Asia attractions

Standing at 6,444 feet (1,964 meters), Mt. Kenashi (Kenashiyama) is the tallest summit in the Tenshi Mountains, on the border of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. The Asagiri Plateau at the base of the mountain stretches to its more famous neighbor, Mt. Fuji, and hiking or camping here affords views of Fuji.

In the heart of Icheon, a UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk, is the Haegang Ceramics Museum. Here, exquisite porcelain vases, intricate tea sets, and centuries-old pottery reveal the brilliance of Korean artisans throughout the centuries. The museum’s immersive exhibits add to the experience.

Famed for its more than 100 years of towel production and home to almost 200 towel factories, the city of Imabari in Ehime Prefecture honors its colorful culture and heritage at the Towel Museum. Here, towels are elevated from everyday items to works of art, and visitors can learn all about how this essential item is manufactured.

Located in a residential area in the foothills of Mount Bukhansan, the Gana Art Center is one of the largest exhibition spaces in South Korea. The rotating exhibitions held here highlight modern, contemporary, and impressionist art by a variety of established and emerging artists from Korea and around the world.

Wedi Ireng Beach is a small, secluded beach not far from the bustling Pulau Merah Beach. The Javanese name of this beach—which translates to “Black Sand”— is misleading because although some sand here is black, the top layer is an attractive white. Wedi Ireng Beach is an idyllic place to swim, snorkel, and relax in almost unspoiled natural surroundings.

Goddess Peak (Shennu Feng) is where the goddess Yao Ji is believed to be immortalized in stone, watching over the Yangtze River below. This highest of the twelve peaks comprising the Wu Gorge is thought to resemble a woman standing on the river’s northern shore.

These Hindu and Jain temples comprise the remains of what was once an even larger, more elaborate temple complex—which seems impossible once you see the Group of Monuments up close. Recognized far and wide for their intricate (and physically exaggerated) erotic carvings, the temples, which are built in Nagara-style architecture, are one of the great symbols of India’s spiritual, cultural, and architectural heritage.

The central focus of the town of Nainital, Naini Lake is a popular place for boating and for taking in the views. According to legend, the lake sits where the left eye of Sati, Shiva’s consort, fell to the earth, and this gives the town its name—"naina" is Sanskrit for "eye" and "tal" means "lake."

From May to June, Changchun’s Peony Garden comes alive with opulent blossoms in shades of pink, white, and fuchsia, and the sweet scent of peony fills the air. Paired with classical Chinese backdrops of bridges, streams, pavilions, and woodland, it’s a lovely but fleeting display of flowers that play an important role in Chinese culture.

Gaumukh (which means "cow's mouth" in Sanskrit) is the snout of the Gangotri Glacier, and the starting point of the Bhagirathi River, one of the many headwater source streams for the Ganges River. The site is considered sacred in Hinduism, and many people come here on spiritual journeys, but getting to it requires a certain amount of physical fitness.

Part of Madame Tussauds Singapore, Images of Singapore LIVE is an immersive walk-through experience that takes visitors through 200 years of the city-state’s history. Using themed sets, live actors, and immersive exhibits, the experience lets visitors trace Singapore’s development from a humble fishing village to a modern powerhouse.

The Kaveri River (Kaveri Nadi) measures around 475 miles (765 kilometers) in length and passes through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, all the while supporting irrigation systems for large parts of Tamil Nadu. It's the third-largest river in South India, and river-access rights has long been a point of contention among certain South Indian states.

Tucked into the north range of the Qinling Mountains just outside Xian, Louguantai National Forest Park was where Laozi, father of Taoism, penned his foundational philosophy of theTao Te Ching. Travelers will find three Taoist temples within the park, as well as a bamboo forest and wild-animal-breeding center.

One of China’s oldest and most impressive temple complexes, Jinci Temple—just southwest of Taiyuan in the Shanxi province—was constructed some 1,500 years ago. Formerly used for ancestral worship, the sprawling temple complex contains nearly 100 buildings scattered across a verdant garden setting. It’s also celebrated for its wealth of ancient trees, including a 3,000-year-old cypress.

On India’s westernmost point, Narayan Sarovar is a small lake, village, and Hindu pilgrimage site (especially the Koteshwar Temple) that’s spiritually significant because it’s where a lake meets the ocean. But along with its spiritual connections, Narayan Sarovar is a wildlife sanctuary that’s home to wild asses, desert foxes, wolves, and rare plants, which can be seen on nature walks.

One of India’s major seaports, Kochi’s harbor is up there with the world’s most scenic waterways, providing one of the few all-weather safe harbors on India’s west coast. In the center of the harbor, between Fort Cochin’s promontory and the mainland, is man-made Wellington Island, the area’s main seaport and transport terminal.

Officially called Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Chowringhee cuts through the heart of Kolkata. Running alongside the Maidan park, this wide avenue is a must for visitors keen to experience the soul of the city through its jumble of colonial-era buildings, shops, markets, and sidewalk stalls.

Situated near the Raj Ghat memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, Shantivan is a memorial to Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India, and marks the spot where the politician was cremated. Shantivan is surrounded by lush, landscaped gardens, and the whole area is a lovely place to get away from the crowds and noise of urban Delhi.

Established in 2013, Art Basel Hong Kong is the premier art fair in Asia and follows Art Basel and Art Basel Miami Beach. With half of the participating galleries coming from the Asia Pacific region, Art Basel Hong Kong showcases some of the best and newest in modern and contemporary art from artists in Asia, as well as around the world.

Located on the Chhotanagpur Plateau on the western end of West Bengal, the Ajodhya Hill and Forest Reserve Area is a natural area popular among hikers, climbers, and eco-tourism enthusiasts. Highlights include scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, and several lakes and dams.

This bridge over the Sabarmati River was officially renamed Swami Vivekananda Bridge in 1997, yet locals still refer to it by its original name, Ellis Bridge. It’s undergone renovation several times since its British colonial-era construction, and remains a symbol of Ahmedabad’s transformation over the years, linking the old city with newer developments on the west side of the river.

Formerly known as the Museum of Tribal Art and Artefacts, the Odisha State Tribal Museum focuses on the 62 tribal communities that live in Odisha. It’s a great place to spend some time learning about the region’s cultures through a range of exhibits that showcase everything from textiles to traditional crafts.