Delhi’s ISKCON Temple is a large, contemporary temple complex that features a modern take on an eclectic array of traditional Indian architectural styles. It's the local hub of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (aka the Hare Krishnas) and provides a good introduction to Vedic beliefs, especially for Westerners.
Duolun Road, in the Hongkou District, was known as the cultural and literary center of Shanghai in the early 20th century, when a number of famous Chinese writers called it home. Restored and reopened in 1998, today it’s a pedestrian street filled with museums, galleries, studios, antique shops, teahouses, and cafes.
Bali’s answer to Cirque du Soleil, the Devdan Show is an extravaganza of music, acrobatics, dance, sound, and light that takes you on a journey through some of Indonesia’s most colorful islands. Crafted around the tale of two children traveling across the archipelago, it features everything from Papuan dance to corde lisse (aerial rope).
Qufu’s claim to fame is the philosopher Confucius, who was born here more than 2,500 years ago. One of the city’s three Confucian sites that share a UNESCO World Heritage listing, the 35-acre (14-hectare) Qufu Temple of Confucius is one of China’s biggest and most important historical complexes: it comprises hundreds of buildings.
Central Kolkata’s College Street is the heart of intellectualism in a city that prides itself on its esteemed academic traditions. Thousands of second-hand book stalls line the street to either side where you can find nearly any book ever sold in the city, including rare titles at bargain basement prices.
Set just off the Bali coast in West Bali National Park, Menjangan Island (Pulau Menjangan, or Deer Island) is a white-sand gem. The island itself has no facilities beyond a simple bathroom and some open-air bale shelters, but offshore its sheer reef walls decked in undulating sea fans and lush soft corals are a magnet for marine life, divers, and snorkelers.
A historic street in Singapore’s Chinatown, Telok Ayer Street pairs a lively food and drink scene with heritage attractions, including shophouses, clan houses, and places of worship. Highlights include Telok Ayer Green, the Al-Abrar Mosque, the Thian Hock Keng Temple, and the Nagore Durgah Shrine and heritage center.
Established in the late 19th century, the Nara National Museum is a well-respected exhibitor of Japanese Buddhist art. In addition to the original French Renaissance–style building, a newer wing also displays temporary exhibits. In both wings, visitors can admire predominantly Japanese Buddhist statues, paintings, scrolls, and ceremonial objects.
Located just south of Suzhou Creek in Shanghai, M50 is one of the city’s premier destinations for contemporary and modern art. This sprawling industrial art park spans 36 acres (14.5 hectares) and houses more than 100 galleries and art studios, featuring artists from more than a dozen countries.
Boasting the title of the largest fresh food market in Bangkok, stalls at Khlong Toey Market sell meat and vegetables straight from rural farms and seafood direct from the nearby fishing port. While you can find random items such as batteries and electronics here, the real draw is the food. Come hungry, as you’ll be met with an array of Thai specialties and fresh fruit and vegetable samples.
Sitting on a hill overlooking the Arabian Sea, Mount Mary Church is one of the most important churches in the city. It attracts people of all faiths, particularly during the annual Bandra Fair, which is held every September. The church is a great place to escape the hectic city and take a little time for peace and quiet reflection.
Cheongwadae Sarangchae is a 2-story museum where visitors can learn about Korea’s political and cultural history. Originally the home of the public information hall of Cheongwadae, the facility reopened as a museum in 2010, with exhibit halls on past presidents and first ladies, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Korean culture.
Located midway between Phuket and Krabi in Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay, Koh Yao Noi (Ko Yao Noi) is replete with mangrove forests and white-sand beaches. While the primarily Muslim island is home to a few high-end resorts and restaurants, it offers a much more relaxed alternative to its rowdy neighbors.
Rajpath is a grand boulevard running through the heart of New Delhi from Rashtrapati Bhavan through India Gate and on to the National Stadium. The 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) stretch of road is home to some of Delhi’s top attractions, making it a perfect starting point for a walking tour of the new city.
In a city better known for its mosques and Mughal-era architecture, Dhaka’s National Parliament House (Jatiya Sangshad) is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture. Designed by American architect Louis Kahn, the governmental building makes unusual and interesting use of concrete and marble side-by-side. It’s a must-visit attraction in Dhaka and a fixture on many tour itineraries.
The UNESCO World Heritage list identifies no fewer than 34 Luang Prabang temples. If you have to pick just one, opt for 16th-century Golden City Temple (Wat Xieng Thong), the largest and best-known Buddhist monastery in all of Laos. Highlights include a tree of life mosaic, a royal funeral chariot, and the stunning ordination hall (sim).
Take a walk beneath the water as sharks and rays glide overhead at Underwater World Pattaya. This walk-through aquarium highlights the diverse range of marine creatures found in Thai waters, from shallow rock-pool dwellers to colorful coral and deep-ocean fish. More than 2,500 critters are on display, representing some 200 species.
Mumbai's fanciest neighborhood, Malabar Hill has some of the most expensive real estate on earth. It's a fun place to wander around and take in views of the city around you, and while the area's architecture and various attractions are the main reasons to visit, you also might spot a local celebrity or two.
Set in Padang Matsirat on the Malaysian island of Langkawi, Atma Alam Batik Art Village is a craft center dedicated to batik, a traditional wax-dyed cloth technique and ancient art form. The center is owned by an oil painter and a batik artist, who designed it to celebrate the tradition and showcase the creative art of batik in Langkawi.
Reigned over by the mighty Mt. Kinabalu—the tallest mountain in Malaysia—Kinabalu Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its biodiversity. A paradise for nature lovers, the park is home to around 5,500 plant species (including varieties of orchids and pitcher plants), about 326 bird species, and more than 100 mammals.
Lumpini Park is a large green open space in the middle of concrete Bangkok. Local residents like to exercise here before and after work, and families hang out here at the weekends. Plus, it’s home to some increasingly rare Thai flora and fauna. When you’re tired out by the shopping malls and glittery temples of Bangkok, Lumpini Park is a nice place to chill out.
The Krabi area is famous for its towering limestone cliffs, idyllic beaches, and peaceful mangrove forests, and Ao Thalane (Thalane Bay represents one of the most beautiful mangrove forests in all of Thailand. On this stretch of coast, dense mangroves shroud the karsts and cliffs, hiding caves, small inlets, and secluded lagoons.
Bangkok’s Dream World is a family-friendly attraction that is popular with locals and sees very few international visitors. The amusement park offers a variety of entertaining live performances, dozens of thrilling rides, and lots of places to try traditional Thai cuisine.
Completed in 1906, the Presidential Palace was originally built by the French for the Governor General of Indochina. The French colonial–style palace, surrounded by lush botanical gardens and orchards, is the official home of the President of Vietnam, now used solely for formal receptions and state events.
The Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute was opened in 1913 when it became the first place in Thailand to offer anti-rabies vaccination. Today the Institute is a leading producer of snake antivenom, using venom extracted from snakes on the farm. There are more than 1,000 snakes housed at the site.
Stretching around 8 miles (13 kilometers) along Chennai, Marina Beach is India’s longest natural urban beach. While not an ideal swimming beach, Marina Beach makes an excellent spot for people watching in the cooler hours of the morning and evening, when the main stretch near Triplicane becomes a flurry of activity.
Among Guangzhou’s most significant religious landmarks, the Buddhist Temple of the Six Banyan Trees dates back to AD 537 and is still active today, with a community of monks. Visitors marvel at the vibrantly painted exterior of the temple’s Flower Pagoda, which soars some 187 feet (57 meters) high.
Bhaktapur’s 55 Window Palace was completed in 1754, and sits in the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. It’s one of the architectural highlights of the historic town. The 55 windows are carved in the traditional Newari style, with latticed wooden slats instead of glass. Visitors can admire the beautiful building from the outside, as well as visit the inner courtyards.
Just 20 minutes from Hoi An, the fishing village of Tra Nhieu offers a deeply peaceful look into Vietnam’s more rural side. An “ecological village”—meaning it preserves traditional ways of fishing, farming, and living—this little hamlet sits on the Thu Bon River, easily accessible for travelers to walk, bike, and tour for a glimpse of daily life.
Learn about the ancient and mysterious Bronze-Age Shu culture at the Sanxingdui Museum. Located on the grounds of the Sanxingdui archaeological site north of Chengdu, the museum displays relics unearthed at the site, including more than 1,000 bronze, gold, jade, and other artifacts dating back 3,000 to 5,000 years.
