Asia attractions

De Arca Museum is a waxwork museum with a difference: Rather than using wax, the characters are crafted from fiberglass. Around 100 different statues span the gamut from Indonesian heroes to celebrities such as David Beckham, Brad Pitt, and the late Queen Elizabeth II. Some likenesses are more convincing than others.

Considered to be among the world’s best zoos, the Singapore Zoo showcases more than 3,600 animals from 300 different species across 69 acres (28 hectares) and hosts an incredibly successful orangutan-breeding program. In addition to exploring the grounds, visitors can enjoy one of the park's most popular and unique offerings: a breakfast adventure in the company of a family of orangutans.

Dedicated to the work of a family of self-taught painters now entering its third generation, the Blanco Family Museum is a distinctly Filipino affair, one filled with folk-art-style scenes of colorful fiestas and rural life. Jose “Pitok” V. Blanco founded the dynasty; today, Michael, one of his seven children, runs the museum.

Whether you’re a keen ornithologist or simply interested in birds, the Bang Lang Stork Sanctuary is a delight. Despite its name, and the presence of several stork species, Bang Lang isn’t only a sanctuary for storks: herons, egrets, cormorants, and other water birds are in abundance here, too. Pack a pair of binoculars and make a detour when in the Mekong Delta.

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.

The white sands of Nha Phu Bay make this an ideal destination for a relaxing beach vacation, while island-hopping between the many islands in the bay offers a bit more activity. Wildlife, animal parks, and orchid gardens can all be found around the bay, as well as beautiful beaches, water sports, and delicious seafood.

A high green mound set in landscaped gardens with statues, steles, museums, and a tent for dance performances, the Zhaojun Tomb is one of the biggest Han Dynasty tombs, standing as high as a 10-story building. It’s named for a famous beauty and Chinese heroine, Wang Zhaojun, who married a chief of the nomadic Xiongnu people in 33 BC.

Singapore’s very own army museum relates the history of the army and the contributions of National Service men through a collection of over 500 sets of artifacts, which consist of medals, personal memos and a trainee bunk, for example. The Army Museum of Singapore gives visitors the chance to catch a glimpse of Singapore’s pre-independence turbulent days in a highly sensory way. Visitors intrigued by the daily life of a soldier can truly experience what it feels and smells like while watching the 30-minute interactive video “A Day in the Life” in a special effects theater, which depicts a modern army during a battle. Many other interactive activities take place throughout the museum, like the mini obstacles course called Adventure Land which showcases how soldiers are trained for combat fitness. Young soldiers will enjoy both the “Army Operations” activity, in which they will attempt to decipher the codename of army operations, and the crowd-pleaser “Robot World”, where they will get a chance to control their own mechanical agent. The key exhibition and, incidentally, one of the most poignant, is undoubtedly the “Making of a Soldier”, which portrays the life of a National service marine back in the 1970s post-British occupation, including an original military bunk bed from the Pulau Tekong training camp and several pieces of military hardware.

The 20th-century colonial bungalow that was formerly the Singapore Philatelic Museum has been transformed into the Children’s Museum Singapore. Its rainbow-colored facade brightens even the greyest days in the city, and inside you'll find interactive exhibits meant to appeal to kids.

This museum displays a glittering collection of awards, gifts, and mementos given to Tun Dr. Mahathir when he was Malaysia’s prime minister. The building that houses the eclectic collection looks traditionally Malay from the outside. Inside, it boasts an ornate ceiling, stained glass, and elaborate plasterwork.

Established in 1960 to house the art collection of Japanese businessman Keita Gotoh, the Gotoh Museum is known for its traditional Japanese and East Asian art. Gotoh was especially interested in the culture and history of ancient Nara, and some of the museum’s treasures include ancient sutras, Zen calligraphy, and scrolls of the Japanese literary classic The Tale of Genji.

Once one of the largest silk producers on the planet, Tomioka Silk Mill is a 19th-century Meiji-era government factory and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mill comprises four sites to watch demonstrations, see live silkworms, and delve deeper into the silk-making process.

Hidden away in the jungle-clad mountains north of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Tu Lan Cave is one of Central Vietnam’s most impressive natural wonders. It’s more than just a cave—it’s a vast subterranean network estimated to be up to 5 million years old, with more than 20 caves and caverns linked by underground rivers.

Sitting just north of the imperial city of Hue, the Quang Dien District is where locals and travelers go to get a simple slice of rural life. Defined by water—the Sia and Bo rivers, the Tam Giang Lagoon, and the South China Sea—Quang Dien is an excellent spot for slow adventures, like bike rides along the riverbanks and through the rice paddies.

One of a number of Chinese rivers that share this name, the Daning River is a tributary of the Yangtze and meets the main river at Wu Gorge, one of the Three Gorges, by the town of Wushan. Travelers mainly know the Daning River for the Three Little Gorges: Dragon Gate Gorge (Longmen Xia), Misty Gorge (Bawu Xia), and Emerald Gorge (Dicui Xia).

A landscaped garden that combines Mughal and Rajput styles, peaceful Vidyadhar Garden (Vidhyadhar Bagh) has terraced lawns, lakes, fountains, and pavilions. Visitors can admire pavilions decorated with mirror mosaics and murals from Hindu mythology and spot peacocks and monkeys throughout the grounds.

Just off the coast of Diu, the Fortress of Panikotha is a 500-year-old stone fortification that was used to protect the coastline and control merchant ship activities. It was built as a reinforcement of the Diu Fort on the mainland, which was constructed a couple of decades earlier.

A huge Tibetan Buddhist temple complex, Dazhao Temple is one of Hohhot’s signature sights and draws pilgrims from across China. Worshippers bearing prayer wheels process past a blue-faced Medicine Buddha, a silver model of Sakyamuni (Buddha in human form), a stupa clad in prayer flags, a selection of deities, and an array of colorful murals.

Housed in the colonial-era house where General Aung San lived for just two years before his assassination on July 19, 1947, the Bogyoke Aung San Museum is dedicated to the life of the founder of modern Myanmar. Part of the Yangon City Heritage List, the museum displays furnishings, memorabilia, personal items, photos, videos, and speeches.

Translated from the Thai as “temple with no top,” this Buddhist structure got its name when the golden stupa that used to top it was removed more than a hundred years ago. The lush gardens and babbling river surrounding the off-the-beaten-path temple are ideal for meditation.

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.

The Ho Chi Minh Museum honors the late former leader of Vietnam: a man famous for leading his country’s revolutionary struggle against foreign powers. Inside, you’ll find exhibits that detail Ho Chi Minh’s early upbringing; his travels across the globe to fight colonial powers; and a collection of his certificates and medals.

Lazona Kawasaki Plaza is a large, modern shopping center connected to the JR Kawasaki train station. It houses more than 300 retail outlets selling Japanese and international brands, plus food options, indoor and outdoor seating, a cinema, a gym, and a grassy outdoor performance plaza.

Just off the East Java coast, uninhabited Tabuhan Island is a beautiful snorkeling and kitesurfing spot. It’s only 12 acres (5 hectares), so travelers typically visit on day trips to snorkel, swim, and enjoy the relaxed vibe. You can see many tropical fish and colorful coral at the reef, with a large drop-off into the deep ocean not far offshore.

The Weijin Tombs are thought by many to be the world’s largest underground art museum. Here, several family burial tombs dating back thousands of years have been excavated, unearthing bodies, artifacts used daily in the home, and hundreds of murals drawn on bricks. The pictures on the murals provide insight into life in the Wei and Jin dynasties.

A truly global outdoor gallery, the Changchun World Sculpture Park features hundreds of carvings from a myriad of countries and cultures, including Inuit, Māori, and Maya pieces, set amid parkland around a lake. Four separate museums feature East African Makonde wood carvings, works by Chinese sculptor Wei Xiaoming, and art from calligraphy to installations.

This sub-zero indoor winter wonderland is the perfect retreat from the humidity of Singapore streets. Wander through the snow sculptures, slide down massive slopes aboard giant inner tubes, visit a traditional Inuit home, or zip around a bumper car arena made entirely of ice.

Art Forum Singapore has been connecting artists with buyers, collectors, and fans of contemporary art since 1971. Even if you’re not shopping for fine art, you’ll find Art Forum worth a visit for its rotating collection of paintings, prints, sculpture, photography, and ceramics from more than 100 artists throughout Asia.

The Hakodate Jomon Culture Center offers a fascinating window into Japan’s prehistoric Jomon period, which lasted from 14,000 to 300 BC. The center houses a rich collection of ancient artifacts unearthed during archaeological excavations around Hokkaido, which bring Japan’s ancient history to life. Here, you can learn about the daily lives of some of Japan's earliest inhabitants and their legacy.

At MegaBounce Singapore on Sentosa Island, thrill-seekers can jump up to 26 feet (8 meters) high on four dynamic bungee-assisted trampolines. Soar to new heights, try out acrobatic moves (including flips and turns), and enjoy sweeping views of the waterfront.