Top Asia Unique Experiences - page 5

Shanghai is a great city for food lovers, but it can be hard for first-time visitors to know where to find the best bites. Leave the planning to someone else on this local-led, small-group food tour, which takes you off the beaten path. As the sun starts to set, head out to find some of the most authentic regional dishes in the city. Look forward to sampling soup dumplings, noodles, and more, plus drinks.

Tokyo is known for its incredible food and culinary culture. Make the most of your time in Japan with a private cooking class with a local’s home. Ask questions along the way and learn at your own pace. Your Japanese instructor will show you how to make several authentic home-cooked dishes, tailored to your group’s requirements, and you can eat them when you’ve finished.

Bangkok’s floating markets are famous for their variety of products, sold across long boats jostling for room in a tropical canal. This small-group tour takes you along the river in an elegant long-tailed boat, stopping to explore a village on stilts and a fruit plantation. See a delectable brown-sugar dessert made by a Thai family, going beyond commercial interactions and into the lives of local people. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Learn about Chado, an ancient zen tea ceremony, with this guided experience in Tokyo. Immerse yourself in an authentic tearoom equipped with tatami mats and learn to prepare a bowl of matcha tea. Sample multiple types of tea and learn your preferences. Enjoy three kinds of local Japanese confectionary, too.

Learn the ancient arts of the ninja during this fun-filled introduction to key ninja techniques, culture, and weapons. During this small-group Tokyo workshop and demonstration, learn a range of practical skills—such as how to throw a ninja star and how to draw a samurai sword—and also discover key ninja philosophies, take part in a short meditation, and have time to take photos.

Immerse yourself in the world of pandas on this private day tour to Wolong Panda Base. You’ll have the ultimate hassle-free day with a hotel pickup, drop-off, and admission tickets included. Learn fascinating insights about panda behavior from a panda expert, and explore the Panda Base attractions. If you’d like to upgrade, you can volunteer at the Panda Base, and get a chance to learn more about pandas.

This Marvelous Matcha Kyoto Green Tea Tour is the perfect way to discover the different varieties of matcha, see how to craft the perfect cup, and best of all—taste it. Visit the world-renowned district of Uji, which is known for producing outstanding quality green tea. The tour helps you discover hidden local tea shops that would be hard to find alone, and you have a guide to help translate. When you’ve worked up an appetite, a delicious set lunch is provided.

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.

If you’ve only got limited time in Hong Kong then opt for a whistle-stop tour of the city. With a private guide, visit a mix of iconic landmarks and secret sights, and gain an insider’s perspective of Hong Kong. Plus, this private tour is completely customizable, so you’ll be able to choose between highlights such as the Big Buddha, Man Mo Temple, Victoria Harbour, and many more.

Go beyond a standard zoo visit with a private volunteer experience at the Dujiangyan Giant Panda Center. With included transport from Chengdu, head to the center to work alongside keepers to observe panda behavior, help clean enclosures, and prepare food, gaining rare insight into the daily care of the endangered species. The hands-on visit offers a more meaningful way to connect with giant pandas while learning about conservation.

Hong Kong is home to one of the most diverse culinary spectrums in Asia, so knowing where to start in terms of street food can often be a daunting task. Experience Hong Kong’s street food like a local on a private tour that’s ideal for first-time visitors. Taking a private food tour means you’ll be able to customize the itinerary according to your culinary preferences and sample lesser-known foods that you may otherwise have missed.

Learn all about the history and techniques of sake production—and taste a range of different sake styles—on this small-group Kyoto tour. Visit the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum for an immersive introduction to sake. Then, follow your guide to an atmospheric local bar where you can sample a range of different sake varieties. Learn all about sake—from its history and brewing processes to distinguishing its different tastes.

Incheon International Airport is a popular layover stop on flights across the world, but killing time in the airport is dull. On this tour, make the most of your layover hours and explore vibrant Seoul. With your guide at the wheel, visit top attractions like Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Jogyesa Temple with admission fees included. Your tour’s flexible start times mean you can easily match your layover hours.

Enjoy personalized attention and a flexible itinerary on this private tour to Kanchanaburi, the MaeKlong Railway Market, and the Damnoensaduak floating market from Bangkok. With private vehicle pickup and drop-off at your Bangkok hotel, there's no need to fuss with public transportation or hail a taxi. Listen to your dedicated guide's narration about the two important Bangkok sites as you travel; you'll learn much more than you would simply exploring on your own.

Learn more about life in Bengaluru on this fascinating guided walk through the Ejipura slum area. Behind the facades you will discover inspiring enterprise and perseverance. Stop at local businesses that have flourished in the area, despite apparent setbacks, and drop in on a local school. Your guide is intimately familiar with Ejipura and proceeds from the tour are returned to the community.

Meet a Seoul local for a private walking tour that’s a new concept in travel, trading a pre-packaged trip for a more personal experience. Exploring with a Lokafyer guide is like having a local friend to show you around, whether you’re looking for Seoul’s most authentic restaurants or just soaking up the feel of neighborhood life. From a pre-tour chat to the walking tour itself, it’s totally customized for you.

Enjoy a night out in Osaka without stressing over where to go with this nightlife tour of the city. With visits to at least three bars and one club included, the crawl showcases the city’s most happening venues and introduces you to like-minded travelers at the same time. Enjoy discounted drinks and free shots, and explore Osaka after dark with a group of up to 50 people, aged mostly between 21 and 38 years old. Drinkers must be at least 20 years old, and ID is required.

Learn to create your own bento box, the iconic (and tasty) convenience meal enjoyed daily by millions of Japanese, during this cooking class in Kyoto. Uncover the origins of this uniquely Japanese foodstuff, and watch master chefs as they demonstrate key cooking techniques, before learning to make your own. Finish your course by enjoying your handmade bento box with other food lovers.

Akabane, a residential neighborhood in Northern Tokyo, is a popular evening destination for locals. Let your English-speaking guide walk you through the retro charm of its narrow alleys, glowing with red paper lanterns, as you eat and drink your way through 3 traditional izakayas. Enjoy the nightlife in a relaxed way as you try at least 10 Japanese delicacies and 3 drinks like sake, shochu and hoppy.

Discover a different side of Mumbai with this private guided tour of the massive Dharavi Slum, one of the largest in Asia. After pickup from your hotel, airport, or port, travel to the slum by private vehicle and follow your guide to explore the narrow laws, small businesses and industries of Dharavi, including recycling, and learn about the daily lives of the residents.

Experience the best of Old and New Delhi on this private full-day tour with a personal driver and air-conditioned car, ensuring comfort and flexibility. Discover Delhi’s rich history as you visit UNESCO World Heritage sites like Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, and Humayun’s Tomb, and admire the iconic Red Fort from the outside. Immerse yourself in the vibrant chaos of Chandni Chowk with an exciting rickshaw ride through its bustling streets, filled with centuries-old markets and aromatic street food. Visit the serene Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, where you can experience the community kitchen and even try your hand at making roti as part of the Sikh tradition of selfless service. Explore New Delhi’s colonial elegance, stopping at India Gate, Parliament House, and Lotus Temple, showcasing the city's modern charm. With an expert guide, dive into the Mughal era’s grandeur, blending history, culture, and spirituality in this unforgettable tour. Come and experience the vibrant Delhi vibes with us!

Beijing’s food culture is incredibly rich, but the most memorable meals are rarely found along the main tourist streets. This guided dinner tour takes you deep into Old Beijing to walk through one of the city’s remaining hutong (narrow lane) neighborhoods and dine at local, family-run spots known mainly to residents. Instead of guessing where to go, follow an insider route to sample traditional dishes and experience the flavors that have shaped Beijing’s everyday life for generations.

Explore India’s spiritual capital of Varanasi and learn about Hinduism on a private tour. Take a boat along the Ganges River and learn about why it's so sacred to Hindus. Visit the holy site of Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon, followed by a guided walk of Varanasi’s old streets and alleys. Watch the sacred ritual of Aarti from the ghat or the water to conclude your tour.

Get to know Mumbai better on a customizable private day tour that includes a range of cultural, historic, and other attractions. Learn more about the people and businesses that make up one of the largest informal settlements in the world, Dharavi, on a walking tour. Get access to this part of the city that’s hard to visit independently. Then, visit other Mumbai highlights, including markets, temples, mosques, and more.