If you're looking to get a sense of the region's ancient past, the Shaanxi History Museum is where you need to go. The museum is packed with artefacts from thousands of years of history, reflecting the importance of Shaanxi as the heart of several key Chinese dynasties. Among its vast collection, one of the main draws is the display of four original Terracotta Warriors. As you wander through the museum, you’ll come across everything from detailed bronze tools and pottery to fascinating tomb relics, each telling a different part of the region’s story.

This building once served as the Communist Party headquarters during the regime of Enver Hoxha. From its balcony, Hoxha would wave to the crowds during official parades and demonstrations. Today, in addition to its primary function as the residence and office of the Albanian Prime Minister, it stands as a reminder of Albania's totalitarian past and is a significant landmark in Tirana.

About 80 km north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya was once the capital of Siam. Today, the Historical Park is full of temple ruins, giant Buddha statues, and prang (reliquary towers). Wat Mahathat is famous for the Buddha head caught in tree roots, and Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the royal temple of the old city. Most travellers do a day trip from Bangkok by train, bus, or river cruise, though staying overnight gives you a quieter look at the ruins.

Xiaoyan Pagoda (Small Wild Goose Pagoda) is shorter than its larger counterpart, the Dayan Pagoda (Giant Wild Goose Pagoda), but it boasts more floors. Built around 700 AD, like the Dayan Pagoda, it was primarily constructed to house the sacred Buddhist scriptures brought to China by the famous monk Xuanzang.