Europe has the medieval charm, Latin America wins by a mile for gastronomy and nature, and there’s no denying Africa’s maze-like medinas and epic safaris are breathtaking, but let’s be real for a sec.
When you think of all those beautiful temples beneath a blossoming canopy of cherry trees, sprawling metropolises that look like they could belong in some Sci-Fi future, and the warm, welcoming hospitality of locals, no continent comes can touch Asia.
The only issue is Asia’s massive size, and plotting a trip there can feel daunting, especially if you’re staring at a blank map, unsure where to dive in, or even what experiences top your must-do list.
Are you into vibrant city breaks that leave you buzzing with energy, craving seconds on street food, and skyline views? Or maybe escaping to a laid-back mountain town, cradled by misty peaks, serene lakes, and ancient temples, free from the usual tourist hordes?
Perhaps it’s the untamed wilderness and heart-stirring adventure that gets your pulse racing.
Whatever sparks your wanderlust, here are 5 bucket list Asian destinations that everyone should visit at least once (and that hit all those notes and more):
Hội An, Vietnam
Set along Vietnam’s central coast, Hội An is hands down one of the most picturesque and romantic destinations in Asia:
A cultural melting pot that was under Japanese, Chinese, and French rule at different historic periods, it has that eclectic townscape made of ornate Sino-Buddhist temples, historic wooden shophouses, and yellow-washed colonial buildings you won’t find anywhere else.
All around the Old Town, beautiful French civic edifices glow in bold mustard tones, while winding canals slice through the colonial core, navigated for centuries by fishermen and merchants in traditional rowboats.
It’s no wonder they call Hội An the Vietnamese Venice, but instead of gondola rides with views of Gothic palaces, the coolest thing you can do here is book a thúng chai (bamboo basket boat) tour in the neighboring Cam Thanh Coconut Village.
Just hold on tight, and save that phở craving for later. You’re in for some intense spinning.
The Vibe: Vietnamese Venice with a French colonial flair
Perfect For: sightseeing around cute canals and browsing lantern shops
The ‘Don’t Miss’ Experiences:
- The Japanese Covered Bridge: a richly decorated foot crossing spanning a serene canal with a temple atop
- Bamboo Basket Boat Tour: spin your way across the navigable waterways and coconut groves of Cam Thanh
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Though it is the second-largest city in Thailand, behind only Bangkok, Chiang Mai exists in a different microcosm altogether from the country’s buzzing capital.
Revolving around a UNESCO-protected, moated Old Town dotted with ancient Buddhist temples and criss-crossed by narrow lanes lined with cute cafés and vibrant markets, it’s a chill, more laid-back side of Thailand you definitely won’t find in the island-dotted south.
Chiang Mai is crazy rich in temples, with over 300 scattered around the historic city and surroundings. You could spend weeks visiting ornate golden stupas and shrines, never feeling templed-out.
Must-sees include Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a gold-clad chedi perched on a mountain. This is probably Chiang Mai’s most iconic temple, and a social media staple, especially magical at sunset.
Wat Chedi Luang, Old Town heart: partially ruined but majestic, a 14th-century building that once housed the Emerald Buddha (now in Bangkok).
Covered in silver panels amid the silversmith district, Wat Sri Suphan boasts hand-carved Buddhist motifs, mirrored walls, and shimmering reliefs.
The Vibe: Northern Thai charm with temples galore
Perfect For: wandering ancient temples, sipping coffee in riverside cafés, strolling night markets
The ‘Don’t Miss’ Experiences:
Wat Phra Singh: a 14th-century temple with intricate Lanna-style carvings and a golden interior
Elephant Nature Park: visit rescued elephants in an ethical sanctuary a short 1h12 drive from Chiang Mai
Siem Reap, Cambodia
A charming resort town tucked away in the mostly rural northwestern fringe of Cambodia, Siem Reap is the base many tourists use for visiting the ancient ruins of Angkor, one of the most impressive in Southeast Asia, and the seat of a centuries-old dynasty.
Having reached its peak between the 9th and 15th centuries, Angkor was once the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire, and a thriving city now mostly lying in ruins.
The complex features intricate stone structures, most notably Angkor Wat, a three-domed temple so iconic it dominates Cambodia’s flag. Nearby standouts include Ta Prohm (the “Tomb Raider” temple), and Bayon, the star of moat-ringed Angkor Thom.
The archaeological site is incredibly vast and, without question, the biggest draw here, but if you’re going out of your way to visit Siem Reap, you might as well hit up some nearby nature spots.
For traditional Cambodian water life, check out Kampong Phluk or Kompong Khleang, two sleepy floating villages known for stilted houses and floating markets.
Craving a jungle escape with waterfalls, hiking trails, and sacred sites nestled in the mountains? Phnom Kulen National Park makes the perfect day trip.
The Vibe: overgrown Tomb Raider temples and epic riverfront sunsets
Perfect For: exploring grand temples and lush natural landscapes
The ‘Don’t Miss’ Experiences:
- Angkor Wat at Sunrise: the ultimate temple photo op (incredibly stunning at sunset)
- Phnom Kulen National Park: trekking through green landscapes and cooling off under cascading waterfalls
Chongqing, China
There’s no way we’d narrow down 5 bucket list spots in Asia and leave the Chinese dragon out—and listen, there’s plenty to pick from, from Shanghai’s neon streets and futuristic skyscrapers, to Beijing’s timeless citadels and hutongs, and even Hong Kong’s unique blend of East and West.
However, if there’s one Chinese hub that better represents China’s insane creativity, innovative spirit, and that literally warps and bends the limits of how you imagine a cityscape to be, Chongqing has to be it.
Famous for its stacked buildings and elevated walkways, you’ll have a hard time figuring out where the ground floor even is.
We’re talking elevated roads snaking 20 stories high, apartment blocks built right beneath soaring overpasses, pedestrian walkways spanning busy thoroughfares right beneath your feet, and 8D layers of urban chaos that stop just short of being Sci-Fi surrealism.
Oh, did we mention high-speed monorails zipping through tunnels drilled right into residential buildings? Yep, that kind of mind-blowing urban wizardry.
Chongqing’s a fairly large city, mind you—over 32 million people call it home—so you might have a hard time getting your bearings at first, but once you figure out where the street ends, and the building starts, you’ll be cruising in no time.
The Vibe: crazy multi-layered futuristic 8D city
Perfect For: wandering neo-lit alleys and sampling spicy street food
The ‘Don’t Miss’ Experiences:
Hongya Cave: a riverside stilted building-maze packed full of bars and shops
Liziba Station: the iconic metro going through the middle of a building
Kanazawa, Japan
Dubbed the ‘Little Kyoto‘, except it has none of the latter’s tourist crowds, Kanazawa is the laid-back capital of Ishikawa, a prefecture on Japan’s central Honshu Island.
A hidden gem of sorts, it’s best known for its preserved Edo-era districts, with traditional machiya lining stone-paved roads—traditional Japanese houses behind a street-facing, family-owned shop—and elegant moated castles with inner citadels and multiple enclosures.
Kanazawa Castle exemplifies Edo-period architecture that mostly survived World War II:
Built in 1580, it’s a complex fortified with stone walls, gates, and impressive turrets.
It sits next to Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s top landscaped gardens. It ranks with Kairakuen in Mito and Korakuen in Okayama as one of the Three Great Gardens.
Picture hidden pathways to teahouses and picnic spots, mirror-like ponds ringed by cherry blossom trees, and romantic arched bridges.
Peaceful, timeless, and serene, just like Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion before Instagram hordes ruined it.
The Vibe: Little Kyoto without the crowds
Perfect For: soaking up Japan’s Edo-era charm and escaping into secret gardens
The ‘Don’t Miss’ Experiences:
Kanazawa Castle: a well-preserved moated castle dating back to the 16th-century
Kenrokuen Garden: one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, known for its peaceful ponds, stone bridges, and ravaging seasonal beauty
Now for the fun part, take this quiz and find your perfect match!
