Asia attractions

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Gulf of Tonkin, Ha Long Bay is renowned for its spectacular scenery. The bay is one of the most popular tourist attractions in northern Vietnam, home to sparkling emerald waters, caves, traditional floating villages, and more than 1,600 towering limestone islands and islets.

At over 7,500 feet (2,300 meters) high, the Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station—not to be confused with Fujinomiya 5th Station—affords spectacular views over Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone National Park. Easily accessible by road, the 5th Station lies at the midpoint of the Yoshida Trail to Mount Fuji’s summit, so many hikers begin their ascent here.

The stunning Maya Bay (Maya Beach) became a major tourist attraction after the 2000 film,The Beach, was filmed here. It’s situated within Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands, off the coasts of both Krabi and Phuket on the mainland, and is distinguished by its beautiful white-sand beach sheltered by limestone cliffs on three sides. There are in fact several beaches here, but most are small and some only exist at low tide. The main beach, where most boats drop passengers just offshore, is a 200-meter long strip of silky white sand. It’s surrounded by clear waters filled with colorful coral and an abundance of exotic fish, making it an absolute haven for snorkelers. Walking inland is also a treat, with a path that winds through lush greenery and reveals some simply spectacular scenery. It’s true that Maya Bay’s popularity has taken a certain degree of the shine from this once little-heard of slice of paradise. It’s become so well-known that its shores are filled with hoards of boats dropping visitors off and picking them up throughout the day, particularly in peak season. Visitors should arrive early in the morning to avoid the larger part of the crowds. Please note: Maya Bay (Maya Beach) is closed indefinitely due to overtourism.

Set in Vietnam’s Red River Delta, Ninh Bihn boasts a fertile inland landscape, where karst cliffs rise from the water against green hills and lush rice paddies. While some liken it to Ha Long Bay, Ninh Bihn feels more authentic—you’ll see more wooden sampan boats here than large tourist vessels. It’s also a varied area with highlights covering the UNESCO–listed riverways of Trang An, Cuc Phuong National Park, and the ancient capital of Hoa Lu.

A starring role in the 1974 James Bond movie The Man With the Golden Gun put the towering limestone islands of Ko Khao Phing Kan and the 66-foot-tall (20-meter) islet Ko Tapu on the map. The formations are part of Phang Nga Bay, famous for its turquoise colored water and karst features that rise dramatically from the Andaman Sea, creating an image you’ll see on many Thailand postcards.

Home to the Emperor of Japan, the Tokyo Imperial Palace occupies the site of the original Edo Castle (Edo-jō), the Tokugawa shogunate’s castle, which was once the largest fortress in Japan. Located in the center of Tokyo, the palace is surrounded by moats and serene gardens.

In the heart of Bangkok, the glittering Grand Palace is one of the most popular attractions in the Thai capital. Built in 1782, the sprawling complex served as the royal court and official residence of the kings of Thailand for almost 150 years. Today, while it continues to host royal Thai functions, the palace impresses visitors with its intricate golden-spired architecture and cultural history, particularly the majestic Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew).

Designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, New Delhi’s Parliament House (Sansad Bhavan) is a striking sandstone building and home to both houses of the Parliament of India—the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. This round, colonnaded building was inspired by ancient Indian architecture and cultural symbols. Many people just pass by while exploring the parliamentary area of New Delhi, but you can go inside.

Located in central Tokyo, Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) offers a peaceful retreat from the city’s fast pace. Dating back to the 1920s, it honors Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and is one of Tokyo’s most important Shinto shrines. Visitors come to stroll the forested paths, pass under the giant torii gate, explore the shrine buildings, view murals, and purchase charms or write wishes on wooden plaques.

Gion Corner is a convenient place for art lovers to visit while in Kyoto, as it brings seven traditional Japanese performing arts together under one roof. Attending one of its nightly performances is an ideal way to spend an evening in the heart of the Gion entertainment district while learning about traditional Japanese culture.

A treasured spiritual site in Kyoto, the 8th-century Fushimi Inari Shrine (Fushimi Inari Taisha), is dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice and prosperity. The shrine’s five magnificent temples lie at the foot of the Inari mountain, and thousands of vivid red torii gates (known as Senbon Torii) mark the forested trails to the top. The seemingly endless path of gates has become an Instagram favorite, so be prepared for plenty of people trying to get the perfect snap.

The stunning Tegalalang Rice Terrace, part of the Cultural Landscape of Bali Province UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprises cascading emerald-green fields worked by local rice farmers. Just outside Ubud, it has become a destination for travelers making their way between Bali’s sandy beaches, towering mountains, and steaming volcanoes.

Remote Lan Ha Bay, near Cat Ba Island, is an idyllic spot and quieter alternative to the popular and very busy Ha Long Bay. The area features hundreds of karst islands and limestone outcrops, as well as caves, coves, and sandy beaches. Active travelers come here for swimming, rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, squid fishing, and more. Much of the bay now falls within the Ha Long Bay UNESCO World Heritage Site.

No trip to Beijing would be complete without a visit to the Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Winding along the mountain ridges north of the capital city, the Great Wall of China stands as one of the world’s most famous wonders, largest historical sights, and greatest feats of engineering, showcasing the genius of the Ming Dynasty.

In 1750, Emperor Qianlong commissioned the grand Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) as a lavish lakeside retreat from the heat of Beijing. With pavilions, walkways, gardens, bridges, and spectacular views—not to mention an ornate marble boat—the UNESCO World Heritage Site on Kunming Lake is a masterpiece of landscaping. But it has had a chequered history: it was destroyed and rebuilt by European invaders on two separate occasions.

A half-moon-shaped island, situated southwest of Chuncheon, Nami Island (Namiseom) served as a filming location for the popular Korean TV drama Winter Sonata. It offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of Seoul with facilities for biking, ziplining, camping, and boating; other highlights include the Garden of Morning Calm and Petite France. The island's redwoods, ginkgos, and pines provide habitat for roaming deer and waterfowl, imbuing the space with a fairy-tale quality.

Located north of Mt. Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchi-ko) is the most easily accessible and developed of the Fuji Five Lakes. A popular day trip from Tokyo, the lake offers plenty of natural beauty, access to Mt. Fuji, and a variety of outdoor activities, as well as proximity to hot springs, museums, amusement parks, outlet shopping malls, and other tourist attractions and amenities.

Along the central Tokyo waterfront, Hama Rikyu is a spacious garden with an island teahouse, seawater ponds that rise and fall with the tides, and traditional Japanese landscaping that contrasts with the ultra-modern skyscrapers and neon signs that crowd the park’s perimeter. It’s a welcome green space in this busy city, and a must-visit for anyone interested in Japanese gardening and design.

Bali may be known for surfing and snorkeling, but the interior has its own appeal. Mt. Batur (Gunung Batur), rising 5,614 feet (1,711 meters) above sea level in the highlands of Kintamani, is an active volcano that’s Bali’s standout sunrise climb. Whether you visit at dawn or less-crowded times of day, expect views of Bali’s Mt. Agung and perhaps even Lombok’s Mt. Rinjani.

Rising from the jungle outside Siem Reap as the star of the Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Angkor Wat temple complex is a 12th-century engineering marvel. Amid the sweeping moats and dark but dreamy spires, look out for intricate carvings of nymphs dancing on columns in shadowy hallways, serpent-topped balustrades, and huge, chiseled bas-reliefs depicting Khmer Empire battles and scenes from Hindu epics.

The UNESCO World Heritage–listed Qutub Minar is a red brick minaret built in 1193 by Muslim conquerors of Delhi. At 240 feet (73 meters) high, it’s an impressive engineering feat and one of Delhi’s most visited tourist attractions. Although the minaret’s origins are known, it’s unclear whether it was built as a victory tower or as a place for an Islamic muezzin to make the call to prayer.

Palace of Wind (Hawa Mahal) is easily one of Jaipur’s most iconic attractions. This stunning red and pink sandstone structure in the heart of the Pink City features rows of carved screens and more than 900 lattice-worked windows that allow in just the right amount of breeze to keep the 5-story complex cool.

The twin 88-story steel and glass buildings known as the Petronas Twin Towers (Petronas Towers), completed in 1996, are icons of Malaysia. Designed to symbolize courage and the country’s advancement, the towers are connected by a double-decker Skybridge between the 41st and 42nd floor—the world’s tallest two-story bridge of its kind—forming the shape of an “M” for Malaysia.

One of the oldest, largest, and most revered temple complexes in Bangkok, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) is a must-see for visitors to the Thai capital. The central attraction is its namesake statue: the Reclining Buddha measuring 151 feet (46 meters) long and 49 feet (15 meters) tall. But don't let it distract you from the site's other treasures, including its 95 pagodas, carved narrative panels, and opulent main altar.

One of Da Nang’s top attractions, the five outcrops that make up central Vietnam’s Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) are each named after a different element: fire, wood, metal, water, and earth. Thuy Son (the Water Mountain) is the largest and most curious peak, and many tours focus on it, showcasing its natural grottos and tunnels that are home to Buddha shrines and statues. One of its highlights is the huge Huyen Khong Cave, which hid a secret wartime hospital for the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War.

The Old Quarter, a triangular area surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake, has been the cultural heart of Hanoi for nearly 2,000 years. Daily routine starts early and builds to a friendly bustle in this ancient neighborhood, where streets have distinct character and are named after the crafts once made there, such as silver, silk, and paper.

Situated just outside Kuta on Bali's southwestern tip is Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu), one of Bali's most sacred sea temples. Perched atop towering seaside cliffs, Ganesha statues welcome visitors who've come to enjoy spectacular views, observe wild monkeys, or watch a traditional Balinese dance at sunset. But the clifftop temple isn't Uluwatu's only appeal—Padang Padang Beach and Jimbaran Beach attract surfers year-round with their consistent waves.

Built at the site of a spring believed to be holy, Bali’s Tirta Empul Temple outside Ubud dates back more than 1,000 years. Travelers from around the globe flock to its waters to bathe beside Balinese pilgrims; accept blessings from healers, priests, and shamans; or simply soak up the atmosphere. The temple is north of Ubud in Tampak Siring, not far from the Mt. Kawi temple complex.

Built by the Yongle Emperor, the Ming Dynasty builder of the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan or Tian Tan) was a stage for important rituals performed by the emperor, or Son of Heaven. Chief among these were supplication to the heavens for a good harvest and the winter solstice ceremony, meant to ensure a favorable new year.

One of Jaipur’s top attractions and the official residence of the titular royal family, the City Palace is a historic complex that masterfully blends Rajasthani, Mughal, and European architectural influences. Within its walls you’ll find striking courtyards, elegant pavilions, royal halls, an armory, and an art gallery.