We know of opium as the addictive narcotic that once held Asia drugged and spellbound. But the people of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand – still major producers of this “joy fruit” – once had a healthy relationship with its intoxicating effects

While top athletes duke it out in stadiums at this year's Asian Games, Indonesia’s agrarian backwaters have their own versions of sporting entertainment, starring the very bovines that plough the fields

Sepak takraw may have been around since the 15th century, but it’s no forgotten relic. Find out more about the history of this fast-growing sport – and its bid for Olympic recognition

Sporting competitions conjure images of athletic prowess and physical feats, with all the fanfare hiding the deft political manoeuvring required to bring these events to life. A closer inspection of the Asian Games reveals a political tapestry reflective of the deeply complex relations of the member states.

With increasing state efforts to remove peddlers from the streets, the traditional roadside barbers of Hanoi find ways to keep their trade alive