Visit the Buddha Dordenma statue

Cliffside Paro Taktsang monastery hike.

The Thai kings’ glittering palace complex and the Emerald Buddha, all gold spires and mirrored mosaic.

The Temple of Dawn: a porcelain-encrusted riverside tower you can climb for views across the Chao Phraya at sunset.

One of the world’s largest stupas, ringed by prayer wheels and monasteries.

The gold-covered national stupa of Laos, said to hold a relic of the Buddha, with a November lantern festival.

Majestic riverside fortress-monastery.

Pass of 108 chortens and Himalaya views.

Masked cham dances in a dzong courtyard, ending with the unfurling of a giant embroidered thangka at dawn.