Asia’s 50 best sights

Asia rewards the ambitious traveller. With its soaring mountains and sweeping valleys, its lush rainforests and golden beaches, the world’s largest continent is where you’ll find some of the most diverse and magical landscapes on Earth. The region is also home to verdant tea plantations, active volcanoes, sprawling caves, coastal forts and even the relic of Buddha’s tooth.

It’s a continent steeped in history, with legacies that can be seen in regal palaces, sprawling temple complexes and monumental ruins – many recognised among the region’s almost 300 Unesco World Heritage Sites, representing around 25 per cent of the global total as of 2025. Then there are Asia’s megacities: thrilling, fast-evolving places that are increasingly shaping and defining the future.

To keep the scope manageable, we’ve left off destinations in the Chinese Mainland, which has its own 50 best experiences list, as does our home city of Hong Kong. And while this ranking focuses exclusively on the best places to see in Asia, don’t miss our companion list of the 50 best experiences in Asia, which explores what to do on your next visit – from hiking and diving to exceptional dining. 

South East Asia 

Angkor Wat 

You can easily spend weeks exploring the more than 1,000 temples, shrines and ruins dotting the jungle landscape of Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious complex. The magnificent 900-year-old main temple is worth the visit alone – for the grand sweep of its monumental size and the intimate details of the ornate bas-relief. It’s especially epic at sunset.  

Koh Ker 

While close to a million travellers descend on Angkor every year – making it one of Asia’s most visited archaeological sites – barely a fraction makes it to sister site Koh Ker – gifting travellers who do so a remote, uncrowded encounter with another set of more than 100 temples and ruins spread across the verdant rainforests north of Siem Reap. At its centre sits the imposing seven-tiered, 36-metre-tall, moss-covered pyramid of Prasat Thom. 

Indonesia  

Borobudur, Java 

The largest Buddhist monument in the world carries all the spiritual splendour and humbling majesty you might hope for. It was built in the 8th and 9th centuries, and climbing its nine ascending platforms offers visitors a symbolic upward journey through Buddhist cosmology, with more than 500 unique statues dotting the route. Don’t miss Borobudur’s near-contemporary Hindu cousin, Prambanan, lying less than 50km southeast, and mysteriously abandoned around the 10th century.  

Mount Bromo, Java 

There are few more humbling experiences than staring into the heart of a smouldering volcano as smoke drifts upwards from the bowels of the earth. At Mount Bromo, you’ll feel the raw power of our beautiful planet, one that often resembles the surface of the Moon. Best viewed at sunrise between April and November (dry season), stay overnight at Cemoro Lawang – 2-3 hours by road from Surabaya airport – and take a horse or a jeep to the crater’s base for a transcendental encounter with nature.  

Nusa Penida 

“Like Bali 30 years ago” is a common description of this small, rugged island less than an hour’s ferry ride off the east coast of Sanur. While it’s increasingly popular with day trippers, comparatively few travellers enjoy a longer stay on this charming and laid-back piece of largely untouched land of bliss. 

Raja Ampat, West Papua

Known as the “Last Paradise” on Earth, Raja Ampat is composed of more than 1,500 small islands, cays and shoals which are home to one of the most diverse marine ecosystems on the planet. With extraordinary biodiversity and kaleidoscopic reefs, there may be no better place to go scuba diving. 

Tegallalang, Bali 

The rice terraces of Tegallalang unfold like giants’ steps, the rolling tiered platforms blanketed by a carefully cultivated carpet of green thanks to age-old irrigation techniques. There are also a number of newer activities on offer, such as swings, a zipline and cafés, to give visitors a multitude of perspectives on these beguiling horizontal green lines.   

Uluwatu cliffs, Bali 

Head to the western tip of Bali's Bukit Peninsula for what must be some of the most Instagrammed sunsets in history: the cliffs of Uluwatu, dramatic limestone formations measuring up to 100 metres tall. At the very edge sits the 11th-century Uluwatu Temple, spectacularly suspended above the foaming wash below.  

Malaysia 

Batu Caves, Gombak 

At the foot of a limestone hill stands the looming, almost-43-metre golden likeness of the Hindu god Murugan – the largest statue in Malaysia. To the left of this stoic deity, a total of 272 brightly coloured steps carve a path upward, leading the way to a complex full of tranquil cave temples carved into the cliffside.  

Borneo rainforest 

One of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests, located on the world’s third-largest island, and shared between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, the rainforest of Borneo is a hyper-diverse ecosystem that’s home to hundreds of birds and mammals including endangered orangutans, monkeys and elephants. To visit, head to the accessible national parks near Sabah and Sarawak on the northern Malaysian side.  

George Town’s heritage houses, Penang 

Penang’s capital is a cradle of cultural diversity, with historically intertwined doses of Peranakan, Chinese and European culture evident to this day in the former trading outpost’s unhurried way of life. Nowhere is this more evident than the architecture of its fascinating shophouses, mansions and temples, with every corner of the city adding another footnote to the story. 

Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur 

An enduring symbol of Malaysian pride, the Petronas Twin Towers were officially recognised as the world’s tallest buildings from 1998 until 2004, before being surpassed by Taipei 101 – and they remain the tallest twin skyscrapers to this day. Bragging rights aside, the city views from the 88th floor observation deck will never get old. 

Philippines  

Chocolate Hills, Bohol 

Unfortunately, you can’t eat these hills, but that doesn’t make these stunning geological formations any less otherworldly. A site straight out of a cartoon or video game, the otherwise flat landscape is dotted with more than 1,200 sharp, pointy hills jutting out in cute bumps – each covered in green foliage that turns brown during the dry season.  

Coron, Palawan 

Few beach destinations live up to the glossy, photoshopped images lusted for pre-arrival, but Coron is the stuff white-sand dreams are made of. A 45-minute flight from Manila takes you to Busuanga, from which dozens of heaven-on-earth beaches can be visited for the day, the night, or as long as you can spare.  

Singapore 

Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands 

The centre of Singapore will forever be defined by its pair of unmistakable attractions. Even more than a decade after opening, the gravity-defying outline of Marina Bay Sands – topped by the 340-metre Skypark connecting its three towering skyscrapers – remains a vision of the future. In its shadows, the glowing urban park of Gardens by the Bay feels similarly futuristic.  

Shophouses of Singapore 

High-rise, forward-thinking, post-cultural utopia? Sure, but Singapore never lost sight of its past, with more than 6,500 of its quaint, two- and three-storey old shop buildings officially preserved and painted in bright hues – a highly strollable unfolding canvas of Instagrammable delight.  

Thailand  

Ayutthaya 

The second Siamese capital of Ayutthaya was the centre of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya from its founding in 1350 until it was invaded and destroyed more than 400 years later. What’s left today is mythical and mystical in equal measure: a staggering network of monasteries and towers, an architectural achievement still fittingly named after the heavenly kingdom of the Hindu epic Ramayana. 

Grand Palace, Bangkok 

Seen one palace, seen them all? Few human-made sights in Southeast Asia can rival the majesty of Thailand’s ceremonial centre, which spreads across a vast complex of more than 100 buildings – including the stunning gold-leaf library Phra Mondop and Wat Phra Kaew, the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. 

Phi Phi Islands, Krabi 

Bright turquoise waters and vibrant marine life, framed by dramatic limestone cliffs – the Phi Phi Islands are the stuff of backpacker legend, thanks in large part to the famous Maya Bay of The Beach fame. As accessible as it is breathtaking, with a lively party scene at Koh Phi Phi Don, it’s a great spot for snorkelling and diving for the first time.  

Tha Kha Floating Market 

Around 80km southwest of Bangkok’s urban swell, a very different way of life unfolds in Thailand’s smallest province of Samut Songkhram. At Tha Kha Floating Market, vendors sell their wares from the water – fresh fruit, snacks and crispy oyster omelettes always taste all the better when purchased from a gently bobbing boat. 

White Temple, Chiang Rai  

Thailand’s northernmost province holds a quixotic sense of serenity, epitomised by the quiet beauty of its artistic temples – most famously the ornate outline of the “white temple” Wat Rong Khun, seen in double, reflected in pools of glistening blue water.  

Vietnam  

Ha Long Bay

A natural karst landscape arguably only rivalled by the Chinese Mainland's storied Li River area, Ha Long Bay is a beautiful dreamworld of thousands of limestone outcrops, islets and islands, jutting from the ocean like the work of a playful deity. Best enjoyed on a longer overnight cruise (ideally 2-3 days, departing from Halong City, 3.5 hours from Hanoi), it’s the perfect way to escape the crowds and explore the natural landscape in peace. 

Hai Van Pass 

Whether you’re a hardened biker or a holiday scooter rider, saddling up for this ride of a lifetime is a must for all. Snaking a 21km mountainside route between Da Nang and Hue, the Hai van Pass delivers dramatic hairpin turns that thrill the nervous system while the lush jungle views soothe the soul. Can’t ride a motorbike? Tours are also available. 

Hoi An Old Town 

Set on either side of the perennially motionless Hoai River, Hoi An’s old town is a picture postcard of more than 1,000 preserved houses dating back as far as the 15th century. Revitalised as a dining and shopping hotspot renowned for its affordable tailors, the city’s riverside comes alive after dark as lights twinkle and restaurants buzz with travellers soaking in the serene, starry scene.  

Trang An, Ninh Binh

Over centuries, the Red River Delta has fed and shaped the landscape around Ninh Binh to create an incredibly lush and fertile area where village communities have lived off the land in harmony for centuries. What is now called the Trang An Landscape Complex offers visitors the chance to retreat into a beguiling natural utopia of steep limestone peaks, flowing rivers, sweeping valleys and rice fields.

South Asia 

Bangladesh 

Somapura Mahavihara 

A magnificent, quadrangular structure of 177 monastic cells, arranged in a dense symmetrical pattern, Somapura Mahavihara unfolds outwards from around a central courtyard shrine. Dating back to the 8th century, and also known as the Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur, it’s one of the largest Buddhist monasteries south of the Himalayas.  

The Sundarbans 

A veritable paradise on earth, the Sundarbans are the world's largest contiguous mangrove ecosystem, offering a critical forest habitat to endangered species including the Royal Bengal tiger, estuarine crocodiles, Ganges river dolphins and myriad bird species. The vast Bangladeshi section is best visited from Khulna, Mongla and Satkhira. 

India  

Elephanta Caves, Mumbai 

Just a 10km boat ride from the Gateway of India, further east into Mumbai Harbour, sits Elephanta Island – also known as Gharapuri, literally “the city of caves”. Inside sits a collection of temples, dug out of the earth and marked by incredible rock carvings measuring up to seven metres tall – an incredible example of man and nature in perfect harmony.   

The Himalayas  

Stretching 2,500km across borders with Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan and China, the Himalayas contain over 100 peaks exceeding 7,200 metres, including the highest and most recognisable, Mount Everest. Among the most accessible entryways is that through the high-altitude desert of India’s Leh-Ladakh, famed for its stunning monasteries. 

The backwaters of Kerala 

To truly immerse yourself in the beauty of the Kerala backwaters, rent a manned private houseboat and cruise through this calming 900km network of lagoons, canals and lakes in peace. Pass rustic villages and rustling paddy fields, before mooring up overnight and waking up to the sound of birdsong and the smell of a hearty thali breakfast.  

Munnar, Kerala 

Known as “Kashmir of South India”, a visit to the hills of Kerala might be as close to heaven as one can get on earth. This elevated vantage point offers an aerial perspective of seemingly endless undulations of rolling mint-green tea plantations as far as the eye can see. Escape up into the sky and soak up the moist air and cool climate of these mist-coloured mountains.  

Regal Rajasthan 

Often dubbed the “Land of the Kings”, India’s northwestern state of Rajasthan is a living fairytale of rustic forts, regal palaces and vast deserts. Don’t miss Jaipur’s stunning Amber Fort, the “Great Wall of India” at Kumbhalgarh Fort, the “blue city” of Jodhpur or the tranquillity of Udaipur’s Lake Pichola. 

Ranthambore National Park  

A legendary photographer’s paradise, there may be no better place to capture wildlife in motion than amid the rugged hills, tranquil lakes and stone ruins of this 1,300-sq-km national park in Rajasthan, famed especially for its Bengal tiger population. A former royal hunting ground, it’s named for the imposing 10th-century Ranthambore Fort at its centre, a sight in its own right.  

Taj Mahal, Agra 

Regarded as one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World”, this icon of divine design may be the ultimate spiritual testament to the power of earthly love. Built in the mid-17th century by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to honour his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal’s iconic dome roofline, towering columns and cooling reflective pools constitute one of the most recognisable manmade wonders of any era.  

Nepal  

Chitwan National Park 

The first national park established in Nepal is a beautiful land of lush vegetation and muddy rivers, where you’re almost guaranteed to get up close and personal with the one-horned rhinos trotting about their daily business – and if you’re lucky, tigers, too. Also boasting one of the world’s highest concentrations of bird species – with hundreds of species recorded – it offers a remarkably vibrant glimpse into the natural world.  

Kathmandu Durbar Square, Nepal 

More than 50 temples dot the historic heart of Durbar Square. Yet its nickname as an open-air “museum of temples” doesn’t quite capture its energy – this is no tourist trap, but it remains a bustling thoroughfare where daily life unfolds and a great place to soak up the buzz of the Nepali capital. With the sky dotted with flying birds, sunset is especially magical, best viewed from a rooftop café.  

Khumbu 

Home to the highest peak on earth, there are naturally few more stunning places to trek than the Khumbu valley of northeast Nepal. Climbing Mount Everest might not be possible for everyone, but the spectacular Himalayan scenery and the chance to immerse yourself in Sherpa culture are accessible for any novice trekker with the will to walk the way ahead. 

Sri Lanka  

Ella’s tea plantations 

This calming landscape of lush tea plantations and misty mountains is best viewed by rail. One of the world’s greatest train journeys – board at Kandy and prepare to be enchanted, as views grow only more picturesque while you wind slowly uphill to arrive at the tiny hilltop town of Ella. 

Galle Fort 

Sri Lanka’s old town of Galle is one of those rare Venice-like spectacles where a whole neighbourhood appears frozen in time. Projecting into the sea on a rocky promontory, the old town’s low-rise streets unfold from the 16th century Dutch stone coastal fort, surrounded by grass and palm trees.  

Sigiriya 

Sigiriya looks like something straight out of Gulliver’s Travels – only a giant could have placed the huge, 200-metre-tall cuboid rock fortress on the plain below (or, in this case, a former volcano). In the 5th century, its approach was transformed by laborious carving to create the image of a looming lion, with its giant paws still keeping guard to this day.  

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy 

Believed to house the actual remains of Gautama Buddha’s left canine, this magnificent 16th-century temple boasts intricate carvings in wood, gold and ivory. It’s housed inside the Royal Palace Complex of the Kandyan Kingdom, a lively pilgrimage site that comes alive with daily drumming ceremonies and offerings.  

East Asia

South Korea  

Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul 

Seoul has no shortage of historic palaces, but for a taste of how ordinary residents once lived, pay a visit to Bukchon Hanok Village – an entire neighbourhood of restored traditional buildings which is still home to thousands today. Quietly stroll the low-rise maze and feel the years roll back with every step.   

Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan 

Yes, this village in Busan really looks like that – a picture postcard of cute, brightly coloured buildings scattered like playing cards across a sloping mountain. It looks great from afar, but get up close, wander those narrow lanes and take a rooftop coffee to soak up the reality of this holistic art-led rebrand, which turned a neglected neighbourhood into a must-visit attraction.  

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul 

The first palace of Korea’s fabled K-drama-friendly Joseon era, 14th-century Gyeongbokgung is the top draw of Seoul’s five grand palaces – pristinely restored and perched in the centre of 40 hectares of sprawling grounds. 

Jeju Island Unesco Global Geopark 

Before it was brought to worldwide TV fame, Jeju Island was the "Hawaii of Korea”, a daydream destination for Koreans keen for an easy getaway. With stunning volcanic landscapes, sandy beaches and picturesque hiking trails, it remains a readymade escape offering equal doses of headspace and adventure.

Japan 

Mount Fuji  

There are famous mountains, and then there’s Fuji. Something about the enduring, sacred symbolism of Japan’s highest peak – a remarkably symmetrical, silhouetted solitary icon crowning an otherwise flat landscape – has fascinated poets, painters and humble travellers for millennia.  

Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto 

In a spiritual city of shrines and scholars, Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari looms large and long in the imagination. The head of all of Japan's Inari shrines, it sits outside the city at the base of a mountain, where a seemingly endless path of bright orange gates curves through the tranquil still air. Avoid August’s heat and humidity and instead visit between October-November for clear skies and fewer crowds – and make sure you pack a camera. 

Hokkaido’s “powder triangle” 

Japan is indisputably the ski capital of Asia, and few would argue with the eternal allure of the white slopes of Hokkaido. Three resort destinations especially have shone as beacons of deep dry powder and relaxing natural onsens – Furano, Niseko and Rusutsu among them. Struggling to choose? Extend your stay and hit them all over a fortnight of fun. 

Osaka Castle Park 

In the middle of lively Osaka sits more than 100 hectares of pristine park, unfolding outwards from the majestic, reconstructed 16th-century Osaka Castle. For all the history and hubris, it remains a natural gathering place for locals. It’s also a prime location for cherry-blossom spotting in spring – late March to early April – as well as autumn leaf hunting, or momijigari, in November. 

Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo 

As many as 3,000 people cross the road every time the lights change at this bustling central Tokyo intersection where five roads meet and traffic simultaneously grinds to a halt every two minutes. Observing this mass of humanity lit by the LED glow of Shibuya’s cyberpunk skyline is a truly unique experience.