Are you a heavy dose seeker of wild adventure, rich culture, astonishing history or magnificently scenic spots? If your answer is yes, then Asia is the perfect place for you! No matter if you are a serious traveler or a first timer, Asia will ensure to fill your life journey with some amazing experiences and unforgettable memories. If you are right now tempted to look at the Asia’s map, please don’t, because it may feel daunting to look at this vast Continent with innumerable places finding place in tourism list. Being the biggest of all land masses, it not only showcases extreme geographical diversity but the cultural and lifestyle variations are quite an eminent point of world’s attraction. There are many beautiful cities in Asia worth paying a visit. But let us dig into some of it’s most prominent tourist destinations. Here are the 10 must-visit cities in Asia.
10. Hanoi, Vietnam
A historically wealthy city of Vietnam, it is one of the most visited cities here. It has that magical aura of ancientness surrounding it that will fill you with amusement! The ancient ‘Imperial Citadel of Thang Long’ is a UNESCO world heritage site and depicts perfectly the Vietnamese history and culture. You should also visit the ‘Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum’, where the great leader of Vietnam rests now in a glass case. Another two places that you will really find interesting to visit are the ancient Buddhist temple called ‘The Perfume Pagoda’ and the ‘Ba Vi National Park’. And while in Hanoi, you simply can’t miss its trademark ‘Water Puppet Show’. The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre here, is world renowned for its Puppetry performances in a pool full of water, a very amazing experience indeed!
9. Mumbai, India
It is said to be a city that never sleeps! You will find here luxurious hotels as well as nominally priced one. It portrays multicultural and a very diverse population. You will surely meet many interesting people while touring this city. There are many places worth visiting in Mumbai as well as nearby Mumbai. You must visit the landmark of Mumbai, the famous Gateway of India, from where you can take a ferry and reach the historical ‘Elephanta Caves’. There are many architectural wows here, such as the buildings of ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus’, ‘Municipal Corporation and Police Headquarters’ and ‘Taj Mahal’ hotel.
The famous sea promenade of ‘Marine Drive’ deserves a visit. If you see this place from a height during the nighttime it appears to be a necklace lit with lights, that is why is also called the Queen’s necklace. If you are a foodie and want to taste the authentic Mumbai styled food, visit the ‘Juhu Chowpatty’ located on the Juhu Beach. Another must visit place here is ‘Haji Ali Dargah’ which is situated on the islet of Arabian Sea. Mumbai has numerous pubs and is known for its nightlife, so if you want some fun, visit them!
8. Kathmandu, Nepal
A beautiful valley surrounded by mountains, Kathmandu will make you feel as if you are sitting in lap of mother nature! There are numerous temples here, but you must visit the ‘Boudhanath Stupa’, a UNESCO world heritage site and the largest temple in Nepal. If you are an adventure seeking person, choose the most popular trek here, ‘Annapurna Sanctuary Trek’ with amazing nature views and its unique glaciers. Visit the ‘Langtang National Park’ which is Nepal’s first National Park in Himalayas. Called by the tourist heart of Kathmandu, ‘Durbar Square’ is an area where you will find yourself surrounded by many worth visiting temples like Taleju Temple, Hanuman Dhoka.
7. Tokyo, Japan
Being the capital of Japan, Tokyo is a rich city in culture as well as a symbol of Japan’s progressiveness. It has almost everythinga tourist would like to explore, from historical monuments and museums to modern architectures and shopping centers. A tourist attraction that should be in the top of your must visit places list is the ‘Imperial Palace’. The Palace is still the residence of imperial family. It houses many wonders such as its notable bridge, called ‘double bridge’. The Sensō-ji Temple is the most famous shrine here, with its noted Thunder Gate where you will find a huge red paper lantern. Don’t miss its pride, The Tokyo Skytree, a 634 meter tall architectural wonder. The ‘National Museum of Nature and Science’ will give you a very rich and unforgettable experience to you will never forget!
6. Shanghai, China
Shanghai, the largest city of China and one of the most influential economic, cultural and technology center of China is both a traditional and a modern city. Experiencing huge numbers of visitors every year, its charisma is still alive. When you visit Shanghai, you must visit its world class museums, the Shanghai Museum and the China Art Museum. A marvelous epitome of modern architecture is its Shanghai’s Promenade: The Bund’ which houses several commercial shops. It also has a very beautiful and excelent place to spend your freetime, The Yu Gardens, also known as the ‘Garden of Happiness’. The magnificent Jade-Buddha temple has become a center of attraction here. You can go shopping at the famous Nanjing Road. And please don’t miss the 468 meters tall ‘Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower’ which offer you a wonderful view all around!
5. Bangkok, Thailand
The capital of Thailand is a perfect combination of both the worlds. It displays its modern day charisma through its extravagant architectures, luxurious hotels and some awesome shopping centers along-with the old world magic like the ‘Grand Palace’, ‘Wat Prakaew’ which houses ages old Buddha Statue, ‘Wat Arun’ known as the temple of dawn and the ‘City Pillar Shrine’. You must experience its unique ‘Floating Markets’ where the wooden row boats carry the fresh fruits and vegetables up to the brim. And what is interesting, is that you can also enjoy the food cooked on it’s floating kitchens! Don’t miss the Chinatown here; the street food is really delicious and if you want to trade some gold, then it has the densest of the gold shops. Also, famous here is the gigantic statue of reclining Buddha at ‘Wat Pho’ where you can enjoy a relaxing authentic Thai Spa!
4. Singapore
The world’s only island city-state, Singapore has been one of the prominent tourist destinations of Asia. The City is also called the ‘Lion City’ and the ‘Garden City’. This city of luxury hotels and spectacular shopping malls has much more to offer. While in Singapore, you will have a diversified experience: tall skyscrapers and man made wonders like ‘Marina Bay Sands’ and ‘Singapore Flyers’, beautiful Pulao Ubin or Granite Island. The city has established itself to be a green city by creating various green spaces like the ‘Gardens By the Bay’ and the UNESCO World Heritage ‘Botanical Gardens’. For some delicious food and music visit the Little India and Arab Street. Singapore also boasts of world’s best rain forest zoo, ‘The Singapore Zoo’!
3. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A multicultural haven, an architectural epicenter of the world and a divine place for food lovers, Kuala Lumpur is a perfect destination in Asia. You may find here astonishing landscapes everywhere you go in the city. The city will offer you a unique experience of both the modern day amusements and old world charms. You just can’t miss its iconic landmark, ‘The Petronas Twin Towers’, an amazing structure displaying the modern architecture at its best.
Dine at the revolving 360 restaurant at the ‘Menara KL Tower’ and if you are a shopping freak, interested in buying some real Chinese stuff, then visit Chinatown! The famous ‘Batu Caves’ not only will suffice the nature lover in you, but also will offer you a spiritual experience. For its Moorish styled buildings, the ‘Sultan Abdul Samad Building’ also serves as a distinguished city landmark. And if you want to have pure fun, don’t forget to visit the ‘Sunway Lagoon Theme Park’!
2. Siem Reap, Cambodia
It is known to be a ‘Gateway to Ancient World’. Being closest to the world famous ‘Temples of Angkor’, a UNESCO world heritage site, Siem Reap has become one of the most visited places of Cambodia. Angkor temples include the very famed temple of ‘Angkor Wat’ which is known to be the largest religious building in the world.
With large number of tourists visiting Siem Reap every year, the place has also transformed itself into quite a luxurious habitat, with world class hotels and superb dining places. However, it offers a variety of perfect staying places for a backpacker too! You can visit its Pub-Street for fun or enjoy nature on its rice paddy fields and bird sanctuary near the ‘Tonle Sap Lake’.
1. Kyoto, Japan
If you really want to sense the Japanese rich culture and history, then Kyoto comes first on the list. The aura of its mystique and the serenity of its nature is a divine feeling in itself. The city, once the capital of Japan, has survived many wars, but a fact that interests me is that Kyoto was dropped off from the target cities list during Atomic Bombings in World War II due to its historical Value! Here, your explorations may lead you to immensely beautiful temples and shrines, colorful gardens and magnificent castles. Take the experience of its rich culture by visiting its museums such as ‘Kyoto International Manga Museum’, ‘Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum’, ‘Costume Museum’ and ‘Kyoto National Museum’.
‘KinKakuji temple’ or ‘The Golden Pavilion’ is a treat to eye with most of its part covered in pure Gold leaf. Other worth seeing temples and shrines include ‘Ginkakuji’ (Silver Pavilion), ‘Kiyomizudera’ (Pure Water Temple), ‘Fushimi Inari Shrine’ and ‘Arashiyama’ area which has many natural sights and temples. Kyoto is also very famous for its traditional theatre performances and dances. Go for shopping at the Kyoto City. And not forget that Kyoto has a rich Japanese cuisine, so enjoy Sushi, Ramen, Tempura or Soba here.
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