Asia attractions

Singapore’s premier retail street, Orchard Road is a one-stop destination for everything from giant shopping malls, upmarket hotels and fine-dining establishments to basement food halls and entertainment complexes. There’s something for everyone in the famous district, which is named after the nutmeg plantations that once occupied the area during the 19th century.

Completed in 2008, and stretching across the mouth of Marina Channel in central Singapore, Marina Barrage created the 15th reservoir in the island nation and its largest catchment. Besides providing a water source, it also acts as flood control in low-lying areas and is a popular leisure and recreation area.

Built in the 12th century under the rule of King Ballal Sen, Dhakeshwari Temple is the city's best-known Hindu temple and is considered the country’s “national temple.” It houses an idol of the goddess Dhakeshwari, a form of the goddess Durga and Dhaka’s main Hindu deity.

Kehen Temple, or Pura Kehen, is the state temple of the Balinese kingdom of Bangli. It is said to be a miniature version of Bali’s most significant temple, Pura Besakih, nearby. Like Besakih, it is built on an incline, is reached by stairs, and boasts thatched tiered shrines. Kehen Temple dates back at least to the 13th century.

Jiankou is the adventurer's Great Wall of China—an unrestored section with crumbling masonwork snaking along a wild mountain ridge 43 miles (70 kilometers) northeast of Beijing. Built during the Tang Dynasty, the wall is dotted with interesting features, including the Nine-Eye Tower, which offers views of China's capital city on a clear day.

Believed to be the oldest burial ground in the country, the Dutch Cemetery in Kochi dates back to the beginning of the 18th century. It houses the tombs of Dutch soldiers and traders who left their homeland in order to expand their country’s colonial empire—and as a result changed the entire course of history in India.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a former royal duck-hunting spot that today hosts some 350-odd of species of migratory birds throughout the year. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is lush and expansive; depending on when you visit, you may spot everything from pelicans to osprey to elusive Siberian cranes.

Opened in 1868, in a grand building on Merdeka Square, Indonesia’s National Museum is one of Jakarta’s most fascinating attractions. A rich collection spanning hundreds of thousands of years covers everything from early hominids to the archipelago’s spectacular range of textiles, along with gold, statuary, and architectural models.

Among the most important religious sites in Japan, the renowned Zenkoji Temple houses one of the first Buddhist statues brought to the country after the introduction of the religion in the 6th century. For hundreds of years, the city of Nagano developed around the temple, which shows a replica of the statue to the public every six years.

Built in 1969, the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine is dedicated to the 390,000 soldiers who died in the Chinese Civil War. Today, the striking landmark is popular for its hourly Changing of the Guard ceremony. Located on the slopes of Mt. Chingshan on the Keelung River, the shrine was inspired by the Forbidden City’s Hall of Supreme Harmony in Beijing.

The British East India Company constructed Fort St. George (their first fortress in India) in 1640. The 20-foot (6-meter) thick outer walls surround a complex of white colonial structures, known historically as ‘White City,’ including St Mary’s, the oldest Anglican church in Asia.

The sounds of prayers and chanting Buddhist monks fills 15th-century Wat Ounalom, a religious complex near Phnom Penh’s Tonle Sap River. It’s considered the center of Cambodian Buddhism, but the temple’s not just for religious pilgrims. Here, visitors can find beautiful images of the Buddha, explore historic architecture, and more.

Considered China’s first bank, the 19th-century Rishengchang Exchange sits at the heart of UNESCO World Heritage–listed Pingyao, a city that was once one of China’s financial centers. The low-rise courtyard complex is now a museum, with more than 20 rooms devoted to banking history. The vaults contain safes where gold and silver were stored.

An essential stop for history buffs, Fort Cornwallis is an 18th-century fortress that played a significant role in the history of Penang. The structure, one of the largest standing forts in Malaysia, was built to defend Penang against pirate attacks and is still, to this day, guarded by vigilant cannons.

The sprawling 88-acre (36-hectare) Sunway Lagoon ranks among Southeast Asia’s biggest theme parks and boasts rides, water slides, a man-made beach, a wildlife park, and Malaysia’s first surf simulator. It’s one of Kuala Lumpur’s top family attractions, offering activities that will suit kids of all ages.

Located at a bend in the Nakdong River, Andong Hahoe Folk Village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by pine forests, sandy beaches, and dramatic cliffs and offers a glimpse of bygone Korea. Wander the village to learn about South Korean architecture and traditions that date back to the 10th century.

At 984 feet (300 meters) tall, Abeno Harukas (Osaka Harukas) takes the coveted superlative of Japan's highest skyscraper, narrowly rising above the former title holder, the Yokohama Landmark Tower. Part of the sprawling Abenobashi Terminal Building, it stands atop the Kintetsu Osaka Abenobashi Station and houses a department store, art museum, five-star hotel, and observation deck.

This 16th-century landmark in Melaka (Malacca)—believed to be the oldest Dutch building in Asia—was modeled after the Hoorn city hall in the Netherlands. It once served as the Melaka town hall and residence of the Dutch governor, and today houses several small museums, including the Museum of History and Ethnography.

Stretching south from Tiananmen Square, along Beijing’s central axis, Qianmen Street was once the main commercial street of the city, with a history dating back more than 600 years. Renovated in 2007, today it’s a bustling pedestrian street, filled with shops, stalls, and restaurants housed in recreated late Qing Dynasty-era buildings.

Part of the Walkeshwar Temple Complex in Mumbai, Banganga Tank collects water from a freshwater spring. The earliest mention of this water source is in the Ramayana, a sacred Hindu text: legend has it that the spring was created when Rama asked his brother Lakshman for water and Lakshman shot an arrow into the ground, causing water to flow.

The Mong Kok district in Kowloon is one of the busiest and most densely populated areas in the world. Known for its lively street markets, massive shopping malls, a seemingly endless array of food options, as well as billboards, neon, and people everywhere, it’s also a great place to experience local Hong Kong culture.

The Tomb of the Nanyue King Wen is a modern museum that houses the royal tomb of the Nanyue ruler Zhao Mo—aka Emperor Wen. He was buried in a spectacular jade suit, with 15 human sacrifices to serve him in death. Besides admiring objects from his empire, you can even enter his actual tomb. This is one of two Nanyue kingdom sites in Guangzhou: The second is the Archaeological Site Museum of Nanyue Palace.

Opened in 2007, this modern, interactive museum showcases Khmer civilization and the Angkor era. Eight different galleries put the period in context with artifacts gathered from sites including Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. Topics covered include religion and belief, the great Khmer kings, the pre-Angkor period, and ancient costume.

Among the oldest temples in Siem Reap, Wat Bo is a compact Buddhist temple best known for its beautifully preserved paintings. Dating to the 19th century, these images depict scenes from the Hindu epic the Ramayana, known in Cambodia as the Reamker.

Nowhere sums up Nha Trang’s coastal allure like Nha Trang Beach, a golden stretch home to swaying palm trees and turquoise waters. Depending on the vibe you’re after, the beach offers lively bars or uninterrupted swathes of sand; its also backed by a promenade that comes to life at night.

Silver Waterfall—known locally as Thac Bac—is one of Vietnam’s most beautiful waterfalls and is located just 9 miles (15 kilometers) from the resort town of Sapa. Thac Bac falls some 650 feet (200 meters) off the side of the Hoang Lien Mountains, steps from the country’s epic Tram Ton Pass. If you can, experience this spot via motorbike, letting the misty air and panoramic views awaken your senses.

One of Vietnam’s most important pilgrimage sites, the Perfume Pagoda is a vast complex of Buddhist temples, grottos, and shrines dotted around Huong Tich Mountain. The shrines lie amid a flooded valley of towering karst cliffs and lotus fields—a stunning backdrop that makes for some incredible photo opportunities.

Sadarghat is Dhaka’s port on the River Buriganga and one of the busiest river ports in the world. Hundreds of small and large vessels use the port daily, and tens of thousands of people pass through. Here, travelers can experience local Bangladeshi life in all its glory. Sadarghat is busy, chaotic, noisy, and very colorful.

The Missionaries of Charity (MOC) Mother House in Kolkata is a mission center founded by Mother Teresa in 1950. It was from here that the now canonized Catholic nun began administering to the city’s poor and sick, and it now serves as a residence for the charity’s nuns and as her burial place.

Indonesia is home to more than 1,600 species of exotic birds, and many find their home at the Bali Bird Park. Ubud's top wildlife attraction hosts eight separate exhibits showcasing 250+ bird species from Papua, Sumatra, Bali, Java, Borneo, and beyond. Don't miss the bird-feeding sessions and free flight shows.