Asia attractions

Originally developed by the French in 1868 to commemorate the establishment of the colony of Indochina, the Reunification Palace (formerly Independence Palace) as it stands today was built during the 1960s. Known in Vietnamese as Dinh Độc Lập or Dinh Thống Nhất, it was most famously the symbolic site of the liberation of Saigon by communist forces that reunited the nation on April 30, 1975.

A strip of golden sand with calm, gentle waters perfect for families—and stand-up paddleboarding—Jimbaran Bay is a popular beach renowned for its beauty. Besides the charms of the ocean, Jimbaran offers stunning Balinese sunsets and a wealth of restaurants serving Indonesia’s signature dish: grilled fish (ikan bakar).

Bali’s first beach hotel opened back in the 1930s on Kuta’s epic sweep of golden sand and metronomic surf. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, Australian surfers popularized the place, and today Kuta Beach is the epicenter of Kuta, Bali’s liveliest and most touristic district. If great waves and beach boys float your boat, Kuta won’t disappoint.

Set on the shores of Lake Bratan (Danau Bratan), close to the town of Bedugul, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is one of Bali’s most photographed temples. Built, like Taman Ayun Temple, by the king of Mengwi, the combination of multi-roofed shrines with mountains and reflecting lake is incredibly photogenic—one reason it’s so popular with tourists.

Part of Thailand's pristine Andaman Sea archipelago, Phang Nga Bay (Ao Phang Nga) demands attention with its limestone rock formations and crystal clear snorkel spots. It's most famous for being home to James Bond Island, a tapered rock that appeared in the movie The Man with the Golden Gun, but the bay also features sea caves and mangroves teeming with marine life.

Every great city has a river, and Bangkok is no exception. Bustling with ferries, long-tail boats, cargo ships, and dinner cruises, the (Chao Phraya River (Mae Nam Chao Phraya)) is the lifeblood of the city. Flowing through the heart of the Thai capital, it winds past ornate temples, royal landmarks, and modern skyscrapers, making a sightseeing cruise one of the best ways to experience great views of Bangkok.

The Beijing National Stadium, more commonly referred to as the Bird’s Nest, was built for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at a cost of $423 million. Since the Olympics and all its fanfare, the stadium has become a major landmark and tourist attraction, as well as a venue for both international and domestic sporting competitions.

The spectacularly ornamented Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) is one of the most important Buddhist temples in Thailand. Located within the Grand Palace in Bangkok’s Old City, a site highlight is a sacred pre–15th-century statue of the Buddha in a seated meditation pose carved from a single block of jade.

One of the city’s most historic and colorful districts, Kuala Lumpur Chinatown is home not only to Chinese but also to Indians and Malays. Besides bustling Petaling Street Market and grand Central Market, the area offers temples, clan houses, and shophouses, plus a wealth of hawker stalls, cafés, and eateries.

Located in southern Sri Lanka, Udawalawe National Park is the island’s 6th-largest reserve, created in 1972 to house wildlife displaced by the building of the Udawalawe Reservoir. Spot animals such as elephant, buffalo, deer, crocodiles, leopards, and exotic birdlife among the park’s 119 square miles (308 square kilometers).

Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Mount Everest, and the Sagarmatha National Park is where the tallest mountain in the world sits. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is full of natural wonders: other high mountains, trekking trails, diverse wildlife, and Sherpa culture. It’s Nepal’s most popular trekking destination.

Over a century old, the Hanoi Opera House (Nha Hat Lon is a national landmark due to its neoclassical French architecture and Gothic embellishments. Home to the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra, the opera house also hosts the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Ballet, and both traditional and modern local productions.

Bali’s original beach resort, Sanur Beach offers golden sands, child-friendly waters, and a port that’s the jumpoff for trips to Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, and the Gilis. Besides watery fun such as the Bali Seawalker experience, cultural highlights include the Le Mayeur Museum, the former home of a Belgian artist and his Balinese wife.

Colonial architects A.C. Norman and A.B. Hubbock completed the now iconic Sultan Abdul Samad Building (Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad) in 1897 during the British administration of the region. Designed for governmental administrative offices, the building on Merdeka Square was the first public building in the country to feature a Mughal architectural style, which combines Indian Muslim, Gothic and Moorish influences.

Jade Buddha Temple (Yufo Si) is a working Buddhist monastery—one of the few in China. The star attractions of the Jade Buddha Temple are two figures brought to Shanghai from Singapore by a monk from Burma in the 19th century: a 6.5-foot (2-meter) seated jade Buddha encrusted with semiprecious stones and a smaller white jade reclining Buddha.

One of a cluster of craft villages in Bali’s Gianyar regency, Celuk is known as the “silver village” for its jewelry production. Artisans here create silver and gold jewelry and handicrafts in their homes and workshops as they have for centuries. A visit to Celuk gives travelers a chance to see the artisans in action and buy direct.

The king of Karangasem built his fantasy water palace at Tirta Gangga in 1948, and it’s one of east Bali’s most beautiful sights. Lush rice paddies back three levels of ornamental gardens with swimming pools, fountains, stone carvings, stepping stones, fish ponds, and airy pavilions. It is one of Indonesia’s most striking royal palaces.

Sheltered by Racha Island and Coral Island, Chalong Bay (Ao Chalong is one of Phuket’s busiest tour boat ports. But there’s more to the area than the 1,640-foot (500-meter pier. Chalong is home to Wat Chalong temple, the Chalong Bay Rum distillery, a yacht club, muay thai camps, and a wealth of resorts and restaurants.

The best-known and busiest stretch of China’s iconic Great Wall, Badaling was restored and opened to tourists during the 1950s. The scenery is striking, with views of the wall winding its way over the rugged hills. A cable car leads up to the top, and the site offers everything from souvenir stalls to restaurants.

With a history that may date back more than 1,000 years, Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) is a grotto covered in carvings of mythological creatures. While the site has uncertain origins, many believe that Buddhist monks dug it out by hand to use as a hermitage. The courtyard just outside the cave entrance features a series of decorated bathing pools with carved depictions of women pouring water from urns.

Xi'an has one of the most extensive and best-preserved defensive walls in the world. This colossal structure was started under the Ming Dynasty in 1370, a few years before the Drum and Bell Towers. The wall comprises 98 ramparts, each with its own sentry house, as well as 18 gateways, of which the most impressive is the South Gate.

The Kuala Lumpur National Monument (Tugu Negara) commemorates the 11,000 people who lost their lives fighting for Malaysian independence. The 51-foot (15.5-meter) bronze statue of seven soldiers, built to replace a colonial-era cenotaph that now stands behind it, is part of a site that also includes a central pavilion with regimental emblems.

The regency of Karangasem in east Bali was once a powerful kingdom ruling over much of Lombok. Today, it offers a sleepy, untouched charm beneath the towering presence of volcanic Mount Agung (Gunung Agung). Highlights include historic Amlapura, the district capital; traditional villages; Besakih and Lempuyang temples; Tirta Gangga and Taman Ujung water palaces; and Amed and Tulamben for diving.

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is considered a Chinese national treasure. Set within spacious bamboo-filled grounds, it offers visitors the chance to observe giant pandas and red pandas in special habitats that have been designed to reflect their natural habitats. As well as close-up wildlife encounters, the open-air sanctuary focuses on research, breeding, and conservation efforts to help protect the endangered species.

Shanghai’s premier shopping street, Nanjing Road (Nanjing Lu) features businesses ranging from small shops and stalls to massive department stores and malls. It’s the world’s longest shopping district, stretching 3.4 miles (5.5 kilometers) from the Bund to Jing’an Temple, and attracts over a million visitors a day.

The geographical and spiritual center of the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the Bayon is one of the crowning artistic achievements of the Khmer king Jayavarman VII. Around 200 giant faces look down from around 50 towers, while beautifully crafted reliefs depict everyday life in 12th-century Cambodia.

One of the most visited attractions in Hanoi, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the final resting place of “Uncle Ho,” the beloved founder of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. He lies here in state, embalmed and in a glass case, with a military honor guard watching over him and the many visitors who come to pay their respects.

Raj Ghat is a large outdoor complex that houses the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, who was cremated here in 1948. His cremation spot is marked by a black marble memorial, and an eternal flame is kept burning here in his honor. The words "Hey Ram" are inscribed on the side of the memorial, allegedly the mahatma's last words.

Directly across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal, Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden) offers a stunning perspective on Agra’s most beloved monument. While the views are the big draw of this 16th-century garden, it’s also worth a visit in its own right for its elegant landscape design and quiet ambiance.

Home of Ubud’s royal family since around the late 19th century, Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung) sits in the heart of downtown Ubud opposite Ubud Art Market. While the royal family still lives in parts of the palace, travelers can explore some pavilions and courtyards. There are also traditional Balinese dance performances in the courtyard each evening—a must for culture vultures.