Things to do in  Asia

The jungle-shrouded limestone cliffs of Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands rise majestically from the emerald waters of the Andaman Sea, giving way to white-sand beaches and green jungles further inland. Longtail boats putter between the islands, collectively known as Koh Phi Phi or Ko Phi Phi, surrounded by turquoise waters and colorful marine life.

One of the most beautiful buildings in the world—and one of India’s most famous landmarks—the Taj Mahal is a grandiose testament to the romantic gesture. Built from white marble by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, the structure is decorated with carvings of flowers and inlays of semi-precious stones arranged into intricate patterns inside and out.

Within a stone’s throw of the Taj Mahal, the 16th-century Agra Fort serves as another testament to the immense wealth and power of the Mughal Empire. It was built by Akbar in 1565 where a previous fort once stood. A succession of other emperors, including Humayun and Shah Jahan, has lived within the red sandstone walls.

Built in 1958, the Tokyo Tower held the title of Japan’s tallest tower until the Tokyo Skytree, almost double its height, snagged the top spot. The original tower still affords great views from its two observation decks with views as far as Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san) on a clear day. It also houses a Shinto shrine, several bars, and a ground-floor entertainment complex.

The legendary Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san) stands 12,388 feet (3,776 meters) tall. Travelers from around the world head to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park to see the mountain, and more than one million of them hike all the way to the top each year for the 360-degree views of Lake Ashi, the Hakone Mountains, and the Owakudani Valley.

The Mutianyu Great Wall was fully restored in the 1980s as an alternative to the increasingly popular Badaling section of the Great Wall of China. The Mutianyu section is farther away from Beijing (about 90 minutes by car) than more popular sections, but it's also significantly less busy and features some fun, modern amusements, such as a cable car, chairlift, and toboggan. The long, flat segment—the longest fully restored section open to travelers—winds along heavily forested hilltops with 23 ancient watchtowers dotting the landscape.

Step out of the station at Shibuya and you’re instantly in the thick of it. This is Tokyo at full volume with sky-high malls, flashing billboards, and hundreds of people moving in all directions. A popular meeting place and a prime photo opportunity, visitors come here to walk across the famous Shibuya Crossing—a tourist attraction in its own right. Venture further to discover a maze of shops, cafés, game arcades, and endless entertainment options around every corner.

Formed 3,000 years ago during the last eruption of Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi (Ashi-no-ko) is a scenic spot in Hakone National Park. Considered sacred by the Japanese, it is home to the famous Hakone Shrine, the town’s most famous Shinto shrine at the foot of Mt. Hakone. Visitors come to see the shrine, take a boat out on the lake, or enjoy the many hiking trails in the area.

One of four known tunnels in the DMZ (demilitarized zone between North Korea and South Korea), the Third Tunnel of Aggression sits more than 229 feet (70 meters) below ground. North Korea likely built the tunnel to attack South Korea. When it was discovered, the government claimed it was a coal mine. You can walk through the tunnel.

Built by the Viet Cong in the 1940s as protection from French air raids during the Indochina conflict, the Cu Chi Tunnels extend underground for more than 155 miles (250 kilometers) in the vicinity of Ho Chi Minh City alone. This network of tunnels later provided vital access to and strategic control over the rural areas surrounding the city during the Vietnam War (also known as the Second Indochina War or the American War). Cu Chi Tunnels tours offer a poignant reminder of the hardships of war.

Standing at the northern end of Nakamise shopping street in the traditional old district of Asakusa, Senso-ji Temple is one of Tokyo’s most visited temples. Dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, it’s also the city’s oldest temple and an important site in Japanese Buddhism, home to various structures, including the 5-Storied Pagoda, the Hozomon Gate, the Thunder Gate (Kaminarimon), and the Main Hall (Kannondo).

The stunning Maya Bay (Maya Beach) became a major tourist attraction after the 2000 film,The Beach, was filmed here. It’s situated within Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands, off the coasts of both Krabi and Phuket on the mainland, and is distinguished by its beautiful white-sand beach sheltered by limestone cliffs on three sides. There are in fact several beaches here, but most are small and some only exist at low tide. The main beach, where most boats drop passengers just offshore, is a 200-meter long strip of silky white sand. It’s surrounded by clear waters filled with colorful coral and an abundance of exotic fish, making it an absolute haven for snorkelers. Walking inland is also a treat, with a path that winds through lush greenery and reveals some simply spectacular scenery. It’s true that Maya Bay’s popularity has taken a certain degree of the shine from this once little-heard of slice of paradise. It’s become so well-known that its shores are filled with hoards of boats dropping visitors off and picking them up throughout the day, particularly in peak season. Visitors should arrive early in the morning to avoid the larger part of the crowds. Please note: Maya Bay (Maya Beach) is closed indefinitely due to overtourism.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Gulf of Tonkin, Ha Long Bay is renowned for its spectacular scenery. The bay is one of the most popular tourist attractions in northern Vietnam, home to sparkling emerald waters, caves, traditional floating villages, and more than 1,600 towering limestone islands and islets.

At over 7,500 feet (2,300 meters) high, the Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station—not to be confused with Fujinomiya 5th Station—affords spectacular views over Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone National Park. Easily accessible by road, the 5th Station lies at the midpoint of the Yoshida Trail to Mount Fuji’s summit, so many hikers begin their ascent here.

Ninh Binh, located in the Red River Delta of Northern Vietnam, is an ideal base for exploring the nearby karst scenery, particularly at Tam Coc (Three Caves). At this UNESCO World Heritage Site, limestone formations tower above verdant rice paddies in what is considered one of Vietnam’s most spectacular areas.