Asia attractions

Located in the silk capital of China, the Suzhou Silk Museum covers several thousand years of silk culture and development. The contemporary building houses galleries that showcase different aspects of silk and sericulture, including silkworm breeding, weaving, production, technology, trade, and examples of silk textiles, fashion, and products.

Thailand’s Similan Islands National Park (Mu Ko Similan National Park), a group of 11 islands in the Andaman Sea, is one of the most pristine places in the world for diving. The islands boast picturesque landscapes with white-sand beaches, large granite rocks jutting out from the earth, dense jungles teeming with diverse fauna and flora, and crystal-clear azure waters.

Surrounded by the backwaters of the Arabian Sea, Mattancherry is an old port area of Kochi, not far from Ernakulam Town. The area was once the main trade port for spices such as pepper and turmeric, as well as tea. Today, it’s a bustling and cosmopolitan community that welcomes people from all religious backgrounds and walks of life.

One of north Bali’s most striking waterfalls, Aling-Aling tumbles around 98 feet (30 meters) down a cliff in a twin stream. Aling-Aling is sacred, so it’s forbidden to swimming in the pool, but around it several smaller waterfalls offer adventurers cliff jumps and natural slides. These include Kembar, Kroya, and Pucuk.

Lined with traditional buildings and houses from the Edo period, Sannomachi Street preserves centuries of Japanese culture. This popular walking street is located at the southern end of the Old Town of Takayama, known for its shops, restaurants, street-food stalls, and sake breweries.

The 19th-century Banke Bihari Temple (Banke Bihari Mandir)—one of India’s most famous temples—in Vrindavan houses an idol of Lord Krishna that devotees believe will cause them to faint if they look into its eyes. As such, the idol is kept behind a curtain that’s swiftly opened and closed, allowing worshipers to catch quick glimpses of the god safely.

Adding to the mind-boggling variety of Vietnam’s natural landscape are the White Sand Dunes of Mui Ne, one of the only desert areas in Southeast Asia. Most commonly visited at sunrise or sunset, the dunes are inspiring to budding photographers and thrill-seeking sandboarders, and the surrounding pine forest and freshwater lake only add to the visual drama—and the feeling like you’re in a fantasy film.

Ahmedabad’s Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati is a fascinating destination for Indian history enthusiasts and anyone interested in spirituality and concepts of nonviolence. The Indian freedom fighter was from Gujarat and spent many years living at the ashram with his wife. Now, visitors can stroll through the grounds, browse the museum, or even do historical research in the archives located here.

Kirtipur is one of several ancient kingdoms in the Kathmandu Valley that were once independent, but now make up part of greater Kathmandu. It’s a prime destination to learn about the Newar people, who are one of Nepal’s many distinct ethnic groups and the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley. Come to Kirtipur for exquisite architecture, hilltop temples, and sweeping city views.

While Bangkok is full of temples that are worthy of a visitor’s time, few people head over to the Thonburi (west side of the Chao Phraya River, where Wat Kalayanamit is located. The large temple stands out on the skyline and it’s also unusual for having Chinese influences. Travelers who have seen the major sights of Bangkok and are looking for a more off-the-beaten-path experience will enjoy visiting Wat Kalayanamit.

Fringed with mangrove forests and filled with houses on stilts, the relaxed fishing community of Crab Island (Pulau Ketam) couldn’t feel further from nearby Kuala Lumpur. The two villages, which are home to only 6,000 residents, are renowned for their seafood dishes, which tend to feature fresh prawns and crab.

Kasuga Taisha (Kasuga Grand Shrine dates back to the year 768, when its construction was ordered by Emperor Shotoku (though it has been rebuilt several times since. This celebrated Shinto shrine complex is most famous for the series of giant stone lanterns that line the paths through Nara Park leading toward its entrance.

Located on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, the five-story-deep Adalaj Stepwell is considered a masterpiece of West Indian temple architecture and engineering. Like other stepwells found across the subcontinent, it was constructed as a means to collect and harvest monsoon rainwater for residents to use during dry times of the year.

Since its construction in 1910, the Hong Kong Clock Tower has become one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. The area in front of the tower, which was built to commemorate the railway line between Kowloon and mainland China, has become a popular hangout among locals, making it a great spot for people watching.

Encompassing 38.6 square miles (100 square kilometers), Sanjay Gandhi National Park is one of the world's largest parks within city limits as well as one of Asia's most-visited national parks. An attractive getaway from Mumbai, it's best-known as the home of the Kanheri Caves, rock-hewn monuments and dwellings more than 2,000 years old.

The oval-shaped National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA is made from thousands of titanium plates combined with sheets of glass. Surrounded by an artificial lake, the structure looks like a giant egg floating on the water when viewed from afar. Opera, concert, and theater halls host national and international performances.

The Singapore Cable Car provides a 360-degree panoramic view of city’s best attractions, including the Singapore harbor, Sentosa Island, and the city skyline. More than 100 cabins carry passengers along 3 miles (5 kilometers) of cableway. Tickets grant access to a museum detailing the history of the cable car system.

Even though it's just a short boat ride from the resort city of Nha Trang, Hon Mieu Island feels a million miles away. Along with its white-sand beaches and seafood restaurants, its biggest claim to fame is Tri Nguyen Aquarium, a unique boat-shaped building that houses giant shrimp, sharks, and turtles.

Travelers interested in Thai history and culture shouldn’t miss the Bangkok National Museum. Housed in the 18th-century Wang Na Palace, with its ornately decorated buildings, the museum is as beautiful as it is educational. There’s information in English, as well as guided tours in multiple languages.

Mathura is a holy town located about 30 miles north of the Taj Mahal city of Agra in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It's a hub of religious activity, owing to the fact that the Hindu god Krishna was allegedly born here, and most visitors to the city are devout Hindus or tourists stopping by on their way between Delhi and Agra.

Japanese and international foodies alike love Tsukishima Monja Street (actually a collection of streets), located on Tsukishima Island in Tokyo Bay. Here, dozens of shops sell monjayaki, savory fried pancakes made with cabbage and a variety of other meat or seafood toppings. Diners usually buy monjayaki as raw batter, then grill it themselves at specially designed tables. Other Japanese favorites, including fried noodles (yakisoba), can be eaten here as well.

A landmark piece of public art that’s also a shrine, the Three Kings Monument (Anusawari Sam Kasat) sits at the heart of Chiang Mai’s old administrative district. It commemorates the three kings—King Ngam Muang of Phayao, King Ram Khamhaeng of Sukhothai, and King Mangrai of Lanna—who worked together to found the city.

The “green lungs” of Ho Chi Minh City, Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve is often simply referred to as Mangrove Forest. Close to where the Saigon River meets the South China Sea, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is an important natural wetland. You’ll find attractions here including Monkey Island, Rung Sac Military Base, and Vam Sat Salt-Marsh Forest Ecological Tourist Center.

Part of the tiny Poday archipelago off the coast of Krabi, Poda Island (Koh Poda) ranks among the most pristine of the islands that line the coast. Dramatic limestone formations are visible from the white sands of the beach and a nearby coral reef provides excellent snorkeling.

Once the epicenter of Hyderabad, 18th-century Chowmahalla Palace was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and the site where the nizams (monarchs) lavishly entertained esteemed guests. It features a unique blend of various architectural styles and influences, including Mughal domes and Persian-influenced stucco work.

Set in between Borobudur and Mendut Temple, Pawon Temple (Candi Pawon) is a small temple with a pyramidal roof, similar in style to Mendut Temple. Some believe it was the resting place of the Sailendra king Indra; others argue that it served as a ritual gate to Borobudur. Reliefs suggest it was devoted to Kubera, the god of wealth.

The Mae Ping River cuts through Chiang Mai just a few blocks east of the old city and night market, where its banks have been developed with hotels, open-air restaurants, and bars. As it passes through the countryside, the river retains its natural charms. The ancient city of Wiang Kum Kam is also set on its shores south of Chiang Mai.

Located in Diamond Hill, the beautiful Nan Lian Gardens offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong. Built in the style of a traditional Tang Dynasty garden, Nan Lian Garden offers lush greenery, ornamental rocks, ponds, bridges, waterfalls, and pavilions, all set against a backdrop of mountains and skyscrapers.

Go back in time to visit Xizhou, an ancient village town near Dali in Yunnan. People of Bai ethnicity live here and have preserved their culture, architecture, and local delicacies, like Xizhou Baba, a savory or sweet bread. Some well-preserved Bai houses are dated to the Ming Dynasty. Visitors can barter at the large daily market, explore the tea culture, make local tie-dye textiles, and much more.

Amid the crystal waters and vibrant reef of Cebu’s Sumilon Island Marine Sanctuary, tiny Sumilon Island offers secret caves, hiking trails, colorful marine life, a lighthouse, and a brilliant white sandbar that’s an Instagram favorite. It’s home to the Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort, with pools, water sports, restaurants, and stylish bungalows.