Of the many murals at Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha), my favorite is perhaps that of Hanuman sleeping. It’s a fascinating work of narrative painting, bringing together traditional Thai iconography and extraordinary artistry. In the painting, the giant monkey god – Hanuman – lies hunched over, lulled to sleep by the melodies…
The Emerald Buddha is often characterized as the most holy image in all of Southeast Asia. Enshrined at Wat Phra Kaew on the grounds of Thailand’s Grand Palace, the statue is believed to be the protector (or palladium) of Thai society. With its mythical origins and supposed supernatural powers, the statue has for centuries been a focus…
Samarkand in modern-day Uzbekistan has long held a special place in the imagination of artists, poets, and historians. Romanticized in both the East and West, it inspires a sense of wonder – a place where, perhaps, anything is possible. Much of its mystique comes down to the man who put it on the map –…
Few places better embody the tragic legacy of China’s last dynasty, the Qing, than the “New” Summer Palace in northwestern Beijing. Completed in 1764, the New Summer Palace was built by the Emperor Qianlong (the last great Qing emperor) for his mother’s 60th birthday. Qianlong lavished attention on its design, endowing it with vast gardens,…
On the eastern edge of the Taklaman desert in Northern China sits the oasis town of Dunhuang. For centuries, travelers from around the world passed through this way station on the ancient Silk Road. These travelers brought with them not only trade goods and specie, but also their cultures and religions. Among the earliest travelers…
Learn the story behind Angkor Wat’s most famous sculpting, the Churning of the Ocean of Milk – a story of gods, demons, and the search for immortality.