
Thinking of visiting Asia? There are countless tranquil forests, beautiful beaches, trendy cities and authentic experiences to be had. From the vibrant beach town of Goa in India to the undeniably cool city of Tokyo in Japan, these are the best places to visit in Asia!
1. Hoi An, Vietnam
A historic port town famed for its atmosphere, laid back culture and architecture, Hoi An is high up on our dreamy bucket list right now. The must-visit area of the city is, of course, the UNESCO listed Old Town, with the historic Japanese Bridge and charming French Colonial buildings.
Immerse yourself in the history and culture of Hoi An with a local cooking class, bike tour through the countryside or take a day trip to Marble Mountain where you can explore the Hindu temples of the Champa Empire. There’s so much to see and do in this exciting city and it’ll make you fall head over heels in love with Vietnam!.

Image source:Contiki
2. Goa, India
Sunshine, beautiful beaches and breezy palm trees: Goa is a coastal dream! It’s the perfect place to relax after travelling through India’s bustling major cities like Jaipur, Delhi and Mumbai. When you have the chance to explore Goa for yourself, be sure to take a dip in picturesque spots like Cavelossim, Patnem and more.
3. Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Kanchanaburi in the west of Thailand is abundant in natural beauty, with the inviting waters of the River Kwai, gushing falls of Sai Yok Yai National Park and lush greenery of the Erawan National Park. On Contiki’s Total Thailand trip, you’ll even spend the night sleeping at the unique Floating Jungle Raft Hotel along the famous River Kwai.
The region is filled with remarkable places to visit, like gilded halls of the Grand Palace.. It’s also an important historical setting, with sights including the JEATH War Museum, Thailand-Burma Railway Centre and the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.

Image source:Tom Shakir / unsplash
4. Kyoto, Japan
Day off in Kyoto? From the famous gates of the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shinto Shrine, to the tranquil gardens of the Kinaku-ji Temple, there’s a lot to love about this iconic city in Japan. There are also plenty of charming teahouses to relax in, and you can discover the historic geisha culture of the city. Experience all of this on one of our Japan trips!
5. Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
You may not have heard of this Malaysian province, but the rolling green hills and verdant views of the Cameron Highlands are an incredible sight to behold! An expansive region that’s home to world-famous tea plantations, this is hands down one of the best places to visit in Asia. From sampling freshly made teas to enjoying a traditional Steamboat dinner like the locals, there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in the culture of this jaw-dropping region.

Image source:TM Yap / unsplash
6. Luang Prabang, Laos
Southeast Asia strikes again. Golden temples, historic French mansions and stunning greenery make Luang Prabang in Laos worthy of a spot on every traveller’s bucket list. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed city has been on our minds lately, thanks to its remarkable beauty, friendly locals and incredible sites like the Royal Palace, Wat Xiengthong Buddhist Temple, Kuang Si Falls or the lively Night Market. Laos is known for their stunning textiles as well, which you can check out at the Ock Pop Tock Centre with Contiki!
7. Khao Sok, Thailand
You’ve probably seen the Khao Sok National Park all over your Instagram feed in the past few years, but it wouldn’t be a Southeast Asian trip without swinging into the pristine nature reserve which is continuously growing in popularity!.
One of the oldest and greenest rainforest ecosystems in the world – more than 160 million years old – Khao Sok is known for its limestone mountain peaks, deep valleys, striking green lakes and diverse native animals. It’s one of the best places to visit in Asia – and it’s sitting pretty high up on our dream travel list right now. Check it out on our Southern Thai Highlights trip!

Image source:Teodor Kuduschiev / unsplash
8. Kandy, Sri Lanka
Reachable from a beautiful train ride through tea plantations, Kandy is one of Sri Lanka’s larger cities and an absolute gem. Set on a plateau and surrounded by mountains and rainforests and plantations, you’ll marvel at the natural beauty and the stunning culture all around you. Catch a traditional Sri Kandyan dance show, sample delicious local tea, visit the sacred Buddhist Temple of the Tooth, and hike.
9. Singapore
If you, like us, watched Crazy Rich Asians and haven’t been able to get the glitzy views and delicious food out of your mind, then welcome to the boat we’re all in – why not sail to Singapore? The country is a melting pot of cultures with flavoursome and diverse dishes which will satisfy every foodie craving. The impressive sights like the Supertrees and night safaris will keep you occupied and stunned for the entirety of your trip.

Image source:Coleen Rivas / unsplash
10. Siem Reap, Cambodia
The capital city of Cambodia, Siem Reap, offers up cheerful city streets with trendy new eateries, authentic markets and an atmospheric party vibe to enjoy. It’s also the gateway to Angkor, the capital city of the Khmer Empire. Ancient temples and ruins are waiting to be explored, including Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm Temple, Angkor Thom and Phnom Bakheng. You can do all this and more with the add-ons included in Contiki’s Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia Adventure trip.
11. Vang Vieng, Laos
Vang Vieng is a fun-loving town nestled in Laos, and it’s ideal for kicking back and just soaking up the sun and the good vibes. This small town will welcome you with open arms and you can explore the mountains and caves for a bit of adventure. The area is known for Tham Poukham, a cave with blue-green lagoons inside and a reclining Buddah statue in the depths. Vang Vieng’s street food is delicious and filling, so make sure to grab a bite between expeditions.

Image source:Bckfwd / unsplash
12. Chitwan National Park, Nepal
The first national park of Nepal, this biodiverse region is known for its lush plant-lands and river valleys. It’s also home to deer, monkeys, elephants, sloth bears, and the endangered One Horn Rhino and Bengal Tiger. Nepal is such a magical country with many gems and secrets left to uncover, so pack your good hiking shoes and get going!
13. Yangshuo, China
Known for its outdoorsy activities and extraordinary scenery, Yangshuo is a riverside town in China’s Guangxi region. We’re dreaming of hiking the uniquely arched Moon Hill, Xianggong Mountain and Guilin Laozhai Mountain, exploring the many water caves and limestone karsts and strolling along the quaint night markets. For a truly authentic experience, you could even try your hand at a Tai Chi class with a local teacher.

Image source:Unsplash / Daniel Hohe
14. Tokyo, Japan
Another famous city all travellers should visit at least once – Tokyo has been calling our name. Technicolour light splashes across the main streets, there’s the whimsical Harajuku district, plus pockets of lush greenery in the city’s botanic gardens, historic temples and the Shinto Shrines. One of the best places to visit in Asia, the city offers up countless remarkable experiences and you owe it to yourself to visit at least once!
15. Seoraksan National Park, South Korea
From Seoul to Jeonju, South Korea’s many cities and towns are all deserving of a spot on your bucket list. And if you’re heading to South Korea, you’ll likely be ticking all of those major destinations off. But we highly recommend you add the Seoraksan National Park to your itinerary – and not just because we’re currently staring at pictures and pretending we’re there. The stunning park is known for verdant pine forests, gorgeous lakes with pristine waters, mountain peaks and hiking trails. Put simply: it’s magical.

Image source:Michael Ahn / unsplash
16. Bali, Indonesia
You’ve no doubt been flooded with pictures of Bali all over your Insta feed every summer. I mean, it makes sense, it’s a gorgeous little island and filled to the brim with wonder and awe and every positive adjective you could think of.
Bali is one of the best places to visit in Asia if you’re after gorgeous weather, white sands to sunbathe on, and plenty of temples hidden in the jungle. The locals are friendly, the vibes are good, and the nightlife is top tier. So, what are you waiting for?
17. Jaipur, India
Why should you go to Jaipur? Because it’s the pink city, so like, why wouldn’t you go? Home to the utterly insane Hawa Mahal (and other totally pink buildings), visiting Jaipur is like visiting another world entirely. Head over because it’s pink, and stay because of the regal energy, the hike up Nahargarh Fort, and of course the lip-smacking Indian food.

Image source:Contiki
18. Kuching, Borneo
Nature lovers gather, Kuching in Borneo has everything you want and need! There’s the nearby Bako National Park you can cruise through for jungle views, and you can visit the Semenggoh Orangutan Wildlife Centre to catch a glimpse of the gentle creatures and their adorable babies. Borneo is also a must-visit country in Asia because of the unique local culture and countless views that’ll really scratch the National Geographic itch in you.
19. El Nido, Philippines
Palm fringed beaches calling your name? Fruity cocktails and turquoise waters and see-through kayaks and golden sunsets? Head to the Philippines where you can have the island holiday of your dreams! We’re not joking when we say we’re dreaming of El Nido – it might be one of the best beaches in the world, honestly. Eat some of the freshest mango and let it drip down your chin – you’re in paradise, and you can wash all your worries off in the sea. Bliss!

Image source:Contiki
20. Xi’An, China
And last but certainly not least on this list of best places to visit in Asia we have Xi’An, one of the coolest cities in China! Surrounded by old and very impressive fortress walls, Xi’An has the perfect mix of tradition and modern, so you can really get the best of both worlds. The standout of the city is the Terra Cotta Army which you can visit and gawp at (and learn about the Qin dynasty at the same time). But you can also cycle, shop, party, and eat amazing local dishes. See you there!