Our journey to South Asia begins with a trip to the countryside - and the timeless rural beauty of the many tea plantations that dot the Sri Lankan countryside. The ones near Kandy are perhaps the most well-known - they've been making the famed Ceylon Tea ever since the British first colonized this area back in the 1800s. As the hillsides climb higher and higher, the strength of the tea leaves increases accordingly - making this one of the strongest teas in all of South Asia. No trip is complete without having a cup first - so make sure you make a stop over at the Ceylon Tea Museum first.

The Indian Ocean is one of the most beautiful places on the planet - and it doesn't get much better than the thatched roof resorts of the Maldives. This island country south of India is world-renowned for its sunny weather, pristine beaches, and stunning resorts - from the diving, snorkeling, and windsurfing, there's always something exciting to try out.

We now move into India, and our first destination is the famous Ganges River in Varanasi. This is the most sacred river to the Hindus, who make up 80% of India's population - and by cleansing in it, they wash away their sins. All sorts of religious ceremonies and festivals are held here - and for any Hindu, it's a lifelong ambition to make it here at least once. Sadly though, modern times have been tough on the river - pollution levels have reached staggering heights, and it's now one of the most polluted waterways in the world. An ambitious cleanup project is planned in the upcoming years - but little progress has been made thus far.

We move north to the capital of New Delhi - where you'll find some of the most stunning buildings in all of India. Our next stop is one of the most unique structures in all of India - the Lotus Temple. This flower shaped Baha'i House of Worship has become quite a famous attraction - with over 70 million tourists visiting since it was first opened back in 1986. Under Baha'i law, all religions and faiths are welcome here - making it a popular social event place in the city.

Wanting a centerpiece for his new capital, Indian king Shah Jahan had the particularly impressive Red Fort built in Delhi from 1639 - 1648, which contains a massive complex surrounded by towering red walls. This grand fort holds pavilions, offices, workshops, mansions, expansive gardens, and just about anything else a king could ever need - no wonder he inscribed the words "If there is a paradise on Earth, this is it" inside.

(full size link here)

Our last stop is the most iconic landmark in all of India - none other than the world famous Taj Mahal. Wanting a grand tomb for his wife, Indian emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in Agra from 1631 - 1648 and covered it with gleaming white marble - and to this day it remains one of the most marvelous buildings on the face of the planet. Starting in 2004, tourists have been able to view it at night - making for one of the most magical experiences imaginable.

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-korver

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Replies for "South Asia (Preview)"

@TekindusT Thanks for the kind words!

@_Michael Glad you enjoyed it - thanks!

@Jeffrey500 Thank you! There may be another preview coming.. so keep your eyes peeled

@kelistmac Thank you

@mike_oxlong Thanks for the comment!

@tariely Thanks for the kind words Yeah, I paid very close attention to that on the plantation pic, glad you liked it

@Akallan Thanks for the nice comment!

@raynev1 Thank you, glad you liked it!

@kschmidt Thanks for the comment! And good catch too, they certainly do seem to share some similarities!

@Golhbul Thank you for the comment! Usually when I'm doing exotic updates like this one and others, there just won't be enough existing BATs to make it work - so either I'll create my own or find some online to use. More recently, I have been BATing various models w/ 3dsmax - I intend to do this for a number of future updates as well and I hope that I'll be able to get them to a stage where I can release some of them in some sort of pack.

And finally, big thanks to @Fantozzi, @RandyE, @_Michael, @Pluispixel, @MushyMushy, @v701, @Jeffrey500, @mrsmartman, @CT14, @Yarahi, @kelistmac, @Artimus, @mike_oxlong, @Manuel-ito, @tariely, @Akallan, @raynev1, @Jolteon, @kschmidt, @nos.17, @scotttbarry, @Ducio, @bobolee, @Elenphor, & @svenson for all the likes!