Asia is still an undiscovered, mystical place for a majority of people, hence it is one of the most sought after places for vacation. Whether you are searching for a relaxing vacation or an adventure of a lifetime, Asia is definitely the place to go. With so many countries and regions, and so many options to choose from, rich in history, culture, cuisine or just white sandy beaches, you can pick what type of vacation you need based on our recommendations. And the best of all is, you don’t need much time - a week is enough to explore these paradises - unless you fall in love with the place and decide to prolong the stay. If this sounds like something you are interested in, keep on reading to find out our recommendation for the best places in Asia.

El Nido, Philippines

Whether you like to sunbathe and enjoy coconut cocktails on sandy, white beaches, or like to snorkel and dive - El Nido is the place for you to have the perfect Asian adventure. Located on Palawan Island in the Philippines, this archipelago has the most beautiful turquoise waters, secret caves, and mysterious lagoons. There are many activities that you can do if that is the type of vacation you are looking for. From Island Hopping Tours to renting a kayak, or zip-lining between two islands, you will have a full day. You can even hike the Taraw Cliff to climb up to the highest point of El Nido. On the other hand, if you are searching for a more laid back, relaxing vacation, you can enjoy the white sand of Duli Beach, or Nacpan Beach, a 4-kilometer long beach where you can hand-pick your own coconut!

Penang, Malaysia

Situated off the western coast of Malaysia, this island is perfect if you love to try diverse types of food. This is the true Asian adventure, seeing how Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures coexist here, in a combination that birthed a perfect fusion. Here, your taste buds will experience heaven, and will long after craving tastes of diverse ethnicity, religion and culture. People who have experienced food in Penang, agree that it simply tastes better there than anywhere else. Some of the choices of food you have there are Char Koay Teow (shrimp noodles), Dim Sum, Lok Lok, Nasi Kandar (rice with curry and meat) and Mee Goreng (noodles with fish and potatoes). Being the centre of three cultures, oftentimes you will find a fusion of two cuisines. For the brave, this would be a perfect adventure. Forget all about the air conditioning or sunbathing and use this unique opportunity to wander down the streets of Penang to find more exciting food that you can later share with us! 

Tokyo, Japan

As Japan’s megacity with a population of 35 million people, it is the biggest city in the world. It is also one of the fastest, and not only because of its busiest railway system in the world. If you are looking for a dynamic, modern vacation, Tokyo is the place to be! In Tokyo, you can mainly see newer buildings and modern architecture like the Tokyo Skytree - the tallest building in Japan and Tokyo Tower, the second-tallest building. This modern architecture is a result of the 1923 earthquake and World War II. However, Japan does have traditional religious sights like Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji, that can make up for all the modern architecture and provide the other side of Tokyo. There’s a little bit of history, too. Tokyo used to be a small fishing village called Edo, that changed its name and function when the Emperor moved there in 1868. You can see this Imperial Castle in the middle of the city, but it is not open to the public. 

Rajasthan, India

Often forgotten as a part of Asia, India is one of the must-sees if you’re searching for a true Asian adventure. Not only does it have cuisine with the broadest use of spices and unique cooking styles, but it also has an abundance of festivals and dances, history and nature. Rajasthan is called the land of Kings because its history is full of medieval forts, palaces, and mansions. For first-time travelers, we recommend the capital city of Jaipur, or the Pink City, where you can see salmon-hued buildings, colored to resemble the red sandstone architecture of Mughal cities. While in that region, don’t miss Jodhpur (the Blue City), Udaipur (the Gold City), and Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, the home of the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger.

Bali, Indonesia

Bali is a perfect place for relaxing and reconnecting with yourself. However, for the more adventurous of you, the island offers surfing and diving, as well as mountain trails to showcase a more outback side of this paradise. For safari lovers, Bali Safari Marine Park lets you get close to true Bali wildlife of over 60 species, among which are some rare species, like Orang Utan and Komodo. If, however, you wish to just relax and enjoy your stay in this Heaven on Earth, Nusa Lembongan villas, for example, offers a beach style holiday that you will not easily forget. There, you can practice yoga, meditate, find your inner peace, or simply just enjoy the sun and give yourself the vacation that you deserve!

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Thailand is definitely becoming more and more popular among vacationers. It offers sandy beaches where you can bask in the Sun and empty your mind. Mountains and islands here are ideal for those who like to explore and like a little more adventurous vacations. The adventure doesn’t stop there - the jungle terrain is perfect for exploring the surrounding scenery, but if you are more of a light stroller, Chiang Mai offers over 300 temples that you can visit. These incredible, old structures are open to the public, where you can meet monks who will be happy to show you their lifestyle and to answer any and all of your questions. After such a long day of walking around and watching in awe, a real Thai massage is a must! After being refreshed, you can continue your night in this city’s lively nightlife. All in all, Chiang Mai is not a place where you will have nothing to do!

Banana Reef, Maldives

If you love water, swimming, diving, and snorkeling, Banana Reef in the Maldives is where you should plan your next getaway! Being the first dive site in the Maldives, Banana Reef is a protected area that preserves the rich marine life that lives here. This richness is exactly why your diving experience in Banana Reef will be unforgettable! Whether you are an experienced diver or just a beginner, professional diving instructors will lead you on an adventure of a lifetime, to caves, pinnacles, and to see the colorful coral. All that in water averaging 27 degrees Celsius. However, if you are not sure in your diving skills, or are afraid of the depths, you are in luck. The top part of the reef is shallow, giving you the chance of exploring the waters without having to put an oxygen tank on. Simply strap on your snorkeling mask, and snorkel away in the shallow waters. 

Kyoto, Japan

Not as popular as Tokyo, Kyoto is one of the best cities in Japan to visit if you are looking for a true, historical trip. Known for its culture and tradition, for any history lover, Kyoto should be at the top of the list. Most famous for its blooming cherry blossoms in the spring, it will give the impression that you have magically wandered into 20th century Japan, with geishas and tea houses. Not to forget the historic Buddhist temples, which are over 1600, the most famous being Nenzen-Ji, Tofuku-Ji, Honen-in and many more. If you are a foody though, don’t skip ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen’, or Nishiki Market - you can find all the traditional dishes of Japan there. We recommend Kyoto for those of you who are more of the adventurous types of travelers and want to emerge into the real culture, experiencing Japan thoroughly.  

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Located in Siem Reap, the capital city of Cambodia, Angkor Wat has gradually risen to be one of the most popular tourist spots, for those of you looking for an experiential holiday. With its impressive architecture dating all the way to the 12th century, it will leave you breathless and willing to learn more about the Khmer empire. Their waterways, cooling corridors, and how the people managed to have two rice harvests each year, instead of the usual one are also a head-scratcher. This world’s largest religious structure has over 2000 carvings of apsara - their female celestial spirit. It even has a carving of a stegosaurus, that was supposed to be extinct 65 million years ago. If you are looking for a mysterious, curious adventure, this is the place to be!

The Great Wall and Xi’an, China

We don’t know of a person who hasn’t heard of the Great Wall. It is the ultimate Asian adventure that we recommend everyone to go see, regardless of what kind of traveler you are. Even though the true length of the Great Wall has never been established, the mere idea of being a part of something that big leaves a sense of belonging and a purpose. The name represents a series of fortification systems that were built over a period of time and by different emperors and different dynasties. There are many paths that are restored for an easy walk, but the steep path of Jiankou is recommended for more experienced hikers. Continuing this walk along with the past, you mustn’t miss the most famous ancient city of the Silk Road - Xi’an. There, you can see the famous Terracotta Warriors, the protectors of the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the founder of the Qin dynasty. 

Conclusion

It has been challenging to pick only 10 destinations to have the perfect Asian adventure, but we think these 10 are the best. They combine adventure, relaxation, history, mystery, and food - what more is Asia famous for? If you have more ideas or have been to one of these places, don’t hesitate - tell us all about it! We always love to read new experiences from people around the world!