Asia attractions

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.

Gyeongbokgung Palace (also known as the Northern Palace) is one of South Korea’s must-visit attractions. Of the five main palaces in Seoul, it’s the biggest and most beautiful—and its 1395 construction date also makes it the country’s oldest Joseon dynasty palace. Highlights include the grand Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, supported by 48 stone pillars and used for ceremonies, and the on-site National Folk Museum of Korea, which features roughly 10,000 artifacts.

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.

Set in Vietnam’s Red River Delta, Ninh Bihn boasts a fertile inland landscape, where karst cliffs rise from the water against green hills and lush rice paddies. While some liken it to Ha Long Bay, Ninh Bihn feels more authentic—you’ll see more wooden sampan boats here than large tourist vessels. It’s also a varied area with highlights covering the UNESCO–listed riverways of Trang An, Cuc Phuong National Park, and the ancient capital of Hoa Lu.

A starring role in the 1974 James Bond movie The Man With the Golden Gun put the towering limestone islands of Ko Khao Phing Kan and the 66-foot-tall (20-meter) islet Ko Tapu on the map. The formations are part of Phang Nga Bay, famous for its turquoise colored water and karst features that rise dramatically from the Andaman Sea, creating an image you’ll see on many Thailand postcards.

In the heart of Bangkok, the glittering Grand Palace is one of the most popular attractions in the Thai capital. Built in 1782, the sprawling complex served as the royal court and official residence of the kings of Thailand for almost 150 years. Today, while it continues to host royal Thai functions, the palace impresses visitors with its intricate golden-spired architecture and cultural history, particularly the majestic Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew).

Gion Corner is a convenient place for art lovers to visit while in Kyoto, as it brings seven traditional Japanese performing arts together under one roof. Attending one of its nightly performances is an ideal way to spend an evening in the heart of the Gion entertainment district while learning about traditional Japanese culture.

Home to the Emperor of Japan, the Tokyo Imperial Palace occupies the site of the original Edo Castle (Edo-jō), the Tokugawa shogunate’s castle, which was once the largest fortress in Japan. Located in the center of Tokyo, the palace is surrounded by moats and serene gardens.

Located in central Tokyo, Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) offers a peaceful retreat from the city’s fast pace. Dating back to the 1920s, it honors Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and is one of Tokyo’s most important Shinto shrines. Visitors come to stroll the forested paths, pass under the giant torii gate, explore the shrine buildings, view murals, and purchase charms or write wishes on wooden plaques.

A treasured spiritual site in Kyoto, the 8th-century Fushimi Inari Shrine (Fushimi Inari Taisha), is dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice and prosperity. The shrine’s five magnificent temples lie at the foot of the Inari mountain, and thousands of vivid red torii gates (known as Senbon Torii) mark the forested trails to the top. The seemingly endless path of gates has become an Instagram favorite, so be prepared for plenty of people trying to get the perfect snap.

Located near Mt. Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi is the most easily accessible and developed of the Fuji Five Lakes. A popular day trip from Tokyo, Lake Kawaguchi offers plenty of natural beauty, access to Mt. Fuji and a variety of outdoor activities, as well as proximity to hot springs, museums, and other tourist attractions and amenities.

Designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, New Delhi’s Parliament House (Sansad Bhavan) is a striking sandstone building and home to both houses of the Parliament of India—the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. This round, colonnaded building was inspired by ancient Indian architecture and cultural symbols. Many people just pass by while exploring the parliamentary area of New Delhi, but you can go inside.

Remote Lan Ha Bay (Vịnh Lan Hạ), situated off the southeast coast of Cat Ba Island, is an idyllic spot and quieter alternative to the popular and often busy Halong Bay. The area features some 300 karst islands and limestone outcrops, as well as several white-sand beaches. Active travelers come here for swimming, rock climbing, hiking, and kayaking.

Along the central Tokyo waterfront, Hama Rikyu is a spacious garden with an island teahouse, seawater ponds that rise and fall with the tides, and traditional Japanese landscaping that contrasts with the ultra-modern skyscrapers and neon signs that crowd the park’s perimeter. It’s a welcome green space in this busy city, and a must-visit for anyone interested in Japanese gardening and design.

The stunning Tegalalang Rice Terrace, part of the Cultural Landscape of Bali Province UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprises cascading emerald-green fields worked by local rice farmers. Just outside Ubud, it has become a destination for travelers making their way between Bali’s sandy beaches, towering mountains, and steaming volcanoes.

In 1750, the grand Summer Palace was commissioned by Emperor Qianlong as a lavish lakeside retreat from the heat of Beijing. With pavilions, walkways, gardens, and bridges, the UNESCO World Heritage site on Kunming Lake served as the seat of government for Empress Dowager Cixi during the last years of her life.

No trip to Beijing would be complete without a visit to the Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Winding along the mountain ridges north of the capital city, the Great Wall of China stands as one of the world’s most famous wonders, largest historical sights, and greatest feats of engineering, showcasing the genius of the Ming Dynasty.

A half-moon-shaped island, situated southwest of Chuncheon, Nami Island (Namiseom) served as a filming location for the popular Korean TV drama Winter Sonata. It offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of Seoul with facilities for biking, ziplining, camping, and boating; other highlights include the Garden of Morning Calm and Petite France. The island's redwoods, ginkgos, and pines provide habitat for roaming deer and waterfowl, imbuing the space with a fairy-tale quality.

Rising from the jungle outside Siem Reap as the star of the Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Angkor Wat temple complex is a 12th-century engineering marvel. Amid the sweeping moats and dark but dreamy spires, look out for intricate carvings of nymphs dancing on columns in shadowy hallways, serpent-topped balustrades, and huge, chiseled bas-reliefs depicting Khmer Empire battles and scenes from Hindu epics.

The twin 88-story steel and glass buildings known as the Petronas Twin Towers (Petronas Towers), completed in 1996, are icons of Malaysia. Designed to symbolize courage and the country’s advancement, the towers are connected by a double-decker Skybridge between the 41st and 42nd floor—the world’s tallest two-story bridge of its kind—forming the shape of an “M” for Malaysia.

The UNESCO World Heritage–listed Qutub Minar is a red brick minaret built in 1193 by Muslim conquerors of Delhi. At 240 feet (73 meters) high, it’s an impressive engineering feat and one of Delhi’s most visited tourist attractions. Although the minaret’s origins are known, it’s unclear whether it was built as a victory tower or as a place for an Islamic muezzin to make the call to prayer.

One of the oldest, largest, and most revered temple complexes in Bangkok, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) is a must-see for all visitors to the Thai capital. The central attraction of the temple complex is its namesake statue—the gold leaf–covered reclining Buddha—but don't let it distract you from the site's other treasures, including its 95 pagodas, carved narrative panels, and opulent main altar.

The Old Quarter, a triangular area surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake, has been the cultural heart of Hanoi for nearly 2,000 years. Daily routine starts early and builds to a friendly bustle in this ancient neighborhood, where streets have distinct character and are named after the crafts once made there, such as silver, silk, and paper.

Situated just outside Kuta on Bali's southwestern tip is Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu), one of Bali's most sacred sea temples. Perched atop towering seaside cliffs, Ganesha statues welcome visitors who've come to enjoy spectacular views, observe wild monkeys, or watch a traditional Balinese dance at sunset. But the clifftop temple isn't Uluwatu's only appeal—Padang Padang Beach and Jimbaran Beach attract surfers year-round with their consistent waves.

One of Da Nang’s top attractions, the five outcrops that make up central Vietnam’s Marble Mountains (Ngũ Hành Sơn) each are named after a different element: fire, wood, metal, water and earth. Visit the mountains to take in views of the landscape, to explore caves, Buddhist and Hindu grottoes, pagodas, and shrines, and even to shop.

Palace of Wind (Hawa Mahal) is easily one of Jaipur’s most iconic attractions. This stunning red and pink sandstone structure in the heart of the Pink City features rows of carved screens and more than 900 lattice-worked windows that allow in just the right amount of breeze to keep the 5-story complex cool.

Bali may be known for surfing and snorkeling, but the interior has its own appeal. Mt. Batur (Gunung Batur), rising 5,614 feet (1,711 meters) above sea level in the highlands of Kintamani, is an active volcano that’s Bali’s standout sunrise climb. Whether you visit at dawn or less-crowded times of day, expect views of Bali’s Mt. Agung and perhaps even Lombok’s Mt. Rinjani.

Bali’s most popular sacred spring, Tirta Empul Temple dates back more than 1,000 years. Travelers from around the globe flock to its holy waters to bathe beside Balinese pilgrims; accept blessings from healers, priests, and shamans; or simply soak up the atmosphere. The temple is northeast of Ubud in Tampaksiring, not far from Gunung Kawi.

With its gleaming gold tiers reflected in the lake below and a backdrop of forests and twisted pines, Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) is an enchanting sight. Dating back to the 14th century, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Kyoto’s most popular attractions and among Japan’s most visited temples.

Built by the Yongle Emperor, the Ming Dynasty builder of the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan or Tian Tan) was a stage for important rituals performed by the emperor, or Son of Heaven. Chief among these were supplication to the heavens for a good harvest and the winter solstice ceremony, meant to ensure a favorable new year.