With over 1,000 islands scattered in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a captivating destination offering holidaymakers the holy trinity of sea, sun and sand.

Dazzling beaches, perfect palm trees and crystal blue waters have made this Asian archipelago a paradise for honeymooners.

The Maldives is home to luxurious world-class resorts, with each established on a tiny private island, giving rise to the concept "One island one resort."

The country also counts the world's first underwater two-storey hotel villa among its touristic establishments. The Muraka is built more than 16 feet below sea level, where visitors can have an intimate and immersive experience of the breathtaking marine environment. Travelers could even take a shower while watching the fish swim by.

Other hotels have launched underwater art exhibitions offering patrons a great visual feast.

Thanks to the unique beauty of the underwater views, the Maldives is also noted as one of the best diving destinations in the world. All resorts there offer guests an opportunity to learn diving and gain an internationally-recognized diving qualification.

Today, perhaps the best way to explore the beauty of the Maldives is to take a cruise trip! And the perfect time to travel is from November to April.

What are the cultural elements that best represent Asia? Follow up the "Know Asia Better" series. It will offer you a glimpse of 47 Asian countries, through architecture, art or cultural figures to show you a diversified Asia that you may never have noticed before. Themed in the exchanges and mutual learning among Asian civilizations and building a community with a share future for mankind, the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations will be held in Beijing in May.

(Cover designed by Fan Chenxiao)