The most fascinating historical tours in Asia

As a significant spiritual hub in Thailand, there's much to learn about Buddhism in Chiang Mai. What better way to learn about Buddhist history than directly from a former monk? On this free GuruWalk tour, Charin, who served as a monk, takes guests through 2,000 years of Buddhist history in what was once the Lanna Kingdom. Time Out Asia contributor Lola Méndez lives in Chiang Mai and says this tour helped deepen her understanding of Buddhism in Thailand. Charin will guide you through the Burmese Temple of Wat Saen Muang Ma, the oldest temple in the Old City Wat Chiang Man, the forest temple and meditation centre Wat Umong, and other Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai.

One of the most famous religious sites in the world, Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, is sprawling and overwhelming without a guide. This sunrise tour is the ideal way to see the highlights of the ancient Hindu temples before the crowds and heat descend. You'll first visit the main Angkor Wat temple which is epic for sunrise as it reflects in the lily pond. Then, visit the 12th-century royal monastery of Ta Prohm, enveloped by overgrown tree roots. We loved the stop at Bayon with 200 faces.

From Hoi An, Vietnam, it's just an hour's ride through quaint villages en route to the My Son archaeological site, where the mysterious Cham people resided over a thousand years ago. On this Urban Adventures tour (77 USD/per person), your guide will explain how the holy monuments were initially destroyed during ancient battles and again in the modern era, during the Vietnam War bombings. Time Out Asia contributor Lola Méndez notes that while the decaying Hindu temples aren't as massive as Angkor Wat in Cambodia or Bagan in Myanmar, something is alluring about the resilience of these crumbling structures that have survived so much.

Skip the hassle of trying to navigate Bali's water blessings by joining the Four Seasons Sayan's Pilgrim Temple Voyage (220 USD/per person). If you’re anything like us, you’ll be relieved to have a local guide with you to share the historical importance of the ancient water temples, how to tie a sarong properly, the procedure of leaving an offering, and how to properly partake in the water blessing. This tour will take you to the famous Tirta Empul for a water purification and blessing from a Balinese priest, as well as to Mengening, a lesser visited (despite being a UNESCO heritage site) water temple where you'll also go through the ritual of a water blessing.

Get to know the trades and crafts of traditional artisans in Singapore on Offbeat's Vanishing Craftsman route (60 SGD/per person). Your guide will introduce you to crafts from a bygone era that are at risk of disappearing due to capitalism and fast consumption. You'll visit various craftspeople struggling to keep their art alive, and you’ll develop a deep respect for the hands-on labour required to craft everything from beautiful rugs to Singaporean cuisine – all on the brink of extinction.

Bear witness to the immense loss of life that occurred after the U.S. military dropped an atomic bomb on Viator's Private Hiroshima Walking Tour (114.63 USD/per person). A licensed guide will share the history of the tragic events that occurred in Hiroshima, show you the most important exhibits at the Peace Memorial and Museum located in what was the commercial and political heart of the city before the bomb, bring you to photo spots at Hiroshima Castle with its carp-filled moat, and take you on a Japanese garden tour over the four-hour walk.

Explore one of the oldest parts of China’s iconic Great Wall, the Mutianyu Great Wall, in Hauirou County. Klook’s Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour (17.59 USD/per person), which departs from Beijing, will whisk you away to one of the best-preserved and restored sections. A UNESCO Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this section nevertheless attracts fewer tourists and has some unique features to boot. Walk along its storied path and explore watchtowers at Hero Slope, Zhengguan Terrace, and more as you take in fascinating facts about the region from a local guide. There are stunning views of the surrounding natural scenery, too.