Asia attractions

One of four devales (temples) in Kandy’s Royal Palace compound, the Buddhist Natha Devale stands at the front of the royal complex. Associated with the palace’s Temple of the Tooth and believed to be Kandy’s oldest temple, this 14th-century shrine was built by King Vikramabahu III and attracts both Buddhist and Hindu followers.

Situated a couple of hours outside of Mumbai, this Mykonos-themed waterpark is a fantastic place to cool off on a hot summer's day. Here you'll find everything from a wave pool to a splash areas for little kids, along with costumed entertainers and a variety of dining options serving food from around the world.

At the northwest corner of West Lake lies Solitary Hill (Gu Shan), the largest and only natural island in West Lake, covering an area of almost 50 acres (20 hectares) and rising to a height of 125 feet (38 meters). Beautifully landscaped and full of scenic and historical spots, Solitary Hill is a great place to appreciate both nature and history.

A 32,000-square-foot (2,973-square-meter) indoor children’s amusement area, Warner Bros. Fun Zone at Studio City Macau is located inside the Studio City casino-and-resort complex. Attractions include a climbing wall, a shooting ride, a raceway, and an arcade center. The Tom & Jerry Picnic Playground caters to toddlers.

The Beijing Aquarium (Beijing Haiyangguan)—the largest inland aquarium in China—is part of the Beijing Zoo. Anyone interested in marine life will enjoy experiencing its Amazon rain forest pavilion, coral reef, shark aquarium, and marine mammal exhibits complete with daily sea lion and dolphin shows.

One of Sumba’s most mesmerizing sights, Waikuri Lagoon (Weekuri Lake) is a postcard-perfect spot, thanks to sparkling, gin-clear waters that are shallow enough to swim, rugged rocks, and tropical greenery. At the western end of the lagoon, Indian Ocean waves pound low cliffs. The waters mix salt from the ocean with fresh water from hidden springs.

In a city of ever-increasing skyscrapers and highways, the Banglamphu area of Bangkok suggests what the city used to look like. Also known as Old Bangkok, Banglamphu is a mixture of budget backpacker digs and temples, nightclubs and wet markets. Don’t skip Banglamphu while in Bangkok.

Located in the Hoan Kiem district of Hanoi, the Vietnam Museum of Revolution contains over 40,000 exhibits across 30 galleries covering the country’s history of conflict and revolution from the French colonial occupation in the 19th century onwards, and forms part of the Vietnam National Museum.

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.

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.

Part of the Happy Valley franchise of theme parks, Happy Valley Chengdu is the largest amusement park in western China. Located in the Jinniu District, the park features a variety of rides such as roller coasters, tilt-a-whirls, bumper cars, and water rides, as well as magic shows, concerts, and other performances.

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.

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.

Situated in the town of Amber (Amer) in the outskirts of Jaipur in Rajasthan, Maota Lake was the main water source for the formidable Amber Fort (Amer Fort) back in its heyday. At the center of the lake is an island covered with lush gardens—including a saffron garden—planted by a 15th-century maharaja, Kesar Kyari Bagh.

An offshore landfill project, Semakau Island (Pulau Semakau) may not sound very appealing, but locals and visitors flock to its environmentally friendly shores on organized tours. Workers are joining two islands to create one larger island, using incinerated trash from the mainland, but the waters house mangroves, coral reef, and more.

Give your kids a taste of the tropics in Okinawa, at this small theme park where fruit trees, birds, and butterflies await. Ideal for families with younger children, the mostly covered site offers a route themed around an adventure story, with stamp rewards for correct answers to riddles and mysteries along the way.

On the 56th floor of Singapore’s ION Orchard shopping and lifestyle complex, the ION Sky observation deck delivers 360-degree panoramic views across skyscrapers, greenery, the Singapore River, and the South China Sea. One floor below, Salt Grill and Sky Bar offers dinner and drinks with a view.

Beijing may not be known for environmental values, but Wild Duck Lake National Wetland Park (Yeyahu) outside the city is flying the flag for natural restoration. Migrating birds and indigenous plants adorn the flat wetlands that fringe Wild Duck Lake, while a network of cycle paths make it a pleasant place to explore.

The Marine Parade Central Market and Food Centre is a culinary hub in the heart of Singapore. It offers an array of hawker stalls and food vendors selling everything from Hainanese chicken to laksa. It’s a must-visit destination for hungry travelers seeking an authentic culinary experience.

Macau’s only Suzhou-style Chinese garden, Lou Lim Ieoc Garden, often attracts locals who come to practice tai chi or play music in what was once the largest private garden in the city. Today the space is a 4.4-acre (1.8-hectare) public park, featuring traditional elements like ponds, bridges, rockeries, pavilions, and pagodas.

With a roof terrace, courtyard café, air-conditioned dining room, and culinary studio, the Hanoi Cooking Centre (HCC) is an ever-popular venue for discovering the joys of Vietnamese food. Established by Australian chef and food writer Tracey Lister in 2009, it offers cooking classes for kids and adults, market tours, and street-food tours.

If you’ve ever daydreamed of racing through the streets of a Formula 1 race, Singapore’s Ultimate Drive might just be able to fulfill your fantasy. Take control of a Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, or Porsche; these convertible vehicles top out at about 186 miles (300 kilometers) per hour.

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.

As one of the oldest and best-known temples in Bikaner, the 16th-century Shri Laxminath Temple gets its fair share of visitors. Pilgrims come to seek the blessing of Lord Visnu and the Goddess Laxmi who preside over the marble complex.

See-Join Puppet Theater Restaurant continues the tradition of a type of hand-puppetry that originated in Fujian, China hundreds of years ago. The independent venue invites you to watch a performance or engage in hands-on puppetry demonstrations. Classic Taiwanese fare is also served.

Located where the Keelung and Tamsui Rivers meet, Guandu Nature Park has become a favorite nature retreat for Taipei residents and visitors since its founding in 2001. Often referred to as Taipei’s backyard, the sprawling 141-acre (57-hectare park is home to wetland and marsh habitats, and is popular among birdwatchers.

Learn about the history and culture of Taiwan through an entertaining evening filled with spectacular performances at TaipeiEYE, Taipei’s most popular stage show for visitors. Acts range from traditional Chinese and Taiwanese opera to folklore and puppet theater, combined with a thrilling mix of dance, acrobatics, and martial arts.

Hello Kitty fans should make a beeline for Harmony Land, a colorful theme park focused on the Sanrio character. Visitors can meet Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, and all their favorite characters, watch live performances, go on fairground rides, and see the inside of Hello Kitty’s house at this small-scale park that’s great for young kids.

Also known as the Bamboo Forest Monastery, Chuk Lam Sim Yuen is a large multilevel temple complex built into the hills above Tsuen Wan. Featuring multiple halls and altars, the temple is known for its beautiful statues, including the three largest indoor golden Buddhas in Hong Kong, and offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Feel the excitement of the popular South Korean variety show,Running Man, and become the eighth member of the team at Running Man Thematic Experience Center. Challenge yourself mentally and physically by completing missions in six different zones, collecting as many R-points as you can in 60 minutes.