Cultivated for more than eight centuries, the rice terraces cover 16 acres and range in altitude from 300m to 1, 100m.

BBC: The perfect trip: China

This is why I have come here: to ride through the remote Tian-Shan (Celestial Mountains) mountain range along ancient routes and through wide high-altitude pastures, known as jailoos, where shepherds have been grazing livestock for centuries.

BBC: The way of the shepherd: Horse trekking through Kyrgyzstan

Range and climb performance improvements, especially out of high-altitude airports, is outstanding.

FORBES: Aircraft Makeover: Certifiably As Good As New