camera approach to the grass fields and the like of Parkland and Weatherby. Magic runs deep in the sort of nooks and crannies where history, nature, spirituality and innovation all flourish and that are off the beaten track. After all, the best tales are told where the guidebook finishes and where one has to use his or her own eyes to see what lies behind.

Key Takeaways

Asia is filled with incredible untold landmarks that have the potential of providing tourists with some authentic experiences that are devoid of being found in tourist destinations and standard travelling routes.

·       Asia has additional undiscovered historical places such as Kunya-Urgench and Shakhi Zinda, which can take one to an authentic cultural experience without the mass of people that you get when you visit a popular historical site.

·       In places like Mount Hamiguitan where one can see a pygmy forest and Sinharaja, there are endemic species whose environments are still intact to offer a pristine experience to adventurous holidaymakers.

·       Spiritual sites such as Bouddhanath Stupa and Wat Xieng Thong provide powerful links to cultures through their ways of active religious practise as opposed to tourism display.

·       There are also modern architectural wonders of sustainability such as Supertrees in Singapore and Taipei 101 green buildings that blend innovation with cultural heritage that go beyond tourist attractions.

·       By allowing some space to explore beyond what the guidebooks suggest, one can find the most lasting experiences that travel can offer, and perhaps a greater understanding of the culture.

These hidden locations are the essence of Asian travel as history, nature, spirituality, and innovation exist in a genuine way having no influence of crowds of tourists.

FAQs

Q1. What are some of the historical destinations which were not famous in Asia?

The Kunya-Urgench in Turkmenistan features the magnificent Kutlug-Timur minaret that is 60 meters high and the Shakhi Zinda Necropolis in Uzbekistan consists of tilework in necropolis form. Another interesting site is the lost city of Wiang Kum Kam in Thailand, which was found lately, in the 1980s, after it was buried under the farmland.

Q2. Are there any weird natural items in Asia that one is likely to miss as a tourist?

Yes, the pygmy forest located in Sicotlong Mountain in the Philippines covers the largest area world over, but in terms of numbers, the Sinharaja Forest Reserve in Sri Lanka has more endemic species. Tajik National Park in Tajikistan is characterised by incredible lakes at extreme altitudes, whereas Fanjingshan in China is what we consider to have extreme biodiversity with its high and low-altitude ecologies.

Q3. Which spiritual places are found in Asia that cannot be found in the guide books?

Notable accentuated Buddhist locations in Tibet are Bouddhanath Stupa in Nepal and Wat Xieng Thong in Laos. The other wonderful spiritual attraction is the Meenakshi Temple in India, where there are a lot of beautiful carvings and colourful festivals.

Q4. What are the modern Asian attractions with their own peculiarities?

In fact, Singapore has Gardens by the Bay and the Supertrees here have solar energy and rainwater harvest features. The tower of Baiterek in Kazakhstan represents Kazakh folklore and the Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan has remarkable environment-friendly features. The Dotonbori Canal in Japan is a good place to experience something that is only available in the night due to the bright neon lights.

Q5. How can travellers get to know about such hidden landmarks in Asia?

Find out what the hidden gems are by doing your research outside traditional guide books, being open to exploring new and less-frequented locations and being flexible in trying out new things. Talking to local people, being interested in local history, and learning about local culture can end up being very interesting and bizarre at times.