Asia attractions

Constructed by the Portuguese in 1623, Fort Frederick sits on a promontory in Trincomalee Bay. This semi-ruined fort doubles as a tourist attraction and Sri Lankan army base. Check out its colonial-era relics, walk its ramparts, and spot the samba deer and peacocks wandering its grounds.

In a part of Vietnam more renowned for its landscape and natural wonders, Can Tho’s Binh Thuy Ancient House is a fascinating cultural attraction. Despite its name, the property dates from the 1870s rather than antiquity, but it is nevertheless architecturally significant, as a rare remaining example of a French-style house in the Mekong Delta.

Ginza Wako is a prestigious department store offering high-end goods, including luxury watches, handbags, jewelry, and fashion items. As well as coming to shop, visitors flock here to capture photos of the iconic Hattori Clock Tower—which dates back to 1932 and has even appeared in the Godzilla movies. You’ll also find an art gallery and gourmet chocolate and tea shops.

Hue’s An Dinh Palace was home to Vietnam’s last and final King—deposed in 1945—and while it’s not quite in ruins, the building is equal parts spooky and impressive. Combining elements of both Asian and European architecture, the UNESCO–listed site welcomes visitors through a spectacularly ornate gate and into a world of not-so-long-gone royalty.

Fukuoka’s Kushida Shrine, also commonly called Okushida-san by locals, is one of the city’s oldest and most important Shinto shrines. It dates back to the 8th century, though the current building is mostly from the 16th century. Beautiful and ornate, with elegantly pointed roofs and a large ginkgo tree in the shrine yard, it’s a must-visit attraction in central Fukuoka.

In a town jam-packed with ancient temples and shrines, Nara’s 8th-century Toshodaiji Temple stands apart as different in style. It’s also quite far from the very popular Nara Park, so it’s not as inundated with visitors and has a more peaceful atmosphere. It was fully dismantled and renovated in the 2000s, so visitors can now admire the restored buildings and lush grounds.

Located on Canton Road in Kowloon, Ocean Terminal is both a cruise terminal and shopping mall, which provides easy access to bustling Hong Kong. Use Hong Kong Ocean Terminal as a jumping-off point for exploring the cosmopolitan city, a world-class destination known for its skyline, shopping, food, and attractions both modern and ancient.

Officially known as Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Colaba Causeway is a major artery in South Mumbai, connecting the Colaba and Fort neighborhoods. Part of the street is lined with shops and stalls selling everything from nautical-instrument reproductions to budget fashion, and many visitors to Mumbai stay in the general area.

Siam Niramit, or the Enchanted Kingdom of Siam, is a music and dance performance held in a 2,000-seat theater and entertainment complex in Bangkok. The show features acrobatics, traditional costumes, pyrotechnics, and more, and offers an immersive journey into Thailand’s history and culture.

Located around 18 miles (30 kilometers) outside Bishkek, Alamedin Gorge is what Kyrgyzstan is all about: stunning mountain ranges, plush alpine meadows, and crystal-clear waterholes. This popular hiking spot is within the Tian Shan mountain range, but don’t expect snow-capped peaks and challenging technical climbs—you can leave the crampons at home. Here, it’s all about laid-back walking trails and picnic spots.

Located in the lush town of Thekkady, the Green Park Ayurvedic and Spices Plantation is dedicated to all things Ayurveda. India’s traditional form of ancient medicine relies on nature-based healing and a variety of plants for medicine and oils, many of which are grown right here in this tranquil medicinal garden, along with cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and more.

A white-sand strand with views across a narrow strait to the saddle of Matinloc Island, Star Beach is a private beach on Tapiutan Island (although some travelers call it Star Island and say it’s a private island). Snorkelers love not only the starfish that gave the beach its name but also the sheer reef drop-off that sometimes plays host to turtles.

The largest marine ecology display center in the country, the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium is one of southern Taiwan’s top attractions. Tunnels, a touch pool, and other exhibits let you get up close and personal with a diverse array of marine life, including whale sharks, belugas, and penguins.

Part of the glorious Phi Phi archipelago in Thailand’s turquoise Andaman Sea, Ko Phi Phi Le is an uninhabited island whose standout feature is Maya Bay—which catapulted to fame after appearing in the 2000 film The Beach. The pristine waters surrounding it are prime snorkel and scuba diving spots, as they’re home to blacktip reef sharks, sea snakes, hawksbill turtles, and octopi.

Formerly Jungang Market, Sokcho Central Market is the ultimate representation of the city’s vibrant cultural scene. In this huge commercial space, stalls are piled high with everything from clothing to clams. Here you can sample hot and cold street food, raw fish, seafood, Korean fried chicken, and traditional blood sausage.

On sunny days, a light ray pierces the roof of Cudugnon Cave, creating a puddle of light that throws the limestone and lichen interior into moody relief and can make for epic selfies. Coupled with the entrance through a low tunnel in what looks like a solid rock wall, it’s an atmospheric experience, although the formations are not spectacular.

A rocky, jungle-clad islet with a long white tail of powder-soft sand stretching all the way to the mainland, Snake Island—officially known as Vigan Island—is one of El Nido’s most photogenic islands. It’s particularly striking at low tide, when a cavalcade of different shades of blue frames the brilliant white sandbar.

Flowing from the Daen Lao Mountains in Myanmar and running for more than 177 miles (285 kilometers) before meeting the Mekong River along the Laos border, the Mae Kok River is one of the most important in Northern Thailand. Linking Chiang Rai to the northern villages and borders, it serves a key role in the lives of residents and as a route for trade.

Just a few minutes from the North Korean border, Camp Bonifas is a testament to the region's complex history and geopolitical significance. While it may not be a typical tourist attraction, it’s an essential stop on Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) tours, providing a rare chance to witness the tense reality of the Korean Peninsula.

Surrounded by emerald greenery, the 137-foot (42-meter) Tad Yuang Waterfall plunges dramatically into the natural pool below. Part of the beautifully biodiverse Bolaven Plateau, the Tad Yuang Waterfall is more off-the-beaten-track than nearby attractions such as the Tad Fane Waterfall, so you’ll likely find you’ve got the place all to yourself.

Located in Kyrgyzstan's rugged north, Boom Gorge is one of the region’s most stunning natural attractions. Often called the gateway to Issyk-Kul, a sprawling alpine lake, the gorge is known for its towering peaks and craggy cliffs. Hiking opportunities abound, while the fast-flowing Chu River that cuts through the gorge is a rafter’s paradise.

Among Hindu temples in India, Shree Narayani Dham is a relative novice, built around 2010. Yet this religious complex spread over 4.5 acres (1.8 hectares), roughly the size of four American football fields, is a major spiritual retreat in Lonavala. Its modern hall with marble floors fans out to a rose garden, dining halls, and enough housing for dozens of guests and devotees.

Central Java’s Chicken Church—officially Bukit Rhema Gereja Merpati Putih—is a quirky building in the hills near the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Borobudur complex. It was built in the 1990s after its designer, Daniel Alamsjah, claimed to receive a divine vision of a building shaped like a dove. The structure looks more like a chicken to most people though, hence the name.

You’ll see Momochi Seaside Park long before you get there, thanks to the 767-foot (234-meter) high Fukuoka Tower that stands within the waterside development. Created in 1989 for the Asia Pacific Expo, the park contains a sandy beach, an artificial island (Marizon), the Fukuoka City Museum, and more. You can also catch a ferry over to the larger Uminonakamichi Seaside Park from Marizon.

Overlooking the Daya River in the southern part of Bhubaneswar, Dhauli Hill is known for its Dhauli Shanti Stupa, also called the "peace pagoda." It's one of many sites across India with an "edict of Ashoka," an inscription attributed to the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, who was instrumental in spreading Buddhism across the subcontinent.

Experience all things football (soccer) at Football Faentasium in Seoul, the first football-themed experience museum in South Korea. Founded by the Korean Football Association, the museum features six different zones with interactive exhibits and virtual reality experiences where visitors can play and learn all about “the beautiful game.”

The Old Town of Lijiang, also known as Dayan Old Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled in the picturesque landscape of the Yunnan Province. This historic enclave, sometimes called the “Venice of the East,” boasts ancient architecture, meandering cobbled streets, and tranquil waterways. Here, you can immerse yourself in Naxi culture as you explore bustling markets, hidden temples, and charming teahouses.

In the heart of Hampi, the Virupaksha Temple is an active place of worship that has been continuously operating since the 7th century. It’s dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Sri Virupaksha and is part of the larger Group of Monuments at Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of Taipei’s most distinctive destinations, the Miniatures Museum of Taiwan was founded in 1997, and is the first collection of its kind in Asia. Established by Lin Wen-jen and Lin Chin-mei—two impassioned collectors—it features dozens of miniature creations of phenomenal detail and complexity, and is aimed at both kids and adults.

Built in the early 1950s, not long after India’s independence, this gravity dam is a major source of hydroelectric power in Kerala. Matupetty Dam sits on Mattupetty Lake, a greenery-flanked reservoir that provides year-round refuge to birds and animals. You can walk or drive across it; lookout points provide pretty views.