Asia attractions

Located at the heart of the Golden Triangle—the intersection of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar—the Hall of Opium Museum explores the impact that opium seed has had on the area. Exhibits trace the seed back to its first use 5,000 years ago and raise awareness of current abuse and addiction issues.

Just behind the Presidential Palace is the modest wooden stilt house that Ho Chi Minh lived in from 1958 until his death in 1969, preserved just as he left it. Get a glimpse into the life of the founder of North Vietnam at this humble abode, set in a well-tended and landscaped garden across from a lovely carp-filled pond.

Located near Kanchanaburi, the Hellfire Pass Memorial and Museum pays tribute to the thousands of prisoners of war who lost their lives building the Thailand-Burma Railway (or Death Railway), during World War II. You can watch a movie and first-hand testimonies from former prisoners of war, and walk along the railway itself.

Dating back to the end of the 18th century, St. John's Church was the first Anglican cathedral in India. It was one of the earliest buildings set up by the East India Company, its construction funded largely by public lottery. The church served as the seat of the Anglican Church until the 1847 construction of St. Paul's Cathedral.

Don’t be deterred by the name Elephant Mountain. A relatively easy climb takes you to the top of a hill that affords panoramic views of Taipei. Nestled among other rolling green hills, Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan Hiking Trail) is indisputably the best place in Taipei to enjoy a sunset over the capital’s skyline.

Yongdusan Park, a mountainous park in the center of Busan, is one of the city’s most popular green spaces. Its name translates to “dragon’s head mountain,” as it’s thought to resemble a dragon poking its head above the surface of the sea. Highlights of the park include various monuments to battles and Korean heroes, Busan Tower, and the octagonal Palgakjeong pavilion.

One of Ubud’s big three art galleries, Museum Puri Lukisan sits slap-bang in the heart of downtown Ubud. Collections cover not only Balinese paintings and drawings but also wood carvings and work by foreign artists. The Puri Lukisan gallery is also Ubud’s oldest art museum, founded in 1956 by a foundation established in 1936.

Bukhansan National Park is an urban oasis within the boundaries of Seoul. The park covers nearly 50 square miles (129 square kilometers) and contains hiking trails, sweeping mountaintop views, and streams rushing between gorges and granite peaks. Bukhansanseong Fortress and many Buddhist temples are also set here.

The blend of Chinese culture and classic Disney®at Hong Kong Disneyland®separates it from its sister parks throughout the world. Explore Hong Kong’s largest theme park to discover rides, shows, and restaurants that bring famous Disney®characters to life to life, including Mickey Mouse, Frozen’s Elsa, and more.

Fronting the Saigon River in the heart of downtown Ho Chi Minh City, Bach Dang Wharf (Bến Bạch Đằng is so much more than just a jumpoff point for river cruises and water buses. A landscaped circular garden forms the centerpiece of a waterfront promenade with street eats as well as more upscale dining.

Sundarijal is a village in Gokarneshwar Municipality to the north of Kathmandu, and on the edge of the Shivapuri National Park. Sundarijal means “beautiful water,” and the area is known for its waterfalls. Many visitors come to Sundarijal while hiking and mountain biking in the Shivapuri area.

While conical Mt. Fuji dominates the skyline, a number of other attractions and features are spread across its base, including the Fuji Five Lakes (Fujigoko). Lakes Yamanaka, Kawaguchi, Motosu, Shoji, and Sai sit north of the imposing volcano, in Yamanashi Prefecture. The attractive mountain views, lakes, and forests make this a popular area to visit on a day or overnight trip from Tokyo.

An oasis of green in central Yangon, Kandawgyi Nature Park offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Spanning 260 acres (105 hectares, including Kandawgyi Lake, the park is a popular recreation and relaxation spot and a great place to enjoy the scenery, people watch, and experience local culture.

Located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, Taal Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. Rising up from the center of Taal Lake and harboring its own crater lake and island, the unique setting—an island in a lake on an island in a lake—makes for an incredible sight.

Towering 125 feet (38 meters) above Tiananmen Square, the Monument to the People’s Heroes is a Beijing landmark. Constructed during the 1950s, not long after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the granite structure pays tribute to Chinese revolutionaries with inscriptions and reliefs.

With colossal domes covered in gold leaf, the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque symbolizes the wealth of Brunei. Adorned with Italian marble, English chandeliers, and Arabian carpets, the lavish mosque—named after the 28th sultan of Brunei, one of the richest men in the world—is visible from almost everywhere in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Overlooking India’s holy city of Haridwar, where the River Ganges exits the Himalayas, the Mansa Devi Temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Mansa Devi and is an ancient pilgrimage center. Millions of devotees and tourists visit annually to worship or simply absorb the powerful atmosphere of this revered site.

See a more authentic side of Hong Kong in the vibrant working-class district of Sham Shui Po. Located in Kowloon, this district welcomes visitors and locals to shop for a wide variety of goods at bargain prices, enjoy one of the many traditional local eateries, check out the burgeoning art scene, and to go off the beaten path.

Manali’s Hidimba Devi Temple (also locally called Dungari Temple) is a must-see attraction in the Himachal Pradesh town. The walk to the temple is calm and atmospheric, situated deep in a forest and surrounded by towering cedars. It’s always busy with Hindu devotees, both locals and from around India, but anyone is welcome to visit.

South of Bandung in West Java, eerie mists cloud dead trees around the pallid waters of an acid crater lake: Kawah Putih (White Crater). More pale turquoise than technically white, Kawah Putih fills the caldera of an extinct volcano. The water is far too acid for swimming, but you can walk out onto a jetty to photograph the unusual site.

Flowing all the way from Ngoc Linh Mountain to the South China Sea, the Thu Bon River is responsible for Hoi An’s development as a major trading post. The river runs through Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is flanked by some of the city’s most famous attractions, including the Japanese Covered Bridge and Hoi An Central Market.

Located on the southern bank of scenic West Lake, the 5-story, 8-sided Leifeng Pagoda offers stunning panoramic views over West Lake, and features spectacular statues and carvings on different levels. One of the top attractions in Hangzhou, “Leifeng Pagoda at Sunset” is also one of the classic Ten Scenes of West Lake.

Shinjuku’s Hanazono Shrine (Hanazono Jinja) may appear unassuming—it’s located down a small alleyway framed by a stone torii gate—but it’s a historically significant site that hosts a variety of colorful weekly and seasonal events. Dedicated to the god of fertility and worldly successes, Inari, the shrine contrasts with the bright lights and skyscrapers of other parts of Shinjuku, providing a welcome respite from the city center buzz.

Perched on the southern slope of Guangzhou’s Yuexiu Hill, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall (Sun Zhongshan Ji Nian Tang) is a monument built in 1931 in honor of the Chinese revolutionary. A bronze statue of Sun Yat-sen was erected in front of the hall in 1956, and the octagonal structure houses a collection of photos and letters from his life.

Located at the northern tip of Langkawi, Tanjung Rhu Beach is considered one of the prettiest beaches in Malaysia. It’s known for its lack of crowds, clean waters, long stretch of pristine white sands fringed by casuarina trees (from which the beach gets its name), and scenic views of the Andaman Sea.

From the late 1700s to the 1950s, Norbulingka was used as an official summer home for the Dalai Lama. Today, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Tibet’s top historical attractions. In addition to a 374-room palace, the park is home to hundreds of rare plants, rose bushes, fruit trees, and even a bit of wildlife.

The Manakamana Temple, in Nepal’s Gorkha district, is a major pilgrimage destination for Nepali and Indian Hindus. Travelers will find the temple itself interesting, but the major attraction is taking the long, scenic cable car ride from Kurintar, across the Trisuli River, and over the forest and farmland of the Himalayan foothills up to the hill-top temple. Plus, on a clear day, the views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks are dramatic.

High on a hilltop in the north of Bangalore, the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Temple Bangalore (also called the Sri Radha Krishna Temple) is one of the organization's largest complexes on earth, and one of Bangalore's most popular Hindu places of worship. Unlike many of the temples in the city, this one features contemporary architecture and modern interiors.

Considered one of the best urban hikes in Asia, Dragon’s Back runs along a ridge, resembling its namesake, in Shek O Country Park. It’s a great way to escape Hong Kong’s concrete jungle and see stunning views of Shek O beach, Tai Long Wan (or Big Wave Bay), Tai Tam Bay, Stanley Peninsula, and the South China Sea.

Located on the banks of the Singapore River, Robertson Quay is one of Singapore’s three largest wharfs. The 120-acre (50-hectare) district offers a diverse mix of restaurants, wine bars, and art galleries, in addition to warehouses built in European and Chinese styles.