See rural rice fields covered in mist and cosmopolitan cities awash in neon lights in Asia.
Asia has enchanted and bewildered visitors for ages. The continent’s combination of energetic cities, traditional architecture and exotic landscapes will overwhelm and delight your senses. Discover a tropical paradise in Thailand, where you can snorkel in the Phi Phi Islands or zipline through the rainforest in Chiang Mai. Jump onboard an Asia cruise to see the Temple of Heaven in Beijing or scale the Great Wall of China. Take in kaleidoscopic Tokyo and get swept up in the city’s fast-beating heartbeat at Shibuya Crossing. Hit the streets of Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur to sample street-food classics like nasi lemak — coconut rice spiced with sambal hot sauce and paired with fried chicken — or trek through mist-covered rice paddies in Vietnam.
CITIES OF TOMORROW
Asia’s sprawling metropolises are some of the world’s most futuristic urban centers and Asia’s top attractions. Gaze at a forest of skyscrapers in Hong Kong, see mind-blowing 3-D art projections in Tokyo, or stroll through innovative billion-dollar gardens in Singapore.
ASIA UNTAMED
Step into a vast and varied continent with virtually endless natural wonders during your next vacation. Explore Malaysia’s Taman Negara rainforest, or kayak past steep, moss-covered cliffsides in Vietnam’s Halong Bay. Hike up red-pagoda-lined Nanshan Mountain near Shenzhen, China, or scale volcanic Mount Keelung in Taiwan.
HOKKIEN MEE, PLEASE!
Hokkien mee is one of the most popular stir-fry dishes in Singapore. The combination of egg noodles, chopped rice noodles, seafood, veggies and some chili sauce will leave you full and happy.
WOK THIS WAY
Whether you eat it with shrimp, pork or chicken, few Thai dishes are more satisfying than stir-fried noodles, also known as pad thai. Stop by one of the food stalls on Charoen Krung Road or another of Bangkok’s popular street food spots, where pad thai is traditionally cooked up with tangy-sweet paste of tamarind, a tropical fruit.
YOU’LL WANT IT SOBA-D
Soba noodles are made from buckwheat and are often brought to life from scratch by the shop owner. In summer, experience cold soba noodles with a small bowl of dipping sauce, or slurp up hot broth and tempura prawn in the cold winter months.
BAOZI GIANT DUMPLING
The size of a clenched fist, baozi dumplings make for a wholesome on-the-go meal. Stuffed with meat and vegetables, you can find them at local Tianjin markets just outside Beijing. Popular combos include pork, onion and mushroom or cabbage, scallions and ginger.
MICHELIN-STARRED GOOSE
Looking for a higher-end culinary experience? In Hong Kong, head to Kam’s Roast Goose and indulge in a Michelin-starred meal of roast goose complete with crisped skin and other delicacies like suckling pig and cured pork sausage.
Iconic for its grove of gigantic, glowing supertrees, Gardens on the Bay is a futuristic location meant to inspire the city. Start your vacation adventure at Cloud Forest, home to the world’s tallest human-made waterfall, and make your way to the delightful Flower Grove to walk among brightly colored buds.
Leave the bustle of Hong Kong behind and hike up the fabled Dragon’s Back mountain near the city. Up high, the air is cool and dry, while the mountaintops are shrouded in a light silky mist. Head to the Great Wall’s Huangya Pass in Beijing to see the landscape unfold from the high point of Widow’s Peak.
Vermilion temples, grand palaces, flowering gardens and old-style wooden architecture are some of the things you’ll see on your city wanderings. Head into Shanghai’s Bund neighborhood and get a sense of what China looked like 100 years ago. The Five Great Avenues district of Beijing will inspire you with its colonial architecture and olden-day charm.
All of Thailand’s beaches are amazing, but you’re sure to notice some important differences. While the islands of the Andaman Sea (to the west and south of Phuket) feature dramatic cliffs and fluorescent waters, white sand and more muted shades of turquoise define the experience of swimming in the Gulf of Thailand south of Bangkok. No matter where you take a dip, though, you’ll be in paradise.
The Samurai and feudal lords built impressive castles all over Japan, most of which were reconstructed in the Meiji Restoration Era. For some firsthand history, stop by Osaka Castle near Kyoto, or head to Okinawa, where the Ryukyu kingdom reigned supreme, to visit Shurijo Castle, a UNESCO site that will enlighten you to the sub-tropical splendor that put the island on the map.
Feel on top of the world as you explore the tallest mountain in Japan. Start the climb up Mt. Fuji in Shimizu, and let yourself be wowed by the volcano’s incredible scale. For a smaller mountain vacation adventure, take a cable car up Mt. Rokko in Kobe, and delight in the mountaintop town that overlooks Kobe city, or walk the steps leading through the 10,000 bright-red torii gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine that climbs up the gentle mountainside.
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Asia’s summers tend to be hot and humid — great weather for lounging on a tropical beach, but if you’re looking for cooler temps, visit at the end of spring or the start of autumn.
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English is spoken and taught in many Asian countries as a second language, but it’s always handy to know a few words in the local language to help you navigate the place and culture.
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Stop for food at the spots you see crowded with locals: You might wait in line a bit, but the busy spots are sure to serve up the best, most authentic dishes.
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Pick up a Singapore Tourist Pass for cheap, unlimited train travel for up to three days.
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Most Japanese don’t speak English, so make sure you carry a phrase book with you as you explore.
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To show respect for local customs, remove your shoes whenever entering a temple or a local person’s home.