If you’ve had a taste of Japanese sake and want to know more about how this rice liquor is produced, make sure to visit Kyoto’s Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum. Run by one of Japan’s most famous sake-producing companies, the Gekkeikan Sake Company, the museum is housed in an old sake brewery from the early 20th century.
The Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, is dedicated to the Hindu Lord Jagganath, an eastern Indian incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It’s a major pilgrimage site and one of the four sites (dhams) in India that devotees believe will lead to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It’s a must-visit destination while in Puri, a city south of Odisha’s capital, Bhubaneshwar.
Climbing Mt. Everest may not be physically (or financially) possible for many travelers, but laying eyes on the world’s tallest peak from Mt. Everest Base Camp in Tibet is. A visit to the Tibet Autonomous Region wouldn’t be complete without an excursion to take in the spectacular view of Everest’s north face. All tourists come here on tours, as these are required for travel in Tibet.
The lush grounds of Taman Sari, occasionally known as the Water Castle, are a fraction of what they once were when this opulent water palace occupied swaths of downtown Yogyakarta. However, well-kept gardens, reflecting pools, striking architecture, and a maze of subterranean passageways—including an underground mosque—still impress.
Not far from the Taj Mahal, Kalakriti Cultural and Convention Center is best-known as the venue that stagesMohabbat the Taj, a theatrical performance that tells the story of the Taj Mahal’s origins. There’s also a large shopping emporium filled with jewelry and handicrafts from Agra and across India.
One of the oldest residential buildings in the Philippines, the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, a wood-and-coral-stone structure, stands proud in Cebu City’s Parian district. Built in the late 17th century by Chinese merchants and still family-owned, it’s packed with antiques and curios, from ceramics and sculptures to four-poster beds.
A bargain hunter’s dream, this small yet buzzing market is full of energy, not to mention clothing, jewelry, and a whole range of other goods at astonishingly low prices. Popular with tourists due to its location and atmosphere, Janpath Market is busy and lively, making it an attraction even for those who just want to browse.
One of a number of stadiums in Patong dedicated to the martial art of muay thai (Thai boxing), the 350-capacity Patong Boxing Stadium offers fights three nights a week. Fighters come from all around the globe, and the stadium hosts men’s, women’s, and junior bouts, including title matches. Drinks, french fries, and popcorn are for sale.
A popular day trip from Mumbai, the Karla Caves is a series of Buddhist shrines that were carved from a hillside thousands of years ago, with many dating back to the first century BCE. Here you'll find beautifully preserved prayer halls and monasteries, many decorated with intricate sculptures of elephants, horses, and people.
At the heart of sleepy lakeside Bedugul, amid Bali’s cool central highlands, is Bali Botanic Garden, an underrated Bali attraction. Plant-lovers enjoy forest walks and gardens full of orchids and Balinese plants, while families and adventure-seekers gravitate to the park for the zipline and rope adventures at Bali Treetop Adventure Park.
This Bangkok monument commemorates the Siamese Revolution of 1932, the catalytic event that led Thailand to become a constitutional monarchy. At the center of the monument sits a sculpture of a manuscript box holding the Thai Constitution; it is guarded by four massive wings that represent the Thai air force, army, navy, and police.
The elegant, minimalist Engaku-ji Temple is considered by some to be an almost-perfect example of Chinese–inspired Zen architecture. It was founded in 1282 and is now one of the most famous Zen Buddhist temples in Japan. Parts of the temple complex are classified as Japanese National Treasures. Located in Kamakura, which rivals Kyoto in its concentration of heritage buildings, Engaku-ji is a convenient place to visit on a day trip from Tokyo.
Refurbished in 2018, the 5-acre (2-hectare) War Museum Cambodia is devoted to the weapons of Cambodia’s many conflicts. The collection, which you’re allowed to handle, runs from tanks and fighter planes to small arms and rocket launchers. One room focuses on the landmines that have caused such suffering in Cambodia.
The largest of Hong Kong’s outlying islands, Lantau is twice the size of Hong Kong Island, yet it has only a fraction of the population. Where Hong Kong is an urban jungle of sorts, Lantau is a mostly quiet escape famous for its long beaches, traditional fishing villages, Buddhist monuments, outlet shopping, and mountainous interior popular with hikers. The northern tip of the island is home to both Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Disneyland.
Always abuzz with energy and excitement, the district of Hongdae is known for its lively nightlife. Set on Seoul's western end near Hongik University, the area is home to quirky cafés, avant-garde art galleries, boutique shops, and gourmet eateries. It’s a popular spot for young locals, and a fascinating destination for visitors.
Designed by renowned architect Hiroshi Hara, Kyoto Station is the second-largest station in Japan. In addition to being the main transportation hub of Kyoto, the futuristic steel and glass structure houses a hotel, museum, theater, several shopping malls, and plenty of food options, making it a popular attraction in its own right.
The government-sponsored Dilli Haat market has long been popular with tourists as well as locals. You'll find handicrafts from across India, as well as food booths showcasing regional specialties. Dilli Haat is also a calmer alternative to the more hectic markets across South India, because admission fees keep crowds at bay.
Built in 1793 on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Phra Sumen Fort is one of many forts built around Bangkok during the Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin periods. The hexagonal structure is now closed to the public, but it can be admired from the grassy Santichaiprakarn Park surrounding it.
In the middle of dusty, traffic-clogged central Kathmandu is the neoclassical Garden of Dreams. The garden and pavilions were created in the 1920s as private gardens, but now they’re open to the public and provide a peaceful contrast to the busy streets outside.
The Hellfire Pass segment of the Burma-Thailand railway cuts through the Tenasserim Hills in western Thailand. It earned notoriety during the World War II construction of the railway by Allied POWS, who suffered high casualty rates due to the isolation, the amount of rock that needed to be removed, and the lack of proper equipment.
Singapore Zoo isn’t your typical menagerie; inside, more than 300 species of birds, reptiles, and mammals roam in close approximations of their natural habitats. Visitors to the lush jungle park can observe an abundance of wildlife, including lions, white tigers, giraffes, flying foxes, sea lions, and Komodo dragons.
Formerly the Army Museum, the Vietnam Military History Museum covers the country’s combat history from ancient times to the American War (Vietnam War). Learn about the many battles that Vietnam has fought for independence throughout its history through extensive photos, propaganda videos, weaponry, war machines, and other war relics.
Located in the heart of bustling Tsim Sha Tsui, Chungking Mansions offers a diverse collection of shops, restaurants, bed-and-breakfasts, small businesses, and residences spread over 17 floors and five blocks. Visit the Chungking Mansions and you’ll find a melting pot of global commerce and cultures.
Get a glimpse into the life of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Chinese Republic and the Great Forerunner of the Chinese Democratic Revolution, at his former residence in Shanghai. See where he carried out a large number of revolutionary activities, wrote treatises, and met with members of the Communist Party from 1918 until 1924.
The National Museum in Delhi is one of India’s largest museums. It’s in New Delhi, amid the spacious boulevards that are full of government institutions. The museum permanently displays items from a collection spanning 5,000 years of Indian civilization and also holds exhibits on Indian and international archaeological and historic themes.
Located beneath the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Aquaria KLCC is home to more than 5,000 aquatic and marine animals from more than 150 species. The 60,000-square-foot (5,574-square-meter) aquarium exhibits flora and fauna from around Malaysia and from areas across the world.
Founded in 1987 and home to a collection of around 25,000 pieces, the Vietnamese Women’s Museum pays tribute to the role of women in Vietnamese society. Besides costumes and crafts from the nation’s 54 ethnic groups, the museum honors the role local women played in the Vietnam War. Most signs are in Vietnamese, English, and French.
Believed to be the oldest temple in Vientiane, Wat Si Saket was built in 1818 and survived the Siamese occupation, which destroyed much of the capital in 1828. The temple’s cloister walls are home to thousands of Buddha sculptures of varying sizes. A visit offers a glimpse into the importance of Buddhism to local culture.
The second-largest island in Langkawi archipelago, Dayang Bunting Island (Pulau Dayang Bunting) and its surrounding lake are enshrouded in folklore. Visit the lake where legend says a celestial princess placed her baby after his death (the waters are thought to aid in conceiving). Try snorkeling, bird-watching, and cave exploring too.
One of Thailand’s most extraordinary structures, the 144-foot-tall (44-meter-tall) Erawan Museum features a 275-ton (250-metric-ton) copper statue of a 3-headed elephant. Inside, there’s a ceramic museum, a pavilion with art, and a replica heaven, all richly decorated. You can climb or ride the elevator right up to the elephant’s tusks.
