Asia attractions

Dedicated to the artifacts of the Lanna Kingdom, the private Oub Kham Museum has a collection that features carved thrones, embroidered costumes, Buddha images, and antique jewelry.

Dotted with lush green islets and blooming with lotus flowers, Tinh Tam Lake—located just north of the walled Imperial City—provides welcome respite from the bustle of Hué’s city center. This manmade lake was laid out in the 19th century and was once part of the royal grounds, where the emperors would come to walk, relax, and drink tea.

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.

Mumbai’s Yazoo Park is an amusement park with a variety of rides and attractions designed to appeal to all age groups, from ball pits and slides for young kids to roller coasters and carnival-style games for teenagers and adults. An attached water park and a variety of other amenities make this an excellent spot for family fun.

Although the Indian state of Maharashtra rarely gets cold enough to see snow, locals can still go sledding and have friendly snowball fights, thanks to Imagica Snow Park. Spread over 15,000 square feet (1,394 square meters), this is India’s largest snow park and offers wintery activities suitable for visitors of all ages.

Shizuoka Municipal Nihondaira Zoo, covering an expansive space with natural surroundings, is a popular tourist attraction that also runs successful red panda and giant anteater breeding programs. Visiting is a good opportunity to see these animals, as well as many others that are difficult to spot in the wild.

A modern, open-air mall in the heart of bustling Bandung, Cihampelas Walk (Ciwalk) is a one-stop shopping, dining, and entertainment destination. Stores here sell everything from Indonesian fashion and batik-inspired textiles to underwear, jewelry, electronics, and housewares. Plus, the food court is a draw in itself, serving up a delicious mix of Indonesian, Asian, and international dishes.

Located in the north of Sai Kung peninsula, Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park is a marine biodiversity park where eight species of mangrove, 120 species of coral fish, and over 60 species of hard coral live. One of the most accessible marine parks in the city, Hoi Ha Wan is a popular destination to experience nature in Hong Kong.

On the banks of Hussain Sagar, the sprawling Jalavihar water park features multiple pools and slides along with a variety of rides for the whole family. It's a great place to go to keep kids happy on sweltering summer days and features attractions geared towards visitors of all ages, including the smallest of children.

Bikaner's Bhandasar Jain Temple is among the key attractions in the city, drawing in tourists and pilgrims alike. It was built in the 15th century over the course of about 50 years, and features beautifully carved interiors adorned with intricate mirror work and paintings, many in the Rajasthani miniature style.

Built in 1904 as part of the Dusit Palace Park complex, the Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall originally hosted state occasions under Chulalongkorn (also known as King Rama V). In 1993, the royal family reopened the restored hall as a handicraft museum sponsored by the Support Foundation. Please note: Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall and the larger Dusit Palace Park are closed for construction. The reopening date has not been announced.

Tokonyan is a giant beckoning cat statue that overlooks Tokoname, an ancient kiln town. Standing at over 12 feet (3.8 meters), this impressive figure symbolizes good luck and fortune. Perched on a hillside, it can be seen from the train and is a popular photo spot for travelers visiting the area, especially if exploring the city’s Pottery Footpath.

Nestled deep in the Hong Kong peninsula, Tai Po Kau’s unspoiled forest provides escape from the densely populated and often intense city center. Home to more than 100 species of tree, the reserve’s winding trails are popular with hikers and wildlife-watchers alike, all of whom are hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare birds, insects, and mammals.

The only dedicated wood sculpture museum in Taiwan, the Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum, located in the island’s northwest, offers a glimpse into both local and international woodcarving traditions. Across nine exhibition areas, its galleries showcase everything from Chinese dynastic sculpture and furniture to works by Austronesian peoples.

Located in the Peak Galleria at the summit of Victoria Peak, Hong Kong’s Trick Eye Museum is home to over 50 different illusions across five sections. Beginning in Seoul, the family-friendly franchise has spread across Asia and differs from traditional museums in that it actively encourages photography and interaction.

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.

Tung trees, characterized by clusters of white blossoms that emerge in late spring, were once widely cultivated by the Hakka ethnic group throughout Taiwan. The blossom has since become a cultural symbol of the Hakka and each spring, people from around the country come to see the trees in bloom along the Tucheng Tung Blossom Trail.

Deepen your understanding of northern Thailand’s diverse hill tribe cultures at the Highland People Discovery Museum, formerly Chiang Mai Tribal Museum. The ethnographic exhibition showcases the costumes and tools of the region’s nine hill tribe groups. Outside among the tropical gardens, you’ll also find examples of traditional dwellings.

The 28-mile (47-kilometer) Aso Milk Road follows the northern edge of the Aso Caldera, a large volcanic depression in the middle of Kyushu. It’s a very scenic route, with mountains and grasslands to admire. You can drive it in one go or stop at strategically located parking lots along the way to take in the views.

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.

There’s nothing quite like fresh, authentic Vietnamese food. Imagine being able to bring recipes and techniques home with you—that’s what you can do with a hands-on class at Hoi An’s Green Bamboo Cooking School. And it’s not just any cooking class: You’ll visit a market just like the locals to procure ingredients for your chosen dish.

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.

Wet World Water Park in Shah Alam is a place for visitors of all ages to have fun on a hot day. Enjoy rides such as the Thunder River, Pirate Challenge, and Super Hurricane—then have lunch at one of the on-site food venues, or relax in one of the cabanas available for rent.

Chettiar Temple (Sri Thendayuthapani Temple) is arguably the most important Hindu temple for Singapore’s sizable South Indian community. A distinctly South Indian 75-foot (23-meter) ornate monumental tower entrance, called a gopuram, depicts scenes from Indian folklore, mythology, and the Hindu pantheon in brightly painted carvings.

The Prefecture Government Sakishima Building (aka the Cosmo Tower) rises 840 feet (256 meters) above the streets of Osaka, home to trade offices linking cities around the globe. Glass elevators take visitors to an observatory on the 55th floor, where the 360-degree views extend as far as Awaji Island and the Rokko Mountains.

The Gyeonggi Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art (formerly known as the Icheon World Ceramics Center) celebrates Korea’s deep-rooted tradition of ceramics and showcases its progression into the modern age. Whether you’re interested in the hands-on creative process or simply want to admire beautiful ceramics, this world-class institution promises a culturally rich experience.

Made famous by social media, Hanoi Train Street is a narrow stretch of an active railway line that runs between a residential area lined with houses, cafes, and bars in the Old Quarter. Visitors flock here to witness and capture trains passing by in extreme close quarters, as residents rush to move everything out of the way.

Transport yourself back to prehistoric Okinawa on a walk through this subtropical forest with limestone caves. Due to ongoing excavations at the Valley of Gangala, the only way to visit is via an official guided tour. These cover a stop at the valley’s century-old banyan tree, and teach about the traces of Okinawa’s prehistoric Minatogawa people that have been found at the site.

The Singapore XD Theatre, one of Singapore Flyer’s newest attractions, takes passengers on a multi-sensory journey through the canyons of the American Southwest, over snow-covered mountains, into outer space, or through an arid ravine, all without leaving the comfort of your seat.

One of Taipei’s unique small museums, the Suho Memorial Paper Museum was founded to commemorate the millennia-old Chinese tradition of papermaking. Located in a four-story building, the museum showcases historical artifacts and also hosts a working paper mill and hands-on papermaking workshops.