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.
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.
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.
Home to migrating birds and vast fields of hot pink lotus blooms in season, Bueng Boraphet is Thailand’s largest freshwater lake, spanning over 80 square miles (210 square kilometers). A tourism complex features an aquarium, a crocodile farm, an indoor food hall, a walking loop trail, and a dedicated waterfowl park for bird watchers.
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.
Built in 1699, Raniji ki Baori is the largest stepwell in Bundi—and the most popular. It measures around 151 feet (46 meters) deep and features masterfully carved interiors complete with numerous tiny elephants, gods, and goddesses hewn from stone.
Enjoy a day at the beach—and endless waves—at Wave House Sentosa. Easily accessible from Singapore, the 70,000-square-foot (6,503-square-meter) beachfront complex located at Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island features a pool, wave rides, a surf shop, restaurant, two bars, and live music.
Perched on the 56th story of the Marina Bay Sands complex, the SkyPark Observation Deck lets non-hotel guests enjoy views from this Singapore landmark. It’s particularly dazzling in the warm night air, when Singapore’s skyline sparkles, Supertree Grove looks glitzy in pink neon, and the Esplanade’s twin durians are in full space-age mode.
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.
Sunrise seekers and those looking for a quiet alternative to some of Havelock's busier beaches should consider a visit to Kalapathar Beach. This small, eastern-facing beach features a mix of powdery sand and large dark rocks, making it a particularly picturesque place to swim, sunbathe, or simply take in the scenery.
Though the tropical climes of the Caribbean are not something you’d usually associate with South Korea, the city of Yongin is home to Caribbean Bay, a water park and spa complex that seeks to recreate the laid-back vibes and water-based fun of the Caribbean.
One of over 500 temples in Prambanan Archaeological Park near Yogyakarta, Bubrah Temple (Candi Bubrah) dates to the ninth century. Its name means “destroyed,” but the restored structure reopened in 2017 and now stands 67 feet (20.5 meters) high. Bubrah Temple forms part of a Buddhist mandala group with Lumbung Temple and Sewu Temple.
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.
Ode to Art displays the works of contemporary artists from across the globe, representing mediums of sculpture, photography, painting and installation art. On any given day, you might see work from emerging Singaporean artists alongside the great works of Fernando Botero or Robert Indiana.
Nicolas G. Hayek Center is the 14-storey headquarters and flagship store of the Swatch Group Japan, where you can browse and buy its stylish watches. The building is an architectural wonder in itself, but also has plenty to explore inside, including boutiques dedicated to the group’s luxury watch brands—Omega, Longines, and Swatch. There’s also an exhibition hall and magnificent views from the top floor.
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.
A historical and architectural landmark, the Lukang Folk Arts Museum might be best-known for its looks. Primarily housed in a neo-baroque 1919 residence built by a Japanese architect, the museum opened in 1973. With sumptuous decorations and a wealth of Qing dynasty artifacts, it offers a view of turn-of-the-century Taiwanese life.
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.
Ko Chang’s most popular waterfall, Klong Plu Waterfall tumbles down three tiers of rocks into a swimmable pool. But it’s not really the falls that are the star attraction here: It’s the fish. Freshwater critters, including tiny “doctor fish”, frequent the swimming hole’s clear waters. The doctor fish nibble on dead skin to deliver a natural pedicure.
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.
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.
Don’t let the name deceive you: Hat Yai Municipal Park (Hatyai City Park) is both larger and less urban than the name would suggest. Home to lakes, pavilions, a cable car, a playground, a waterfall, an astronomical observatory, and a range of temples—one featuring a towering golden Buddha—it sprawls around and over lush hills just east of Hat Yai city.
Bird lovers don’t need to leave bird-spotting to chance around Mt. Fuji. The Fuji Kachoen Garden Park is a flower garden and aviary that’s home to a number of owl species and other inhabitants. Stroll through greenhouses bursting with begonias and fuchsia, attend a bird show or feeding, and catch views of Mt. Fuji in clear weather.
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.
Just across the border from the Thai city of Mae Sai, Tachileik is a small border town in Myanmar that draws in day-trippers from Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai who want to cross into the country to see what it’s about and do a little shopping.
The Tomb of Wang Jian was the last resting place of 10th-century Chinese leader Wang Jian. Carved murals of musicians and dancers surround the bed where his coffin once rested and a statue of the man himself awaits in an adjoining chamber. The attraction is also known as Yong Ling, Yongling Museum, or Yongling Mausoleum.
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.
As well as serving as a center for marine research, Bang Saen Aquarium (Institute of Marine Science) is a creatively curated museum dedicated to underwater wonders. It’s split into three zones, where you can marvel at rock pools, watch films about the sea in a theater, see models of whales and sharks suspended from the ceiling, and more.
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.
The Norn Minakami Ski Resort is a ski field in the mountains of northern Gunma Prefecture. It’s suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, and there’s a separate play area for families. It’s the closest ski resort to Tokyo, so it is a convenient place to experience snow sports close to the capital in the winter.
