Medan is the capital of north Sumatra and the third largest city in Indonesia. It is a huge, sprawling city and a popular entry/exit point for travellers. The solid Dutch buildings of the affluent older suburbs inspire images of bloated bureaucrats and burghers from the colonial era, while jerry-built lean-tos house the bulk of its population.

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is often called the “Pink City” for the terracotta-hued buildings that line its historic streets. Founded in 1727, it was one of India’s first planned cities, designed with wide avenues and grand public squares.

Chitré is a city in central Panama, located on the Azuero Peninsula and serving as the capital of Herrera Province. The cultural identity of Chitré is closely tied to folkloric traditions that remain visible in clothing, music, and public celebrations.

Lukla, a mountain town perched at 2,860 meters in eastern Nepal, is best known as the gateway to the Everest region. The town is home to Tenzing-Hillary Airport, one of the world’s most thrilling landing strips, named after the legendary climbers who first reached Everest’s summit in 1953. The short, sloped runway hugs the mountain, offering a once-in-a-lifetime arrival that travelers remember long after their journey ends.

Baruunbüren is a small town in northern Mongolia, set within the forest-steppe landscapes of Selenge Province near the Russian border.