Asia attractions

Situated between Jaipur and Agra, Chand Baori is among the largest stepwells in the nation. Likely built in the eighth or ninth century, this functional yet beautiful structure is often likened to an M.C. Escher painting, with 3,500 symmetrical steps that zigzag to the bottom of the 66-foot-deep (20-meter) well.

The Lama Temple (Yonghegong), one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist temples outside Tibet, began as a palace for Emperor Yongzheng before he became the third emperor of the Qing Dynasty. Today, the resplendent temple, with its halls, courtyards, ponds, and bronze mandala, is a lamasery for some two dozen Tibetan monks.

Nestled among the forest-shrouded peaks of Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu served as Vietnam’s capital during the 10th and 11th centuries. Today, the UNESCO World Heritage Site encompasses the crumbling Nhat Tru Pagoda, the King Le Temple, and the King Dinh Temple—all of which offer insight into the far-reaching power of the Dinh dynasty.

The center of Japanese politics, the National Diet Building houses both chambers of the National Diet, Japan’s legislature. The House of Representatives meets in the left wing and the House of Councillors in the right. It’s one of the city’s most impressive buildings and was constructed between 1920 and 1936 almost entirely of Japanese materials, with a hybrid European–Japanese architecture style.

Topped by a substantial archery tower, the South Gate (Yongningmen) stands high above the 39-foot-high (12-meter-high) Xian City Wall. Many city-wall tours start here, with bicycles and chauffeur-driven golf carts available to rent. The structure is particularly spectacular when the tower and the fortifications are illuminated at night.

Considered one of the most beautiful mountains on Earth, Tianmen Mountain (Tianmen Shan) is a highlight of a visit to Zhangjiajie. The mountain summits at 4,983 feet (1,519 meters), with plenty of spectacular sights on the way up, including near vertical cliffs, a winding walkway appropriately named the 99 Bends, and a rock arch called Heaven’s Gate. (Tianmen Mountain literally means "Heaven's Gate Mountain".)

One of the biggest national parks in North India, Ranthambore National Park is particularly popular with travelers hoping to spot an elusive tiger in the wild. Although tigers are the main draw here, the reserve is home to other critters—including sambar deer, wild boars, sloth bears, striped hyenas, and hundreds of bird species—and a 10th-century fort.

Not to be confused with the city’s transportation hub, Kuala Lumpur Sentral Railway Station, the old Kuala Lumpur train station is a classic example of colonial Anglo-Asian architecture. Completed in 1910, horseshoe arches, bell-shaped domes, and airy pavilion roofs give Kuala Lumpur Railway Station an almost fairytale effect.

Royal Selangor is one of the world’s largest pewter manufacturers, founded in 1885 at the start of Malaysia’s Tin Rush by a young Chinese immigrant named Yong Koon. The Royal Selangor Visitor Centre offers insight into Malaysia’s cultural heritage with a museum, store, factory tours, and hands-on pewter workshops.

A royal water temple, built for the kings of Mengwi, Taman Ayun Temple (also known as Pura Taman Ayun and Mengwi Temple) forms part of Bali’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. With some 50 buildings, including many tiered shrines, a moat, river, park, gardens, and streams, Taman Ayun is one of Indonesia’s most beautiful Hindu temples.

If you’ve seen the James Cameron film Avatar, the scenery at China’s majestic Zhangjiajie National Forest Park might look familiar. Yuanjiajie, the most popular spot in the park, is where you’ll find the Avatar Hallelujah Mountains, while the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon area is home to one of the highest and longest glass bridges in the world.

The renowned Hue Citadel (Da Noi) in Hue attracts history buffs from around the globe. The sprawling fortress, which was constructed in 1804 for the Gia Long Emperor, is surrounded by a 68-foot (21-meter) defensive barrier and is home to the tallest flagpole in Vietnam.

The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam) is an extra special, truly historic building. First built as a Confucian temple in 1070 AD, it became Vietnam’s first university (Quoc Tu Giam) and operated as one for more than 700 years. Between ponds, gardens, and tranquil courtyards, it’s a haven in the heart of Hanoi.

Nanluoguxiang, an alleyway in Beijing lined with traditional hutong courtyard houses, has a history spanning more than 800 years. One of Beijing’s oldest hutongs, Nanluoguxiang was built during the Yuan Dynasty and today houses a collection of bars, restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, and kitschy souvenir shops.

Overlooking Tokyo Bay, with great views of the city skyline, Odaiba Seaside Park is an artificially made landscaped park and beach with a wooden boardwalk and opportunities to paddleboard and windsurf. It’s popular with locals and tourists who come to picnic, admire the views, relax in the peaceful surroundings—and to take photos of the Rainbow Bridge and replica Statue of Liberty.

Standing 233 feet (71 meters) tall, the Leshan Giant Buddha(Da Fo), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds the record as the largest Buddha sculpture in the world. A Buddhist monk—hoping to earn divine protection for the local fishermen—carved the massive statue into a cliff, starting in 713. Ninety years later, the carving was finished.

Small but perfectly formed, the delicately carved rose pink temple of Banteay Srei is a masterpiece of Angkorian art. The name means “Citadel of the Women,” likely because of its many carvings of “apsara” nymphs. First built in 967 AD, long before Angkor Wat or Angkor Thom, it’s about an hour’s drive from the main archaeological area.

Extravagantly embellished with precious stones, bright tiles, and carvings of Hindu gods and goddesses, the five-tier Sri Mahamariamman Temple boasts the title of Kuala Lumpur’s oldest Hindu temple. Along with its fabulous facade, the temple impresses with its murals, frescoes, shrines, and elaborate altars, all of which vibrantly depict deities and scenes from the Hindu religion.

Delhi’s Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is one of the most important Sikh sites of worship in the Indian capital. The white marble gurdwara (Sikh place of worship), with its golden domes and large sacred pond, was founded in the mid-17th century when the guru Har Krishan stayed at the site as a child. Visitors are welcome at this beautiful, peaceful place.

The village of Batuan, south of Ubud, is an artists’ community known for its distinctive painting style, shaped in part by the anthropologists Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson. Unsurprisingly, Batuan Temple is a classic piece of Balinese architecture, with split gates, stone guardians, thatched shrines, and detailed carvings. A sign dates its foundation to the 11th century, but it’s been regularly refurbished.

A key landmark in the historical center of Hanoi, charming Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) offers a peaceful escape from the hectic pace and crowds of the city. It’s a popular meeting spot, and also makes a great place to people watch and experience local culture.

One of Shanghai’s most charming areas, the former French Concession is known for its tree-lined streets and interesting mix of Chinese and Western architectural styles. Popular with locals, expats, and visitors, the area is home to a number of top attractions, as well as hip cafés, restaurants, bars, clubs, boutiques, galleries, and museums.

Created in 1362, centuries before Udaipur was established, the freshwater Lake Pichola is surrounded by beautiful old palaces, temples, and homes, many dating back hundreds of years. The whitewashed Lake Palace that is situated on an island in the north part of the lake is now a hotel run by the luxury Taj Group.

The Big Buddha Phuket is hard to miss. Built on a patch of virgin rainforest on Khao Nakkerd Hill high above Phuket, this gigantic 148-foot (45-meter) statue is one of the island's most prominent landmarks, easily seen from most places in the south. From the statue’s base, visitors enjoy panoramic views of Chalong Bay and Phuket Old Town.

One of the longest bridges in Vietnam, the 2,185-foot (666-meter) Dragon Bridge (Cau Rong) carries six lanes of traffic across the back of an undulating dragon. After sunset, the bridge is illuminated with hundreds of LED lights while on the weekend, fire and water spurt from the dragon’s mouth.

Looming 656 feet (200 meters) above central Sri Lanka, the UNESCO-protected Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a sheer volcanic outcrop crowned by a ruined fortress. Come to admire its wall frescoes, and experience the relics and bird’s-eye views at the summit.

Just north of Ubud in Bali’s northeast highlands lie the village known as Kintamani and the region of the same name. The star attractions here are Mt. Batur, an active volcano above a lake with hot springs, coffee farms, and spice plantations; rice field landscapes; and villages populated by the Bali Aga indigenous people.

The Buddhist temple of Borobudur is recognized not only as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also the largest Buddhist structure on earth. Towering stone stupas stretch into the skies, and Indonesia’s breathtaking natural backdrop of volcanoes and lush landscapes lends an even more impressive air to this remarkable sight.

A vibrant mix of old and new, Xin Tian Di is a fashionable and upscale area full of modern and trendy shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants, bars, and clubs, many housed within traditional Shikumen buildings that have been restored. It’s a place to see and be seen, and a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

South of Hanoi, the Trang An Landscape Complex is considered Vietnam’s “Ha Long Bay on land.” A UNESCO World Heritage Site for both nature and culture, the complex features a spectacular landscape of caverns and tunnels among limestone karsts, rice paddies, villages, and historic sites.