Asia attractions

The glittering blue waters of Inle Lake lie at the heart of the Shan Highlands, surrounded by verdant hills. Myanmar’s second-largest lake is a popular destination for intrepid travelers, who come to cruise the lake, soak up the scenery, and experience local life in the lakeside fishing villages.

One of the highlights of Amber Palace, the Hall of Mirrors (Sheesh Mahal) is a beautiful room covered with mirror mosaics. Such halls are a typical feature in Rajasthani palaces and are designed to be particularly enchanting at night, when the reflection of candlelight creates a kaleidoscopic effect across the mosaic's surface.

When volcanic activity permits—an evacuation zone has been in place since 2017—the sacred volcano Agung offers one of Bali’s most challenging and exciting hikes. Towering 9,444 feet (2,878 meters) above northeast Bali, it’s typically climbed in one long and tiring day, either from Pura Pasar Agung or from the Mother Temple of Besakih.

Spread across 240 acres (97 hectares) full of plants and flowers, not to mention dozens of types of birds, the sprawling Lalbagh Botanical Gardens is one of Bangalore's best green spaces and a big part of how the city got its nickname: the Garden City. It's as popular with locals and tourists alike and is a great place for a morning jog.

Built in the Indo-Saracenic style, which merges South Asian, Gothic, and Mughal architectural elements, the Ashan Manzil (Pink Palace) is one of Dhaka's most standout buildings. This 19th-century structure is fabulous to view from the outside, but it's worth heading inside to check out the royal ephemera showcased in some of its 23 rooms.

The Mini Malaysia & ASEAN Cultural Park offers replicas of Malaysian homes from across the country’s 13 states (as well as other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region). Art and architecture enthusiasts will especially enjoy this park, and it provides a fun, educational outing for families.

Jakarta Chinatown, better known to locals as Glodok, was born after the massacre of 5,000 Chinese in 1740, when the remaining population were moved to a separate settlement outside the city walls. Today it’s a bustling hub where Chinese eateries, temples, street markets, and medicine shops nudge up against electronics stores.

Wat Suan Dok’s brilliant golden spire has stretched high into the skyline of the Northern Thailand city of Chiang Mai since the 14th century. The name roughly translates to "field of flowers," as the temple stands on a site that was once the garden of a ruling monarch just west of the Old City walls.

Busan’s proximity to the sea is one of its charms, and Haeundae Beach is perhaps the most famous beach in South Korea. Nearly a mile long (1.5 kilometers), this stretch of coastline is lined with some of Busan’s top international hotels, as well as an assortment of restaurants, shops, and the Sea Life Busan Aquarium.

Just a stone’s throw away from mysterious royal tombs, a world-famous observatory, and a lotus-filled palace complex, the Gyeongju National Museum is the perfect starting point for any Gyeongju visit. Its treasure trove of artifacts brings thousands of years of Korean history to life and adds illuminating context to a city visit.

A couple of miles (3.5 kilometers) from the UNESCO World Heritage–listed temple of Borobudur, the charming Mendut Temple (Candi Mendut) features an attached working Buddhist monastery. Built in the early 9th century, the temple and the village that houses it are the starting point for the annual Waisak (Buddha day) celebrations.

One of several pink beaches in Komodo National Park, Pink Beach (Pantai Merah Muda) is a sandy cove on Komodo Island that’s probably the isle’s top attraction after the dragons. While edited photos often overplay its color, the beach does have a rosy tint, particularly at the shoreline, courtesy of tiny fragments of scarlet marine organisms that mingle with the pale sands.

Stalls burst with colorful cloth, souvenirs, gems, wooden carvings, and other wares at Bogyoke Aung San Market. Built in the waning years of British rule, the market’s cobblestone alleys and historic façade draw a lively mix of visitors and locals. A food court offers a colorful feast, from spicy noodles to ultra-fresh salads.

The Vidhana Soudha houses the legislature of the state of Karnataka and is the biggest legislative building in India. This imposing building is made of granite in a neo-Dravidian style with a few Indo-Saracenic architectural elements thrown in, such as its golden dome.

In the early 14th century, Japanese Emperor Hanazono abdicated to become a monk, turning his palace into what is now the Myoshin-ji Temple. This large complex houses a main temple and 50 sub-temples. Nearly all of the buildings were destroyed in a war in the 15th century and rebuilt over the next 150 years. The reconstructions stand today.

Garlanded in an angular metal framework that mimics the double helix shape of DNA, Singapore’s pedestrian Helix Bridge spans Marina Bay, linking the Bayfront and Esplanade areas. The letters A, C, G, and T, which represent the four basic building blocks of DNA, are set into the bridge, while viewing platforms offer photo opportunities.

This street that once served as Taipei’s major commercial center during the late Qing Dynasty still caters to more traditional tastes, giving visitors a glimpse at what the city was like in decades past. The market stalls and Chinese medicine shops sell a variety of teas, herbs, dried mushrooms, sweets, and other dried goods.

The ornate, covered Thanh Toan Bridge—Cau Ngoi to locals—humbly crosses a canal in Thuy Thanh, a rural village about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Hue. If you love Hoi An’s famous Japanese covered bridge, you’ll love Thanh Toan: Built in the 18th century in both Japanese and Chinese styles, it’s got all of the pomp and circumstance of Hoi An’s, but without the crowds.

With its golden sands and clear water, Nang Yuan Island (Koh Nang Yuan) is the poster child of southern Thailand. Hike the rocky, forested landscape; swim and snorkel in crystalline water; or just relax in relative quiet. Nang Yuan sees only a fraction of the crowds that flock to its neighbors.

Shiraito Falls (Shiraito no Taki) is located in Japan's Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in Shizuoka Prefecture. Shiraito Falls translates to "White Thread Falls" because the wide cascade makes the falling water look like many hanging threads of white silk. The site, which stretches nearly 500 feet (150 meters) across and 65 feet (20 meters) high, is officially a Natural Treasure of Japan.

The 197-foot-tall (60-meter) Hong Kong Observation Wheel, or Hong Kong Ferris Wheel, is the city’s answer to the London Eye and the Singapore Flyer. Located prominently at the Central Harbourfront, the wheel offers passengers sweeping views of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Victoria Harbour, and surrounding areas—day and night.

The rolling steppes of Hustai National Park (Khustain National Park) are home to the takhi (Przewalski wild horse), the only truly wild horse population left on the planet. In addition to wildlife, which includes more than 50 species of mammals and more than 220 varieties of birds, the park is known for a number of ancient ruins and monuments, including Neolithic graves.

The quaint Aberdeen fishing village is famous for its picturesque harbor, where local Tanka boat people live on houseboats, junks, and sampans lashed together in messy rows bobbing in the shadow of modern skyscrapers. Situated between Hong Kong Island and smaller Ap Lei Chau, Aberdeen Harbour is home to one of Hong Kong’s most famous seafood restaurants (and among the largest floating restaurants in the world), Jumbo Kingdom.

Topped by two gleaming golden domes, Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan) is Singapore's oldest—and arguably most aesthetically pleasing—mosque. Located in the historic district of Kampong Glam, the mosque was declared a national monument in 1975 and has since been a focal point of the Muslim community in Singapore—it can more than 5,000 worshippers at once.

Encrusted with diamonds and other precious stones, Chaukhtatgyi Paya’s (Chauk Htat Gyi Buddha massive reclining Buddha is an awe-inspiring sight. A viewing platform gives visitors a good look at elegant detailing on the Buddha statue’s feet, which contain 108 segments—a sacred number that’s deeply significant for Myanmar’s Buddhists.

Dating back to the early 20th century, Dam Market (Cho Dam is Nha Trang’s largest market and a hub for local life. Across three stories, eclectic stalls sell meat, fish, and souvenirs, while Vietnamese vendors create a lively atmosphere that lasts from the early morning until the evening.

When Sapporo residents want to relax, play, or soak up nature, they head for Maruyama Park (Maruyama Koen). On the western side of the city, the park’s sprawling grounds include the Maruyama Wild Forest, a designated natural treasure, and several attractions including the Hokkaido Shrine, the Maruyama Zoo, and the Maruyama Baseball Stadium.

Located in Mongkok, Flower Market Road is one of the most colorful and fragrant roads in the city. At the Hong Kong Flower Market, located here, you’ll find everything from delicate orchids and bonsai trees to succulents, exotic plants, and fresh-cut flowers, as well as seeds, containers, accessories, and gardening and floral supplies.

The 35-acre (14-hectare) UN Memorial Cemetery is one of Busan’s most peaceful spots. Established in 1951, the quiet park and cemetery honors a total of 2,300 United Nations soldiers representing 16 countries who were killed during the Korean War. Manicured hedges and flower bushes add to the beautiful and somber sight.

Dating back nearly 2,000 years, the Wuhou Memorial Temple (Temple of Marquis Wu) in a southern suburb of Chengdu is steeped in history and lore. The site is meant to honor Liu Bei, emperor of the Shu Kingdom, as well as his much revered military strategist Zhuge Liang (later Marquis Wu)—two immensely popular figures in Chinese history.