A dictator's gold statue once rotated to face the sun on a 75-meter high marble tower.

Sumptous memorial to a controversial independence.

This cavernous swimming spot doubles as a home to the largest known colony of bats in Central Asia.

This "tower of death" has acted as an observatory, a religious hub, and an executioner's lair.

Ancient barriers wrap around what was once an important stop along the Silk Road.

The Avenue of Mausolea is a series of grand palatial tombs.

An 18-meter-long sarcophagus of a constantly growing dead prophet.

Light still pours into the ruins of this ancient Islamic observatory.

Giant cauldrons overflow with Uzbekistan's favorite rice dish at this cavernous dining hall.

The world's second-tallest flagpole stands proud despite dropping rank.

This ancient Silk Road outpost overlooking the Wakhan Valley is miraculously still standing.

This remote, abandoned Soviet observatory promises spectacular views for those who can reach it.

One of the most ethnically diverse spots on the planet.

This sprawling market is a one-stop shop for traditional Kazakh foods, from mare’s milk to sheep’s head.

An entertainment center in a huge transparent tent.

The last stop in southeast Russia.

The oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia has survived centuries of invasions, political shifts, and religious purges.

Enormous statue of the Emperor of the Mongols.

The grassy landscape is home to the world's last truly wild horses.

Thanks to a spelling mistake this bizarre beaver-tiger hybrid became the symbol of a Siberian town.

This massive glowering Lenin head gazes out over eastern Siberia.

A uniquely authentic display of traditional Russian culture.

Intricate wood carvings on an island in Siberia.

The cuisine at this Sheepshead Bay spot tells the story of a displaced Muslim Chinese community.