Banpo Village, a well-preserved archaeological site in the Yellow River Valley, dates back more than 6,000 years. Thought to be one of the oldest human settlements in China, this Neolithic village once comprised a defensive moat and about 45 circular mud-and-wood thatched houses—predecessors of later Chinese architecture.
A complex of stone temples are all that remain of the eighth-century Pallava dynasty that once thrived at Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), on the coast south of Chennai. Learn the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit the charming town, and relax on a sandy stretch of shore—all accessible on a day trip from Chennai.
Nature meets ancient architecture at Kbal Spean, whose phallic symbols and religious imagery are etched straight into a stone riverbank. The site is in Phnom Kulen National Park, where visitors can spot carvings while hiking a riverside trail. With fewer crowds than the main Angkor Temples, here’s the chance to channel your inner explorer.
Extending from Kowloon’s colonial Clock Tower to Hung Hom, Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade is among the best places in the city to take in the spectacular Hong Kong Island skyline across Victoria Harbour, as well as the nightly Symphony of Lights. Popular attractions including the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong Space Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Art, and Hong Kong Cultural Centre all lie within easy walking distance of this waterfront boardwalk.
Churchgate is a pedestrian-friendly, seaside neighborhood in South Mumbai. It occupies a narrow patch of land that stretches from just north of Nariman Point to just south of the Marine Lines commuter railway station. It's best-known for its art deco and neo-Gothic architecture, and visitors enjoy its ample dining opportunities.
Jaipur is one of the best places in India to shop for handicrafts items, and some of the optimal places to pick up great bargains are located right in the heart of the Pink City. Bapu Bazaar offers a particularly good selection, with everything from jewelry to traditional Rajasthani textiles displayed colorfully in this lively market street.
Located in Thailand’s Kanchanaburi Province, Erawan National Park is one of the most famous natural areas in the country. Known for its impressive seven-tiered waterfall and abundance of native flora and fauna, the park is a popular weekend spot for locals from Bangkok and Kanchanaburi as well as for international visitors.
Experience the magic at Shanghai Disneyland, the first Disney park in Mainland China. Enjoy thrilling rides, shows, and attractions; shop and dine; and pose with your favorite characters in six different themed areas: Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Adventure Isle, Treasure Cove, and Tomorrowland.
The energetic Asiatique The Riverfront—part open-air night bazaar, part shopping mall—combines the city’s old traditions and modern commercial energy. Located at the former East Asiatic Company trade docks, the complex contains more than 1,500 shops and boutiques, about 40 restaurants, and several entertainment venues.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the caves of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park nestle beneath some of Asia's most spectacular karst rock formations. While some of the caves—such as Hang Son Doong, the world’s largest cave—are only available on expensive multi-day tours, others, such as Phong Nha, are easy to visit on a day trip.
A 10th-century Hindu temple, Prasat Kravan bucks the Angkor trend: It’s built from brick, not stone. The five brick towers may seem unimpressive from the outside, but it’s the carvings within that are the draw. Brick bas-reliefs here include Vishnu riding his sacred bird, Garuda, and Lakshmi, his wife, holding lotus flowers.
At 10,167 feet (3,099 meters), Mt. Emei is the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. The UNESCO World Heritage Site includes over 70 temples, monasteries, and attractions, culminating in the Golden Summit, where visitors can take in the giant Puxian Buddha and stunning mountain views.
Kek Lok Si Temple, which translates from Hokkien as the the Temple of Serene Bliss, stands majestically on the slopes of Air Itam, a hill on Penang Island. The largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, Kek Lok Si attracts thousands of visitors with its 7-story white-and-gold pagoda, golden statues, and an elevated setting that provides panoramic views.
The Malacca River (Sungai Melaka) cuts across the city of the same name, now most commonly spelled Melaka, and is also known as the Melaka River. In recent years, the river has been revitalized into a top destination, with both Malaysians and international visitors coming to soak in its history and marvel at the diverse architecture from the city’s Portuguese, Dutch, and British heritage.
Home to the iconic “I LOVE KL” sign and a 2,000-square-foot (185-square-meter model of Kuala Lumpur, the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery sits on Merdeka Square. Part city museum, part tourist information office, it’s home to a café, a gift shop, and exhibits about KL city history, but for many, the heritage building is a big part of the charm.
The Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata is a symbol of both the city and of the entire British Raj. A tribute to Queen Victoria by the viceroy of India, the giant, white-marble building was erected over a 15-year period, starting in 1906. Today it houses a museum covering the history of the Raj and is surrounded by English-style gardens.
Hidden in a maze of alleyways in Georgetown sits Khoo Kongsi (Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan House & Museum), one of Malaysia’s most important clan houses. The legacy of the house dates back more than 650 years to the Khoo Kongsi clan from west China and manifests itself in intricate carvings, murals, and timberwork.
A 10-minute boat ride from Hoi An, the village of Kim Bong—a traditional carpentry village on Cam Kim island—has been churning out artisan works since the 15th century. After taking the ferry across, you can ride bikes across the pastoral landscapes of the island, visit local shops, and witness woodwork being carved before your eyes.
Universal Studios Japan™ is second only to the Tokyo Disney Resort® as Japan’s most visited amusement park. Highlights include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, home to the epic Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, which was voted the world’s number one ride for five consecutive years, and Super Nintendo World™, where iconic game characters such as Mario and Donkey Kong come to life.
At this park, you can pedal a 2- or 4-seater rail bike along a former double-tracked railway line to view the lush scenery of Nami Island, which is an easy day trip from Seoul. The 5-mile (8.5-kilometer) route is not strenuous, and features themed tunnels, rest stops, and a ride on a vintage-style train at the end.
Reaching a neck-pinching height of 1,109 feet (338 meters), Macau Tower dominates Macau’s skyline and offers sweeping views of the peninsula for over one million visitors per year. Visitors without a fear of heights can rapidly ascend the high-speed, glass-fronted elevator to the tower observation decks on the 58th and 61st floors.
In Tokyo’s Asakusa district, Nakamise Street is the neighborhood’s most famous shopping area, lined with shops and stalls offering souvenirs, clothing, sweets, and street food. The pedestrianized street is part of the ancient Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa Temple) complex and boasts the title of one of Japan’s oldest shopping streets. Must-try treats include imo yokan confectionery made from sweet potato paste.
The underground, mostly glass design of Hakone’s Pola Museum of Art was meant to blend into the surrounding national park landscape. It’s as much of a natural and architectural attraction as an artistic one. The museum houses around 10,000 items—including Western, Japanese, and East Asian art and artifacts—so it’s a fixture on Hakone’s impressive art circuit.
While the Juyongguan segment of the Great Wall of China is the closest to Beijing, it's not the most visited; after all, the steps here are still steep and often uneven. Those who make the tough climb up are rewarded with stellar views of the wall winding along the hilltops and—perhaps more importantly—sparser crowds. The Juyongguan Great Wall (Great Wall at Juyong Pass), built during the Ming Dynasty, also features some interesting architectural elements (beyond the wall itself). Most notable is the Cloud Platform (Yun Tai), a squat white marble tower built in 1342 as a base for three stupas (and later a temple) that were subsequently destroyed. Visitors can still see carvings and inscriptions inside the platform's tunnel.
Tumbling through the jungle about 18 miles (29 kilometers) from Luang Prabang, the Kuang Si Falls (Tat Kuang Si) are among the area’s most attractive waterfalls, combining a dramatic drop and pools. In addition to swimming in the cool water, swinging on ropes, and enjoying snacks from on-site eateries, you can visit a bear-rescue sanctuary and a butterfly park.
Wat Suthat is one of the most important temples in Bangkok. It is famous for the large red swing structure just outside, but the interior is perhaps even more impressive, with frescoes depicting scenes from the Buddha’s life, and a 13th-century bronze Buddha statue. Wat Suthat is conveniently near other must-see attractions in Bangkok.
Impression Sanjie Liu is a unique outdoor night show directed by renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou and staged at the Li River in Yangshuo. In the world’s largest natural theater, Yimou uses the river as a stage and the mist-shrouded karsts as a backdrop for a spectacle of light, sound, and intricate choreography.
Often overlooked by visitors exploring Angkor Archaeological Park, Bakong is a 5-tier temple with its own unique charm. One of the earliest temples in the region, Bakong was built within a strict geometric matrix, a style recognizable in the later Angkor Wat. The temple grounds, home to multiple freestanding satellite temples, provide a welcome break from the crowds of nearby Angkor Wat.
Travelers to Korean Folk Village can explore 250 acres of natural landscape, dotted with 260 replica houses from the Joseon Dynasty. Learn about traditional foods, handicrafts, and clothing while visiting the workshops and open-air attractions; take in a live performance; or treat the kids to the rides and craft workshops in Play Village.
At the Pattaya Floating Market, traditional thatched huts perched on stilts over the water house vendors selling handicrafts, Thai street food, and souvenirs from around the country. The market’s four areas represent the culture and architecture of Thailand’s four main regions: north, northeast, central, and south.
