Asia attractions

Omotesando—the elegant, tree-lined avenue between Shibuya and Minato wards—is Tokyo’s answer to the grand thoroughfares of Paris. And, just like the Champs-Élysées, Omotesando is lined with high-end shopping, with flagship stores from Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci and other luxury brands, as well as the Omotesando Hills shopping complex. Omotesando is conveniently close to other central Tokyo attractions, including the Harajuku neighborhood, Yoyogi Park, and the Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu).

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).

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.

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.

Ameyoko can be translated as “candy store alley,” but these days you’ll find much more than sweets at this shopping hub. Ameyoko Shopping Street is the place to go for fresh and dried seafood, clothes, accessories, and cosmetics. One of Tokyo’s most popular and vibrant shopping streets, Ameyoko is as great for a casual snack at stalls with streetside seating as it is for bargain hunting.

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.

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.

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.

Horseshoe-shaped Shifen Waterfall is one of the most famous falls in Taiwan. Torrents of water plunge into a deep pool and raise a shroud of mist that creates a rainbow effect on sunny days. With a width of more than 131 feet (40 meters), Taiwan’s Little Niagra isn't quite as big as Niagara Falls but its shape is similar.

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.

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).

Used as an observation base in the American-Vietnam war, Son Tra Mountain (Monkey Mountain) overlooks Son Tra Peninsula near the city of Da Nang. Midway up the 2,790-foot (850-meter) peak, you find Linh Ung Pagoda, home to the Lady Buddha statue. Expect to encounter troops of monkeys dwelling in its jungle-covered cliffs.

Jojakko-ji Temple is a small Buddhist temple in Kyoto’s popular Arashiyama District, west of the central city. Dating from the late-16th century, the temple is set on the side of Mt. Kokura and offers sweeping views across the city. While the Arashiyama district is very popular with tourists, this small temple is usually tranquil.

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.

With a long history dating back to 1063, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is the most important Shinto shrine in Kamakura, and the spiritual and cultural heart of the city. Dedicated to Hachiman, the patron saint of samurais, the complex contains several shrines and museums, and is a popular venue for festivals, weddings, and other events.

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.

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.

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 Longmen Grottoes (Longmen Shiku contain the largest and some of the most impressive examples of Chinese Buddhist art from the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the complex features more than 100,000 Buddhist statues, images, and rock carvings, 60 stupas, and 2,800 inscriptions.

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.

Located along the southern bank of the Singapore River, Boat Quay is a popular and lively waterfront dining and entertainment district. Formerly a busy commercial port area, today the historic shops and warehouses along the quay have been converted into restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs, popular with locals and tourists alike.

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.

Tianzifang, in the French Concession, is a hip, artsy area of Shanghai full of art galleries, design studios, stylish boutiques, and unique shops. Many bars, cafés, and restaurants here are housed in traditional Shikumen buildings or converted factory spaces. A place for meandering, it’s popular with expats, tourists, and local youth.

Located in Chengdu’s Qingyang district, the three parallel alleys of Kuan Zhai Alley (Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi) offer a lively mix of old and new, with renovated and restored buildings that date from the Qing dynasty. A popular shopping, dining, entertainment, and tourist destination, it’s also one of the city’s three historic conservation districts.

Located in Shanxi Province, the Yungang Grottoes (Yungang Shiku are an impressive example of Buddhist cave art. Dating back to the fifth and sixth centuries, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is made up of 252 caves and niches, holding more than 51,000 statues ranging in size from one inch (two centimeters to 89 feet (27 meters.

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.

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.

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.

The Changu Narayan Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and is thought to be the oldest temple in Nepal. Parts of it date back to the third century, but most of the structure and its decorations date from between the fourth and 18th centuries. It’s uncrowded, and a nice destination from Bhaktapur.

Located in the heart of Nara City, Nara Park (Nara Koen) is famous for the 1,300 semi-wild sika deer that have roamed its grounds for centuries. Spanning 1,360 acres (550 hectares), the scenic public park is also home to several popular attractions, including the Todai-ji Temple, home to the sacred Daibutu (Great Buddha), and the vermillion Kasugataisha Shrine, shrouded by a primeval forest of cedars and Chinese black pines.