Top Asia On the Ground - page 4

Spend less time planning and more time exploring Beijing on this comprehensive small-group tour. Over two days, see the highlights of the city, starting with a tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Then, it's on to see the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, walking along the ramparts of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed structure. On day two, visit the Temple of Heaven, enjoy a rickshaw ride through the old Hutong district, and conclude the tour at the Summer Palace.

This is the real street-food tour of Saigon. You’ll strap on your helmet and hit the streets by motorbike, just like the locals do, scouting the city for truly fresh flavor. Stopping in some of the city’s most diverse districts, you’ll sit down to banh mi, bun bo, banh xeo, Vietnamese barbecue, and more. Those words might not mean much now, but your tastebuds will absolutely remember them.

Discover Vietnam’s scenic Hai Van Pass on a private motorbike tour from Hue, Da Nang, or Hoi An—with the choice to ride as a pillion passenger or drive yourself. Ride with a local guide, and enjoy photo breaks at Thanh Toan Bridge, Tam Giang Lagoon, Mo Waterfall, Lang Co Beach, the Marble Mountains, and the Hai Van Pass. Along the way, refuel with stops for local food and drinks (own expense). To make your journey stress-free, finish with flexible drop-off anywhere in Hue, Da Nang, or Hoi An—so you won’t need to worry about transport after the ride.

See sides of Bangkok most travelers rarely discover as you explore the city the sustainable way—by pedal power—with a guide to lead the way and put everything in context, and plenty of delicious local nibbles to keep your energy levels high. Alongside royal temples, parks, and shrines, discover the atmospheric Khlong Bang Luang neighborhood, with its floating market and artists' houses, and join a local family for a home-cooked meal.

Singapore’s Marina Bay truly comes into its own at night. Discover the Bay, and so much more, on this guided evening bike tour. Pedal past the Singapore River, the towering neon-lit “super trees” at Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Flyer wheel, Marina Bay Sands, and more. Your bike rental comes with a helmet, poncho, and water.

Explore the highlights of the Hai Van Pass and the journey from Hoi An to Hue (or vice versa) on a motorcycle with an experienced driver on this incredible full-day private tour. Whether you want to travel north or south, this journey is sure to be a one to remember, with amazing scenery and visits to Tam Giang Lagoon, Suoi Mo Waterfall, Lang Co Beach, and the Marble Mountains.

Learn the history and culture of Malaysia's capital with this easy cycling tour of Kuala Lumpur. Your Dutch-style orange bike allows you to slide through back alleys, and is equipped with a basket with plenty of room for local wares. Traveling through the back alleys means you'll see eight distinct stops throughout the day. Starting at Merdeka Square, you'll explore the Chow Kit Markets, Kampong Bharu, the Sin Sze Si Ya Temple and Petronas Twin Towers.

Join the colorful throngs of motorbikes zipping across Ho Chi Minh City on a private tour that explores the city’s traditional cuisine and night markets. Sample a series of dishes as you taste your way through the city, and see at some fascinating places along the way, including a surprising pagoda inside an apartment and the banks of the Saigon River. With a personal guide to Ho Chi Minh City’s food and flavors, try each food in context, alongside cups of beer, soft drinks, or homemade sticky rice wine.

Travelers who love the outdoors will enjoy this two-day hiking tour in the Sapa area from Hanoi. Experience some of the most beautiful landscapes in northern Vietnam: terraced fields, mountains, and small villages. Spend the night in a bungalow in a hill tribe village, Ta Van, where you can learn more about rural Vietnamese life and culture.

Towering 9,944 feet (3,031 meters) over Bali, the Mt. Agung volcano is the island’s highest and most sacred peak. Climb through the night with a guide to reach the summit in time for sunrise and soak up views across to the three peaks of Lombok’s Mt. Rinjani as you eat breakfast. This challenging yet rewarding tour includes 2-way transfers from south Bali, Ubud, Amed, Lovina, and Candidasa.

A river boat trip and sanctuary experience in one, this small-group tour departs from Hoi An. Join your guide who is well-versed in Vietnamese history and culture. Explore the ancient Hindu temples, gaining insights into central Vietnam's rich heritage. Capture stunning photos with help from your guide and participate in a rice paper-making session. This excursion includes an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, lunch, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Benefit from a Ho Chi Minh City food tour that is paired with sightseeing by motorbike for the ultimate half-day combo tour of this important city in southern Vietnam. Observe daily life as your driver-guide zips through the streets while you ride as a passenger on the motorbike. Stop at popular local eateries and sample enough dishes to make up a meal, including delicious appetizers, mains, and dessert.

This half-day Hanoi Jeep tour offers a unique way to see city highlights and hidden gems. Ride in a Vietnam Army Jeep through the city's backstreets and markets, stopping at landmarks and a local café for traditional egg coffee. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hanoi Old Quarter are included for convenience.

Discover the best of Hanoi like a local during this small-group motorbike tour with a woman guide. Zip through the busy streets with your tour guide and see key landmarks such as Old Quarter, the Long Bien Bridge, the Hanoi Opera House, and the Ho Chi Minh Complex. Learn about the history and culture of Vietnam from your tour guide and take away tailored tips for the rest of your trip.

Get an intimate look at Tokyo during this bike tour. Discover the city’s hidden paths and top landmarks, cycling beneath the skyscrapers of Shinjuku to a local shrine and exploring neighborhoods like Ginza and Roppongi Hills. Pass landmarks like Meiji Jingu Shrine, Yoyogi Park, and the Imperial Palace before ending at the top of the 48-story Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. A guide, bike, and helmet are included.

Explore Tokyo on two wheels on this small-group bicycle tour. Pedal through the city streets at a slower pace than on a big bus tour and access places that bigger vehicles cannot reach. As you cycle to such landmarks as the Meiji-Jingu Shrine and Imperial Palace, your guide will fill you in on all the important historical and cultural background.

Combine Singapore’s rich culture with its cuisine on a sightseeing tour that provides a comprehensive introduction that’s ideal for first-time visitors. Exploring by bicycle eliminates the hassle of parking and allows you to cover far more attractions than you would on foot, while focusing on Singapore’s food scene with a guide means you’ll sample delicacies and visit food stalls that you may otherwise have missed.

Trek to the peak of Mount Batur at your own pace, with your own private party, and know you’re guaranteed to make it in time to watch a beautiful sunrise. Your guide will create this bespoke experience for you, without having to manage anyone else’s needs. All of your gear, transportation, breakfast, and drinks will be arranged for you, so you only need to concentrate on enjoying the trek.

Stray from the beaten path on an ATV quad bike adventure that takes you through the jungle, rice paddies, and a forest. Choose from several options that include extra Ubud sightseeing and the chance to ride solo or as a passenger. This private tour means you can drive at your own pace.

Soak up the best views in Bali on a sunrise trek of Mt. Batur, followed by a trip to nearby hot springs to soothe your muscles. A small group lets you set a pace that suits you, while climbing the active volcano in time for sunrise means you’ll skip the midday heat. Hotel pickup and drop-off add convenience to your adventure.

Explore Doi Inthanon National Park on a full-day, private trip from Chiang Mai, then spend the day visiting spectacular waterfalls, browsing local handicrafts, summiting Thailand's tallest peak, and hiking through a landscape of paddy fields and coffee farms. Enjoy the flexibility of a personal driver/guide throughout the day, which includes pickup and drop-off at your Chiang Mai hotel, all transport by climate-controlled vehicle, and lunch, the perfect way to discover Chiang Mai's remarkable mountain scenery.

See more of the historic streets of Chiang Mai’s Old City than you’d be able to on foot on a bike tour that takes in ancient temples, local markets, and landmarks. Follow your guide along back lanes as you learn about the city’s culture and history, pedaling for around 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) throughout the course of your tour.

Beijing's hutongs (narrow lanes) can be tricky to navigate alone. To make things simple, this small-group tour helps you cover ground easily thanks to handy electric scooters (or bicycles—your choice) and a guide leading the way. As you ride, learn about local life and culture, and discover hidden gems that many travelers miss. Sample street food and try out traditional games to discover a hidden side to Beijing that most people miss.

Tokyo's most interesting neighborhoods are often found away from the main sightseeing routes—but navigating the city's back streets and riverside paths independently, without local knowledge of which areas are worth exploring, takes more time than most visitors have to spare. This small-group cycling tour covers those lesser-visited areas on two wheels, with a guide leading the way through routes that avoid the main tourist corridors.