Top Asia Unique Experiences - page 4

Experience the daily goings-on of the Damnoen Saduak floating market and the MaeKlong railway market with a dedicated guide on this private tour from Bangkok. Learn about the markets' history, origins, and current iterations through insightful commentary and take a long-tail boat tour on the canal. Taste some traditional Thai desserts and get free time to shop. Round-trip private transportation from Bangkok hotels is included. Choose from two start times to suit you.

Mochi is one of Japan’s most popular treats—sticky rice cakes with a variety of sweet or savory fillings. On this tour, learn how mochi is made from a local chef in her own home and get hands-on as you make your own. Create different varieties such as red bean filling, mochi ice cream, mitarashi dango (skewered mochi with sweet soy), or wagashi (candy-style mochi), then sit down to sample your creations with traditional matcha tea.

Practice the time-honored arts of samurai swordsmanship during this hands-on Kendo workshop. Work one-on-one with an experienced Kendo instructor, with all equipment and armor included. Learn practical skills and put your new moves to the test during a tournament-style combat game. All experience levels are welcome, and participants receive bottled water and a souvenir Kendo towel.

Master the basics of Thai cuisine on this tour, with this cooking class with a professional chef in Bangkok. The morning class starts off with a guided visit to Asok market to shop for ingredients, while the afternoon and evening classes feature a mango carving workshop. After, get your hands dirty by making curry paste from scratch as well as traditional Thai dishes during a hands-on cooking class. Then sit down to feast on a delicious homemade lunch or dinner.

Admire South Korea’s palace architecture and learn of life in the country’s capital, even with limited time, on this half-day small-group tour. Stroll to Gwanghwamun Gate and visit Gyeongbokgung Palace. Listen as your guide details Joseon Dynasty history and admire traditional construction techniques. At Bukchon Hanok Village, peer inside traditional houses and learn about Korean lifestyles from the past to the present.

Gangchon Railbike Park, Nami Island, and Petite France lie in the countryside outside Seoul, offering locals and visitors alike a chance to enjoy a change of scenery from the busy city. On this tour, reach all three sites in one day by air-conditioned coach. With entry fees and round-trip travel from central Seoul included, enjoy a day of diverse outdoor adventure in South Korea.

Learn to make five classic Thai dishes with your choice of a morning, afternoon, or evening cooking class in Bangkok. The morning tour also includes a guided visit to the local market, where you see typical ingredients that go into Thai cuisine. You'll then work with your instructor to prepare dishes such as pad thai (noodles) and tom yum (soup), before sitting down to enjoy the meal that you helped to create.

When the sun goes down at Kuala Selangor, twinkling fireflies light up the berembang trees along the Selangor River. Experience the natural display on an evening boat ride at Kuala Selangor Firefly Park. Along the way, you’ll make stops for photos at key attractions, including Altingsburg Lighthouse and the Sri Shakti Temple.

Skip the stress of the Seoul subway rush hour and let a comfortable air-conditioned van transport your tour group to five of the city’s top attractions. Your guide then takes you to the charming Petite France overlooking the Han River and the Garden of Morning Calm. Discover the nearby Italian village before exploring Gangchon Railbike Park and Nami Island. Then get dropped off at your hotel in time for dinner.

There’s so much to see and do in Delhi but navigating your way around the enormous city can cut into your sightseeing time. Simplify your tour with a private tour by air-conditioned car. Check out highlights such as Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid, New Delhi’s India Gate and Lotus Temple, or cover all bases and combine both regions of the capital for a comprehensive day out.

Explore Taipei at your own pace, and see only the sights that you’re interested in, on this customizable, half-day tour. Pick a departure time and location that work best for you; with just a private guide for company, you’re guaranteed a completely personalized adventure. Visit Taipei’s banner attractions, or go on an in-depth neighborhood exploration: your guide will plan a bespoke itinerary based around your interests.

Raise your sword like a true samurai warrior during a private training session in Tokyo. Don a samurai outfit and train with the katana, then enjoy a photo shoot to commemorate your experience. This private lesson offers personalized attention and includes outfit rental and photo and video footage.

Get a taste for the unique flavors of Thai and Akha cooking with this Chiang Mai cooking class. Learn about the culture and cuisine of the Akha people, visit the local market to buy ingredients (morning class only), and learn to prepare several different dishes, both Thai and Akha. A souvenir cookbook from your session is also included, as are transfers from central Chiang Mai hotel.

Get an opportunity to visit Delhi’s largest slum area during this small-group, half-day tour of Delhi’s slum area. Learn about ongoing projects within the community and the socioeconomic context as you see how life unfolds within one of Asia’s largest informal settlements. Tours are designed to be inclusive—never intrusive—and include complimentary coffee or tea.

When you’re headed to South Korea on ship, take this shore excursion tour to get more familiar with the port city of Busan. Along your way, visit Songdo Sky Walk, Gamcheon Culture Village, Yongdusan Park, Samgwangsa Temple, and Hwangnyeongsan Mountain Observatory. Plus explore two of Korea’s largest markets, Gukje Market and Jagalchi seafood market. This tour also provides easy port pickup and drop-off and lunch for your convenience.

See a different side of the Seoul area without having to sort out transportation on a tour to Nami Island and Petite France and an adjacent “Pinocchio and Da Vinci,” a theme park inspired by an Italian village. Explore at your own pace on foot, or rent a bike (at your own expense) to get around more quickly.

With more than seven million people living in Hong Kong, it can be hard to find things off the beaten track. Craft your perfect day in the city with a private guide who provides you with commentary on your chosen sites. Choose to visit landmarks and hidden gems that suit your preferences and travel at your own pace as you dive into the city's vibrant atmosphere.

Straddle the two Koreas on a full-day guided sightseeing tour from Seoul to the Demilitarized Zone. Convenient hotel pickup spares you the stress of using the crowded subway to rush to a meeting point. After your comfortable journey, enjoy detailed commentary at the DMZ area, Dora Observatory, and Imjingak Park with ample opportunity to ask your guide questions. Afterwards, take time to explore on your own, before drop-off in central Seoul.

Immerse yourself in Thai culinary culture during this cooking class in Phuket. This class isn’t just a demonstration, you’ll get hands-on with your chef/guide while you prep a meal for your group. Sit down to eat the traditional Thai dishes that you’ve made, chatting about Thai culture and food with your guide and group.

Visit the DMZ, a restricted area, on this group guided tour from Seoul. Visit key sites including the Dora Observatory, Imjingak Park, Third Infiltration Tunnel, and more, with the option to also visit the Mt. Gamak Suspension Bridge, and speak to a defector from North Korea for insights you can’t get anywhere else.

Learn to draw manga from a professional manga artist in Tokyo’s Nakano neighborhood. During this class, use the manga tools provided, such as screen tone, manga pens and ink, and manga paper. Whether you're just starting out or a practicing manga artist wanting to hone your skills, the instructor will tailor their teaching to your skills. Take home your completed piece of art as a souvenir.

It can be a challenge to navigate Korea’s second largest city, especially when you don’t speak the language. Ensure that your sightseeing experience in Busan is stress-free and well-rounded on a private 6- to 8-hour tour. Three distinct itineraries are offered to ensure you enjoy a tour that matches your personal tastes. Whichever you choose, all three include visits to the Jagalchi Fish Market, Nampodang Street, and Gukje Market.

Experience Singapore with the help of a local to show you around on a private, customizable walking tour. List your preferences for the itinerary ahead of time or rely on your guide’s knowledge of the city to get suggestions on what to see. Perfect for anyone looking to get to know Singapore for the first time. The tour conveniently starts from your hotel, if it’s in the city center.

Rather than braving life and limb on Vietnam’s roads, let a professional take the wheel on this private guided door-to-door tour. Spend the morning exploring the Vietnam War–era Cu Chi Tunnels, then relax over a bowl of pho noodle soup. In the afternoon, see colonial landmarks like the Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral, explore the War Remnants Museum, shop at Ben Thanh Market, and more.