Asia

The Spiritual Heartbeat of Varanasi The Spiritual Heartbeat of Varanasi (image credits: wikimedia) Varanasi, known as Kashi or the City of Light, pulses with an energy that many describe as otherworldly. It is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with roots stretching back more than 3,000 years. For Hindus, Varanasi is the holiest …

The Unstoppable Pulse of Varanasi’s Streets The Unstoppable Pulse of Varanasi’s Streets (image credits: wikimedia) Every day, nearly 1.2 million people navigate the narrow lanes of Varanasi, a city where chaos is not just a backdrop but a way of life. The city’s latest municipal data from March 2024 highlights a 15% increase in road …

Scorpions on a Stick Scorpions on a Stick (image credits: wikimedia) Crunchy, savory, and downright daring, scorpions on a stick are one of the boldest street snacks you’ll encounter in China’s bustling night markets. In places like Beijing and Xi’an, rows of live scorpions wiggle on skewers before being plunged into hot oil and fried …

1. Varanasi’s Death Rate Defies the National Average 1. Varanasi’s Death Rate Defies the National Average (image credits: wikimedia) Every year, Varanasi records a death rate that outpaces the national average, with 2024 municipal data showing 15.2 deaths per 1,000 residents, compared to India’s overall 7.3. This dramatic difference is closely tied to the city’s …

1. The Reality of Everyday Life in Pyongyang 1. The Reality of Everyday Life in Pyongyang (image credits: unsplash) Rare images from the streets of Pyongyang challenge the glossy narrative pushed by North Korean state media. Instead of modern high-rises and vibrant public spaces, photographs from 2024 reveal crumbling apartment blocks, unreliable public transportation, and …

The Economic Landscape: Growth Amidst Challenges The Economic Landscape: Growth Amidst Challenges (image credits: unsplash) Bangladesh’s economic story has been marked by both rapid progress and glaring contradictions in 2024. The country’s GDP growth rate stood at an impressive 6.9%, according to the World Bank, fueled primarily by the booming ready-made garment (RMG) sector, which …

1. The Historical Significance of Varanasi 1. The Historical Significance of Varanasi (image credits: wikimedia) Varanasi stands as one of humanity’s oldest living cities, with archaeological findings confirming settlements here for over 3,000 years. Official records from the Archaeological Survey of India highlight Varanasi’s role as an uninterrupted center of spirituality and scholarship since ancient …

The Diversity of Chinese Street Food The Diversity of Chinese Street Food (image credits: unsplash) Chinese street food is almost like a wild, living art form, always changing and full of surprises. Across China’s provinces, you’ll find an incredible range of flavors—some fiery, some sweet, some so unique that travelers are left speechless. In Chengdu, …

Stinky Tofu Stinky Tofu (image credits: pixabay) Stinky tofu, known as “chòu dòufu,” is one of China’s most notorious street snacks, immediately recognizable by its intense odor. Despite being likened to the smell of rotten cheese or even garbage, this fermented tofu is deeply beloved by locals, especially in cities like Shanghai, Nanjing, and Changsha. …

The Rise of Edible Insects in China The Rise of Edible Insects in China (image credits: wikimedia) Edible insects are rapidly becoming mainstream in China’s bustling street food markets, fueled by a surge in demand for sustainable protein sources. In 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that the global edible insect market is …