Culture
ASIAN Geographic
Blinking Colours The Eye Of The Beholder
They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what do they say about the beauty of the eye, if, they in question, happen to be great scientific minds? In a basic sense, eye colour is determined by iris pigmentation, and how well the stroma of the iris is able to scatter light.
3 min |
AG 158
ASIAN Geographic
The Marriage Of Art And Alliance A Habit Of Henna
A Hindu bride is a work of art: Her hands and feet are a canvas for the most intricate of henna designs. It is said that the darker the colour of the design, the more love and welcome she will receive from her in-laws so getting it right is an absolute must.
4 min |
AG 158
ASIAN Geographic
The Russian Rice Connection
A peek into an obscure nook of Asia
6 min |
AG 158
ASIAN Geographic
Between Death And Rebirth The Way To The Sky
In Tibetan regions, people still practise the sky burial – a ceremony that entrusts the corpses to vultures.
7 min |
AG 158
ASIAN Geographic
Blessed Bay
LORD GANESHA'S SEND-OFF
2 min |
AG 158
ASIAN Geographic
THE RELIGIOUS SOURCE OF MARTIAL ARTS Spirit Warrior
Over the centuries, martial arts have travelled far beyond their places of origin and become some of the greatest sports ever devised. In contemporary culture, names like Jackie Chan and Jet Li have broken language barriers, transcended cultural differences and made martial arts the go-to commercial success, embraced by billions and eventually influencing many Hollywood movies.
4 min |
AG 158
ASIAN Geographic
A Spiritual Journey: Kumano Odyssey
The only pilgrimage route in Asia designated as a World Heritage site, the trails of the Kumano Kodo have guided pilgrims for over 1,000 years
9 min |
AG 157
ASIAN Geographic
Casting Light
The Origins of Optics
2 min |
AG 157
ASIAN Geographic
ALOR Preserving Paradise
Savvy divers know this far-flung archipelago as the home of stunning reefs and exhilarating currents, and now a group of dive operators and conservationists have united with government to ensure the long-term preservation of this very special marine ecosystem
10 min |
AG 156
ASIAN Geographic
Koyasan Calling
Venture to Japan's spiritual heartland of Wakayama for unique experiences to cleanse body and soul
7 min |
AG 156
ASIAN Geographic
Music To Her Ears
With sophisticated social proceedings typical of subdued Filipino society, gallant gentlemen once wooed their women with sweet songs
2 min |
AG 157
ASIAN Geographic
Gone But Not Forgotten
Remembering the world's onetime longest-reigning monarch
3 min |
AG 157
ASIAN Geographic
At The Edge Of Extinction
A look at several endangered Asian languages
6 min |
AG 157
ASIAN Geographic
A Great Convergence?
Did the Ancient Greeks help build China's Terracotta Army?
3 min |
AG 157
ASIAN Geographic
The Rickshaw Revolution
Asia's classic mode of transport has seen continuous upgrades over the years. Yet the earliest rickshaws - and the downtrodden coolies that pulled them may soon be relics of history following Kolkata's efforts to eradicate them
2 min |
AG 157
ASIAN Geographic
The Taste Of Freedom
Coming of age in Japan has evolved from an ancient rite of passage to a raucous festival
3 min |
AG 157
ASIAN Geographic
A Dying Tradition
The clanging of hammers on metal, echoing through the back alleys of Bangkok, signals a fading tradition
2 min |
AG 157
ASIAN Geographic
A History Of Violence
Sowing the seeds of modern warfare
5 min |
AG 157
ASIAN Geographic
Behind The Myth Of Shangri-La
Shangri-La – the earthly paradise that has captured the imaginations of explorers and scholars alike around the globe – is a fictional utopia described in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon.
2 min |
AG 157
ASIAN Geographic
Paris Of The East - Labore Lahore Aye
With its vibrant culture, much-loved cuisine and welcoming people, the capital of Pakistan's Punjab province offers a unique experience that elucidates the popular phrase, Lahore Lahore Aye, or "Lahore is Lahore!"
6 min |
AG 156
ASIAN Geographic
Why Asia's UNESCO World Heritage Sites Should Be At The Top Of Your Travel Bucket List
From natural wonders and splendid architecture to historical cities and spiritual centres, Asia's UNESCO World Heritage Sites should be at the top of your travel bucket list
10+ min |
AG 156
ASIAN Geographic
Adventure Playground Thrills And Spills In Southeast Asia
With its mesmerising coral seas, mountainous rainforests and gorgeous scenery, Southeast Asia is blessed with prime terrain for heart-pumping Nature adventures. We take you on a circuit of the region's best outdoor exploits.
10+ min |
AG 156
ASIAN Geographic
ZHENG HE Legendary Explorer
The seven naval expeditions of Admiral Zheng He from Ming Dynasty China to India, the Middle East and Africa have fascinated the world for centuries. ASIAN Geographic looks at the advanced naval technology and treasures transported from China to the rest of the world.
6 min |
AG 156
ASIAN Geographic
Sacred Sites In The Philippines
The most convenient way of getting around most towns is either by tricycle or jeepney - the ubiquitous, colorfully decorated buses that are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines.
6 min |
AG 153
ASIAN Geographic
Islam A Tumultuous History
The world's fastest-growing religion spread across the globe through conquest and trade.
8 min |
AG 153
ASIAN Geographic
Fight For A Sustainable World
Science and religion are often thought of as being at odds. But the two seem to agree on the intrinsic value of ecosystems and biodiversity.
5 min |
AG 153
ASIAN Geographic
No Small Tree The Roots And Branches Of Buddhism
Buddhism, one of the longest-standing and widest-spread religions, has since its origins in northeast India - moved across Asia and the entire world, branching out and taking on divergent forms along the way.
9 min |
AG 153
ASIAN Geographic
5 Oldest Religions Of The World
The oldest scriptures of Hinduism, the Vedas, are thought to have been orally transmitted since the second millennium BCE, with the Rigveda being the oldest known Vedic Sanskrit text.
1 min |
AG 153
ASIAN Geographic
HINDUISM One Religion, Many Gods
One of the world's oldest religions and with a following of about 1.2 billion people, Hinduism is deeper than a religion - it is a way of life.
10 min |
AG 153
ASIAN Geographic
LIVING GODDESS The Worshipped Child
In Nepal, young girls are revered as supreme deities - but not for long.
6 min |