Incredible Destinations in Asia to Add to Your Bucket List
Asia is massive, unpredictable, and full of places that make you do a double-take. There’s more variety packed into this continent than most travelers expect. If you’re looking to add new spots to your travel list, these destinations are well worth the detour.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
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Angkor Wat’s temple complex stretches across more than 400 acres, which makes it the largest religious monument in the world. Carvings of Hindu epics line the stone corridors, and sunrise over the towers remains one of Southeast Asia’s most photographed moments.
Luang Prabang, Laos
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This small town sits at the meeting point of two rivers and wakes each morning to the soft sound of monks collecting alms. Its UNESCO-protected old town combines Buddhist temples, faded French architecture, and street food markets that smell like grilled lemongrass and sticky rice.
Bagan, Myanmar
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Thousands of ancient temples scatter the dusty plains of Bagan, either standing tall or worn by time. Climbing a quiet pagoda at sunrise used to be a rite of passage, though recent conservation limits access. Hot air balloon rides now offer a bird’s-eye view of this former kingdom.
Hoi An, Vietnam
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Hoi An’s old town still looks like a painting with lanterns overhead, tailors at work, and narrow streets lined with wooden shophouses. The town is best known for custom clothing and nighttime lantern releases, but a short bike ride outside will take you past rice fields and local craft villages.
Gokteik Viaduct, Myanmar
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Originally built by the British in 1901, this steel trestle bridge in Myanmar’s Shan State stretches across a deep gorge and still carries passengers on a rickety train route between Mandalay and Hsipaw. It’s not for the nervous traveler, but it offers unbeatable views of the jungle landscape far below.
Jeonju Hanok Village, South Korea
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Jeonju’s traditional village is made up of over 800 preserved hanoks, or Korean wooden houses. Inside, you’ll find paper-making workshops and family-run restaurants serving bibimbap in brass bowls. It’s a break from South Korea’s high-speed image and an easy weekend trip from Seoul by train.
Borobudur, Indonesia
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The world’s largest Buddhist temple isin central Java. It was built in the 9th century and rediscovered under volcanic ash. Borobudur’s tiered structure tells the story of Buddha’s path to enlightenment. Walking its circular paths at dawn, as fog lifts over the jungle, is closer to meditation than sightseeing.
Setouchi Islands, Japan
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Japan’s Setouchi region is dotted with small islands known for art museums and coastal bike trails. The Shimanami Kaido connects several islands by bridge and makes it possible to cycle between them. Naoshima Island’s outdoor art installations and Teshima’s museums draw travelers beyond Tokyo’s buzz.
Petra, Jordan
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Petra was built into rose-colored cliffs by the Nabataeans more than 2,000 years , and it still impresses travelers with its carved facades and hidden tombs. Though the iconic Treasury gets most of the attention, hiking to the Monastery or wandering the Siq at dusk adds layers to the experience.
Pokhara, Nepal
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Pokhara does two things really well: adrenaline and calm. On one hand, it’s a launchpad for treks into the Annapurna range. On the other hand, it’s where travelers recover with lake views, paddleboat sessions, and plates of momos. Plus, you can paraglide over the Himalayas without breaking the bank.
Cappadocia, Turkey
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Cappadocia’s otherworldly design isn’t just for balloon photos. These weird rock formations, called “fairy chimneys,” have sheltered everything from monks to entire underground cities. Some homes here are still carved into stone. Visitors can sleep in caves, and hot air balloon flights remain a famous sunrise spot.
Ubud, Bali
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Ubud is a cultural center full of working temples, traditional dance shows, and craft workshops. Morning walks pass rice paddies and shrines. The nearby Monkey Forest and sacred Tirta Empul water temple keep visitors circling back.
Penang, Malaysia
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Penang has heritage and street food better than most. George Town’s UNESCO-listed center is full of temples, colonial architecture, and interactive street art. The hawker stalls, meanwhile, serve dishes that have Chinese, Malay, and Indian influences. Laksa here means something different on nearly every corner.
Ella, Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka’s highlands are cooler in terms of both temperature and mood. Ella sits surrounded by tea plantations and forested hills. A short hike leads to Little Adam’s Peak, while the Nine Arch Bridge draws everyone with cameras.
Taipei, Taiwan
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Taipei’s night markets buzz with steamed buns and scallion pancakes, while nearby hot springs bubble beside public bathhouses. A short MRT ride leads to hiking trails, tea plantations, or old mining towns turned weekend getaways. It’s hard to be bored here.
Ha Giang Loop, Vietnam
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Riding a motorbike along Vietnam’s Ha Giang Loop means winding through limestone cliffs and remote mountain villages. The roads are steep and narrow, but the views stretch endlessly. Homestays offer warm meals and simple beds after long riding days. It’s not the easiest route, but it might be the most rewarding.
Bukhara, Uzbekistan
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Bukhara once hosted scholars and traders along the Silk Road. The energy’s different now, but the city’s heart still beats in its mosques and bazaars. Turquoise domes sparkle in the sun, and craftspeople continue to work by hand. You’ll walk where caravans once rested.
The Maldives
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Beyond the private island resorts and overwater villas, the Maldives also offers locally owned guesthouses on inhabited islands. Ferries connect many of these communities, where visitors can snorkel coral reefs and walk beaches. Just keep swimwear to designated areas.
Galle, Sri Lanka
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Galle was built by the Portuguese, expanded by the Dutch, and preserved by Sri Lanka. Its fort’s thick walls now surround a mix of old colonial buildings. Locals play cricket at sunset while visitors trace the coast. The ocean crashes against stone walls just a few feet below.
Kerala Backwaters, India
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A maze of canals, lakes, and rice paddies stretches inland from Kerala’s coast. Traditional houseboats—once used to move rice—now float travelers past coconut palms and village life. Meals are cooked onboard, and nights are quiet except for the occasional bird or temple bell.
Chitwan National Park, Nepal
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Chitwan offers a different kind of Himalayan experience. This lowland park is home to rhinos, crocodiles, and, if you’re lucky, Bengal tigers. Canoe rides take you across the Rapti River, and jungle walks replace high-altitude trekking. Conservation efforts have helped wildlife rebound to make it one of Asia’s top safari destinations.
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Taipei often overshadows Kaohsiung, but the place has quirky museums and Lotus Pond’s surreal temples. It’s less polished but full of personality. The city has also leaned into public art by transforming old warehouses and subway stations into exhibits. It’s an easy place to wander without much of a plan.
Chiang Rai, Thailand
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At first glance, the White Temple looks like it’s made of icing. Look closer—its murals include pop culture cameos and moral lessons. Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat designed it as a work in progress, with additions still underway. Nearby, the Blue Temple and Black House double down on creative oddity.
Batad, Philippines
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Batad sits behind the more famous Banaue rice terraces, but its amphitheater-shaped hills deserve their own spotlight. These 2,000-year-old terraces were carved by hand, and they still feed the Ifugao communities today. Getting there takes effort—a steep hike in and out—but you’ll share the trail with farmers, not crowds.
Jaco Island, Timor-Leste
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This uninhabited island is just off Timor-Leste’s eastern tip. Locals believe it’s sacred, so there are no overnight stays, which keeps it relatively untouched compared to more trafficked beaches elsewhere. Visitors can boat over for the day—usually arranged with local fishermen—and swim in its clear water or explore its forests.
Samarkand, Uzbekistan
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Samarkand looks and is truly historic. The Registan’s tiled madrasas anchor the city, while nearby mausoleums and mosques are impressive. As a center of Islamic learning and trade for centuries, Samarkand reflects Persian, Mongol, and Soviet influences in one walkable cityscape.
Inle Lake, Myanmar
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Long wooden boats cruise across this freshwater lake, where houses sit on stilts and gardens float on water. The leg-rowing fishermen—part of the Intha ethnic group—have become symbols of the region. Morning markets rotate between villages, and canals lead into narrow channels flanked by bamboo homes and monasteries.
The Golden Triangle, India
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This travel circuit connects Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, and captures a wide slice of northern India. You’ll see the marble symmetry of the Taj Mahal and the pink sandstone walls of Jaipur’s Hawa Mahal. Each city has its perks, but together they form a classic route.
Yunnan Province, China
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Yunnan is one of China’s most ethnically diverse provinces and geographically varied, too. Snowy Mountains border tropical valleys. Ancient towns like Lijiang and Dali preserve local traditions, while Tiger Leaping Gorge draws hikers from around the world. One week here could feel like five different trips.
Sapa, Vietnam
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Sapa is Vietnam at its most grounded. Terraced rice fields spill down the hills around Sapa, where ethnic minority villages dot the misty mountains. Trekking here means staying in local homestays, where meals are cooked over fire and morning fog drifts past your window.