CASCADE COMPLEX – ARMENIA

Noravank Monastery was built in the 13th century, about 122 km

from Yerevan, on the edge of the narrow winding gorge of the Amaghu River,
close to Yeghegnadzo. This gorge is known for its tall, steep, brick-red cliffs
directly across from the monastery. The Monastery has been included in the
UNESCO heritage list since 2002.
 Baku Flame Tower- Azerbaijan
The history of Baku, with its cult of fire worship provided the inspiration for
the design, which consists of three flame-shaped towers, each with a different
function, set in a triangular shape are visible from many parts of the city. Baku
Flame Towers are a symbol of the historic past and the future strength and
potential of Azerbaijan. The design was conceived as a set of flames, driven
from the ground up one of the main hills of Baku. Fire symbolizes energy and
eternity, and also goes back to the ancient worship of this element.
 Four Seasons Bharain Bay- Bharain
The Four Seasons hotel is the centrepiece of the Bahrain Bay development,
and another quintessential part of the capital’s skyline. It was designed by
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, who also worked on Dubai’s tallest
skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa. According to SOM, the building “evokes a
monumental gateway to a growing city” when viewed from a distance.
There are two pillars which are connected by 17 floors of hotel space in the
lower levels, and two floors of meeting rooms and restaurants at the very
top.
 Church of Agios Lazaros, Larnaca- Cyprus

The Church of Agios Lazaros (or Saint Lazarus) is a stunning stone church
that was built towards the end of the 9th century, and is one of the most
important Byzantine monuments of Cyprus. The church lies of the tomb of
Saint Lazarus who was said to have been the resurrected friend of Jesus
Christ, and his tomb, with its beautiful marble sarcophagi, can be viewed
inside the church’s crypt. The iconic looking tiered building is also worth a
visit at night, when the lights of the square in front of the church highlight
its beautiful shape, which makes for an impressive sight against the
night’s sky.
 The Bridge of Peace, Tbilisi- Georgia

Relatively newly constructed the Bridge of Peace is definitely the attraction

one wouldn’t want to miss in Tbilisi. It is a pedestrian glass and steel
bridge in a bow-shaped design that sits over the Mtkvari (Kura) river in
Georgian capital. It was officially opened in May 2010. The bridge was
brought to Georgia from Italy in 200 unassembled components. The bridge
is 156 meters long and has more than 10 000 LED bulbs built-in, that are
switched on daily 90 minutes before the sunset.
 Shah Mosque- Iran

Shah Mosque in Isfahan is one of Iran’s most iconic monuments and one of
the most beautiful religious centres across the middle east. Famous for its
incredibly unique Persian architecture and ornate detail, you could easily
spend the afternoon just getting to know the design details. Beyond its
pretty face, however, the mosque holds a ton of history dating back to the
early 1600s.
 Al Yassin Mosque- Iraq

The city of Baghdad is characterized by the abundance of distinctive

religious monuments in it, which date back to years ago, and stand today
as evidence of the nobility of this country, and the Al-Yassin Mosque is one
of these monuments. In addition to its importance as a mosque and its
distinctive architectural design, which was designed in the style of Islamic
architecture, it includes The shrine of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (Musa al-
Kadhim), a grandson of Imam Ali (ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib)
 Dome of the rock, from the Mount of Olives – Israel
Jerusalem is known as the most religious city in the world. Christians,
Jews, and Muslims live together in the old city. While wandering through
the narrow, magical streets of the city, the golden dome of the Dome of
the Rock will immediately catch your eye.

The rock over which the shrine was built is sacred to Muslims and Jews.
Although it is not a mosque, it is the first major Muslim monument for
public worship. It was built in the late 7th century by Abd al-Malik ibn
Marwan.

Verses from the Quran are inscribed on all the walls inside the building.
Abraham wanted to sacrifice his son on this sacred ground, and
Mohammed went to heaven. This landmark in Israel is definitely a must-
see for those interested in religion and history. Make sure to wear
appropriate clothing and be deterred by the army standing at the heavily
guarded building.
 Ajloun Castle- Jordan

Located to the north-west of Amman at the head of the Jordan Valley, the
castle at Ajloun towers over the surrounding landscape and has, for over
800 years, protected one of the region’s most strategically important
locations. The construction of Ajloun was overseen by a nephew of the
esteemed leader and military tactician Salah ud-Din. Unique in being the
only entirely Arab designed and built castle in the country, Ajloun’s primary
function was to counter the Crusader threat but, as this peril diminished,
the castle helped to control and protect communications, trade and
commercial interests. Centuries of warfare and natural disasters took their
toll but sensitive 20th century excavations and renovations have taken
place.
 Kuwait Towers- Kuwait
Three high-rise towers located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf, designed
by Lindstrom Office (Lindstrom) engineering in Sweden and implemented
by the company Energoproject (Energoproject) Yugoslavian, where the
height of the main tower is 187 meters. These towers are considered one
of the most prominent landmarks of Kuwait, and they represent a symbol
of the contemporary renaissance and evidence of its progress and
advancement, as it reflects the attempt to integrate modern technologies,
aesthetic values, functional needs, and social services in one facility. The
first ball includes Al Ofoq Restaurant, Le Café, and Dasman Ballroom. While
the other ball features a part that rotates in full every half an hour, and it
contains a gift shop and a cafeteria where drinks, snacks and quick meals
are served. This section also features a telescope that enables you to view
the surrounding landmarks around the towers, the areas of Kuwait, the
Green Island, and Dasman Palace .
 Palace of Dreams- Lebanon
The Palace of Dreams, located in an elevated area of the Danniyeh
barrens, attracts large numbers of tourists who are curious to explore
what this architectural masterpiece hides inside. A huge cedar stands
tall at the entrance to the palace, welcoming visitors, revealing behind
it a rich store of diversity that constitutes Lebanon's cultural
identity, with its religious and cultural diversity and civilizational
accumulation over the centuries.
 Muscat- Oman
Muscat is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Oman, located
below rugged mountains. Leaving an indelible print on the culture of
Oman, explore Muscat’s marble-clad Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque having
a 50-meter wide dome. Also, visit the Al Jalali Fort, marvellous Al Alam
Palace, National Museum of Oman, Bait Al Zubair Museum and the Museum
of Natural History.
 Citadel of Damascus- Syria
The Damascus Citadel was listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
in 1979. Its origins date back to the late twelfth century AD, during the
reign of Salah al-Din in particular, and it is part of the historic city wall. This
castle takes the shape of a rectangle, and includes 12 high towers and
several large stone gates. It is made of basalt and carbonate stone, and its
walls are interspersed with openings that were intended for throwing
arrows in ancient times.
 The Blue Mosque- Turkey
Officially known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Blue Mosque is one of
the most famous sites in Turkey. With its iconic blue-tiled roof, the Blue
Mosque was built during the 1600s under the rule of Sultan Ahmet I to
reaffirm Ottoman power. It stands 73m high, and its central dome spans
23.5m in diameter. In addition, the building also has six minarets, five
main domes, and eight secondary domes. The design incorporates
Byzantine elements and traditional Islamic architecture and is perfectly
symmetrical.
 Burj Al Arab- UAE

The Burj Al Arab is a luxury five-star hotel in Dubai, and one of the most
recognizable landmarks of the United Arab Emirates. It is the 7th highest
hotel in the world, although around 39 percent of its actual height is taken
up by non-occupiable space. The awe-inspiring Burj Al Arab rises 280 m
(920 ft) from Jumeirah Beach on an artificial island and is linked to the
Dubai mainland by a unique curving bridge. The structural form was
developed to imitate a ship’s sail, but the Burj al Arab also looks like the
world’s largest Christian cross when viewed from the ocean.
 Jabal Haraz- Yemen
Jabal Haraz is the most famous monuments in Yemen. With its terraced
farms and ancient settlements built like forts on the edge of high cliffs, this
area, named for the Haraz Mountains in which it is located, is a terrific
place to visit.

These raised dwellings were designed to seem like castles and blend in
with the surrounding farmland. Fortunately, they have avoided the recent
wars that have engulfed Yemen. El Hegara, one of the region's most
attractive medieval towns, clings to the brink of a mountainside and is a
popular hiking base. Special permits are required to visit this historic site in
Yemen due to the current situation.
 Great Wall of China- China
Stretching for an incredible 13,170 miles across the northern borders, the
Great Wall is undoubtedly one of China’s most famous landmarks. The
structure consists of numerous walls and fortifications, many of which run
parallel to each other, although the most-visited sections can be found just
outside Beijing.
The idea for the Great Wall of China came from Emperor Qin Shi Huang
(259-210 BC) and was intended to prevent intrusions into the Chinese
Empire. Although the wall never effectively stopped invaders from entering
China, it served as a ‘psychological barrier’ between Chinese civilisation and
the world, according to historians, and remains a powerful symbol of the
country’s strength and resilience.
 Big Buddha or Tian Tan Buddha- Hongkong
A large bronze statue of Buddha which was completed in the year 1993. To
reach this religious icon you have to take a combination of bus and ferry or
ferry and skyrail. It took several years to build this great monument with
gold and bronze and when you see this gigantic statue you will know why.
This monument is a symbol which shows the harmonious relationship of
man and nature, people and faith. A popular tourist attraction and a major
place of Buddhism in Hong Kong.

Mount Fuji- Japan

Mount Fuji is the highest volcano in Japan, coming in at a towering
12,389 feet tall. In fact, Mount Fuji towers so high over the
landscape that it can be seen all the way from Tokyo on a clear
day.

Mount Fuji is one of Japan’s Three Holy Mountains alongside

Tateyama and Mount Hakusan. It has also been a UNESCO World
Heritage Site since 2013, though its influence and admiration can be
traced as far back as the eighth century. The view of Mount Fuji
from afar is impressive. Still, there’s plenty to see up close and in
the foothills, including the Fujisan Sengen Shrine. This 1,000-year-
old structure was the first Sengen shrine built in Japan, and while
many more followed, it remains the most significant. You can tour
this shrine, and get a little closer to Fujisan, when you join us on
the Falls, Forests, and Mt. Fuji Shrine shore excursion.
 Grand Lisboa Hotel- Macau

The Grand Lisboa Hotel, built by Macau ’s king of gambler Ho Hung Wah at
a cost of 5 billion yuan, is one of the largest and most luxurious hotels in
Macau and the most well-known landmark in Macau. The Grand Lisboa
Hotel in macau is a unique, luxurious, dazzling masterpiece of
craftsmanship

The hotel covers an area of over 12,000 square meters, with a total height
of 228 meters and a total of 44 floors. The interior of the hotel is very
luxurious. A super large diamond is displayed in the center of the lobby,
which is the 218-carat "Ho Hung Wah Star". This diamond has been
identified as the world's largest pillow-shaped D-color flawless diamond in
the United States, and its value is incalculable.
 Immaculate Conception Cathedral- Timor Leste

Cubao Cathedral, formally known as the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of

Cubao, is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Quezon City, Metro Manila,
the Philippines. It is the episcopal seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Cubao.
Built in 1950 by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), it belonged to the order
until 1990, when the Archdiocese of Manila took over its administration. In
2003, when the Diocese of Cubao was erected, the parish was elevated into the
status of cathedral. The present rector of the cathedral is Dennis S. Soriano.
 SHWEDAGON PAGODA- MYANMAR
The Shwedagon is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar, as it is
believed to contain relics of the four previous Buddhas of the present kalpa.
These relics include the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Koṇ āgamana, a
piece of the robe of Kassapa, and eight strands of hair from the head
of Gautama.
Built on the 51-metre (167 ft) high Singuttara Hill, the 112 m (367 ft)
tall pagoda stands 170 m (560 ft) above sea level,[note 1] and dominates
the Yangon skyline. Yangon's zoning regulations, which cap the maximum
height of buildings to 127 metres (417 feet) above sea level (75% of the pagoda's
sea level height), ensure the Shwedagon's prominence in the city's skyline.
PUERTO PRINCESA SUBTERRANEAN RIVER NATIONAL
PARK
- PHILIPPINES
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a protected area in
the Philippines.
The park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the western coast of
the island of Palawan, about 80 kilometers (50 mi) north of the city of Puerto
Princesa, and contains the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River (also known as
the Puerto Princesa Underground River). It has been managed by the Puerto
Princesa city government since 1992.

It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, and voted as

a New7Wonders of Nature in 2012. It also became a Ramsar Wetland Site in
2012.
A major tourist destination, it is mostly accessed through road trips to the
seaside village of Sabang from where one of the many Bangkas (Kayaks) take
visitors to the park.
 MERLION PARK- SINGAPORE

Merlion Park is a famous Singapore landmark and a major tourist attraction,

located at One Fullerton, Singapore, near the Central Business District (CBD).
The Merlion is a mythical creature with a lion's head and the body of a fish
that is widely used as a mascot and national personification of Singapore.
Two Merlion statues are located at the park. The original Merlion structure
measures 8.6 meters tall and spouts water from its mouth. It has subsequently
been joined by a Merlion cub, which is located near the original statue and
measures just 2 metres tall.

The original Merlion Park was first designed by the Singapore Tourism
Board (STB) near the mouth of the Singapore River in 1964 as an emblem of
Singapore. On 15 September 1972, the park was officially opened at an
installation ceremony for the statue, officiated at by then Prime Minister of
Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
 THE GRAND PALACE- THAILAND

The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand.

The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later
Thailand) since 1782. The king, his court, and his royal government were
based on the grounds of the palace until 1925. King Bhumibol
Adulyadej (Rama IX), resided at the Chitralada Royal Villa and his successor
King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) at the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, both in
the Dusit Palace, but the Grand Palace is still used for official events. Several
royal ceremonies and state functions are held within the walls of the palace
every year. The palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in
Thailand.
Construction of the palace began on 6 May 1782, at the order of
King Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I), the founder of the Chakri dynasty, when
he moved the capital city from Thonburi to Bangkok.
 WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM- VIETNAM

The War Remnants Museum (Vietnamese: Bả o tàng chứ ng tích chiến tranh) is
a war museum at 28 Vo Van Tan, in District 3, Ho Chi Minh
City (Saigon), Vietnam. It contains exhibits relating to the First Indochina
War and the Vietnam War.

Operated by the Ho Chi Minh City government, an earlier version of this

museum opened on September 4, 1975, as the Exhibition House for US
and Puppet Crimes (Vietnamese: Nhà trưng bày tộ i ác Mỹ-ngụ y). It was located
in the former United States Information Agency building. The exhibition was
not the first of its kind for the North Vietnamese side, but rather followed a
tradition of such exhibitions exposing war crimes, first those of the French and
then those of the Americans, who had operated in the country as early as
1954.
 MEERU ISLAND- MALDIVES

Meeru Island (also known as Meerufenfushi) is an island on the easternmost

tip of North Malé Atoll (Kaafu Atoll) in the Maldives. It is located South West
of Sri Lanka on the equator, some 50 kilometres from the capital Male'. The
Meeru Maldives Resort Island had been operating as a private island resort on
Meerufenfushi since 1976 and one of the first tourist resorts in the republic of
Maldives.

The island is formed above peaks emerging from the depths of the ocean, upon
layers of both living and dead coral, and remnants of other marine life.
Coconut palms towering above dense shrubs and hardy plants protecting the
shores from erosion are natural features. The island is 1200 meters long by
350 meters wide, about 32 hectares. A speedboat transfer from Velana
International Airport is a 55-minute ride.
 HIRANYA VARNA MAHAVIHAR- NEPAL

Hiraṇ yavarṇ a Mahāvihāra also Kwa Baha informally called The Golden
Temple with literal meaning "Gold-colored Great Monastery", is a
historical vihara (Buddhist monastery) situated in Patan, Nepal.

This golden pagoda of Shakyamuni Buddha was built in the twelfth century by
King Bhaskar Varman. Inside the upper storey of the pagoda is the golden
image and a large prayer wheel.
According to legend Hiranya Varna Mahavihar was built at a location where a
rat chases a cat. Rats were still being fed at the site in 1994, but this may have
changed over the years.
The buildings of the courtyard sustained structural damage during the 2015
earthquake. In July 2021 a start was made with the restoration.

Hiranya Varna Mahavihar is built in the style of a Nepalese bahal. The

courtyard is a rectangular, almost square space. In the western corner there is
an inconspicuous entrance, but the main entrance is on the south-eastern side
on the Kwalakhu Road.
 THE BLUE MOSQUE- AFGHANISTAN

The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, also known by its official name, the Sultan
Ahmed Mosque (Turkish: Sultan Ahmet Camii), is an Ottoman-
era historical imperial mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey. It was constructed
between 1609 and 1617 during the rule of Ahmed I and remains a functioning
mosque today. It also attracts a large number of tourists and is one of the most
iconic and popular monuments of Ottoman architecture.
The mosque has a classical Ottoman layout with a central dome surrounded by
four semi-domes over the prayer hall. It is fronted by a large courtyard and
flanked by six minarets. On the inside, it is decorated with thousands of Iznik
tiles and painted floral motifs in predominantly blue colours, which give the
mosque its popular name. The mosque's külliye (religious complex) includes
Ahmed's tomb, a madrasa, and several other buildings in various states of
preservation.
 BUDDHA DORDENMA STATUE- BHUTAN

Great Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the

mountains of Bhutan celebrating the 60th anniversary of fourth king Jigme
Singye Wangchuck. The statue houses over one hundred thousand smaller
Buddha statues, each of which, like the Great Buddha Dordenma itself, are
made of bronze and gilded in gold. The Great Buddha Dordenma is sited
amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuk, the
thirteenth Druk Desi, overlooking the southern approach to Thimphu, the
capital of Bhutan. Construction began in 2006 and was planned to finish in
October 2010, however construction did not conclude until 25 September
2015. The completed work is one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world, at
169 feet (52 m) and contains 100,000 8-inch-tall and 25,000 12-inch-tall
gilded bronze Buddhas.
 LAHORE FORT- PAKISTAN

The Lahore Fort is a citadel in the city of Lahore in Punjab, Pakistan. The
fortress is located at the northern end of Walled city of Lahore and spreads
over an area greater than 20 hectares (49 acres). It contains 21 notable
monuments, some of which date to the era of Emperor Akbar. The Lahore Fort
is notable for having been almost entirely rebuilt in the 17th century, when
the Mughal Empire was at the height of its splendor and opulence.

Though the site of the Lahore Fort has been inhabited for millennia, the first
record of a fortified structure at the site was regarding an 11th-century
mudbrick fort. The foundations of the modern Lahore Fort date to 1566 during
the reign of Emperor Akbar, who bestowed the fort with a syncretic
architectural style that featured both Islamic and Hindu motifs. Additions from
the Shah Jahan period are characterized by luxurious marble with inlaid
Persian floral designs, while the fort's grand and iconic Alamgiri Gate was
constructed by the last of the great Mughal emperors, Aurangzeb, and faces
the renowned Badshahi Mosque.
 SOMAPURA MAHAVIHARA- BANGLADESH

Somapura Mahavihara in Paharpur, Badalgachhi, Naogaon, Bangladesh is

among the best known Buddhist viharas or monasteries in the Indian
Subcontinent and is one of the most important archaeological sites in the
country. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. It is one
of the most famous examples of architecture in pre-Islamic Bangladesh. It
dates from a period to the nearby Halud Vihara and to the Sitakot
Vihara in Nawabganj Upazila of Dinajpur District.

A number of monasteries grew up during the Pāla period in ancient India in

the eastern regions of the Indian subcontinent,
comprising Bengal and Magadha. According to Tibetan sources, five great
Mahaviharas (universities) stood out: Vikramashila, the premier university of
the era; Nalanda, past its prime but still illustrious; Somapura
Mahavihara; Odantapurā; and Jaggadala.
 GATEWAY OF INDIA- INDIA

The Gateway of India is an arch-monument completed in 1924 on the

waterfront of Mumbai (Bombay), India. It was erected to commemorate the
landing of George V for his coronation as the Emperor of India in December
1911 at Strand Road near Wellington Fountain. He was the first British
monarch to visit India.
The foundation stone was laid in March 1913 for a monument built in
the Indo-Islamic style, inspired by elements of 16th-century Gujarati
architecture. The final design of the monument by architect George Wittet was
sanctioned only in 1914, and construction was completed in 1924. The
structure is a memorial arch made of basalt, which is 26 metres (85 feet) high,
with an architectural resemblance to a triumphial arch as well as Gujarati
architecture of the time.
 DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE- SRI LANKA
Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is
a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the
country.[1] This site is situated 148 kilometres (92 mi) east of Colombo , 72
kilometres (45 mi) north of Kandy and 43 km (27 mi) north of Matale.
Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka.
The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80
documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over
five caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues
are related to Gautama Buddha and his life.

There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and
four statues of gods and goddesses. The latter include Vishnu and
the Ganesha. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square metres (23,000 sq ft).
Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the
demon Mara, and Buddha's first sermon.
Prehistoric Sri Lankans would have lived in these cave complexes before the
arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as there are burial sites with human
skeletons about 2700 years old in this area, at Ibbankatuwa near the
Dambulla cave complexes.
 RED SQUARE-RUSSIA
Red Square is one of the oldest and largest squares in Moscow, the capital of
Russia. It is located in Moscow's historic centre, in the eastern walls of the
Kremlin. It is the city landmark of Moscow, with famous buildings such as
Saint Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum and the GUM.

The Red Square has an almost rectangular shape and is 70 meters wide and
330 meters long. It extends lengthways from northwest to southeast along part
of the wall of the Kremlin that forms its boundary on the southwest side. In the
northeast, the square is bounded by the GUM department store building and
the old district of Kitay-gorod, in the northwest by the State Historical
Museum and the Resurrection Gate and in the southeast by Saint Basil's
Cathedral.
 MAUSOLEUM OF KHAWAJA AHMED YASAWI-
KAZAKHSTAN

The Mausoleum of Khawaja Ahmed Yasawi is a mausoleum in the city

of Turkestan, in southern Kazakhstan. The structure was commissioned in
1389 by Timur, who ruled the area as part of the expansive Timurid Empire, to
replace a smaller 12th-century mausoleum of the famous Turkic poet
and Sufi mystic, Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (1093–1166). However, construction was
halted with the death of Timur in 1405.

Despite its incomplete state, the mausoleum has survived as one of the best-
preserved of all Timurid constructions. Its creation marked the beginning of
the Timurid architectural style. The experimental spatial arrangements,
innovative architectural solutions for vault and dome constructions, and
ornamentations using glazed tiles made the structure the prototype for this
distinctive art, which spread across the empire and beyond.
 ENGILCHEK GLACIER- KYRGYZTAN

Engilchek Glacier is a glacier in the Central Tian Shan Mountains of Issyk-Kul

Region, northeastern Kyrgyzstan. Its snout is 50 km east of the village
of Engilchek. The South Engilchek Glacier ranks as the sixth longest non-polar
glacier in the world and is the largest and fastest moving glacier in Kyrgyzstan.
The main glacier has two arms, the North and South Engilchek Glaciers. The
latter is longer and provides an overall length of 60.5 kilometres (38 mi). with
an area of 17.2 square kilometres (7 sq mi) and an ice thickness of roughly
150–200 m in the bottom parts. The glacier stems from the Chinese-Kazakh-
Kyrgyz massif of Khan Tengri and Pik Pobedy and the upper part of the glacier
falls in all three countries. Meltwater from the glacier feeds the Engilchek
River, a tributary of the Saryjaz (known as Aksu in China), which crosses the
Chinese border into the Tarim Basin. Water from this glacier also feeds the
seasonal glacial Lake Merzbacher which causes frequent glacial lake outburst
floods in the Engilchek River valley.
 KHUJAND- TAJIKISTAN

Khujand sometimes spelled Khodjent and known

as Leninabad (Russian: Ленинабад, romanized: Leninabad; Tajik: Ленинобод,
romanized: Leninobod; Persian: ‫‌لنین‌آباد‬, romanized: Leninâbâd) from 1936 to
1991, is the second-largest city of Tajikistan and the capital of Tajikistan's
northernmost Sughd province.
Khujand is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, dating back about 2,500
years to the Persian Empire. Situated on the Syr Darya river at the mouth of
the Fergana Valley, Khujand was a major city along the ancient Silk Road.
After being captured by Alexander the Great in 329 BC, it was
renamed Alexandria Eschate and has since been part of various empires in
history, including the Umayyad Caliphate (8th century), the Mongol
Empire (13th century) and the Russian empire (19th century). Today, the
majority of its population are ethnic Tajiks and the city is close to the present
borders of both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
 TURKMENBASHY RUHY MOSQUE- TURKMENISTAN

Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque (Turkmen: Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Metjidi), or Gypjak

Mosque,[a] is a mosque in Gypjak, Turkmenistan and the resting place
for Saparmyrat Nyýazow, the leader of Turkmenistan from 1985 to 2006. The
mosque is located about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) west of the capital, Ashgabat, on
the M37 highway.

The mosque, constructed by the French company Bouygues, was built in the
home town of President Saparmyrat Nyýazow. It opened on 22 October 2004,
and was built by Nyýazow with a mausoleum in preparation for his death.
Nyýazow died two years later, and was buried in the mausoleum on 24
December 2006.

The mosque has been at the center of controversy as scriptures from both
the Quran and the Ruhnama (The Book of the Soul), Nyýazow's 'pseudo-
spiritual guide to life' are built into the walls. It has outraged many Muslims
that the Ruhnama is placed as the Koran's equal. Indeed, despite its capacity
to accommodate 10,000 congregants, the mosque is often empty as the
Ruhnama inscriptions are considered blasphemous by devout mosquegoers.
 MINOR MOSQUE- UZBEKISTAN

The Minor mosque is one of new sights of Tashkent located in the new part of
the city, not far from the UzExpoCentre and Hotel International. It was opened
on 1 October 2014, on the eve of the Eid holiday, and has become one of the
favorite places of city residents for evening strolls. Minor mosque is located on
the embankment of the Ankhor channel and is surrounded by a landscaped
area.

Construction of the mosque began in the summer of 2013 and was done in the
best traditions of the eastern architecture. At the same time, Minor mosque
differs from old brick mosques with its white marble finishing. It shines under
the clear sky and its turquoise dome seems to be vanishing in the sky. Its
capacity is more than 2400 people. Minor mosque is divided to the open front
part with terraces, and big round hall with gold plated mihrab (a semicircular
niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the qibla (the direction of the
Kaaba in Mecca and the direction Muslims should face when praying), adorned
with writings from Koran.
 GORKHI TERELJ NATIONAL PARK- MONGOLIA

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park (Mongolian: Горхи-Тэрэлж [ɡɔrxi tɛrɛɮʃ], creek-

rhododendron) is one of the national parks of Mongolia. The Terelj tourist zone
has a number of "tourist camps" (Mongolian: жуулчны бааз, juulchny baaz). It
is connected with Ulaanbaatar by a paved road (main road to the East
#A0501 Baganuur-Öndörkhaan direction, 37 km from Ulaanbaatar city center,
left turn to the branch #A24, 5 km later road crosses Tuul River and the
National park territory begins). The road comes to the Gorkhiin Davaa
(Mongolian: Горхийн даваа) pass. Most of the tourist camps and tourist
attractions are before this pass. The road then ends at the settlement of Terelj,
which features small shops and restaurants. The Terelj settlement is located in
the valley of the Terelj River (Terelj Gol), approximately 66 km from the
Ulaanbaatar city center. The national park tourist zone is formally
in Nalaikh düüreg (district) part of Ulaanbaatar municipality, the rest of the
protected zone beginning to the north of the Terelj River, is located in
Mongolia's Töv Province (Töv aimag).
 MASIKRYONG SKI RESORT- NORTH KOREA

Masikryong Ski Resort (Korean: 마식령 스키장) is a ski resort at the summit of
the 1,360-metre (4,460 ft) Taehwa Peak (Korean: 대황산) some 20 kilometres
(12 mi) outside Wonsan City in Kangwon Province, North Korea.
According to the official project plan, the first stage of the 2,430-square-
kilometre (940 sq mi) development cost US$35,340,000 (£21 million; €25.5
million) and included construction of a luxury hotel, ice rink, swimming pool
and restaurants. Official revenue forecasts suggest that 5,000 people will visit
each day, generating an estimated annual income of $18,750,000 (£11.1
million; €13.5 million).[1] The Masikryong (literally, "horse-resting pass")
project was initiated by the North Korean government as part of a drive to
"make people not only possess strong physiques and sound mentality, but also
enjoy their sports and cultural lives in a world’s advanced condition (sic).
Despite political tensions with neighbouring South Korea, leaders in the North
hoped to host some events at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Constructed in just
ten months, North Korea's first public ski resort was part of a drive by
leader Kim Jong Un to increase foreign tourist numbers from 200,000 to 1
million per annum by 2016.
 BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE- SOUTH KOREA

Bukchon Hanok Village (Korean: 북촌한옥마을) is a residential neighborhood

in Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea. It has many restored traditional Korean
houses, called hanok. This has made it a popular tourist destination, which
has caused some friction with the residents who live there.

The area of Bukchon, which consists of neighborhoods: Wonseo-dong, Jae-

dong, Gye-dong, Gahoe-dong and Insa-dong, was traditionally the residential
quarter of high-ranking government officials and nobility during
the Joseon period. It is located north of the
stream Cheonggyecheon and Jongno, hence named Bukchon, which
means north village.
 NATIONAL PALACE MUSEUM- TAIWAN
The National Palace Museum[note 1] (Chinese: 國立故宮博物院; pinyin: Guólì
Gùgōng Bówùyuàn) is a museum in Taipei, Taiwan. It has a permanent
collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of Chinese artifacts and artworks, many of
which were moved from the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City as well as
five other institutions in mainland China during the ROC retreat. These
collections had been transferred to several locations before finally being
established in 1965 at its present location in Shilin, Taipei. The museum
building itself was built between March 1964 and August 1965, with many
subsequent expansions making it one of the largest of its type in the world,
including a southern branch located in Taibao, Chiayi.
The museum's collection encompasses items spanning 8,000 years of Chinese
history from the neolithic age to the modern period. The National Palace
Museum shares its roots with the Palace Museum of Beijing, whose extensive
collection of artwork and artifacts were built upon the imperial collections of
the Ming and Qing dynasties.
 QATAR NATIONAL LIBRARY- QATAR

Qatar National Library (QNL) is a non-profit organization under the umbrella of

the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community
Development. The plans for the new national library were announced by
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, on 19 November
2012, during a ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Dar Al Kutub
Library, in Doha, Qatar, one of the first public libraries in the Persian
Gulf region (founded on 29 December 1962), which had until then been
regarded as the national library of Qatar.
QNL aims to serve a three-fold function: as a national library, a research-level
university library, and a central metropolitan public library equipped for the
digital age. In its capacity as a national library as defined by UNESCO, it
collects and provides access to global knowledge, including heritage content
and materials relevant to Qatar and the region; as a university and research
library, it supports education and research at all levels; and as a modern
central public library, it provides library services and resources to meet the
reading interests and foster the information literacy of the general public. In
addition, with the opening of the new building, it also serves as a community
meeting place.
 MASJID AL-HARAM- SAUDI ARABIA

Masjid al-Haram (Arabic: ‫َٱْلَم ْس ِج ُد ٱْلَحَر اُم‬, romanized: al-Masjid al-Ḥ arām, lit. 'The
Sacred Mosque'), also known as the Grand Mosque or the Great Mosque of
Mecca, is a mosque enclosing the vicinity of the Kaaba in Mecca, in the Mecca
Province of Saudi Arabia. It is a site of pilgrimage in the Hajj, which
every Muslim must do at least once in their lives if able, and is also the main
phase for the ʿUmrah, the lesser pilgrimage that can be undertaken any time of
the year. The rites of both pilgrimages include circumambulating the
Kaaba within the mosque. The Great Mosque includes other important
significant sites, including the Black Stone, the Zamzam Well, Maqam Ibrahim,
and the hills of Safa and Marwa.
As of August 2020, the Great Mosque is both the largest mosque in the world,
and the most expensive building in the world. It has undergone major
renovations and expansions through the years. It has passed through the
control of various caliphs, sultans and kings, and is now under the control of
the King of Saudi Arabia who is titled the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
 OMAR ALI SAIFUDDIEN MOSQUE- BRUNEI
Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque (Malay: Masjid Omar Ali Saifuddien, Jawi: ‫مسجد عمر‬
‫ )علي سيف الدين‬is a mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It is one
of the country's two masjid negara or national mosques (the other Jame' Asr
Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque), as well as a national landmark. It is one of the
largest and oldest mosques in the country and is named after Omar Ali
Saifuddien III (1914–1986), the 28th Sultan of Brunei and the father of the
current monarch Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The mosque serves as a symbol of
the Islamic faith in Brunei.

The mosque took almost five years to build and cost more than £1 million at
that time.
The architectural firm involved in the construction was the Malaysia-
based Booty Edwards & Partners, whereas the consulting firm was the
Singapore-based Steen, Sehested and Partners.
The construction work began on 4 February 1954. The construction uses 1,500
tons of concrete and 700 tons of steel. The lengths of the foundation piles are
between 80–120 feet (24–37 m).
The mosque was inaugurated on 26 September 1958 in conjunction with the
42nd birthday celebration of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III.
 BAYON TEMPLE- CAMBODIA

The Bayon (Khmer: ប្សាទបាយ័ន, Prasat Bayoăn [praːsaːt baːjŏən]) is a richly

decorated Khmer temple related to Buddhism at Angkor in Cambodia. Built in
the late 12th or early 13th century as the state temple of the King Jayavarman
VII (Khmer: ព្បាទជ័យវរ្ម័នទី ៧), the Bayon stands at the centre of Jayavarman's
capital, Angkor Thom (Khmer: អង្គរធំ).
The Bayon's most distinctive feature is the multitude of serene and smiling
stone faces of The Buddha - probably modeled on the face of King Jayavarman
VII - on every side the many towers that jut out from the upper terrace and
cluster around its central peak. The main conservatory body, the Japanese
Government Team for the Safeguarding of Angkor (the JSA) has described the
temple as "the most striking expression of the baroque style" of Khmer
architecture, as contrasted with the classical style of Angkor Wat (Khmer:
ប្សាទអង្គរវត្ត).
 MOUNT BROMO- INDONESIA

The Bromo or Mount Bromo is an active somma volcano and part of

the Tengger mountains, in East Java, Indonesia. At 2,329 meters (7,641 ft) it is
not the highest peak of the massif, but the most famous. The area is one of the
most visited tourist destinations in East Java, and the volcano is included in
the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The name Bromo comes from the
Javanese pronunciation of Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. At the mouth of
the crater, there is an idol of Ganesha, the Hindu god of wisdom which is being
worshipped by the Javanese Hindus. Mount Bromo is located in the middle of a
plain called "Sea of Sand" (Javanese: Segara Wedi or Indonesian: Lautan Pasir),
a nature reserve that has been protected since 1919.
A typical way to visit Mount Bromo is from the nearby mountain village
of Cemoro Lawang. From there it is possible to walk to the volcano in about 45
minutes, but it is also possible to take an organized jeep tour, including stops
at the viewpoint of Mount Penanjakan (2,770 m (9,090 ft)) (Indonesian:
Gunung Penanjakan). The sights on Mount Penanjakan can also be reached on
foot in about two hours. Depending on the level of volcanic activity, the
Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Disaster Mitigation sometimes issues a
warning not to visit Mount Bromo.
 WAT XIENGTHONG- LAOS

Wat Xieng Thong "Temple of the Golden City" is a Buddhist temple (vat or wat)
on the northern tip of the peninsula of Luang Phrabang, Laos. Built between
1559 and 1560 by King Setthathirath, Wat Xieng Thong is one of the most
important of Lao monasteries and remains a significant monument to the spirit
of religion, royalty and traditional art.

Wat Xieng Thong was built under the rule of King Setthathirath between 1559
and 1560. 798 Setthathirath oversaw the Lan Xang ("Land of a Million
Elephants") kingdom, a geographical area that is now Laos. During his rule,
Setthathirath moved the capital from Xieng Thong (which was later renamed
Luang Prabang) to Vientiane, claiming dislike for the lack of flat land in Xieng
Thong.[5]: 69–73 But, Luang Prabang remained a royal capital until 1975,
when the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) was established.
 SULTAN ABDUL SAMAD MOSQUE- MALAYSIA

Jamek Mosque, officially Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque (Malay: Masjid
Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad) is one of the oldest mosques in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. It is located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak
River and may be accessed via Jalan Tun Perak. The mosque was designed
by Arthur Benison Hubback, and built in 1909.
The name "Jamek" is the Malay equivalent of the Arabic word jāmiʿ (‫)جامع‬
meaning a place where people congregate to worship. It is also referred to as
"Friday Mosque" by the locals.

The mosque was built on the location of an old Malay burial place at the
confluence of Klang and Gombak River and named Jamek Mosque. A couple of
mosques previously existed in the Java Street and Malay Street area serving
the Malay communities, but Jamek Mosque was the first large mosque to be
built in Kuala Lumpur.