Asia attractions

Dating from the Ming Dynasty, Yuyuan Garden—or simply, Yu Garden—in the middle of the Old Town (Nanshi) Shanghai, is one of China’s best-preserved classical gardens. Covering an area of 5 acres (2 hectares), Yuyuan Garden is known for its beautiful scenery, elegant layout, and delightful pavilions, pagodas, pools, bridges, and rockeries.

Dating back to 1726, the Jantar Mantar is an observatory with 19 fixed astronomical instruments. The tools in this UNESCO World Heritage site can be used for everything from tracking astronomical movements to predicting eclipses. It's one of five such north Indian observatories, all of which were built by Jai Singh II.

Crowded into a network of narrow alleyways in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, Golden Gai is a cluster of more than 250 tiny bars—many no bigger than a closet and only large enough for a handful of customers. While some watering holes are reserved for members only, most of the uniquely themed establishments are open to all and offer a glimpse into a less formal side of Japanese culture.

When thousands of human-scale terracotta figures were discovered near Xian in 1974, it was one of the archaeological sensations of the 20th century. The figures were meant to guard Qinshihuang, the first emperor to unify China, following his death in 210 BC. Today, the Terracotta Warriors Museum (Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China’s top attractions.

Home to the world's largest gold Buddha statue, the Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit) is a prominent stop on Bangkok’s temple trail. Measuring nine feet (three meters) tall and weighing more than five tons (4,535 kilograms), the Buddha attracts floods of visitors who come to marvel at its size and gleaming golden surface.

Sandwiched between the bustling districts of Shinjuku and Shibuya, Tokyo’s Harajuku district is known the world over for the youthful crowds that gather there to flaunt their wild fashions. This is where you can spot local teens dressed up in colorful and outlandish punk, goth, and anime costumes. But there’s even more to Harajuku than over-the-top street style—the main thoroughfare of Takeshita Street is also home to crepe stands, art galleries, and the Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu).

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Humayun's Tomb is the final resting place of Humayun, whose father Babur founded the Mughal Empire. It's considered one of the earliest examples of true Mughal architecture; ironically, the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II, was captured here during the 1857 Indian Rebellion.

Renowned throughout Southeast Asia for antique charm, lanterns, and affordable tailoring, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An Ancient Town is a must-see for first-time visitors to Vietnam. The pedestrianized streets provide a break from chaotic traffic, while the colorful facades of homes and temples hide a history that dates back more than 2,000 years.

Surrounded by the forested peaks of Mt Arashiyama and the west Kyoto mountains, Togetsu-kyo Bridge offers one of Kyoto’s most photographed views. Spanning the Katsura River, the historic wooden bridge is a landmark in its own right and leads the way to the atmospheric Arashiyama district.

Surrounded by dramatic gorges and stepped rice terraces, the landscapes around Sapa (Sa Pa) are some of northern Vietnam’s most striking. Visit to hike scenic trails past tumbling waterfalls or ascend 10,312-foot (3,143-meter) Mt. Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak. You can also shop at colorful traditional markets and learn about Vietnam’s cultural heritage of Hmong, Dzao, Han, Xa Fang, Tay, and Thai minority groups.

A large grassy expanse in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka) is where Malaysia declared independence in 1957: The word “merdeka” means “independent” or “free.” The city’s best-known historic landmark, the square is home to structures including the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, museums, and a cathedral.

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Saïgon) boasts a striking red façade and towering stone arches constructed with materials imported from France in the 1800s. But its architecture isn’t the only draw. In 2005, visitors reported seeing a tear flow from the eye of a statue of the Virgin Mary here, making it a destination for Catholics on a religious pilgrimage.

Housed in a beautifully restored art deco building, Kuala Lumpur’s Central Market (Pasar Seni) forms the backbone of the city’s commercial scene. Hundreds of stalls sell household goods, souvenirs, and traditional batik artwork, and Kasturi Walk offers visitors some of Malaysia’s most popular street-food dishes.

One of Delhi’s biggest, newest, and most grandiose attractions, Swaminarayan Akshardham is a gorgeous temple complex. The vast grounds house not only a place of worship, but also an animatronics experience, an IMAX-style theater showing a film about the temple’s namesake, and a theme park–style boat ride.

The Malaysian equivalent to Buckingham Palace, the King's Palace (Istana Negara) attracts thousands of visitors with its golden domes and Islamic-style architecture. Although you can’t explore the palace, you can learn about the Malaysian monarchy at the Royal Museum, located on the palace grounds.

Insadong is Seoul’s cultural and artistic hub, as well as the place to shop for local crafts, visit a traditional Korean tea shop, or catch an impromptu street performance. The neighborhood, located in the Jongno-gu district, offers one of the largest antiques and craft markets in the country, with many shops and cafés housed in historic buildings.

Old Delhi’s Jama Masjid(Masjid e Jahan Numa) is the largest mosque in India and an unmissable stop on any Delhi itinerary. Built between 1644 and 1658 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the mosque’s red sandstone and white marble domes, minarets, gateways, and arches are both grand in scale and elegance. Devout Muslims still come here to pray five times a day, while travelers stop by to marvel over the details.

One of two South Asian enclaves in Kuala Lumpur—the other, also known as Little India, is in Brickfields—this Little India sits conveniently near Chinatown, making the pair an easy destination for food tours. Set around Jalan Masjid India (Indian Mosque Street), this bustling district offers rewards from markets and sari stores to eateries.

The Bund (Waitan) refers to Shanghai’s iconic waterfront strip, which runs for 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) along the west shore of the Huangpu River. Renowned for its extensive collection of colonial-era buildings, there’s also pedestrian-friendly promenade perfect for strolling, which offers stunning views of both the Bund and Pudong.

The fairy-tale limestone seascapes that made UNESCO-listed Halong Bay famous continue into Bai Tu Long Bay (Vinh Bai Tu Long). Quieter, less developed, and more difficult to reach than its famous sibling, Bai Tu Long Bay is an increasingly popular choice for day cruises and overnight adventures.

At the heart of New Delhi is one of its most remarkable buildings, the Office and Residence of the President of India (Rashtrapati Bhavan). The 320-acre (130-hectare) complex comprises a palatial 340-room main building and sprawling Mughal gardens. Many visitors come to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony, complete with horses and a brass band.

Looming 1,381 feet (421 meters) atop the Bukit Nanas (Pineapple Hill) in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the Kuala Lumpur Tower (KL Tower) is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Visible from all around, it also affords a spectacular 360-degree view from its observation deck.

One of Mumbai's most recognizable attractions, the triple-arched Gateway of India was built during the early 20th century in honor of the 1911 visit of King George V. Built of basalt and concrete, this monument was designed in the Indo-Saracenic style, which blends traditional Indian, Victorian, and Mughal architectural elements.

Head to the top of Namsan Tower (N Seoul Tower) in hilly Namsan Park, the largest civic park in Seoul, for some of the best panoramic views over the South Korean capital. The 777-foot (237-meter) tower offers three observation decks and half a dozen restaurants where you can soak in the views, day or night. The mountaintop tower is also a magnet for heart-eyed couples, thanks to its wall of love locks.

Dotonbori (also called Dotombori) is a bustling nightlife district in Osaka’s Minami area. It stretches along the Dtomborigawa River, with a multitude of small restaurants, bars, and neon lights that come alive after nightfall. An entertainment neighborhood, Dotonbori is famous for its varied cuisine and huge animated signs.

As the capital of the province, My Tho serves as the gateway to the coffee-colored canals and floating markets of the Mekong Delta. One of the market town’s main attractions is the Vinh Trang Pagoda, where three huge Buddhas sit among tropical gardens.

With its neon lights, towering department stores, and trendy nightclubs, Tokyo’s upscale shopping district of Ginza is a chic, cosmopolitan adventure. You can catch a kabuki performance, check out the latest Japanese film or art exhibition, and dine at some of Tokyo’s best restaurants. And, then, of course, there’s the shopping—many consider Ginza to be the capital’s most glamorous retail district, thanks to its luxury department stores and flagship boutiques.

Beside the Lake Gardens of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s National Mosque (Masjid Negara) reinvents traditional Islamic architecture with its angular lines and neutral color scheme. Built in 1965, the mosque was designed as a symbol of Malaysia’s independence and is a center of Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant Muslim community.

The design of Ho Chi Minh City’s Central Post Office, completed in 1891, mimics an old-world European railway station with soaring ceilings and a giant clock face. These rich details lead travelers to pause and soak up the brilliant interior of this architectural landmark, which includes hand-painted maps of the old city.

Also known as the “Venice of Shanghai,” Zhujiajiao is the best preserved of the four ancient water towns in the Shanghai area. With a history dating back over 1,700 years, Zhujiajiao is full of lovely canals and waterways, small alleys, picturesque bridges, and ancient buildings, many from the Ming and Qing dynasties.