This mysterious complex of abandoned yurts and fading murals was meant to be a center of science and spirituality in Kyrgyzstan.

This retro, UFO-like structure is a remnant of the Soviet-era circus.

Built entirely of interlocking pieces, construction of this Chinese Muslim house of worship required zero nails.

Time capsule of a museum, in which the Soviet Union remains alive and kicking.

A boulder carved into the shape of the cosmonaut's head.

An outstanding piece of retro Sci-Fi architecture built into a sacred mountain.

Extremely isolated Silk Road caravanserai in the middle of nowhere.

American bombs, morbid memorabilia, and graphic photographs tell the story of the CIA-led “Secret War” from the Pathet Lao perspective.

This mysteriously shaped boulder may have been used for human sacrifice in ancient times.

A mysterious, hidden cluster of Buddha sculptures carved into the rocks.

Thousands of effigies of Buddha watch from caves set high above a legendary river, plus whiskey.

Buried in the Laos jungle is a sanctuary for bears that would have otherwise been milked to death by poachers.

An ancient jungle temple carved into a rocky overhang of the Dane Soung Plateau.

More than 200 statues filled with cryptic symbols give this park spot an aura of horror vacui fantasy.

Believed to have once stored either human remains or rice wine, thousands of mysterious stone jars lie in ruin.

A boat ride through utter darkness, lit only by headlamps, reveals an emerald green pool locals believe is sacred.

This tiered waterfall is so pretty it may cause visitors to cry tears of their own.

The final resting place of 19th-century sailors previously banned from being buried within Portuguese Macau.

Sculptures of religious figures made from the ashes of pilgrims' incense.

This heart-shaped lake near the border of India and Myanmar is deeply rooted in Mizo folklore.

This magnificent white pagoda was constructed to resemble a sacred Buddhist mountain.

How often do you find security guards patrolling tropical beaches to protect rare sea turtles from poachers? 

The island that holds the world-record for largest human massacre caused by animals.

These muddy eruptions are less deadly than actual volcanoes but also more holy.