South of Siem Reap and the major Angkor temples, hilltop Phnom Krom Temple (Prasat Phnom Krom) was built during the reign of Yasovarman I, who moved the Khmer capital to Angkor. Three ruined towers and an active monastery stand atop a hill with sweeping views across Tonlé Sap lake and the West Baray reservoir. It’s a popular sunset spot.
Hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam, Sao Beach is the epitome of coastal beauty. Shallow waters lap fine white sands backed by lush jungle and palm trees. The beach’s remote location makes it a less crowded alternative to Long Beach for travelers looking to spend the day sunbathing and swimming in relative tranquility.
Shenzhen’s Splendid China Folk Village theme park comprises an array of miniature replicas of China’s most famous landmarks, each about one-fifteenth the size of its real-life counterpart. Among the famous sights depicted are the Terracotta Army, Great Wall of China, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, West Lake, and a mini Li River.
Tucked behind a bright-blue entryway in one of the busiest parts of south Mumbai, Bombay Panjrapole is one of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the city, one that dates back to the 1830s. Today this two-acre sanctuary houses hundreds of cows and other animals, including donkeys, dogs, goats, and all sorts of avian species.
Darjeeling has a large Tibetan community, and its Ghum Monastery(Yiga Choeling Monastery) is one of the city's most popular sights. With its traditional architecture and golden exterior detailing, the monastery itself is a sight to behold, but the monastery’s 15-foot-tall (4.6-meter-tall) Maitreya Buddha statue and the views of the surrounding hills are what bring many visitors here.
Sarawak Cultural Village showcases the varied cultures and customs of Sarawak’s ethnic groups. The living museum comprises traditional buildings, which include a Chinese farmhouse and several types of longhouses, and gives you the chance to see locals going about everyday activities such as carving, sago-making, crushing sugar cane, and growing pepper.
Thousands of Allied troops died in Myanmar—then called Burma—during two world wars, and Taukkyan War Cemetery is their serene memorial. With beautifully tended grounds and an imposing monument at the center, the Taukkyan War Cemetery is the largest of Myanmar’s Allied cemeteries and is easy to reach from Yangon.
The Nagi Gompa (Nangkyi Gompa) is a Tibetan Buddhist convent located in the Shivapuri National Park, on the northern edge of the Kathmandu Valley. It’s home to more than 100 nuns, which is rare in a region that has many monasteries for men. Visitors are welcome, and many travelers stop here while hiking in the park.
Across the water from Hong Kong Island on the tip of the Kowloon Peninsula, Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) is a buzzing, dynamic district that encapsulates Hong Kong’s diversity. From the Indian restaurants and martial arts schools in Chungking Mansions to fascinating museums and luxurious hotels, this is Hong Kong in all its glorious color.
Patan, also called Lalitpur, was once a separate kingdom from Kathmandu, with its own kings, culture, and traditions. Now, it is essentially the southern part of Kathmandu city. With its strong Newari culture, exquisite temples, and vibrant handicrafts traditions, it’s a favorite day trip destination for travelers to Kathmandu.
Modeled after the oldest and largest Confucius temple in the philosopher’s hometown in Shandong, China, the Taipei Confucius Temple displays all the characteristics of traditional Chinese temple architecture. The temple as it stands today was erected in 1930, though it briefly served as a Shinto shrine during World War II.
Not just for history and culture buffs, the Malay Heritage Centre is a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in learning about the rich heritage of Singapore’s Malay community. Set in a grand former royal palace, you’ll see galleries focused on the history of Kampong Gelam, along with an interesting collection of artefacts from the National Collection and the wider Malay community. Built 160 years ago, the former Istana Kampong Glam was once the royal seat of the Malay sultans in Singapore. Beautifully restored to its former glory, the Malay Heritage Centre sits within well-preserved grounds that can be explored as part of a Kampong Glam and Sultan Mosque walking tour.
Nestled among the forested mountains of Northern Thailand, Ban Mae Kampong village epitomizes traditional Thai culture with wooden cottages and ancient agricultural practices. The village is in the vanguard of sustainable tourism: Visitors enjoy homestays, jungle ziplines, and hiking routes through tea plantations, while villagers maintain their traditional way of life.
Poring Hot Spring and Nature Reserve is nestled in the jungles of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kinabalu National Park. Poring Hot Springs includes tiled pools used for soaking in sulfurous thermal waters; a suspended jungle walkway; a swimming pool and slide; and an orchid Conservation Center home to more than 1,200 species.
St. John’s Cathedral is the oldest standing Anglican church in Hong Kong, completed in 1849. Gothic in style, it’s built in the shape of a cross and features lancet arches and stained glass windows. The cathedral offers a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong in the heart of Central.
Beomeosa Temple was founded in 678 BC by Buddhist monk Ui Sang. Perched on Geumjeongsan Mountain, the current temple complex was built in 1613 after the original was destroyed in the Imjin War with Japan. The complex includes a pagoda, several pavilions, three ornate gates, and 11 hermitages.
Yongkang Street, with seemingly endless rows of independent cafés and no-frills eateries, represents the best of Taipei’s food scene. This area offers a mix of Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese joints, so it’s best to arrive at Yongkang hungry and ready to sample staples from Chinese fluffy pancakes to shaved mango ice.
Dating back to the 5th century, the Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine is an important Shinto religious site in the northeast of Takayama. The shrine is also home to the annual Takayama Autumn Festival, and hosts the festival’s collection of floats within the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall (or Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan).
Located in the heart of Kolkata, the MP Birla Planetarium is the largest planetarium in Asia and second-largest in the world. The single-story dome houses a working observatory equipped with a Celestron C-14 telescope. The outer ring of the structure is home to an astronomy gallery with a large collection of paintings and models from some of the world’s most renowned astronomers.
Not only is the National Museum of Korea one of the best museums in the country, it’s also free. Offering a sweeping introduction to Korean art, culture, and history, the museum houses more than 150,000 artifacts with around 12,000 on display. There’s always plenty to see, even if you’ve been to the museum before.
Singapore’s River Safari park takes you on a water-themed wildlife safari from the banks of the Amazon to the fish-filled waters of the Mekong. More than 7,500 animals and 240 different species call this park home, including rare marine life, exotic fish, and even a pair of Giant Pandas.
Kata Beach is both the name of a small town on Phuket’s west coast and its popular beach. The mile- (1.5 kilometer-) long, picture-perfect crescent of sand is lined with shade-giving trees and seafood restaurants and is a go-to spot for sun worshippers, families, and water sports enthusiasts.
From gleaming lanterns to sleek ao dai dresses, the maritime silk trade helped make Hoi An Ancient Town what it is today. The Hoi An Silk Village (Làng Lụa Hội An, part of a resort of the same name, lets you experience that rich culture in a museum, through demos, and hands-on, as artisans take silk from leaf to loom.
The city of Seoul is divided into two parts by the Han River, and one of the city’s best green areas sits on an island in the middle of this river. Yeouido Park is a favorite among locals for walking, jogging, biking, and playing sports. During spring, it’s one of the loveliest spots in Seoul to see cherry blossoms.
Get a glimpse of old Hong Kong in the unusual shops and markets along Bonham Strand. Located in Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island, Bonham Strand is known for its large concentration of shops selling traditional Chinese medicine, herbal remedies, as well as dried seafood and other exotic animal products.
Located in the industrial city of Nagoya, the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology introduces visitors to the history of Japanese manufacturing technology. Through its displays, the museum traces the history of the Toyota company, which started as a textile firm and evolved into an international automobile maker.
The mid-15th century Odawara Castle is a well-preserved example of architecture from one of Japan's most turbulent periods. The white-walled, black-roofed landmark traded hands with several warring clans before being dismantled in 1870 and destroyed by an earthquake in 1923. Rebuilt in 1960, the modern grounds feature several intriguing attractions.
Bangkok is a huge, congested city, but using the Skytrain makes getting around a breeze. Also called the BTS, it comprises two Skytrain lines that connect many points of interest throughout the Thai capital. Plus it’s air conditioned, clean, and affordable. Visitors to Bangkok would be well-served to travel by Skytrain at some point during their stay, if not making it a main means of transportation.
Head to the beachside Pattaya Water Park to cool off from the hot Thai sun. The classic water park features everything you need for a day of fun in the sun, including a lazy river, wading pool for toddlers, water slides, a whirlpool, and private beach access for swimming in the Gulf of Thailand.
The rocky seaside cliffs of Taejongdae Resort Park are situated on the southernmost tip of Yeongdo Island. The area, named after King Taejong of the Silla Dynasty, offers access to a rock beach, a lighthouse, a few temples, an observatory, and plenty of nature trails.
