Asia attractions

Lingyin Temple is one of the oldest and most famous Buddhist temples in China and a top attraction in Hangzhou. Situated at the foot of Lingyin Mountain and surrounded by forest, Lingyin Temple is known for its tranquil setting, spiritual atmosphere, and numerous pagodas, grottoes, and Buddhist relics.

Known for the blue tiles that cover its roof, Seoul’s Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae or Cheongwadae) sits at the foot of Mount Bugaksan and is the official residence of South Korea’s president. The house was built in the traditional Korean architectural style within a Joseon Dynasty–era royal garden.

Officially known as the Lakshminarayan Temple in honor of the god Vishnu (the preserver in the Hindu trinity) and his consort Lakshmi, the beautiful Birla Mandir complex centers around one of the most significant temples in the Indian capital. Though built in the 1930s, it remains one of the finest local examples of modern temple architecture.

Located north of Kuta Beach and Legian Beach, Seminyak Beach is a sweeping strip of sand that’s drawn those in-the-know to Bali for decades. More upscale than Kuta or Legian, Seminyak is home to some of the island’s most iconic beach clubs and restaurants, as well as fun surf breaks. Behind the shore, Seminyak proper is a shopping and dining mecca.

Singapore’s premier performance venue overlooks the super-sleek Marina Bay Waterfront. Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay consists of a 1,600-seat concert hall and 2,000-seat theater. The complex has waterfront and open-air venues and hosts more than 3,000 performances annually.

At the confluence of the mighty Mekong and Ruak rivers, the mountainous border regions of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand come together in the exotically named Golden Triangle—a haven of Buddhist architecture, lush forests, and colorful riverfront villages. Located in the Chiang Rai province at Thailand's northernmost tip, the Golden Triangle is thick with wonders, both natural and man-made, earning it a reputation as a jungle getaway.

This ancient Buddhist temple situated to the southeast of Ayutthaya was first built in 1357 by King Uthong to house returning monks who had gone to study practical Buddhism in Sri Lanka. This towering chedi can be seen from far and wide and features a platform offering wonderful views of the temple site and city beyond.

Although Jaigarh Fort is often overlooked by tourists in favor of the better-known Amber Fort nearby, this majestic garrison in the Aravalli Range is certainly worth a visit, particularly for anyone with an interest in military history. The 18th-century red sandstone structure is also considered among the best-preserved old fortresses in India.

Yasaka Shrine–called Yasaka Jinja in Japanese and sometimes still referred to by its old name, Gion Shrine–is a popular and important Shinto shrine in Kyoto’s Gion neighborhood. Thought to have been founded in the 7th century, the shrine has patronized local arts for centuries and is home to the lively Gion Matsuri (festival) in July.

One of the most famous landmarks in Macau, the Ruins of St. Paul is all that’s left of a church that was built in 1602 and was destroyed by fire in 1835. All that remains are the iconic stone façade and the grand staircase leading up to it. The ruins form part of the Historic Center of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Temple of the Golden Mount, or Wat Saket, is a low hill with a pointed golden temple (chedi). It’s built on the site of a earlier, failed temple building that turned to rubble and became a hill. Wat Saket was once the highest point in Bangkok. Visit today for great views of Bangkok and to see its Buddha relic.

With crystal clear water, plentiful coral reefs, and beautiful stretches of fine white sand, Thailand’s Coral Island (Koh Larn) is a veritable paradise. Take a day trip to this popular spot—about 4.5 miles (7 km) off the coast of Pattaya—to enjoy beaches and a variety of water sports, including scuba diving and snorkeling.

Home to spectacular limestone panoramas and terraced rice paddies, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is the ideal choice for travelers looking to get off the beaten path. Although the reserve is a popular weekend getaway for Hanoi locals, Pu Luong sees few foreign visitors and has therefore managed to maintain an authentic feel and tranquil atmosphere.

One of the world’s oldest active synagogues, and the oldest in the Commonwealth, can be found in the center of the port’s spice district, Jew Town. The synagogue sits at the center of the district once inhabited by Fort Kochi's vibrant spice trading community of Malabari Jews, who traveled here from Holland and Spain.

Malaysia’s oldest Chinese temple, first built in 1673, remains an active place of worship for the Chinese Buddhist community in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Melaka. Everything from the ornate roof to the painted murals within this temple dedicated to Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) have been restored using traditional techniques.

Sumo is Japan’s second most popular sport, and there’s nothing quite like joining 11,000 sumo fans for a match to learn about this ancient form of wrestling. The best place to experience sumo is at the Kokugikan Sumo Stadium (Ryōgoku Kokugikan), where three of the six official national tournaments are hosted each year. Discover sumo’s place in Japanese culture at the attached Sumo Museum (Nihon Sumo Kyokai).

This partially ruined wat, possibly the largest structure in ancient Chiang Mai, dates back to the year 1441 and is most famous as the former home of the incredible Emerald Buddha. Nowadays, a jade replica fills the eastern niche of Wat Chedi Luang, although you can see the original in Bangkok at the Wat Phra Kaew.

Just outside Gyeongju, the 8th-century Bulguksa Temple is renowned for its ornate gardens and vibrant pagodas. Built on a sprawling site, it’s still a functioning Buddhist temple, so visitors will likely see resident monks performing ceremonies. Seven National Treasures, mischievous chipmunks, and wish-granting rock piles add to the UNESCO-listed complex’s charm.

Dramatically transformed by urban redevelopment, Marina Bay is home to a plethora of entertainment options as well as some of Singapore’s most iconic attractions. Popular with locals and travelers alike, the vibrant waterfront region is an exciting place to spend the day (or night).

The bright turquoise Yamdrok Lake (Yamdrok-tso or Yamdrok Yumtso) is sacred in Tibetan tradition and one of the three biggest lakes in the country. Its color and location amid dry snow-capped peaks add to its allure. Most visitors’ first glimpse of the high altitude lake is after crossing the Khamba La Pass at 15,731 feet (4,795 meters).

One of the most charming towns in the Shekhawati region, Mandawa is celebrated for its numerous havelis (traditional mansions) and its fort, which is adorned with intricate frescoes. The 18th-century town feels like something out of a Rajasthani fairytale, and its havelis are often collectively referred to as the "open-air art gallery" of Rajasthan.

First constructed in 1921 to transport coal, the Pingxi Branch Rail Line—often known simply as the “Pingxi Line”—is today an enchanting tourist attraction. Stretching eight miles (13 kilometers) through some of the Taipei area’s loveliest scenery, the single-track railway wends its way through the photogenic Keelung River Valley.

The Registan Square is at the heart of Samarkand and is one of the most famous landmarks you will visit. The three main madrassas are some of the oldest and best preserved in the world. In addition to the majolica and mosaic-covered madrassas, you will also find a beautifully painted mosque and several old dormitories now converted into shops.

The Ajanta and Ellora Caves, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, are among the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world. Although usually visited together, the caves are in different locations in the state of Maharashtra. At Ajanta, 29 Buddhist cave temples date from as early as the second century BC. Meanwhile, the 34 Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist caves at Ellora date from around the sixth century.

At a soaring 1,667 feet (508 meters), Taipei 101 was the world’s tallest building when it was completed in 2004—Dubai’s Burj Khalifa overtook it in 2010. A landmark in Taipei, it houses offices, restaurants, and a multilevel shopping complex, as well as indoor and outdoor observatories offering stunning panoramic views of Taipei.

Once inhabited by the Malay and Muslim elite of Singapore, the Kampong Glam neighborhood is one of the city’s most attractive. Former shop houses have been restored to their former beauty and now house modern shops and restaurants. The area is also home to the Sultan Mosque and Malay Heritage Centre.

Perched on the floodplain of Tonle Sap Lake—the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia— Kampong Phluk is a floating community of around 3,000 villagers. Visit to see how the residents live—in stilted homes and depending on fishing as a livelihood.

Delhi’s de facto city center, Connaught Place is a historical double traffic circle lined with chain stores, restaurants, and roadside stalls selling everything from snacks to magazines. It was built under British rule between 1929 and 1933 and retains its colonial flair, with white colonnaded buildings inspired by the Royal Crescent in Bath.

Dedicated to the Hindu goddess of learning, wisdom, music, and art, Ubud’s Saraswati Temple is a beautiful spot for worshippers and visitors alike. Water gardens and lotus ponds flow up to the elegant structure, which is enriched with ornate carvings. The temple makes an atmospheric setting for Balinese dance performances.

The Portuguese built the 16th-century structure as a gift to the then king of the Kochi dynasty, though it underwent significant remodels under Dutch rule, earning it its current moniker: the Dutch Palace. It's celebrated for its stunning murals, many of which depict scenes from Hindu epics, notably the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.