Queen of Bollywood (Cover Story)
Indian leading lady and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai leads the charge as a hipper, edgier, more professional Bollywood bids for global dominance

Bewitched by Bollywood (Cover Story)
You don't have to be Indian to be seduced by Bollywood's charms, writes Richard Corliss

Character Building (Cover Story)
Aamir Khan is Bollywood's rebel leader

The Leading Lady (Cover Story)
Actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai

The Legend (Cover Story)
Amitabh Bachchan, Bollywood's "Star of the Millennium"

The New Wave (Cover Story)
India's alternative hitmaker Rahul Bose

The Trailblazer (Cover Story)
Director/producer Ram Gopal Varma

The Young Turk (Cover Story)
Bollywood's most respected young actor, Aamir Khan


Taking the High Ground
China's great leap skyward—its first manned space flight—signals the nation's coming of age as a global citizen

History's Lessons (Essay)
China's rulers would be wise to remember the fall of Chiang Kai-shek, writes Jonathan Fenby


The Thaksin Effect
Is Thailand's Prime Minister revolutionizing his country's economy—or creating another bubble?


A Fateful, True-Life Trek (Movies)
In This World distills the heartbreak of refugees

Crouching Camel... (Movies)
He Ping's Warriors of Heaven and Earth wants to be China's next big international martial arts film


Hindu Backlash (Notebook | India)
Is India's Hindu nationalist government taking steps to rein in its own hardliners?

Welcome Back, Mr. President (Notebook | United States)
U.S. President George W. Bush sets out on a whirlwind tour of Asia. Here's what awaits him

Blood in the Water? (Notebook | South Korea)
A South Korean referendum on Roh's leadership could turn into a California-style debacle

Milestones
A legendary jockey rides into the sunset

Verbatim
Quotes of the week

Letters
Readers reply to TIME

The Tour of Duty (TIME Explorer)
A European Grand Tour was once considered essential to one's education. Today, the Asian version is just as vital

"We Were Like Cowboys" (TIME Explorer)
For low-cost airlines, Asia is the final frontier

The More Things Stay the Same (TIME Explorer)
Bhutan is slowly opening up—but, thankfully, its antique culture remains resistant to change

How Green Was My Valet (TIME Explorer)
To commune with nature without breaking a sweat, head Down Under where ecotourism has a softer side

Jogging Your Memories (TIME Explorer)
Great travel experiences emerge on the run

Books (TIME Explorer)
Travel narratives that will get you going

Thirty Years Young (TIME Explorer)
Where would you be without those familiar blue guidebooks? Say happy birthday to a travel legend

New and Noted (TIME Explorer)
Travel updates from across the region


Sun, Sea and Scalpels (Time Global Adviser | Time Traveler)
Fed up with museums and bungee jumping? Looking for a new holiday activity? Try surgery

Brighton Rocks (Time Global Adviser | Diversions)
Take a day-trip to the geographical and cutting edge of Britain

Check In (Time Global Adviser | Check In)
Serendipity in the South of France

Next Time You're In... Vientiane (Time Global Adviser)
The Empire Bites Back

Do It Yourself (Time Global Adviser | Do It Yourself)
Home Style

Long Haul (Time Global Adviser | Long Haul)
Let the Games Begin

Money or Your Life (Time Global Adviser | The Cost-of-Living-it-up Index)
Here's what it costs to have someone else watch your back