Responsible Travel: visiting a site that is older than your country

Do not climb or touch. Carvings, frescoes and walls are fragile; hands and bodies wear them away. Follow the signs and the guards.

Respect the living faith. Many ancient sites are working temples, mosques or monasteries. Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes where asked and ask before photographing worshippers.

Use licensed guides. They know the site's rules, and the fees support local livelihoods.

Buy from makers. The weavers, potters and bronze-casters in this issue depend on visitors who ask, listen and pay fairly.

Avoid the crowded hour. Dawn at Angkor Wat draws the biggest crowds; the first hour after opening at a smaller temple is calmer and gentler on the site.

These are Wayfarer's own editorial guidelines, drawn from the reporting in this issue.