The Best Places in Asia for Discovering Ancient Civilisations

Richard Collett

Want to learn about the rich history of the continent? Join one of these unique, carefully curated Culture Trip adventures and discover the places you’ve read about in books.

From the ancient cities of Anatolia to the lost kingdoms of northern Thailand, Asia has seen the rise and fall of civilisations for thousands of years. For history lovers, there’s no better continent for delving deep into archaeological sites and historic cultures. Visit biblical temples in India, head to Bhutan for Himalayan culture or uncover the oldest winemakers in the world in Georgia. To inspire your next journey, here are the best places in Asia for discovering ancient civilisations.

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Göreme, among the fairy chimney rock formations of Cappadocia in Turkey

Istanbul to see Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman ruins and underground cities

Turkey is an extraordinary destination for a historical trip. This is not only where continents collide, but where civilisations have risen, fallen and fought for supremacy over Europe and Asia. In Istanbul, you can see the ruins of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. In Ankara, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations offers an insight into the archaeological wonders that have been uncovered across Turkey – while in Cappadocia, ancient cave dwellings and underground cities have been hiding in plain sight for centuries. Join the Ultimate Turkey Itinerary tour and you can see the best of Turkey’s storied past and more, as you journey from Istanbul to Antalya, via Ankara and Cappadocia.

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Istanbul, Turkey

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ENDS AT

Antalya, Turkey

DURATION

12

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Maja Proescholdt contributed additional reporting to this article.

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