Asia attractions

Contrary to its ominous name, the Hells of Beppu is one of Japan’s most attractive spots—in fact, it’s a designated Place of Scenic Beauty. The most popular attraction in the onsen town of Beppu, the "hells" (jigoku) are seven bubbling hot springs that reach temperatures of more than 212°F (100°C). For obvious reasons, the only thing visitors soak in here are the views.

With swaying coconut palms, lazy hammocks, and clear waters from which a crescent-shaped sandbar emerges at low tide, tiny Banana Island is the tropical paradise of cliché. There’s snorkeling off the fringing reef, a volleyball net, and a simple convenience store where you can buy drinks and snacks, however most travelers come here to simply soak up the sun.

A chain of six bridges that links Batam Island to the islands of Rempang, Galang, and Galang Baru by way of three islets, the Barelang Bridge is one of Indonesia’s most impressive feats of engineering and a Batam symbol. Confusingly, people also call the first and largest of the bridges the Barelang Bridge: It’s formally the Tengku Fisabilillah Bridge.

Check out the views of Bangkok from the 61st floor of the Moon Bar, the city’s best venue to sip a delicately crafted cocktail and watch the sunset. This is a popular spot, so you might have to wait—but the views are worth it, especially at nighttime. Sathon is close to Lumphini Park, so it makes a great stop after a day of sightseeing.

Reached by swimming between the tall cliffs that shield it from view, Hidden Beach is one of the most popular adventures in El Nido’s Bacuit Archipelago. A strip of pale sand backed by a landscape of tumbled karst, jungle, and palm trees, and framed by soaring cliffs, it’s as beautiful as a movie set.

Situated in the city of Srinagar in Kashmir, Dal Lake is a massive body of water and a major tourist attraction. Many visitors to the city come to spend the night on traditional Kashmiri houseboats moored on the lake, but even if you decide to spend the night on land, it’s worth coming out to the lake for a boat ride.

The star attraction of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, this tranquil manmade lake dates back to the turn of the 19th century, when a dam diverted the Periyar River. Today, Periyar Lake serves as a popular drinking and bathing spot for many of the sanctuary’s resident animals, including elephants, otters, sambar deer, bison, and wild boar. You can also spot plenty of bird species here.

Situated in front of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, the Bodhi Tree is a massive peepul tree (Ficus religiosa) that marks the spot where Siddhartha Gautama—known as the Buddha—is believed to have attained enlightenment. Although the actual tree he sat beneath is no longer there, the Bodhi Tree continues to attract Buddhist pilgrims visiting the city.

The National Orchid Garden is the main attraction inside the Singapore Botanic Gardens, with more than 1,000 orchid species and thousands of hybrids displayed across outdoor gardens and climate-controlled houses. Walk through orchid collections organized by color and habitat, see rare hybrids developed in Singapore, and visit the garden’s high-elevation Sembcorp Cool House filled with species that normally grow in tropical mountain climates.

Streets and alleys run between quaint houses of traditional Korean architecture at the Jeonju Hanok Village. Among this historic residential area full of old-fashioned homes, known as hanok, lie equally preserved landmarks, such as shrines and schools, that allow this part of Jeonju to look as if it has skipped the centuries of advancement that have shaped the city around it.

Located in Tanah Rata, part of the Cameron Highlands, Rose Valley lives up to its name with more than 450 types of roses. This hillside flower garden also boasts other plants in a terraced garden, along with sculptures, a pond, a café, a plant nursery, and a viewpoint overlooking the highlands.

Japan’s largest botanical garden, Southeast Botanical Gardens are located on Okinawa Island, the largest in the Okinawan archipelago. Come here to see a wide variety of native and non-native plant life. There are also multiple petting zoos, live bird shows on the weekends, and a tasty on-site restaurant with a wellness-oriented menu called Peace.

A visual feast of red and gold with a towering Buddha, the 19th-century Dhammikarama Burmese Temple is one of few Burmese Buddhist temples outside Myanmar. Besides a gilded stupa, a spire-clad pavilion, a candy-colored bell tower, and a fish pond, a wealth of multi-colored temple guardians protect the incense-wreathed prayer hall.

Although cat fanatics might be misled by its name, Cat Street Tokyo is all about fashion, not felines. This mostly pedestrianized street runs between Harajuku and Shibuya in central Tokyo, and attracts the “cool cats” of fashion with its trendy boutiques and designer shops. It offers an unpretentious, relaxed, and eclectic shopping experience, without the crowds you expect in Harajuku.

Facing Fukuoka’s port from its location on a narrow peninsula, the Uminonakamichi Seaside Park is a sprawling area that will appeal to families, picnickers, flower enthusiasts, cyclists, and anyone seeking respite from the city. As the park spans 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) from end to end, many visitors like to rent bikes at the entrance and follow the cycle trails.

The Grishneshwar Temple near Aurangabad is one of the most important Shiva temples in India, and devotees believe that holy water springs from the site. It’s very close to the UNESCO-listed Ellora Caves, so they’re easy to pair together. Hindu travelers and anyone interested in Indian spirituality and temple architecture will enjoy visiting.

Once serving as a 19th-century port, Can Tho’s Ninh Kieu Wharf is now a waterfront destination for travelers and locals alike. Located on the gentle Hau River, it’s a place to stroll the well-tended paths along the riverbank, admire the colorful boats, check out the vendors selling local goods, and stay long enough to see the waterfront glow by nightfall.

Established in the late 19th century, Shiba Park (Shiba Koen) is one of Japan’s oldest public parks. It’s best known for the distinctive red-and-white Tokyo Tower looming over it. The park is a refreshing green space in the central city, and it’s a great place to take a walk while in this part of Tokyo. As you stroll, you’ll see trees like zelkova and gingko, seasonal flowers and blossoms, and a temple.

DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is a shopping and entertainment complex on the artificial island of Odaiba in Tokyo Bay. The mall features a wide range of Japanese and international clothing stores, a large food court, Japanese souvenir shops, and family-friendly attractions. Known for its full-size Gundam statue outside, it’s a great spot to shop, dine, or take a break while exploring Odaiba’s futuristic sights.

On Shizuoka Prefecture’s Izu Peninsula, south of Mt. Fuji, stands the 1,902-foot (580-meter) Mt. Omuro, an extinct volcano. A chairlift leads to the top, where you can walk along a path around its crater for great views of Mt. Fuji, the Japan Alps, and the Izu coastline when the weather’s clear. Archery and paragliding are also offered from the top.

A short trip from central Tokyo, the Railway Museum is a must-do for train enthusiasts and families with kids. The 3-story museum includes everything from 19th-century carriages to contemporary Shinkansen bullet trains. Explore the hands-on exhibits, and try out the steam locomotive simulator.

Part of Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, Mt. Semeru (Mahameru) is Java’s highest peak, an active volcano that crests behind the famous Mt. Bromo. This area’s cluster of craters comprises Semeru volcano and several other deeply-ridged volcanoes, giving the landscape its otherworldly atmosphere.

Often referred to as simply the “Blue Temple" by English speakers, Wat Rong Suea Ten is a modern temple known for its intricate ornamental designs and its heavy use of the color blue. It was created by local artist Sala Nok, a student of Chalermchai Kositpipat, the artist who created the better-known White Temple just south of Chiang Rai.

This family-owned cocoa farm turns learning about chocolate—and tasting it—into a hands-on, personal experience. The owner leads all farm tours, welcomes every visitor like a VIP, and demystifies the process from cocoa bean to chocolate treat, offering samples along the way. (Be sure to bring home a chocolate souvenir.)

Long, narrow Matinloc Island wiggles its way through the waters of El Nido’s Bacuit Archipelago like the spine of an arching lizard. As well as a resort and an atmospheric shrine to the Virgin Mary, it’s home to two of the archipelago’s top island-hopping draws: Hidden Beach and Secret Beach.

Ajmer's star attraction is the dargah (shrine) of Ajmer Sharif, the final resting place of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chisthi, who brought the Chishti order of Sufism to India. It's one of India's most important Muslim holy sites, and legend says that Mughal emperor Akbar made an annual pilgrimage here during his reign.

Beautiful Redang Island, in the South China Sea off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, is considered to have some of the country’s best beaches. With white sands, warm turquoise waters, and a surrounding marine park, the island is a wonderful place to take a relaxing vacation, and it’s not overly developed. Visitors can swim, snorkel, dive, hike, and more.

Originally built to celebrate six decades of Soviet rule, this sprawling public square is now a symbol of modern Kyrgyzstan. The Lenin statue that once stood here has been replaced by Manas, the legendary Kygyz national hero. Today, Ala Too Square—the name refers to mountains in Kyrgyz—is a site for gatherings, performances, and the occasional protest.

Enjoy a day filled with learning, fun, and adventure at Kidzania Singapore. Located on Sentosa Island, KidZania Singapore is a kid-sized mini-city where children can learn important life skills and gain valuable experience by role-playing different jobs and taking part in a range of interactive and fun educational activities.

In the heart of Bali’s chic Seminyak district, Nyaman Gallery curates contemporary work from both Balinese and international artists. Multimedia pieces depict scenes of travel, personal growth, and Balinese culture and heritage, while more traditional objects feature woven wire, wood, bronze, and batik (a Javanese technique of applying dye to a cloth using a wax template).