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.
Wiang Kum Kam, an ancient “lost city” on the banks of the Mae Ping River, was founded in the 13th century by King Mangrai as the Lanna capital before Chiang Mai. The city was abandoned in the 16th century due to flooding and was only rediscovered in 1984. Since then the temples and other structures have been partially restored.
The Burmese-style roofs atop Yangon Central Railway Station are a landmark in downtown Yangon. For most travelers, though, they’re just a starting point in an onward journey on Myanmar’s rail network. From here, catch the Yangon Circular Train that loops around the city, or hop a ride towards the country’s most remote regions.
The Sampeng Market, in the Chinatown area of Bangkok, is one of the city’s busiest and most vibrant local markets. Although it can be crowded, it’s a must-visit destination for travelers who like their shopping to have local character. It’s an especially good place to buy things wholesale or in bulk, so should be a priority when you’re shopping for souvenirs and gifts.
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.
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.
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.
The 16th-century Sao Thome Cathedral, built by the Portuguese and later rebuilt by the British, is said to house the bodily remains of St. Thomas, who came to India in 52 AD, in a tomb below the white neo-Gothic structure. Interior highlights include a series of stained glass windows inside the basilica depicting scenes from St. Thomas’s life as well as carved wooden panels of the Stations of the Cross.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site garden that once belonged to the ruling Shimazu clan, the Sengan-en Garden in Kagoshima includes the Shoko Shuseikan Museum and the Iso Residence, used as a summer villa by the Shimazu family. The Japanese-style strolling garden, which dates from the mid-17th century, features streams, ponds, and shrines.
Founded in 1814, Kolkata’s Indian Museum is India’s oldest and largest museum, and hosts a vast collection of historical artifacts and natural history specimens. Located near the Maidan park, the colonnaded museum is a must-see for visitors interested in India’s past.
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.
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.
Head to Susukino for shopping, dining, and nightlife in Sapporo. The biggest entertainment district north of Tokyo, the lively Susukino district is packed with thousands of establishments, ranging from shops and arcades to restaurants, bars, karaoke boxes, nightclubs, and pachinko parlors, as well as adult-entertainment options.
In the town of Ciater, north of Bandung, West Java, warm steamy waters rise from the earth, heated by the Tangkuban Perahu volcano nearby. A number of resorts and spas channel these hot springs into natural bathing pools, some with attractions such as waterfalls, and all offer admission to guests who would like to spend the day lounging.
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.
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.
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.
One of Japan’s largest and most storied castles, Kumamoto Castle (Kumamoto-jo) was constructed by a feudal ruler more than four centuries ago. Comprising dozens of towers and structures across vast grounds, the landmark is best known for repelling Japan’s last great samurai rebellion. Though it suffered extensive earthquake damage in 2016, you can still explore select areas.
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.
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.
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.
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.
One of the highest mountains in Southeast Asia, the mighty Mt. Kinabalu (Gunung Kinabalu) attracts climbers from all over. But the 13,435-foot (4,095-meter) summit isn’t the only reason travelers visit Kinabalu National Park. With around 6,000 species of flora, the UNESCO-listed park is recognized as one of the most important biological sites in the world.
At 1,017 feet (310 meters), Dudhsagar Falls is among the tallest waterfalls in India. At the base of the four-tiered falls is a huge swimming area—that’s as as far as most travelers go. A railway bridge crosses right under the falls, and if you happen to visit when a train is passing by you're sure to get some great photos.
Located at the northernmost part of Hong Kong Island, and east of Causeway Bay, is the North Point District. Formerly an industrial area, North Point is primarily a residential neighborhood, but one that offers great dining options, bustling wet markets, historic landmarks, and other hidden gems off the beaten path.
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).
Set about 15 miles (25 kilometers) southeast of Vientiane, Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) is a quirky giant sculpture garden devoted to Buddhist and Hindu mythology. Enormous cement statues, from reclining Buddhas to a giant pumpkin with a demon’s-head entrance, pay tribute to the outsider aesthetic of its creator, a Thai mystic.
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.
Dating back more than 1,200 years, Van Phuc Silk Village is undoubtedly the best-known and best-developed of Vietnam’s designated craft villages. More than 700 households here are involved in silk production, and more than 100 shops sell silk clothing and decorative items. Even if you’re not looking to buy, this is a great place to see how silk is produced.
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.
