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Destinations New Adventures Await: Explore These Top 20 Asian Destinations On Your Future Holidays
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New Adventures Await: Explore These Top 20 Asian Destinations On Your Future Holidays

Whatever be the flavour of your holiday--adventure, spirituality or romance--you'll find a fitting emerging Asian destination on this list.

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By: Rashima Nagpal Published: Dec 12, 2021 12:00 PM IST

New Adventures Await: Explore These Top 20 Asian Destinations On Your Future Holidays
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Do you want to hike up to a 900-year-old Khmer temple in Cambodia? Or go diving off an island in Asia’s newest country? Whatever be the flavour of your holiday—adventure, spirituality, romance, culture, or immersive travel—you will find a fitting emerging Asian destination on this list. By Rashima Nagpal

ADVENTUROUS GETAWAYS

Bokeo Province, Laos

Asian Destinations
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The smallest and least populous province in Laos, Bokeo spans an area of 6,196 square kilometres. At the heart of the province is the Bokeo Nature Reserve (which includes a chain of national parks such as the Nam Kan National Park), which covers 1,230 square kilometres of protected mountainous rainforest. The fact that the reserve is home to some of the world’s last remaining black-crested gibbons makes it a sought-after destination among wildlife enthusiasts. The Gibbon Experience, a tourism-based conservation project that was founded in 2004, allows you to venture deep into the jungle with a 15-kilometre zipline route. You can also go on hiking adventures along Nam Nga River, and stay overnight in some of the world’s tallest treehouses. tourismlaos.org

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE (one of the top Asian destinations)

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With a pristine coastline, golden sands, and spectacular mountains, the UAE’s northernmost emirate, Ras Al Khaimah, has attracted intrepid travellers for years. But the emirate kicked things up a notch when it transformed Jebel Jais, the UAE’s tallest mountain, into a playground for adventure. The recently opened Jebel Jais Adventure Park offers the world’s longest zip line and a via Ferrata route, among other activities that fuel the adrenaline. In 2020, the destination also launched the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp, which offers challenging survival courses as well as camp cabins for an immersive experience in the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah. visitrasalkhaimah.com

Mustang, Nepal

Asian Destinations
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Sheltered by some of the highest peaks in the world, Nepal’s Mustang was a kingdom until as recently as 1950. Its upper part, famously called Upper Mustang, was opened to foreigners in 1992 (with special permits). Since then, avid trekkers from around the world have lined up to set foot here. The walled capital, Lo Manthang, continues to be home to the native Loba tribe, and a majority of the people across the district speak traditional Tibetic languages. Mustang is peppered with ancient temples, monasteries, and palaces that offer insights into its rich past. welcomenepal.com

Ataúro Island, Timor-Leste

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Asia’s newest country, Timor-Leste, comprises the eastern half of Timor Island, the separate enclave of Oecusse situated in West Timor, and a few offshore isles in the Timor Sea. A short boat ride from the capital of Dili, the 25-kilometre-long Ataúro Island is part of the Coral Triangle. The reefs around the island are home to marine life such as rainbow reef fish, giant silver trevally, and vibrant nudibranch, making it one of the most beautiful dive locations in the world. You can spot dolphins and whales while coasting to the island. A hike to the sacred Manucoco Peak, the highest point on the isle, rewards you with panoramic views of the white-sand beaches. timorleste.tl

ROMANTIC RETREATS

Galle, Sri Lanka (one of the top Asian destinations)

Asian Destinations
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A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the coastal city of Galle attracts couples with a penchant for art and history. A seamless melange of Sri Lanka’s quintessential natural beauty and remnants of its Portuguese and Dutch history, Galle is as cultural as it is picturesque. It is home to iconic landmarks including Sri Lanka’s oldest lighthouse, art galleries, museums, as well as boutique cafes, heritage hotels, and fashion outlets. Spend your evenings walking along the ramparts of the fortified city, and head to Unawatuna, a beach town in the suburbs of Galle, for some rest and recreation. srilanka.travel

Tbilisi, Georgia

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Lying at the intersection of Europe and Asia—and causing a lot of cartographical confusion in the process—the transcontinental country of Georgia offers the best of both worlds. With the Caucasus Mountains on one side and the Black Sea coast on the other, it charms with diverse landscapes. Its cultural melting pot is best experienced in the bohemian capital Tbilisi, which evokes romance with dramatic settings: the narrow, winding lanes of Old Town, the Art Nouveau neighbourhood of Sololaki, the neo-classical buildings on Rustaveli Avenue, and buzzing bars and restaurants. georgia.travel

Kurashiki, Japan

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Kurashiki is a historical city in the Okayama prefecture of Japan that dates back to the Edo Period. The preserved historic quarter of Bikan is Kurashiki’s claim to fame. It is lined with old buildings and emblematic white houses, traditional Japanese eateries, and a willow-lined canal of Kurashiki River. Take a gondola ride, which ferries you across town; visit the Ohara Museum of Arts to see artworks of greats like Picasso, Van Gogh, and Monet; and stay at a machiya (traditional wooden townhouse) in Bikan. japan.travel

Coron Island, Philippines (one of the top Asian destinations)

Asian Destinations
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The Philippines has long been a favourite of couples and honeymooners in Southeast Asia. The sheer variety and number (over 7,000!) of its islands leave one spoilt for choice. Move away from the popular locations to Coron Island, not to be confused with the town of Coron. Coron Island lies to the north of Palawan Island, in the Calamian archipelago. While its World War II shipwreck sites are famous among diving enthusiasts, the landscape of limestone cliffs, hot springs, and laid-back beaches lends a picturesque backdrop to a romantic holiday. Do not miss a photo-op at the surreal Kayangan Lake. philippines.travel

SPIRITUAL SOJOURNS

Leshan, China

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Sitting at the confluence of three rivers—Ming, Qingyi, and Dadu—Leshan, in the Sichuan Province of China, is a city of great cultural and spiritual significance. It is home to the eighth-century Leshan Giant Buddha (the largest stone-carved Buddha in the world, recognised by UNESCO) and Mount Emei, one of the ‘Four Sacred Mountains’ of Buddhism. The first Buddhist temple in China was also built on the summit of Mount Emei in the 1st century CE. Also, housing other Buddhist temples such as Wuyou Temple, Lingyun Temple, Baoguo Temple, Hufu Temple, and Wannian Temple, Leshan is perfect for a tryst with Buddhism. china.org.cn

Samarkand, Uzbekistan (one of the top Asian destinations)

Asian Destinations
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The blue-tinged city of Samarkand is also famously known as one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities, with evidence of the earliest settlements going back to 1500 BCE. Once a major stop on the Silk Route, it is a crucible of world cultures, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a hub of Islamic architecture. Visit the public square of Registan, which features three stunning madrasahs, or the sacred necropolis of Shah-i-Zinda to admire its iconic tilework. Sample an evening of traditional Uzbek music called shashmaqam, at the ornate Sher-Dor Madrasah, which was built in the 17th century as a teaching institution. uzbekistan.travel

Preah Vihear, Cambodia

Asian Destinations
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The province of Preah Vihear is home to an eponymous temple that is 100 years older than the much more famous Angkor Wat. The Khmer temple perched on a 525-metre cliff is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Due to its proximity to Thailand’s border and a dispute between Thai and Cambodian troops, the temple remained inaccessible for years. But ever since both sides withdrew their forces in 2011, things have stabilised and the site has become popular. Besides the temple’s historical relevance, it is the thrill of trekking through dense forests that makes it an exciting destination. tourismcambodia.com

Bagan, Myanmar (one of the top Asian destinations)

Asian Destinations
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Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019, Bagan (bureaucratically known as the Bagan Archaeological Zone) in the Mandalay region of Myanmar houses an outstanding variety of Buddhist art and architecture. Over 3,500 ancient Buddhist pagodas, temples, and other structures are scattered across 42 square kilometres of Old Bagan. The mystical region, flanked by the Ayeyarwady River on its north and west, was the capital of a regional empire and witnessed the peak of the Bagan civilisation (11th-13th centuries CE). A hot air balloon flight is the best way to take in Bagan’s surreal landscape. tourism.gov.mm

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

Araku Valley, India

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Nestled in the Eastern Ghats of India, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Araku Valley is a treasure trove of picturesque landscapes and tribal culture. Not a feature on most tourist maps until a few years ago, the destination is pristine with lush green forests, misty mountains, and cascading waterfalls. But it is coffee that put Araku on the world map. The region cultivates a rich variety of Arabica coffee and should be on every coffee connoisseur’s list. Deep dive into its coffee culture with a visit to the Coffee Museum, which serves over 60 varieties made from local beans. A trip to the region is incomplete without a peek into the lives of its indigenous tribes, who are the flagbearers of Araku’s unique identity. The Tribal Museum is a great place to start. vizagtourism.org.in

AlUla, Saudi Arabia

Asian Destinations
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A gem in Saudi Arabia’s fairly new tourism landscape, AlUla is an ancient town that boasts 2,00,000 years of history. To understand the culture of this exotic desert city that was once at the crossroads of the Silk Route and the Incense Route, one must take a tour of its heritage sites. Begin with Hegra, the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has over 100 well-preserved tombs. Then, move on to Dadan, the historical capital of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms; Jabal Ikmah, a rugged mountain that sports inscriptions from AlUla’s ancient kingdoms and doubles up as an open-air library; and the Old Town that lies at the heart of AlUla. experiencealula.com

Bukchon Hanok Village, South Korea (one of the top Asian destinations)

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While the capital city of Seoul offers a taste of South Korea’s pop culture, the village of Bukchon Hanok (also a part of Seoul) takes you back in time. It is a 600-year-old village that is home to hundreds of traditional Korean houses, or hanoks with pagoda roofs. Since most of the houses have been converted into restaurants, guesthouses, art galleries, artisanal workshops, and boutiques, the hilltop neighbourhood is now an emerging tourist destination. It also has several museums such as Bukchon Traditional Culture Center, Donglim Knot Museum, Gahoe Museum, Han Sangsu Embroidery Museum, Bukchon Asian Art Museum, and Owl Museum—making it an ideal destination for the culturally inclined. visitseoul.net

Taipei, Taiwan

Asian Destinations
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A mix of Chinese, Japanese, Southeast Asian, and American cultures, Taipei is as cosmopolitan as it gets. The 300-year-old capital of Taiwan lets you explore museums, hiking trails, skyscrapers, and Taoist temples. Then there are the night markets that warrant a trip of their own. In the streets of Taipei, it’s easy to get carried away by dishes such as gua boa (a white wheat bun stuffed with pork belly and greens), oyster omelettes, ice cream run bing (a spring roll filled with ice cream and peanuts), and stinky tofu. Add to this list its mushrooming vegan restaurants, and you have yourself an all-rounder. travel.taipei

IMMERSIVE TRAVEL

Kuta Lombok, Indonesia

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Unlike its popular Balinese cousin Kuta Bali, Kuta Lombok is an obscure destination perfect for a slow, immersive vacation. There are plenty of beautiful beaches for you to explore—the central Kuta Beach is the easiest to access; Pantai Seger comes with a hill for panoramic sunset views; a secluded half-moon bay called Mawun is perfect for a romantic dinner; while Selong Belanak offers surfing and snorkelling spots. Hidden caves such as Bangkang also make for a fascinating experience. indonesia.travel

Hoi An, Vietnam (one of the top Asian destinations)

Asian Destinations
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Once a major port town in central Vietnam, Hoi An is a place full of wonder. In fact, Hoi An Ancient Town bears the UNESCO World Heritage Site status, thanks to its well-preserved trading port that connected Vietnam with the world between the 15th and 19th centuries. Years of trade have left behind a potpourri of cultures that lends Hoi An its unique character. Think Chinese shophouses on one hand and French colonial buildings on the other, a Japanese bridge, and traditional Vietnamese fishing villages. The cherry on top is a scrumptious food scene (best explored on a bike)—try local specialities like banh mi, com ga, and cao lau. vietnam.travel

Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan

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Literally translating to ‘mountains of heaven’, Tien Shan is an otherworldly range of peaks and valleys that form the border between China and Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan is home to a substantial part of the range, including its highest mountain, Jengish Chokusu at 7,439 metres. A trip here involves driving past countless jailoos (pastures), trekking through spectacular gorges such as the Jeti-Oguz Gorge, and ambling along alpine meadows. Discover the magic of Issyk-Kul Lake that, despite being surrounded by snow-capped peaks, never freezes due to its saline water. The rare white mountain honey comes from the Tien-Shan Mountains; it is derived solely from the nectar of wild sainfoin flowers found along the eastern side of Lake Issyk-Kul during summer. discoverkyrgyzstan.org

Isfahan, Iran

Asian Destinations
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Replete with architectural marvels, Persian culture, and artisanal heritage, Isfahan is the beating heart of Iran. Its history goes back to the country’s pre-Islamic era. Begin with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Naqsh-e-Jahan Square, also known as Imam Square. Standing tall since 1629, it is one of the largest squares in the world. Soak in views of sprawling gardens, fountains, and beautiful minarets and domes. The Imam Mosque, on its south, is a fine blend of Persian and Islamic architecture, decorated with intricate Arabic calligraphy and floral motifs. For a truly immersive experience of Isfahan, a stroll through its historic Grand Bazaar is highly recommended. visitiran.ir

Related: 12 Unique And Unusual Places To Stay Around The World

Written By

Rashima Nagpal

Rashima Nagpal

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