Asia attractions

The annual Tachineputa Matsuri Festival in Goshogawara City is one of Tohoku’s largest summer festivals, held in early August. If you’re traveling to the region at any other time of year, check out the Tachineputa no Yakata (Tachineputa Museum) instead. The enormous paper tachineputa floats are an impressive sight and an off-the-beaten-path highlight of travel to the Aomori Prefecture.

Towering Taiwan cypresses stretch into the sky and thousands of indigenous wildflowers dot the hillsides of Taipingshan National Forest, one of Taiwan’s most beloved outdoor destinations. Wooded hiking trails lead to scenic overlooks with spectacular views of places like Renze Hot Springs, Forest Park, and Cuifeng Lake.

Guandu (Kuantu) Temple is dedicated to Mazu, the goddess of the sea and one of the most important deities in Taiwan. Built in 1661 into the side of a mountain along the banks of the Tamsui River, Guandu Temple is a grand, multistory complex that also offers great panoramic views over the Tamsui River.

While far enough away to feel remote, Okinawa’s Zamami is one of those rare tropical islands that’s accessible enough for an easy visit. The second-largest island in the Kerama chain is just a ferry hop from the Okinawan capital of Naha, enticing travelers with a slower pace and welcoming atmosphere, as well as coral beaches, sea turtles, and other marine life.

Snow is a rare sight in India (outside the Himalayas), but Maniar’s Wonderland Snow Park in Ahmedabad provides a wintery experience the whole year round. Kids and adults will enjoy playing in the park, riding the roller coasters and zip lines, and even having snowball fights—a particularly enticing option when it’s hot outside.

This ocean theme park is home to about 14,000 marine creatures from almost 280 different species, as well as insects, birds, including penguins, and other animals. There’s a wide range of interactive, educational exhibits and shows for all ages—don’t miss the 220-degree curved tunnel offering views of sharks, stingrays, eels, and a variety of fish.

Fronted by a house balanced on its roof, Upside Down Pattaya is a quirky attraction that’s too small to count as a theme park. Pose for photos inside the upside-down house, where floors work as ceilings and vice versa; spin on an astronaut-style gyroscope; explore the labyrinth; enjoy the leaning castle; or brave the wobbly bicycles.

Jakarta’s favorite recreation area, Ancol Dreamland (Taman Impian Ancol) occupies a slice of waterfront. First opened in the 1960s, the site houses beaches, hotels, a gondola, food options, and tourist attractions. Some of the best-known are: Fantasy World (Dunia Fantasi), Ocean Dream Samudra, Sea World Ancol, and Atlantis Water Adventures.

Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat is a luxury resort on the outskirts of Ipoh. The retreat not only offers guests luxury villas to stay in but amenities such as wellness facilities and events venues that take advantage of the region’s landscape, including its large central geothermal lake and local caves within nearby limestone hills.

Constructed in 1967, Xingtian Temple is dedicated to Guan Yu—a deified general and patron god of businesspeople—and is frequented daily by around 10,000 believers seeking spiritual guidance. The temple is known for its forward-thinking approach; for environmental reasons, it became the first to ban incense in Taiwan in 2014.

Sapporo Beer is one of Japan’s most famous and popular beers, and travelers to the city of Sapporo can take free tours of the brewery. As well as enjoying beer samples and learning about beer production, visitors can visit the on-site Valhalla Restaurant, play a round of golf at the golf course, and stroll through the Biotope park.

Samui Water Park Pink Elephant boasts an impressive 15 slides, including the Twister and Superbowl high slides. With a wave pool, lazy river, food and drink outlets, and Jacuzzis, it’s the island’s dominant water park. This family-friendly venue has plenty to offer younger children in particular.

Right next to the National Palace Museum, the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines is dedicated to the history and culture of Taiwan’s 16 Indigenous ethnic groups. The four-story museum showcases an array of historical and contemporary objects and artworks, including clothing, weapons, photographs, and more.

Any time of day, you’ll find locals and tourists alike soaking in the sounds, flavors, and scents at Gwangbokdong Food Street. Boasting over 100 shops, this culinary stretch is often compared to Seoul’s Myeong Dong, but its distinctive street food and Busan culture give it a unique local identity.

Located in the green hills that surround Nha Trang, 100 Egg Theme Park (Khu Du Lịch Trăm Trứng is a mud bath complex with a difference—everything in the complex is inspired by eggs. Bask in egg-shaped mud paths, eat egg-based dishes at the restaurant, or shop for egg-themed souvenirs.

More than just a water park, Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park is a 3-in-1 park. A rope course with seven levels and over 50 obstacles delivers adventure. Slides, wave pools, boomerangs, and racer bowls form the water-park element. Go-karts, synthetic ice skating, and the Jump Street trampoline zone make up the leisure section.

Spanning around 55 acres (22 hectares), Mount Opera is the Hyderabad area's largest amusement park. Here you'll find all sorts of rides and attractions, plus a water park offering pools and slides suitable for visitors of all ages. A special kids’ zone includes a playground designed for the littlest of guests.

The Hozomon Gate is one of two large gates that lead to the 7th-century Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood. But the English word “gate” doesn’t really do justice to the two-story wooden structure, painted red and white, with curved roofs, wooden statues and giant sandals on either side (protective symbols), and a huge red lantern suspended from the middle.

Also known as Kempegowda's Fort after the founder of Bangalore (Kempe Gowda), this landmark construction was originally built in 1537 out of mud and converted to stone in 1761. It was later captured by the British East India Company in 1791. Today, only two bastions and one gate remain, along with gardens and a Ganesh temple.

Along with Mt. Rokko in Kobe and Mt. Inasa in Nagasaki City, Mt. Hakodate is known for offering one of the three best night views in Japan. Ride the ropeway to the top of the mountain, take in Hakodate’s twinkling city lights and the ocean on either side, and you’ll quickly understand why.

Perched atop the peak of Busan’s Mount Geumjeong, Geumjeongsanseong—the largest mountain fortress in South Korea—is now an imposing ruin and popular hiking spot. It has a long history: The original fort is believed to have been built during the Three Kingdoms Period from 57 BC to 668 AD The 2.5-mile-long structure that remains standing today was built in 1703 as protection against Japanese invasions following the Imjin War at the end of the 16th century.

The Kochi branch of South India’s Wonderla Amusement Park chain has state-of-the-art land and water rides for all ages, plus live shows daily. Highlights include two wave pools, a 120-foot-high (37-meter-high) vertical-drop ride, and India’s first reverse looping roller coaster. The water park is a popular way to cool off when the weather’s hot—which it often is in Kochi.

Hang out with popular Malaysian animation characters like BoBoiBoy and The Adventurers at Movie Animation Parks Studio. Located in Ipoh in Perak, it’s the first fully animation-based theme park in Asia, and features more than 15 rides, attractions, and live performances across five thematic zones.

Archaeology and ancient history enthusiasts will want to make a detour to Lothal, an archaeological site that was part of the Indus Valley civilization about 4,500 years ago. While many Indus Valley civilization sites are less accessible nowadays, in the deserts of modern-day Gujarat and Pakistan, Lothal is just 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Ahmedabad.

Bandhej (tie-dye) saris, traditional blouses, and colorful wall hangings line the stalls of the Law Garden Night Market, where business starts after sunset. So-called because of its proximity to the Gujarat Law Society University, and the garden of the same name, the market is where locals and tourists shop for traditional Gujarati handicrafts and local street food.

Mega Adventure is where adventure enthusiasts can satisfy their craving for excitement. Offering a range of activities suitable for kids and grown-ups alike—from soaring high above the trees to free-fall jumps—this Singapore park is a must-visit if you’re after outdoor fun and adrenaline rushes.

Located in the Kazhakuttom area of Thiruvananthapuram, the Magic Planet Theme Park is dedicated to magic in its many forms. It explores the historical, scientific, mathematical, and psychological aspects of magic through performances of street-style magic, comedy magic, illusions, puzzles, and more.

Dali’s Three Pagodas are one of China’s national treasures dating back to the ninth and tenth centuries. The three symmetric towers are one of the country’s most visited attractions because of their architecture and size. A lake named Reflection Pond reflects the pagoda’s images, located at the foot of the Cangshan Mountains. Visiting these sites is a must when you’re seeing Dali's sites.

Also called the Pu La Deshpande Garden, the Pune Okayama Friendship Garden is among the largest public gardens in Pune, India. Established as a symbol of friendship between the sister cities Pune and Okayama in Japan, this landscaped space is said to be the largest Japanese-style garden outside of Japan, and offers visitors a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of Pune’s city life.

Conveniently located inside the Komtar JBCC shopping mall, Johor Bahru’s Angry Birds Activity Park is a small-scale attraction with activities suited to children from preschool age to tweens. Kids can play at the video-game console, clamber over the pirate ship play structure, and drop onto a giant air mattress, while parents relax in the lounge.