Photographing the stark contrast between North Korea and China
Origami is the art of paper folding. Traditional Japanese origami has been practiced since the beginning of the 1600s.
Matryoshka dolls, also known as babushka dolls or Russian nesting dolls, are a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside another. The design dates back to 1890.
The Merlion, a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, is the national symbol of the city-state of Singapore. It first appeared in 1964 as the official logo of the Singapore Tourism Board.
Calligraphy is a visual art related to writing. The oldest-known example of Chinese calligraphy is the form known as oracle bone script, inscribed on animal bone in the 2nd century BCE.
Carpet weaving is a fundamental part of Persian culture and Iranian art. Famous for their elaborate colors and highly decorative design, carpets have been woven in this part of the world since the 5th century BCE.
Royal Selangor, a Malaysian pewter manufacturer and retailer founded in 1885, is the largest of its type in the world. Pewter vases, pitchers, ashtrays, and cigarette boxes are typical homeware objects. The money tree, or pohon pitis, is a favorite ornamental gift option.
Argan oil is made from the kernels that grow on the argan trees native to Morocco. Its subtle nutty flavor has made it a culinary staple for centuries. The oil also has several health benefits, and provides a major boost of hydration to the skin, thanks to its high quantities of vitamin E.
Mauritius has been producing great rums of every type, dark, light, and spiced, since the early 1800s. Chamarel's Gold variety is kept in French oak for 18 months, which gives it a pleasant woody undertone.
Carved from wood to the size of a human head, the most authentic ritual masks are those crafted by local villagers following centuries of artisan tradition.
Handmade beads are a fundamental part of Ghanaian heritage. Several types are made, including powder glass beads created from layers of powdered glass mixed with dyes and poured into molds, and "brass beads," made in a bees wax mold and covered in clay (pictured).
Made from the pith of the papyrus plant, ancient Egyptians used this material as a writing surface and as a component in the manufacture of boats, mattresses, mats, rope, sandals, and baskets.
Amber is fossilized tree resin that has been appreciated for its color and natural beauty for millennia. The small African nation of Djibouti is renowned for its intricate, handcrafted silver alloy jewelry that includes amber as a decorative gemstone feature.
Aso oke fabric is a hand-woven cloth created by the Yoruba people of west Africa. It's used to make men's gowns and hats, and women's wrappers and head ties.
Opening up a Union Jack umbrella is the patriotic way of keeping dry during an English summer. The iconic national flag's present design was adopted in 1801.
Clogs date back to the early 13th century in the Netherlands, and were worn by factory workers, artisans, farmers, fishermen, and other manual laborers to protect the feet.
For him and her, a beret is a soft, round, flat-crowned cap, usually of woven, hand-knitted wool. Mass production of berets began in 19th-century France and Spain.
Beer is a major part of German culture, and the country is proud of its brewing heritage. There are over 7,000 varieties of beer in Germany brewed in some 1,300 breweries.
Did you know that Venetian masks have a long history of protecting their wearer's identity during promiscuous or decadent activities?
Belgium enjoys an excellent reputation throughout the world for the art of chocolate making, which began in 1635 in Ghent. Today, Belgium has more than 320 chocolateries and produces over 725,000 tons of this tempting treat each year.
Named after a city in northern Portugal, the Barcelos rooster is a national symbol of the country. The legend behind this colorful bird dates back to the 15th century.
The traditional Norwegian sweater was discovered by tourists in the 1920s, though the design dates back to the 19th century. Originally featuring a black and white design, the sweater today is made in many different colors and patterns.
Super comfortable and chic looking, espadrilles are casual, rope-soled, flat shoes with a canvas or cotton fabric upper and a flexible sole made of esparto rope. Originally the footwear of peasants, espadrilles found favor in the 20th century with the likes of Pablo Picasso and even John F. Kennedy.
Maple syrup was first made and used by the indigenous peoples of North America. European colonists later learned how to tap maple trees from the locals, in the late 17th century. By the 1800s, maple sap boiling to make sugar and syrup was widespread.
Only in the Dominican Republic can you find the volcanic blue coloration of larimar beads. For many years the best-kept secret in the Caribbean (the rare mineral was only rediscovered in 1974), it was introduced to the world as locally handmade jewelry, sold to tourists visiting the island.
Lucha libre means "freestyle wrestling" and since its introduction to Mexico in the early 20th century, it has developed into a unique form of the genre. The colorful masks worn by exponents have a historical significance to Mexico in general, dating back to the days of the Aztecs.
There are some candies you can only get in the United States, which make them prize purchases for sweet-toothed travelers. Tootsie Rolls remain the Holy Grail of American confectionery, but Jolly Ranchers hit a close second spot.
Sources: (Club Med)
A typical South American garment, ponchos have been used by the Native American peoples of the Andes since pre-Hispanic times.
Boomerangs are an internationally recognized symbol of Australia. The oldest Australian boomerangs to date discovered were found in Wyrie Swamp, South Australia, in 1973, and have been dated to about 10,000 years ago.
The "One Ring" is a central plot element in J. R. R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings.' But did you know that it was a Danish-born jeweler, Jens Hoyer Hansen, who designed and created the prop ring used in Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' film trilogies?
Brazilian hammocks are made for siestas. The most authentic are those handcrafted by artisans, frequently colorful and often beautifully adorned.
The keffiyeh is a traditional Arabian headset that originated in the Arabian Peninsula and is widely worn throughout the Middle East. In Jordan, the red-and-white keffiyeh is strongly associated with the country and its heritage.
Click through and find out the favorite gifts taken home by visitors after journeying abroad.
What are the top-selling souvenirs around the world?
The best-selling keepsakes from travels abroad
TRAVEL Keepsakes
Visiting a country is all about learning more about the destination—its culture, history, and its people. And purchasing a souvenir serves as a wonderful keepsake of your time traveling, a treasured memento of new lands discovered and places explored. But what are the top-selling souvenirs bought by tourists in countries around the world?
Click through and find out the favorite gifts taken home by visitors after journeying abroad.