Asia attractions

Constructed in the 11th century under the auspices of Bhimdev I of the Solanki Dynasty, this monumental temple honors Surya, the deity manifestation of the sun. Many sections of the temple, and quite a few of its original carvings and statuary, remain in beautiful condition, a full millennium later.

At the southernmost tip of Mumbai, Colaba is a charming old neighborhood filled with colonial-era buildings, busy cafés, vibrant markets, and hotels for all budgets. It's one of the best parts of town to go for a stroll, and the craft stalls that line the main road ensure that most travelers won't leave empty-handed.

Built in 1864, Eden Gardens is the oldest cricket ground in India and one of the largest in India and in the world, with a seating capacity of 68,000. Cricket is very popular in India, so watching a match or taking a tour of Eden Gardens is a good way to get an insight into sports and popular culture in this country.

As one of the most glamorous cabaret shows in southern Thailand, the Simon Cabaret is a must for fans of glitz and drama. Shows are a flamboyant combination of costumed transgender performers, traditional Thai dance and music, and comedy routines. After the show, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the stars and take photos.

Located in the heart of Denpasar, the Bali Museum (Museum Negeri Propinsi Bali) houses the island’s biggest and best collection of historic and cultural artifacts. Dark and hard to navigate, it’s home to precious textiles, ancient relics, dance costumes, masks, and everyday and ceremonial objects from across the island.

Formerly a convent school, this century-old catholic monument now serves as a commercialized hub that combines history with modern amenities such as shops, fine-dining restaurants, and an entertainment center.

The biggest lagoon in all of Southeast Asia, Tam Giang stretches for some 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of Hue, Vietnam. Framed by mountains to the west and the lapping South China Sea to the east, it’s one of the richest sources of flora and fauna in the region. In other words, come here for great views, great nature, and, course, great seafood.

With its secluded forest location and elaborate network of tunnels, Tunnel Temple (Wat Umong) is unique among Chiang Mai temples. The 15-acre (6-hectare) temple complex is home to saffron-robed monks, as well as free-roaming deer and ponds full of fish and turtles. Signs painted with words of wisdom hang from the ‘talking trees.’

Reigning supreme from the center of Penang Island, Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera Pulau Pinang) offers travelers much more than panoramic views. Ride up in a century-old funicular, or take a hike, keeping an eye out for grey macaques and elusive dusky leaf monkeys. At the top, you’ll find a Hindu temple, an owl museum, and even an earthquake and typhoon pavilion.

Shinjuku is where neon-bright dreams of futuristic Tokyo come to vivid life. Centered around the busiest railway station in the world, the always-buzzing neighborhood is crammed with tall skyscrapers, hidden bars, restaurants to satisfy any palate, and a host of department stores. Whatever you're seeking in Tokyo, you'll likely find it in Shinjuku.

The lazy Yulong River winds through the heart of Baisha Ancient Town, a village dating back over 1,000 years set amid the spectacular karst landscape of the Guilin and Yangshuo area. In addition to occupying one of the most scenic points on the Yulong River, the town is known for its kumquats, exported throughout China.

Set in the village of Jingsheng, not far from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pingyao, the Wang Family Courtyard is one of China’s largest non-royal historic residences. The sprawling complex, built by the Wang family in the 17th to 19th centuries, spans more than 60 acres (25 hectares), with ancestral halls, a temple, castles, a museum, and courtyard homes.

Take a step back in time at Daxu Old Town, one of the four ancient towns of Guangxi Province. Located on the eastern banks of the Li River, southeast of Guilin, the town is known for its cultural sights, historic architecture, and traditional artisan shops.

Surrounded by soaring rice terraces, Sin Chai Village offers almost everything travelers to Sapa are seeking. Water buffalo roam in reflecting rice paddies; women in vibrant headdresses and silver jewelry weave textiles; and homestays let you experience traditional Hmong lifestyles as you eat and sleep in authentic wooden homes.

Located at the southern tip of Taiwan on the Hengchun Peninsula, Kenting National Park is home to some of the country’s loveliest white sand beaches. It’s also a popular destination for divers, thanks to its coral reefs and marine life, and hikers, who frequent its scenic mountains. Kenting Town is a primary jumping-off point for a visit.

Ao Nang beach sits along the edge of the town of Ao Nang, Krabi’s main tourist hub. Fine sand, clear waters, beautiful views, and cluster of bustling bars and restaurants make the beach a popular spot to spend a day relaxing in the sun or swimming in the Andaman Sea.

Based on an original in Guangzhou, China, the Chan She Shu Yuen Clan House (or ancestral hall) is the Kuala Lumpur headquarters of the Chan (also written Tan or Chen) clan association. Unless your name is Chan, Tan, or Chen, you’ll likely visit the gorgeous heritage-listed temple with its gilded pillars, pottery-decked roof, and opulent altar.

Step back in time and see how upper-class Filipinos lived during the colonial era at Casa Manila, a beautifully reconstructed traditional Spanish colonial home within the walls of Intramuros, in the heart of Manila. Casa Manila is filled with period furniture, furnishings, decorative objects, and artwork from the colonial era.

A limestone peak behind the western shore of Hangzhou’s West Lake, Feilai Peak (Feilai Feng) stands out from the gentler slopes around it—so much so that its name, which means Peak Flying From Afar, commemorates the belief that it magically appeared from India. It’s home to over 500 Buddhist carvings, dating from the 10th to the 14th centuries.

A colonial-era hill station, Penang Hill sits behind George Town, about 2,733 feet (833 meters) above sea level. Visit in style on the Penang Hill Funicular Railway, a cliff-side railway dating back to 1924. The trains and tracks are modern, and the sheer ascents through the jungle and over bridges make for a spectacular journey.

The acid-green Pinang Peranakan Mansion offers insight into the culture of the Peranakans (Babas, a community from the China Straits. Inside, more than 1,000 items showcase the affluence of a typical Baba household, while cosmopolitan decor combines traditional Chinese-carved wood panels with English and Scottish features.

About 1,500 years old, the Shuanglin Temple complex is home to China’s largest collection of painted Chinese clay sculptures, which are intricately decorated and well-preserved. To place each collection of sculptures in context, each chamber is painted with dramatic backdrops depicting China’s varied landscapes.

A unique structure offering spectacular views of Malaysia’s Langkawi archipelago, this curved bridge on Mt. Machinchang—suspended from a single pylon—boasts the title of the world’s longest free span bridge in the world. Travelers come to look out over the jungle-covered mountains below and the Andaman Sea beyond, and to experience the SkyCab and other fun features at this popular attraction.

Traffic whips past the gleaming spires at Sule Pagoda, a Yangon temple set in the center of a busy roundabout. Believed to be even older than the landmark Shwedagon Pagoda, Sule Pagoda is far less crowded and well worth the stop. Come to visit shrines, send a prayer card into the towering stupa, and see brightly painted Buddha statues.

The extensive Seven Star Park (Qixing Gongyuan)—arranged around the seven peaks from which it derives its name—ranks among Guilin’s oldest attractions. A pavilion sits atop Putuo Mountain in the center of the park, while Seven Star Cliff contains several illuminated caves. A fish pond and the Guilin City Zoo are popular with kids.

Bac Ha Market, the largest market in Vietnam’s northern highlands, is reason enough to spend a weekend in this off-the-grid town. Roughly 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Sapa and near the Chinese border, Hmong women enliven the streets with their wares—it’s an entirely different cultural experience than you’ll find in Saigon or Hanoi. Just make sure you come on Sunday, and bring your haggling skills.

Temple Street Night Market (Men’s St.) is one of the biggest and busiest night markets in Hong Kong. Stretching for 1,968 feet (600 meters), it brims with clothing for men and women along with a wide range of goods, from DVDs and electronics to accessories and souvenirs, as well as food stalls, fortune tellers, and street performers.

Thought to be the oldest temple in Chiang Mai, Wat Chiang Man is a typical Northern Thai temple, with massive teak columns holding aloft the central sanctuary. The wat has two important Buddha images—one on a marble bas-relief, the other a crystal seated Buddha—both of which are visible in a glass cabinet housed in a smaller sanctuary.

One of Xi'an’s newest attractions, the Xian Museum, stands nearby one of its oldest, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, built around 707. The 15-tiered stone structure has witnessed centuries of history—a history on display in its neighboring museum through a collection of archaeological pieces, jade ornaments, calligraphy, and Buddhist art.

A pristine channel of gin-clear waters framed by limestone cliffs, Big Lagoon meanders through forested Miniloc Island in the Bacuit Archipelago. Island-hopping boats from El Nido generally stop in the shallow water at the head of the lagoon, but travelers can discover the scenic coves or search for turtles by sea kayak.