The 15 best places to go in Asia

Covering almost 17 million square miles, around 30% of the total land on earth, a journey across the continent takes you from long-lost civilisations in the Middle East and along the legendary trading route of the Silk Road in Central Asia to the rich diversity of India and neighbouring Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan before voyaging through the ornate temples and eye-catching landscapes of Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos in South-East Asia, then onwards to South Korea and Japan in the Far East.

With so much to choose from, the big question is where to begin? So, we’ve picked out 15 of the best places to go in Asia to start you off. Your bucket list begins here.

One of the world’s oldest cities, the ancient Nabatean site of Petra lay lost for centuries beneath the desert sands of Jordan until it was rediscovered in 1812. Dating back over 2,000 years, it’s easy to spend hours, even days exploring this fascinating site – an unmissable part of any holiday in Jordan. The adventure begins as soon as you walk into the narrow passage through the rocks known as the Siq, emerging into the daylight to see the intricately carved façade of the Treasury, one of the most familiar sites in the ‘Rose Red City’. But there’s far more to discover, including another of the larger buildings known as the Monastery, as well as the elaborate Royal Tombs, the ancient Theatre, the central Colonnaded Street, and the High Place of Sacrifice.

Shahi Zinda in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Once one of the most powerful places in Central Asia, the legendary city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan was a vital stop along the Silk Road. Once of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia, it’s thought that people have lived here for more than 2,750 years, with Marco Polo among the many thousands who passed through to trade and to explore.

Today, the city’s importance is reflected in its beautifully decorated buildings, with their blue majolica tiles and golden mosaics. Beyond the ornate details, you can transport yourself back to centuries gone by as you explore historic sites such as the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the Ulugh Beg Madrasah and the mausolea of the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis.

Taj Mahal, India

The most iconic building in all India, the shimmering white marble mausoleum of the Taj Mahal is instantly recognisable for its elegant symmetry. Built in the 17th century as a memorial to Shah Jahan’s favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, this highlight of the Golden Triangle took 20,000 skilled labourers (and 1,000 elephants) to build over 22 years, finally finished in 1653. One of the world’s best examples of Mughal architectural style, it combines elements of Ottoman, Indian, Persian and intricate Islamic decoration, with semi-precious stones used for the calligraphy on the walls. Surrounding the Taj Mahal itself, the gardens were originally designed to symbolise paradise, with canals mirroring heavenly rivers, cypress trees representing eternity, and fruit trees as symbols of renewal.

Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, India

The holiest shrine of Sikhism, the Golden Temple appears to float on the waters of Amrit Sarovar in Amritsar, designed as both a place of worship and a symbol of Sikh values. The vast complex includes community kitchens which provide free meals to 10,000 pilgrims and the poor every day, while the Hari Mandir, or Divine Temple, sits at the heart of the temple complex within a sacred pool.

Gold-plated and intricately decorated with verses from the Sikh holy book, the Granth Sahib, the eye-catching temple design is topped with spires and cupolas. During your visit, there’s also a chance to experience a daily ritual, the Palki, or putting to bed ceremony, as the Granth Sahib is moved in a procession from the Sikh Parliament to the Golden Temple.

Kerala backwaters

Away from India’s iconic temples and palaces, as well as from the vibrant bustle of the cities, you’ll find that one unmissable experience in India is far more laid-back. In Kerala, in the south of the country, a 1,500km network of waterways connects villages and links lagoons, for a fascinating way to explore. Once the traditional flat-bottomed boats were used as cargo vessels, poled along by their crew, but most have now been transformed into deluxe houseboats which cruise through the maze of waterways, giving you the chance to glimpse daily life, explore by smaller boat, and relax as the lush green landscape passes by.

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

High atop the huge rock plateau of Sigiriya sit the remains of a 5th century fortress and palace, one of the most unusual places to visit in Asia. The ‘lion rock’ fortress, as it’s known, towers 182m high above the jungle surrounding it, with frescoes painted on the rock face as you climb to the top. Look out too for the massive paws, all that remain of a giant lion statue, along with the remains of what’s thought to have been a water storage tank, using hydraulics to feed waters to various reservoirs and keep the surrounding gardens green. The views from the top are worth every step.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan

Clinging to a cliff edge half-way up a mountain, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan looks like it can hardly be real. But this 17th century building is one of the highlights of a visit to Bhutan, as well as one of the best places to go in Asia. Named after the second Buddha, Padmasambhava, who is said to have arrived here on the back of a flying tiger, the colourful pagoda stands out against the green of the valley, with a hike leading to the mountain location, including a wonderful viewpoint looking over to the monastery itself.

Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand

The gilded spires and intricately carved temples of Bangkok are one of the unmissable sights of a holiday in Thailand and it’s hard to pick a single location from amid the eye-catching historic sites. But if you only visit one, make it the Grand Palace, which includes Wat Phra Kaew, home to the treasured Emerald Buddha. The official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782, the monarch was based here, along with his court and government until 1925, in a palace complex sprawling across 218,000 square metres. You can still visit the Throne Hall, the temple of the Emerald Buddha, spot guardian statues and marvel at the ornate decoration around every corner.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The world’s largest religious structure, Angkor Wat is the highlight of a visit to the ancient Khmer capital of Angkor. Built in the 12th century, this former Hindu site was transformed into a Buddhist temple and the intricate carvings throughout the buildings tell stories of the gods, as well as showing scenes of everyday life. The symbol of Cambodia to this day, Angkor Wat was intended to be an earthly representation of the home of the gods in Hindu mythology, Mount Meru, from its moats to ornate towers, and you’ll still encounter monks offering blessings inside as you explore.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

One of the most beautiful corners not just of Vietnam but of the whole of Asia, cruising across Halong Bay has a sense of entering a fairytale world. The emerald green waters of this UNESCO World Heritage site are dotted with more than 2,000 karst islands, rising high above the water and topped with dense jungle.

Legend says the bay was created long ago by dragons to help the Vietnamese people defend against invaders, spitting out jewels and jade which formed the islands, creating a natural barrier – the name ‘Ha Long Bay’ translates as ‘Descending Dragon Bay’.

Mekong

Stretching for 3,050 miles, the Mekong is the third-longest river in Asia, flowing from the Tibetan Plateau through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam to form a delta that’s been called the rice bowl of Asia. Cruising down the river is one of the best ways to explore Asia, discovering scenes of everyday life as well as historic cities and sights along the way. In Laos, you can journey to Luang Prabang with its countless temples and the Pak Ou caves, home to thousands of tiny Buddha statues. In Cambodia, the river takes you past the capital Phnom Penh, then sail past more unexpected sights such as floating farms or the stilted houses and mosques of the Muslim Cham village in Vietnam

Red Square, Malacca, Malaysia

There are several tempting places to experience Malaysia’s rich multicultural mix, including the island of Penang, but one of the easiest to visit from capital Kuala Lumpur is Malacca (or Melaka) to discover Portuguese, Dutch and British heritage, plus one of the country’s oldest Chinese sites. Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum is a great introduction to the local history of the Chinese Malay people, but save time to visit the Portuguese fortress of Porta de Santiago, St Paul’s Church, and the ‘Red Square’ of Dutch administrative buildings, as well as the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Malaysia’s oldest Chinese temple, set on Jonker Street, the thriving heart of Malacca City in the 17th century.

Orangutans in Borneo, Malaysia

There’s nothing quite like the experience of seeing orangutans in the wild, with these endangered apes found only in Sumatra and Borneo, including Malaysian Borneo. No visit to the island is complete without a stop at Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre, which has been rehabilitating orphaned, injured or displaced orang-utans since 1964, and helping them return to the wild. With the youngest apes cared for in nurseries, you can also see some of the adults in the reserve, where they roam freely. Save time to visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre opposite, which has a similar mission to help the world’s smallest bear, and often receives its own orang-utan visitors too.

Travel back through the centuries to learn more about South Korea’s history in the UNESCO-listed Gyeongju Historic Area, preserving buildings from the ancient Silla Kingdom, which ruled from around 57BCE until 935CE. Home to royal tombs, Buddhist temples, palaces and even the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia, there’s a chance to explore a thousand years of Korea’s past, often called the country’s golden age. Save time to visit the 1,500-year-old Bulguksa Temple as well as marvelling at this unique display of Buddhist art and architecture.

Kyoto, Japan

Home to some of the most beautiful architecture in Japan, the country’s former capital Kyoto is deservedly one of the most visited locations in the country for its history, heritage and sheer loveliness. Wander the Gion district where you could see Geiko (or geisha) and their apprentice Maiko walking the streets in elaborate outfits and make-up. Elsewhere the Kinkaku-ji Temple, or Golden Pavilion, is decorated in gold leaf, while the Ryoanji Temple is famous for its rock garden, and Nijo Castle’s nightingale floors were designed to ‘sing’ if intruders entered.

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