Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi
Wat Pho is our absolute favorite among Bangkok's biggest sights. In fact, the compound incorporates a host of superlatives: the city's largest reclining鈥
Must-see attractions in Asia
Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi
The Grand Palace (Phra Borom Maharatchawang) is a former royal residence in Bangkok that was consecrated in 1782. Today, it鈥檚 only used on ceremonial鈥
Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi
Wat Arun is the missile-shaped temple that rises from the Chao Phraya River's banks. Known as Temple of Dawn, it was named after the Indian god of dawn,鈥
Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi
Architecturally fantastic, the Wat Phra Kaew temple complex is also the spiritual core of Thai Buddhism and the monarchy, symbolically united in what is鈥
Fuji Five Lakes
Fuji-san is among Japan's most revered and timeless attractions, the inspiration for generations of poets and the focus of countless artworks. Hundreds of鈥
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
North-Central Vietnam
Designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2003, the remarkable Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park contains the oldest karst mountains in Asia, formed鈥
Uda Walawe National Park
With herds of elephants, wild buffalos, sambars and spotted deer, and giant squirrels, this Sri Lankan national park is one of the nation's finest. In鈥
Ho Chi Minh City
Built in 1909 in honour of the supreme Taoist god (the Jade Emperor or King of Heaven, Ngoc Hoang), this is one of the most atmospheric temples in Ho Chi鈥
Tokyo
The Imperial Palace occupies the site of the original Edo-j艒, the Tokugawa shogunate's castle. In its heyday this was the largest fortress in the world,鈥
Ho Chi Minh City
To understand the US invasion of Vietnam, and contextualize its devastating impact on the country's civilians, this remarkable and deeply moving museum is鈥
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Hang Son Doong (Mountain River Cave), located in the heart of聽Phong Nha-K岷 B脿ng National Park, is known as the world's largest cave, and is one of the鈥
The East
This 357-sq-km park, once known as Yala East, is much less frequently visited than its busy neighbour, Yala National Park. Consequently, it's a far less鈥
Downtown Kyoto
The covered Nishiki Market (Nishiki-k艒ji Ichiba) is one of Kyoto鈥檚 real highlights, especially if you have an interest in cooking and dining. Commonly鈥
Hue
Built on a small hill overlooking the Song Huong (Perfume River), 4km southwest of the Citadel, this seven-storey pagoda is an icon of Vietnam and as鈥
Banglamphu
Even if you're w谩t-ed out, you should tackle the brisk ascent to the Golden Mount. Serpentine steps wind through an artificial hill shaded by gnarled鈥
Tokyo
This museum is the heart of the Studio Ghibli world, a beloved (even 'adored')聽film studio responsible for classic, critically-acclaimed animated titles鈥
Nha Trang
Forming a magnificent sweeping arc, Nha Trang's 6km-long golden-sand beach is the city's trump card. Sections are roped off and designated for safe鈥
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
Golden Gai 鈥 a Shinjuku institution for over half a century 鈥 is a collection of tiny bars, often literally no bigger than a closet and seating maybe a鈥
Ueno & Yanesen
If you visit only one museum in Tokyo, make it the Tokyo National Museum. Here you'll find the world's largest collection of Japanese art, including鈥
Jaffna
Long the gatehouse of the city, the vast Jaffna聽fort, overlooking the Jaffna lagoon, has been fought over for centuries. Today you can wander its walls,鈥
Jodhpur
Rising perpendicular and impregnable from a rocky hill that itself stands 120m above Jodhpur鈥檚 skyline, Mehrangarh is one of the most magnificent forts in鈥
Hanoi
Set amidst landscaped grounds near the centre of Hanoi, the Temple of Literature honours Vietnam's finest scholars, and also offers visitors a chance to鈥
Bangkok
Named after the Buddha鈥檚 birthplace in Nepal (Lumbini), Lumphini Park is central Bangkok鈥檚 largest and most popular park. Its 58 hectares are home to an鈥
Colombo
This terracotta-tiled, Dutch-era structure dates back to the early 1600s. Beautifully restored, it's now home to trendy shops, cafes and restaurants. In鈥
Polonnaruwa
Part of Parakramabahu I鈥檚 northern monastery, Gal Vihara is a group of beautiful Buddha images that probably marks the high point of Sinhalese rock鈥
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
Rumoured to be the busiest intersection in the world (and definitely in Japan), Shibuya Crossing is like a giant beating heart, sending people in all鈥
Colombo
Offering a captivating walk through Sri Lankan history, this delightful Colombo museum sprawls across a gleaming white, neo-Baroque building constructed鈥
Yokohama
This impressively slick attraction is dedicated to, you guessed it, cup noodles. But in reality, its focus is more broad, with numerous exhibitions鈥
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
The Tu Lan cave system comprises of more than 20 wet and dry caves, which聽are thought to be between three and five million years old. Huge caverns,鈥
Arugam Bay
This long crescent of sand, partially shaded by coconut palms, is as good a reason as any to visit Arugam Bay. In season, its appeal to surfers is obvious鈥
Cat Ba Island
Lying to the south of Halong Bay off the north-eastern coast of Vietnam,聽the 300-or-so karst islands and limestone outcrops of Lan Ha are just as鈥
Mirissa
A vision of tropical bliss, Mirissa Beach boasts powdery pale sand, while its azure water is framed by an arc of coconut palms. The west side is the鈥
Colombo
This long open space traditionally faced a narrow beach and the sea. It was originally cleared by the Dutch to give the cannons of Fort a clear line of鈥
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Surrounded by forested karst peaks, this staggering cave system in聽Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park聽extends for 31km, though most people only visit the鈥
Shikoku
If you're travelling along Rte 439, it's not a matter of 'blink and you'll miss it', but blink, and blink again, because you may have a hard time鈥
The East
Kalkudah Beach is the kind of fantasy that makes you want to chuck away your return air ticket and lounge forever under the palms. Good roads run inland鈥
Phu Quoc Island
With picture-perfect white sand, the delightful curve of beautiful Sao Beach bends out alongside a sea of mineral-water clarity just a few kilometres from鈥
Nagasaki
A still, serene and deeply moving place, Nagasaki's Peace Park commemorates the atomic bombing of the city on August 9, 1945, which reduced the鈥
Osaka
This C茅sar Pelli鈥揹esigned tower, which opened in March 2014, is Japan's tallest building (300m, 60 storeys). The observatory on the 16th floor is free,鈥
The East
This honey-coloured crescent of sand makes a lovely spot to enjoy life under a coconut tree. Swimming is possible although there are often red flags鈥
