Asia attractions

One of India's largest wildlife areas, the enormous Bannerghatta National Park spans more than 25,000 acres (10,000 hectares) and features tons of hiking trails, villages, and temples. The highlight of the reserve is the Bannerghatta Biological Park, which features an animal rescue center, a zoo, safaris, and a butterfly park.

Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur Cruise Port) serves as a gateway to the metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, situated some 40 miles (64 kilometers) away. Unless you're a golfer looking to improve your handicap at Port Klang Golf Resort, the port is mostly used as a transport hub and activity-packed shore excursions are popular ways to cover more ground in Kuala Lumpur.

One of the smaller islands in Komodo National Park, Padar Island’s rugged green promontories, white sand beaches, and turquoise waters make social media magic. A hike to the island-top viewpoint is an essential stop on most Komodo National Park tours, while one of the park’s pink beaches is tucked into a bay on the north coast.

Also known as Beach No. 7, Radhanagar is among the prettiest and most popular beaches on Havelock Island (officially known as Swaraj Dweep) in India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Its white sand and generally calm waters make it a great place for swimming and sunbathing, but it does attract large crowds.

For a turtle immersion, head out to the Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet Turtle Nursery near Khao Lak in Phang-nga. Nature and animal lovers will enjoy seeing the turtles, from babies to the older guys, being raised and taken care of by a compassionate staff. Your visit is welcome, and makes an educational break from jungle or beach time.

One of three sites that comprise the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) is a tuff cone that rises dramatically out of the Korea Strait. There’s a steep and strenuous trail leading to the top, but the effort will certainly seem worth it once you reach the summit and soak up panoramic views of Jeju’s volcanic landscapes.

Dedicated to traditional Uzbek crafts, the Uzbekistan State Museum of Applied Art is a small, slightly off-the-beaten-track showcase of the country’s exquisite handmade objects. From musical instruments and handwoven carpets to jewelry, ceramics, and embroidered textiles, visitors will find much to admire as they experience the full array of Uzbek craftsmanship—all in a historic house dating back almost a century.

The embodiment of tropical Japan, Kabira Bay on Ishigaki Island could easily be the most beautiful beach in the Okinawan archipelago. Sugar-white sand lapped by turquoise water draws photographers, social media moguls, and those who want to check off a scenic spot. Beauty aside, it’s also famous for its cultivation of black pearls, which you can buy in the bay.

Tokyo Sea Life Park is one of the largest aquariums in the city. Housed in a glass dome in Kasai Rinkai Park, it sits across the bay from Tokyo Disneyland® and DisneySea®. As it’s government-run, the exhibits lean toward educational rather than “flashy” or trendy, but it's an affordable, family-friendly attraction in the busy, often expensive Japanese capital, which is not far from the central city.

The Kyoto National Museum, established in 1897, houses 12,000-plus artifacts—including art, archeological relics, ceramics, kimonos, pottery, and swords. As one of Japan's four national museums and a major art museum, it’s the perfect place for visitors to deepen their appreciation and understanding of pre-modern Japanese and Asian art.

Step back in time to the Edo period in Japan at Toei Kyoto Studio Park (Toei Uzumasa Eigamura), the only theme park in Japan that’s also an open-air film set for period drama (jidaigeki) films. Visitors can watch exciting performances, dress up in period costume, learn fun skills, and enjoy a number of other entertaining attractions.

Surrounded by gloriously green rows of tea, the O’sulloc Tea Museum explores Jeju Island’s past and present through its tea cultivation. Inside the museum you can explore the fragrant Seogwang tea field, enjoy tasting sessions of tea-based cocktails and many leaf blends, and enrich your knowledge of the culture and production processes. You can also stock up on tea products and souvenirs in its on-site shop.

A compact but perfectly formed mall with a striking wavy frontage, Seminyak Village pairs western brands with local talent for a shopping experience that’s sleek and seamless but can feel artisanal too—right in the heart of Seminyak. Don’t confuse it with neighboring Seminyak Square, which is generally a lower rent experience.

Siam Paragon is one of Bangkok's largest shopping malls, featuring international high-end fashion brands, a sprawling aquarium, a 16-screen cinema, and a diverse selection of eateries. Shoppers can spend a full day here exploring around 250 shops, as well as family-friendly attractions like SEA LIFE® Bangkok Ocean World and Madame Tussauds Bangkok.

The Miho Museum is an art museum east of Kyoto City in the mountains of Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture. Based on the vision and collections of founder Mihoko Koyama, the Miho Museum displays a variety of Japanese art, as well as ancient art from North Africa, the Middle East, Southern Europe, South Asia, and China.

Ho Chi Minh City has an insatiable appetite for shopping, and many locals get their retail therapy at the Vincom Center, a massive shopping complex in District 1. Skewing toward luxury brands like Ralph Lauren and Armani, Vincom is a treasure trove for those with cards to swipe—or those simply looking for a reprieve from the city heat.

Built in the early 20th century as a residence for the ruler of Bikaner, Maharaja Ganga Singh, Lalgarh Palace is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. Today it houses a hotel and the Sadul Singh Museum, though the royal family still lives in a small wing of the palace to this day.

A series of geothermally heated pools framed by mangroves and the ocean, Maquinit Hot Springs is a popular trip from Coron Town. The warm salt water, similar to hot tubs, is particularly appealing in the evening when the air is cooler, providing more contrast with the water. On hot, sunny days, the heat can feel too much.

The neighborhood known as Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC is quite literally the heart of the Malaysian capital and home to some of the country’s most recognizable landmarks, including the Petronas Twin Towers. A commercial development project that began in 1993 envisioned KLCC as “a city within a city,” one that would leave visitors feeling like they could quite comfortably never leave the area.

While it might not be as famous as the iconic Golden Bridge in the Ba Na Hills, the Love Lock Bridge Da Nang is still a worthy attraction. Perched on the east bank of the Han River, this bridge is decorated with padlocks inscribed with couples’ names and features love heart installations.

Located in Hino City, a suburb of Tokyo, Tama Zoological Park is not your typical zoo. Spanning over 129 acres (52 hectares), the park is renowned for its open, spacious, and naturalistic habitats, where animals roam freely in their habitats. Visitors come here for the Lion Bus, which rides through the lion enclosure, as well as the bird dome, butterfly house, and many more surprises.

Zipping over the waves, TurboJET’s fleet of scarlet hydrofoil ferries link Hong Kong and China’s Shenzhen area to Macau in a fraction of the time (or carbon cost) of flying. Services nip between Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan and Macau’s Outer Harbour day and night in a little under an hour. Other routes run shorter and less frequent schedules.

Clear, unmanned tram cars surrounded by a psychedelic music and light show travel under the Huangpu River on the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel tourist ride. The 2,122-foot-long (647-meter-long) tunnel connects passengers from the Bund to Pudong in three to five minutes.

Kanchanaburi Safari Park is a great place to take a photo with giraffes and see several other animal species roaming around their pens. Crocodile and elephant shows are also available, which can be an entertaining way to learn about these animals that most people don’t encounter every day. This makes it a fun activity for the entire family.

Ornate pillars, richly decorated columns, carved spires, and graceful carvings of dancers, musicians, and deities in white marble make this Jain temple outside Delhi Gate one of the most stunning in Ahmedabad. Built in 1848, the temple is dedicated to Dharmanath, or the 15th Tirthankara, or “ford-maker,” one of the 24 great teachers of the Jain religion.

A strip of bone-white sand lapped by the Andaman Sea and backed by limestone cliffs, Monkey Beach is an unspoiled slice of paradise. Or at least its residents think so—hundreds of long-tailed macaques call this place home. The turquoise waters surrounding it are also among the top snorkel spots in the Phi Phi islands.

The Sumida Hokusai Museum’s reflective aluminium-clad building casts a striking figure among the wooden homes of Tokyo’s Sumida ward, but it’s what’s inside that truly dazzles. The museum is dedicated to one of Japan’s most beloved artists: Hokusai Katsushika. The ukiyo-e woodblock master is responsible for the instantly recognizable The Great Wave Off Kanagawa artwork, which was part of his collection Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji.

Visiting the Memorial Hall of the Nanjing Massacre can be a sobering experience, but it portrays a significant event in Chinese history where more than 300,000 lives were lost, and it’s well worth a visit. Explore four different areas, including a mass grave, the Peace Park, the Site Square, and Exhibition Area for a comprehensive tour of the memorial hall.

Hallasan National Park is a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve in Seogwipo on Jeju Island. The park is centered around Hallasan—a dormant volcano and South Korea's highest peak. Visitors can explore diverse ecosystems, including lush hiking trails, volcanic craters, and serene mountain lakes.

Jeongbang Waterfall, located on the southern coast of Jeju Island in Seogwipo, boasts the distinction of being the country’s only waterfall flowing directly into the sea. As one of the island’s most iconic attractions, it offers a serene escape. Whether visiting Jeju for a day or a week, ensure the Jeangbang Waterfall is on your itinerary.