Even amid the Ring of Fire, even on an island alive with volcanoes, Mt. Bromo is special. The centerpiece of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, this gaping maw of a crater sits framed by soaring volcanic peaks amid a sea of sand. The vistas can be magical at sunrise, with local Tengger horsemen riding to the Hindu temple at its base.
Banpo Bridge Rainbow Foundation passes over the Han River in downtown Seoul, connecting the Yongsan and Seocho neighborhoods. This girder bridge, completed in 1982, entered the Guinness Book of World Records in 2009 for installing the longest bridge fountain in the world, the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, which puts on a nightly water-and-light show.
One of Sapporo’s most popular hot springs, Hōheikyō Onsen has volcanic thermal waters in a beautiful forest setting. During winter, visitors soak surrounded by snowy peaks, while in summer, they raft and canoe on the nearby Toyohira River, pre or post-dip.
Situated in Chennai’s Mylapore neighborhood, this temple was constructed in 1952 by a devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba, a 19th-century saint who preached compassion, love, and religious tolerance. It's but one of many temples to the saint across India and the oldest Sai Baba temple in Chennai.
Ladakh is a strategically important border region with a visible Indian Army presence. Leh’s Hall of Fame, run by the Indian Army, commemorates soldiers killed during conflicts between India and Pakistan, particularly the 1999 Kargil War. It also celebrates the Indian Army’s contribution to Ladakh, such as during extreme weather events.
Discover more than 55,000 marine animals from around 650 species at Lotte World Aquarium. Part of the Lotte World Mall, the popular aquarium is the largest in Seoul and features the biggest main tank, the longest underwater tunnels, and the first underwater escalator tunnel in South Korea.
This beach near the mouth of the Karnaphuli River was not always meant for swimming. The beach’s seashore was once lined with cement walls and blocks to prevent erosion. Recent public works have made the beach more accessible and a popular beach trip destination from Chittagong, with a public palm-tree-lined walkway, eateries, characteristic boats, and sea views of the Bay of Bengal.
The Bangkok NANTA Theatre stages NANTA shows, a non-verbal comedy musical that originated in South Korea. Nanta means 'to strike relentlessly' in Korean, and this instrumental performance, which uses a kitchen as a backdrop, uses everything from knives to traditional water drums to create a raucous show.
Part Singapore history museum, part amusement destination, the Singapore Discovery Centre pairs informative galleries with entertainment including laser tag, escape rooms, and paintball. It was originally a museum of the history of the Singapore Armed Forces, funded by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence.
Located in Ocean Expo Park on the edge of Okinawa’s Motobu Peninsula, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is known for its impressive recreations of the region’s underwater ecosystems. These include the colorful Coral Sea tank and Deep Sea World—containing around 100 creatures from the ocean’s lowest depths—and the Kuroshio Sea tank, which features whale sharks and manta rays born at the aquarium.
Ganga Sagar (Sagar Island, the largest village on Sagar Island 50 miles (80 kilometers south of Kolkata, has long been an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. Each January on Makar Sankranti, pilgrims from around the country gather on the island to take a ceremonial bath in the waters where the Ganges River meets the Bay of Bengal.
Located in the northern peninsula of Motobu, Nakijin is one of five Ryukyuan castles scattered across Okinawa. A testament to the independent Ryukyu kingdom’s 500-year-long history, each castle has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Though now only the ruins of the castle walls remain, Nakijin is known for its stunning scenery, including lush forests and seasonal cherry blossoms.
Looping about 2 miles (3.5 kilometers) around Marina Bay, Singapore’s Waterfront Promenade is a cool, comfortable walking route that links some of the city-state’s star attractions. Besides the Marina Bay Sands complex and the ArtScience Museum, the promenade extends to the Merlion and, via the Helix Bridge, to Theatres on the Bay.
Shaped like a lotus with 10 petals (or fingers), ArtScience Museum is a striking and iconic cultural institution at Marina Bay. The largest private museum in Singapore, ArtScience features 21 galleries, which host a mix of permanent and special exhibitions that explore the intersection of art, science, technology, and culture.
The tallest structure in a city known for its traditional architecture and ancient temples, Kyoto Tower rises 430 feet (131 meters). Take in the panoramic city views from the observation deck, located 328 feet (100 meters) off the ground and then browse the shopping and dining options at Kyoto Tower Building.
Mu Ko Lanta National Park covers an area of 83 square miles (134 square kilometers). Encompassing a range of popular, well-maintained diving spots, the area is a rewarding place to explore for those willing or eager to get off the beaten track.
Located in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Mae Sa Waterfall consists of eight tiers that cascade over rocks in the midst of the jungle. A well-worn path leads from the lowest fall to the highest, and each tier is marked by a sign. Since the individual falls are not that high or fast-moving, they are ideal—and popular—for swimming.
Lake Biwa is a large lake in western Japan near the city of Kyoto. At an estimated four million years old, it's believed to be one of the oldest lakes in the world. It’s also Japan’s largest freshwater lake, and its proximity to Kyoto makes it a popular place for swimming, camping, fishing, boating, and more.
The Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, tucked away in the hills of Namsan, showcases centuries of Korean and Western art and architecture. Three buildings, each designed by a world-renowned architect, house works from the Samsung Foundation’s extensive collection, ranging from ancient Buddhist artifacts to modern works.
This monumental tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a key figure of India's independence movement, is among the tallest statues in the world. Gazing southeast over the Narmada River, the statue is meant to symbolize pride in the Indian national project—and to bring visitors to southern Gujarat. At the statue's feet lie a memorial garden and museum dedicated to the statesman.
The second-biggest city on Japan’s Okinawa Islands, after Naha, Okinawa City (Okinawa-shi is steeped in history, culture, politics, and tradition. Here, on the city’s lively streets, traditional Okinawan culture is blended with Japanese and American influences (a result of the long presence of U.S. military bases.
Restored in 2005 after landslides destroyed it and rebuilt a second time in 2018, hillside Selogriyo Temple (Candi Selogriyo) is an atmospheric and rarely visited Hindu temple dating back to the 9th century. The rice-field views are especially scenic, while the water from its fountain is said to heal disease and impart eternal youth.
A highlight of the luxurious Marina Bay Sands resort, the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark is a gigantic rooftop complex balanced atop the resort’s three towers. The SkyPark, which stretches over 1,115 feet (340 meters), has gardens, restaurants, a huge infinity pool, and spectacular views over Singapore.
While the Yulong Bridge is the largest single-arch bridge in the province and the Xiangui Bridge is the oldest passage across the Yulong River, the Fuli Bridge is the tallest span. When seen from a distance, the bridge’s high arched back and the reflection it creates in the water form a perfect circle, called a full moon by locals.
Located within the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, Sharp Island (Kiu Tsui Chau) packs a lot into a small area, with two popular beaches, barbecue areas, hiking trails, stunning scenery, and interesting geological formations. Sharp Island is easily accessible, and is one of the most popular islands in the Sai Kung area.
Step back in time at Shanghai Chedun Film Park, which covers a whopping 4,305,565 square feet (400,000 square meters). The park is an active film set and features historically-accurate sets. See where hundreds of Chinese movies and TV shows were shot, explore the sets, and enjoy varied exhibits, experiences, and shows.
The hilltop village of Nuwakot is home to Nuwakot Fort, a beautiful and historically important fortress and palace built in 1768. While the fort is the area’s main draw, visitors also come to stay in charming boutique hotels or homestays and hike in the forested hills around the village. Nuwakot makes an ideal destination for a peaceful 2- or 3-night getaway from Kathmandu.
Built in 1908, Seodaemun Prison was used to house Korean patriots and activists who were tortured and eventually executed here during the Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945. Meant to house 500 prisoners, the facility often held up to 3,500 in squalid conditions at the height of the anti-Japanese protests in 1919.
Just across the water from Cebu City, Mactan Island (Lapu Lapu) is where most visitors begin their Cebu journey, at Mactan-Cebu International Airport. But there’s more to Mactan Island than transportation alone. It’s home to sleek resorts, a wealth of water sports, excellent scuba diving, and even a monument or two.
If you believe the legend, Kusu Island—‘Tortoise Island’—was created when a giant tortoise transformed itself into an island to save a local fisherman from drowning. Myths aside, the island provides an idyllic getaway off Singapore’s south coast, dotted with sandy beaches, lagoons, and sacred temples.
