Asia attractions

The animal offerings at Zoocobia Fun Zoo, a combination zoo and adventure park, range from a petting zoo and tropical birds to taxidermy and Philippine species, with horse rides and camel rides for an additional charge. Besides slides, ziplines, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and 4WD rides, the star attraction is the Zooc gravity-car track.

A set of two art deco modernist buildings from 1936, Phsar Nath Market—also known as Battambang Central Market—is a landmark of downtown Battambang. The east building topped with a clock tower, sells clothes, jewelry, and household goods; the west building houses a bustling wet market and features a modernist clock face.

Believed to be the oldest church in Chennai, Luz Church (Shrine of Our Lady of Light) was built in 1516 by Franciscan missionaries from Portugal. The Gothic and baroque structure, besides being one of the oldest European monuments in India, is also a classic example of Portuguese colonial church architecture.

The Ionah Show—which, you might notice, is “Hanoi” backward—is Vietnam’s take on Cirque du Soleil, combining the spectacle of circus with hip hop, theatre, pyrotechnics, modern dance, light, vivid costumes, 3D sets, and more. Audiences familiar with Hanoi will notice quite a few city references, some hidden, some not, as the technicolor show also tells the wild story of Vietnam’s capital.

Utou-jinja, Aomori City’s guardian Shinto shrine, is believed to be around 1,200 years old, predating the city itself. Visitors can stroll through the peaceful grounds, which feature traditional gardens, a red torii gate, a pond, historical artifacts, and stones inscribed with Japanese poetry. Utou-jinja is associated with 20th-century woodblock artist Shiko Munakata; you can see some of his works.

Singapore’s only horse-racing track, with a history dating back to 1842, the Singapore Turf Club is a popular destination on race days. The neighboring Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre offers a range of equine experiences, including riding lessons, riding sessions, horse therapy, and stable tours, as well as a bistro with horsey views.

Haw Par Villa is undoubtedly one of the most unique attractions in Singapore. Located along the Pasir Panjang Road, this mythological theme park contains more than 1,000 statues and 150 dioramas depicting scenes from Chinese mythology and various religions. Built in 1937 by the Aw family, the inventors of Tiger Balm (the park was originally called Tiger Balm Garden), it was intended to serve as a place to teach traditional Chinese values. As Singapore became more modern over the years, however, Haw Par Villa gradually became more of an attraction for curious tourists.

One of the oldest surviving examples of traditional Malay architecture, Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman is a beautifully preserved dark-wood stilt home set in a garden with around 50 species of native plants.

Situated in Noida, a suburb of Delhi, Worlds of Wonder is a popular spot for families looking for some theme park fun. It consists of a ride-filled amusement park with more than 20 rides, a water park full of slides and pools, and plenty of special attractions geared toward even the smallest of guests.

Carved into the side of a cliff, the Maijishan Grottoes contain thousands of Buddhist sculptures and frescoes crafted by pilgrims and traders as they made their way across the Silk Road. These grottoes are one of four cave complexes in China and have a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley is a geographical and cultural extension of the Tibetan Plateau that’s tucked into India. The dry, rocky, high-altitude valley is characterized by cliffside and hilltop Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, a patchwork of green irrigated farmland, and small traditional villages. Adventurers will enjoy the detour to a region distinct from the rest of the mountainous state.

Yangshuo Cooking School offers classes to those visitors who want to not only munch their way around China, but also to take home a new skill: the ability to re-create some of their favorite regional dishes. Set in a traditional farmhouse on the Li River, the Yangshuo Cooking School offers a scenic spot to get hands-on.

Check out the Buddhist temples hiding in the hills near Kanchanaburi, especially Khao Pun Cave Temple (Wat Tham Khao Pun), known as one of the best. Statues of the Buddha, Hindu deities, stalagmites, and stalactites all take residency in this impressive cave system.

Around two hours’ drive from Yogyakarta, Sadranan Beach is one of the stars of Gunung Kidul’s coastline. Here you can swim, catch some rays, canoe, snorkel, or enjoy a stand-up paddleboarding session amid golden sands, clear waters, simple restaurants, and some of the best coral in this part of Java. You can also camp overnight.

At the Nasu Stained Glass Museum, you’d be forgiven for thinking you had left Japan and entered the English Cotswolds. Designed to look like an English manor, the building is home to antique works of stained glass art, as well as a pipe organ. Art and antiques enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the museum on a day trip from Tokyo.

Singapore’s most extensive treetop obstacle course, Forest Adventure offers three separate rope courses, with the longest zipline running almost 1,000 feet (300 meters) over a reservoir. All courses include training, helmets, and harnesses. While instructors are on the course at ground level, adult supervision is expected for younger children.

On April 9, 1942, after over three months of bloody conflict, the Battle of Bataan came to an end when General Edward P. King surrendered 76,000 American and Filipino soldiers to Japanese forces. The Philippines commemorates this World War II trauma with a national holiday and the Surrender Site Marker, a sculpture strangely set on school grounds.

Run by a nonprofit organization, the Hilltribe Museum contains a wealth of information on Thailand’s hill tribes and the issues that threaten their preservation. All of the major hill tribe cultures, including Karen, Akha, and Hmong, are represented by information panels and artifacts.

At this large museum in Nanning, learn about the 12 nationalities in Guanxi and ethnic minorities in Southeast Asia and worldwide. Explore the different cultures by examining silver accessories, brocades, and costumes. Check out the ancient copper drums, Qing ceramics, examples of calligraphy, and much more. Some exhibits are indoors, some outdoors, and you can also learn from films.

Looping through residential areas, vivid markets, and dozens of stations, the Yangon Circular Train is daily transit for many locals, but it’s also a fascinating way to see the city. With plenty of chances to stop and explore, you can step off the train to shop for souvenirs, taste Yangon cuisine, or photograph bustling neighborhoods.

Opened in 2014, the Asia Camera Museum Penang displays antique and modern cameras from across the globe, including vintage cameras from Japan, Sweden, and the United States. The permanent exhibition features more than 1,000 cameras and photographic accessories, some of which you can pick up and play around with.

A bustling market offering fruit, vegetables, herbs, and jungle produce from ferns to wild honey, plus animals, orchids, and much, much more, Satok Market (Medan Niaga Satok is Kuching’s most important market. Vendors come from longhouses far upriver to sell here on weekends, often for just one or two Malaysian ringgit.

Situated on a hilltop in Rajasthan, outside of Jaipur, Rusirani Village is a typical traditional village that attracts travelers who want to see what life is like in rural India. Along with traditional homes, there's a Shiva temple that is believed to date back at least a millennium, along with a market full of local handicrafts.

Get an overview of some of Hong Kong’s best sights on a 1-hour sightseeing tour aboard an open-top 1920s-style tram, which includes an onboard guide, prerecorded commentary, and a mini museum. Gain insight into Hong Kong life and history as you pass by bustling streets, modern skyscrapers, historic landmarks, and top attractions.

The Thai organization Elephant Parade draws attention to the plight of the Asian elephant by exhibiting brightly painted elephant statues in international cities. At Elephant Parade House in Chiang Mai, visitors can admire sculptures painted by artists and celebrities and buy souvenirs to help save these endangered animals.

Woongjin Playdoci, in Bucheon, is home to one of the largest driving ranges in South Korea as well as an indoor skiing center, a water park, a spa and fitness center, and a variety of kid-friendly facilities. The water park boasts a wave pool and multiple slides, while the ski center gives you the chance to ski, sled, and snowboard.

Spread across a coastal hilltop in the Andhra Pradesh city of Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag, Kailasagiri is an expansive park offering great views of the city and the Bay of Bengal. Highlights of this 350-acre (102-hectare) expanse include manicured gardens with a flower clock, giant statues of Lord Shiva and his consort Paravati, and an aerial ropeway offering scenic views.

Komezuka is a volcanic cone within the border caldera of Mt. Aso, in central Kyushu’s Kumamoto Prefecture. Bright green with grass in the summer and sprinkled with snow in the winter, Komezuka is often called a kawaii, or cute, volcano for its symmetrical cone that rises from surrounding grasslands. You can’t climb it, but it’s a popular subject of photography.

Spreading out along the western foothills of Mt. Fuji, the Asagiri Plateau is known for its green dairy pastures, with the volcano looming near in the background. It’s a great place to enjoy Fuji views when the weather’s clear, and you can also try paragliding or stop to sample local goods at Asagiri Food Park.

Create hilarious selfies at Melaka’s Magic Art Museum. Spanning more than 7,000 square feet (650 square meters), with more than 70 artworks covering eight different themes, it’s one of Malaysia’s largest 3D trick art galleries. Insert yourself into scenes from underwater, old Malacca, ancient Egypt, or even a muay Thai kickboxing match.