Asia attractions

At 17,590 feet (5,360 meters) above sea level, Chang La Pass is among the world's highest motorable passes. Most people come here on their way to Pangong Lake or the Changthang Plateau, both in remote parts of Ladakh.

Mogao Caves, or the Caves of a Thousand Buddhas, are located southeast of Dunhuang, nestled into the cliffs above the Dachuan River. The temple caves are covered with preserved Buddhist frescoes and sculptures, most likely made by monks, pilgrims, and traders who stayed here while making journeys or pilgrimages along the Silk road, created over a period of 1,000 years.

Consider a visit to the Small Worlds Miniature Museum when Tokyo’s sheer size and scale start to feel overwhelming. Perhaps ironically, it’s touted as one of the largest miniature museums in Asia. The numerous themed areas reproduce historical, realistic, and fantastical miniature worlds at 1:80 scale, which are sure to delight both adults and kids.

Always buzzing with energy, Takeshita Street is a popular shopping street in Tokyo’s trendy Harajuku district. Famed for its fashion, anime, and cosplay shops, the street attracts a fun and youthful crowd who flock to its fashion boutiques, purikura photo booths, gashapon capsule toy machines, and stores selling kawaii (cute) items. The area is also known for its sweet treats, including candy floss and crepes.

Located in Kerala’s verdant Western Ghats, with scenery ranging from woody grasslands and marshy wetlands to evergreen forests, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places in southern India to observe the region’s unique flora and fauna at close range. Expect rich bird life—including hornbills and kingfishers—and dozens of mammals, from sambar deers to the elusive Bengal tiger.

The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, is one of the country’s biggest and most important art museums. Centrally located, the museum’s superlative collection of modern and contemporary Japanese art provides a journey through the development of modern Japan, from the late 19th century to today.

Also known as the Temple of the Laughing Buddha, Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya is a large, modern Buddhist temple, which can be wrongly referred to as Southeast Asia’s largest temple. It’s home to five prayer halls, a vegetarian restaurant, and a serene courtyard lined with jovial laughing Buddhas, while the upstairs balcony offers views across Batam.

A warren of alleyways near the soaring Baiyoke Sky building in Bangkok, Pratunam Market offers wholesale fast fashion from local factories between dawn to mid-afternoon. Later, Pratunam Night Market fills with the scent of grilled Thai food and the glow of neon, with stalls selling everything from souvenirs to off-brand electronics.

See the unique geological landforms of Hong Kong at the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. The Geopark includes eight designated geo-areas across the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region and the Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region. The terrain includes islands, cliffs, sea caves, volcanic rocks, and rare hexagonal columns.

Constructed for the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 19th annual Asian Games, the Seoul Sports Complex (Jamsil Sports Complex) on the banks of the Han River was designed to resemble the curving lines of a Joseon-era porcelain vase. Two of Seoul’s Korean League teams play at the Jamsil Baseball Stadium, one of several facilities at the complex open to the public.

With a circumference of 6,971 feet (2,070 meters), the Sangumburi Crater is a volcanic formation that boasts lush green landscapes scattered with sculptures and rare flora, such as winter strawberries. The perfectly circular space—which is essentially an upside-down mountain—is a must-visit for nature lovers, as its densely forested grounds offer a serene escape.

Ginza Six is a high-end retail complex in Ginza, boasting over 240 shops, making it one of the largest shopping malls in the area. You can easily spend a whole day here exploring the stores, restaurants, bars, and incredible basement food hall, where small-batch makers create exquisite sweets and desserts. The esteemed Kanze Noh Theater is on-site too.

Jagged mountain slopes and tropical greenery descend into the fresh waters of Kayangan Lake, one of Coron Island’s most popular locations. Moor at a pristine reef on the shore, hike a few minutes up to the viewpoint for ocean views, then walk down to the lake. Eerie underwater cliffs and a dark cave make for spectacular snorkeling.

Defying the misperception that Nepal is only a country of mountains and hills, Chitwan National Park is a subtropical jungle on the Nepali flatlands bordering India. Once a royal hunting reserve, Chitwan National Park is now home to Royal Bengal tigers, gharial and mugger crocodiles, a large population of one-horned rhinoceros, and much more.

This open-air museum near Lake Saiko stands on the site of a once-thriving farming village that was destroyed in a landslide in the 1960s. The thatched-roofed buildings, modeled on the original farmhouses, are now home to craft workshops, restaurants, museums, galleries, and shops. Visitors can wander around and learn about traditional life and handicrafts.

Towards the top of Phnom Sampeau, the Battambang Bat Caves provide a spectacular sunset treat—swirling clouds of millions of bats stream out from the cliff like columns of smoke. Stallholders provide food, drink, chairs, and tables so you can sit back and enjoy the show. You’ll need to buy something to use their facilities, though.

China is home to the world’s largest network of high-speed rails, which connects Beijing with other notable destinations in the country. Quiet, fast, and efficient, bullet trains reach a top speed of 220 miles (354 kilometers) per hour. The longest route covers more than 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers) from Beijing south to Guangzhou.

Enjoy fun games and thrilling rides at Berjaya Times Square Theme Park, the largest indoor amusement park in Malaysia. Located in central Kuala Lumpur, the 133,000-square-foot (12,357-square-meter) park features 14 rides and a variety of games and activities, ideal for everyone from adrenaline junkies to families with young kids.

One of the most prominent museums of Central Asia, the Kyrgyz State Historical Museum has a lofty mission: It aims to tell the history of the Kyrgyz people from Neolithic times all the way to the modern era. Visitors can find artifacts like pottery and tools for herding that were excavated around Kyrgyzstan, as well as traditional clothing, rock paintings, and a colorful yurt.

Fans of Japanese pop culture will love Nijigen no Mori (Awaji Island Anime Park). Located within Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park, it's a must-visit for anime enthusiasts of any age, and its entertaining attractions will even appeal to those unfamiliar with anime.

Lake views, picnicking spots, and the Sinhagad Fort nearby draw travelers to Khadakwasla Dam, a feat of local engineering on the Mutha River on the outskirts of Pune near Khadakwasla Village. Equal parts water source and tourist attraction, the dam offers lovely views over the lake/reservoir—especially at sunset from the official viewpoint.

With massive optical illusions and 3D artwork, visitors quite literally step into the artistic displays and murals at Art in Paradise 3D Museum in Da Nang. Perfect for families and selfie enthusiasts, the museum gives visitors the chance to enter worlds of dragons, undersea kingdoms, fairytale fantasies, and more.

In the southern reaches of Darjeeling, right next to the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple, the Japanese Peace Pagoda is one of many Buddhist stupas installed worldwide to promote peace. This beautiful white structure enshrines four images of the Buddha and is a peaceful place to go for a bit of reflection.

One of Taiwan’s most unusual attractions, the Houtong Cat Village, located in the island’s northeast, is famously home to many stray cats. There are now more felines than humans in this former mining village, making it a popular (and adorable) day-trip destination for visitors from nearby Taipei and Keelung City.

Offering a mile (1.4 kilometers) of silky sand, Busan’s Gwangalli Beach is a popular seaside destination for locals and tourists alike. In addition to being one of Busan's top swimming locales, the beach is also a go-to spot for nightlife, art installations, live music, and shopping. Day or night, Gwangalli Beach offers amusement for all.

If you opted for South India over North but regret missing Agra’s Taj Mahal, you’re in luck—The Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad is nicknamed the “Taj of the Deccan.” But it isn’t just a replica. Surrounded by pretty formal gardens, the Bibi Ka Maqbara is almost as old as the Taj and an attraction in its own right.

Backed by forested karst mountains and soaring cliffs, Cua Van Floating Village’s bright wooden homes float on the waters of Halong Bay, often among a neat grid of fish farming cages. Vendors in candy-colored sampans sell snacks and drinks to passing cruise boats, while travelers explore the area by kayak or bamboo boats.

Among India’s Jyotirlingas, 12 shrines and pilgrimage sites symbolizing the spread of Hindu god Lord Shiva’s influence across the nation, Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga stands out for its location on an island in the shape of the symbol Om. A pilgrimage site for Hindu devotees, the temple also hosts ritual events and religious festivals throughout the year.

Japan’s elegant tiered castles with solid stone walls rising from a moat are an iconic sight, but there are few remaining today that weren’t rebuilt in the 20th century: Hirosaki Castle is one of them. It’s especially renowned for its spring cherry blossoms, and people come from all over the Tohoku region to witness the annual delight.

The George Town neighborhood of Chennai is centered around the 17th-century Fort St. George. Here you'll find many of the city's historic buildings, including the fort itself, which now houses the Chennai High Court. George Town also boasts colorful markets that tourists can visit independently or as part of a walking tour.