by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Thu January 18, 2024
Asia is an incredible region of the world, home to natural beauty ranging from bamboo forests to scenic beaches and everything in between, but its also home to a diversity of cultures, all with their own special culinary traditions.
This year, we expect Asia to be an incredibly popular international destination for Americans wanting to discover all that the region has to offer.
Best Destinations in Asia
Asia is a large place, and there are so many incredible destinations to choose from that its likely a traveler will find it hard to choose just one country to visit. That being said, our favorites often include some of the largest cities on the planet, like Tokyo and Seoul, along with some smaller, yet no less amazing, destinations, like Singapore and Bali.?
East Asia is often where travelers will discover some of the largest cities in the world, where glittering skyscrapers coexist among the remains of ancient and often continuously inhabited buildings and homes. The countries and islands of southeast Asia are often chosen for their incredible beaches and jungle attractions, such as Thailand and Indonesia.?
Best Attractions in Asia
Asia is home to some incredible monuments and attractions, which serve to place its various destinations on peoples bucket lists across the globe. The Great Wall of China, the ruins of Angkor Wat and Japans Mount Fuji are only some of the most highly recognized attractions that are located in the region.
Must See 2024 Events in Asia
Asia is home to a variety of annual festivals each year, depending on local traditions. In Japan youll find plenty of local festivals, including celebrations for its world-famous cherry blossom trees. Travelers heading to China in early February will enjoy Chinese New Year celebrations.
Lunar New Year, Xining (Photo Credit: Pixabay)
Additionally, Taylor Swifts Asian leg of her world-famous Eras Tour will be held in destinations across the region from the beginning of February through March.?
Best Places for Families in Asia
Traveling to Asia with children and teens is a great way to expose children to different cultures, ways of life, and foods that they might not get to experience anywhere else in the world. Plenty of destinations offer educational opportunities, such as museums, living history parks and more, for families, too.?
When it comes to choosing the best places to take your family on a trip to Asia, its likely more important to consider safety and what the destination is known for. Bangkok, for example, might not be a great fit for families with young children due to its reputation for its nightlife scene, but a city like Tokyo might be a better fit for its many museums and theme parks, including Tokyo Disneyland.?
Best Places for Couples in Asia
Asia is a great place for couples to reconnect, celebrate key relationship milestones or enjoy their honeymoon. Bucket-list beach resort destinations include Bali and Jeju Island, while other couples can enjoy adventuring through Vietnam and Cambodia or write their own love story in Seoul, South Korea.?
Best Places for Group Travel in Asia
Group travel is a fun yet complex endeavor no matter where you take your group, so we encourage travelers to engage a travel advisor to help ease the travel planning process.
Travelers standing before the Himeji Castle in Himeji, Japan. (photo via G Adventures) ((photo via G Adventures))
Tour operators are also a great way to explore destinations across Asia as a group without worrying about transiting in between destinations, while cruises offer a fun and easy travel method for older groups or groups of travelers who are interested in seeing coastal destinations, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and many of Japans cities.
Best Places for Solo Travel in Asia
Personal safety is the biggest factor when choosing where to travel in Asia as a solo traveler. With that being said, safety is a relative term. For example, many countries in Asia, including South Korea and Japan, have very strict gun restrictions, making gun-based violent crime very low when compared to the U.S. Solo travelers, including women, will find themselves fairly safe in these destinations, including Singapore, which is consistently rated as a safe destination, as well.?
We recommend researching the safety and local laws of every destination a solo traveler is interested in visiting before visitation. Travelers who are unsure about traveling to a certain destination solo should also consider taking a solo traveler tour to the destination instead, where they can enjoy a trip with other solo travelers.?
Best Foodie Destinations in Asia
When we think of Asia, we always think of the food. After all, its one of the best parts of the region, yet the food cultures of each destination couldnt be more different! No matter where you visit, youll find something to love, especially if youre on the more adventurous side, though we recommend travelers with dietary restrictions or allergies to research the foods of the destination youll be visiting to ensure you can avoid what you cannot consume.
Thailand Street Food. (Photo Credit: G Adventures)
Vietnamese pho, Japanese soba and sushi, Korean fried chicken, spicy Thai and savory Chinese there is no lack of foods to explore in Asia! Its also home to a rich history of tea, which travelers can experience in destinations like China, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka and India, visiting tea plantations and learning how one of the worlds most popular drinks is grown, harvested and prepared.?
Best Places for Adventure Travel in Asia
Asia is a land that is perfect for adventures, from exploring ancient ruins in Cambodia to hiking thousand-year-old pilgrimage routes in Japan to horseback riding in Mongolia and more.?
Water-based adventures can be had from Thailand to Indonesia and beyond, while travelers wanting a land-based adventure can find plenty of mountains to climb across the many countries of Asia and yes, even opportunities to ski the slopes in destinations like Hokkaido, Japan.?
Best Places for Sports Enthusiasts in Asia
Sports enthusiasts will find no lack of sports both traditional and familiar for them to enjoy while visiting Asia. In Japan, they can become an audience member for traditional sumo wrestling, or visit South Korea to enjoy some incredible baseball games.?
Soccer is a popular game across the globe, and that includes across Asia, while water sports activities can be had along the coasts. Surfing can be done in Thailand, Indonesia, or other warm-weather destinations, while snow skiing can be enjoyed in destinations like Hokkaido or Yanqing.
Unique to Asia
Asia is home to many diverse cultures, histories and culinary traditions, as well as the largest cities in the world. Its often the blend of the ancient and the hyper-modern that attracts travelers from around the globe to this alluring region of the world. Its a place that expands perspectives and worldviews while offering experiences for any kind of traveler.?
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