Things to do in  Asia

The jungle-shrouded limestone cliffs of Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands rise majestically from the emerald waters of the Andaman Sea, giving way to white-sand beaches and green jungles further inland. Longtail boats putter between the islands, collectively known as Koh Phi Phi or Ko Phi Phi, surrounded by turquoise waters and colorful marine life.

The Mutianyu Great Wall is a restored section of the Great Wall of China that visitors often come to as an alternative to the more crowded Badaling section. This part of the wall is further from Beijing than other popular areas (about 90 minutes by car)—but it’s significantly less busy, and visitors can enjoy fun modern amusements, such as a cable car, chairlift, and a toboggan.

One of the most beautiful buildings in the world—and one of India’s most famous landmarks—the Taj Mahal is a grandiose testament to the romantic gesture. Built from white marble by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, the structure is decorated with carvings of flowers and inlays of semi-precious stones arranged into intricate patterns inside and out.

Within a stone’s throw of the Taj Mahal, the 16th-century Agra Fort serves as another testament to the immense wealth and power of the Mughal Empire. It was built by Akbar in 1565 where a previous fort once stood. A succession of other emperors, including Humayun and Shah Jahan, has lived within the red sandstone walls.

One of four known tunnels in the DMZ (demilitarized zone between North Korea and South Korea), the Third Tunnel of Aggression sits more than 229 feet (70 meters) below ground. North Korea likely built the tunnel to attack South Korea. When it was discovered, the government claimed it was a coal mine. You can walk through the tunnel.

Built in 1958, the Tokyo Tower held the title of Japan’s tallest tower until the Tokyo Skytree, almost double its height, snagged the top spot. The original tower still affords great views from its two observation decks with views as far as Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san) on a clear day. It also houses a Shinto shrine, several bars, and a ground-floor entertainment complex.

The legendary Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san) stands 12,388 feet (3,776 meters) tall. Travelers from around the world head to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park to see the mountain, and more than one million of them hike all the way to the top each year for the 360-degree views of Lake Ashi, the Hakone Mountains, and the Owakudani Valley.

A vast palace complex, the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), spans 178 acres (72 hectares) in the heart of Beijing. Built in the 15th century for a Ming dynasty emperor, it was deemed off-limits to visitors for some five centuries, which is how it got its name. Fortunately, today this UNESCO World Heritage–listed attraction has been opened to the public and is one of the city’s most popular sights.

Built by the Viet Cong in the 1940s as protection from French air raids during the Indochina conflict, the Cu Chi Tunnels extend underground for more than 155 miles (250 kilometers) in the vicinity of Ho Chi Minh City alone. This network of tunnels later provided vital access to and strategic control over the rural areas surrounding the city during the Vietnam War (also known as the Second Indochina War or the American War). Cu Chi Tunnels tours offer a poignant reminder of the hardships of war.

Nowhere is the tension between North Korea and South Korea more palpable than in the no-man’s-land known as the Korean Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ. As a divided nation, only 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) separate the North from the South at what is the most heavily armed border on earth. The 150-mile (241-kilometer) zone has served as a buffer since the 1953 cease-fire agreement between the United Nations and North Korea that put the Korean War on hold.

Step out of the station at Shibuya and you’re instantly in the thick of it. This is Tokyo at full volume with sky-high malls, flashing billboards, and hundreds of people moving in all directions. A popular meeting place and a prime photo opportunity, visitors come here to walk across the famous Shibuya Crossing—a tourist attraction in its own right. Venture further to discover a maze of shops, cafés, game arcades, and endless entertainment options around every corner.

Formed 3,000 years ago during the last eruption of Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi (Ashi-no-ko) is a scenic spot in Hakone National Park. Considered sacred by the Japanese, it is home to the famous Hakone Shrine, the town’s most famous Shinto shrine at the foot of Mt. Hakone. Visitors come to see the shrine, take a boat out on the lake, or enjoy the many hiking trails in the area.

Standing at the northern end of Nakamise shopping street in the traditional old district of Asakusa, Senso-ji Temple is one of Tokyo’s most visited temples. Dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, it’s also the city’s oldest temple and an important site in Japanese Buddhism, home to various structures, including the 5-Storied Pagoda, the Hozomon Gate, the Thunder Gate (Kaminarimon), and the Main Hall (Kannondo).

Tiananmen Square, one of the world’s largest public plazas, has always been a symbol of Mao’s epic Communist project—and resistance to it. Despite its bleak history, the site of the 1989 massacre is today a bustling place, often teeming with tourists, both domestic and international. It’s home to attractions including the eponymous Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace), the Monument of the People’s Heroes, the National Museum of China, and the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall.

Gyeongbokgung Palace (also known as the Northern Palace) is one of South Korea’s must-visit attractions. Of the five main palaces in Seoul, it’s the biggest and most beautiful—and its 1395 construction date also makes it the country’s oldest Joseon dynasty palace. Highlights include the grand Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, supported by 48 stone pillars and used for ceremonies, and the on-site National Folk Museum of Korea, which features roughly 10,000 artifacts.