Things to Do in Asia

ESCAPE Adventureplay is one of Penang’s most unique attractions—a sky-high ropes course that throws visitors into an all-out balancing act above the forest floor. Navigate complex obstacles that increase in difficulty the higher you climb. A scooter park and kids playground offer fun closer to the ground.

ESCAPE Adventureplay comprises half of the greater ESCAPE park (the other half is a water park called Waterplay) and houses numerous fun-filled activities for both kids and adults amid Penang’s natural surroundings. The Monkey Business aerial obstacle course is a highlight; other activities include platform jumps from Atan’s Leap, downhill rides on the Tubby Racer, and the Zoom Bug kart ride.

Choose a basic admission ticket, which includes access to both Adventureplay and Waterplay, or a hassle-free park entrance ticket with one-way transportation to the park from Penang hotels.

The easiest way to get to ESCAPE Adventureplay is to prebook transportation along with your entrance ticket. Alternatively, catch Rapid Penang bus 101 or 102, both of which stop in front of the park.

The park is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Since Adventureplay specializes in outdoor activities in a natural environment, it’s best to visit during the dry season (November to April). Expect longer wait times for activities on weekends and public holidays.

Adventureplay is only one half of the ESCAPE experience. You can also cool off at Waterplay, a water park filled with body and raft slides, a swimming pool, a lazy river, and several kid-friendly water features.

Located in the Kanchanaburi Province, the Erawan National Park it is one of the most famous in Thailand. Famed for its impressive seven-tiered waterfall, the park is a popular weekend spot for international visitors, as well as locals from Bangkok and nearby Kanchanaburi.

Just over 80% of the Erawan National Park is covered in verdant rainforest, with winding nature trails allowing visitors to marvel at the giant trees and spot the diverse wildlife that call the park home. Deep in the forest, tigers, wild elephants, cobras, and gibbons all live here, while avid bird-watchers should look out for hornbills, woodpeckers, and parakeets.

The major attraction at the Erawan National Park, however, is Erawan Falls. Named after the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology, these falls have seven levels cascading down over 1,500 meters and are widely regarded as among the more beautiful falls in Thailand. Walking to most levels of the waterfall is relatively easy to do, although to get to the very top is quite the hike, and some good walking shoes and a healthy dose of determination are both recommended!

A landmark in Guilin since the Tang Dynasty, and considered by many to be a symbol of the city, Elephant Trunk (Xiangbishan) Hill got its name because it’s said to resemble a giant elephant drinking water from the Li River. Towering more than 180 feet (55 meters) above the water, it’s one of the top attractions in Guilin.

 

In addition to the hill itself, there are a number of caves, pagodas, and temples, including Water Moon Cave, which is said to resemble the full moon on water, or the Elephant Eyes Cave, which is located where the elephant’s “eyes” should be. Climb to the top of Elephant Trunk Hill to see the Puxian Pagoda and for panoramic views over Guilin and stop by Love Island, in the middle of the Li River, for a great vantage point of Elephant Trunk Hill.

 

Elephant Trunk Hill is a popular site, and many half-day and full-day tours will stop here, along with other attractions like Fubo Hill, Reed Flute Cave, and Seven Star Cave. You can also combine a visit with a multi-day tour that explores other areas nearby like Yangshuo.

 

 

Elephant Trunk Hill is located at the confluence of the Li River and the Taohua River. Take bus nos. 2, 16, 23, or 58 (free tourist bus) and get off at Xiangbishan Park Station.

 

Elephant Trunk Hill is a very popular tourist attraction. Visit early in the morning for fewer crowds or at night on a moonlit cruise.

 

Puxian Pagoda, at the top of Elephant Trunk Hill, was built during the Ming Dynasty to worship Samatabahra. Yunfeng Temple, located on the southwest slope of Elephant Trunk Hill, was the home of the Buddhist Monk Jianzhen during the Tang Dynasty, and was also used during the Taiping Rebellion. Today the temple contains an exhibition gallery devoted to that conflict.

Although Feroz Shah Kotla isn't as famous as some of Delhi's better-known UNESCO World Heritage sites, these ancient ruins provide a fascinating insight into what life was like in the area centuries ago. At the heart of the fort is a third-century sandstone pillar, known as the Ashoka Column, which stands 43 feet (13.1 meters) high.

 

Feroz Shah Kotla was constructed in the 14th century under Feroz Shah Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi, who created the city of Firozbad as the capital of the Delhi Sultanate. Although much of the complex has fallen to ruins, many of its most important structures remain intact, including an enormous mosque (the Jami Masjid) and a circular stepwell (baoli).

 

Although the fort is one of Delhi’s lesser-known archaeological sites, it’s sometimes visited on tours that focus on off-the-beaten-track Delhi attractions.

 

 

Feroz Shah Kotla is in the eastern part of Delhi, right on the border of New Delhi and Old Delhi and is adjacent to the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, a cricket stadium used for international matches. It’s about a 15-minute drive from Connaught Place and under a 10-minute drive south of Gandhi Museum and Raj Ghat. It’s a couple of minutes' walk from the Delhi Gate station on the Violet Line of the Delhi Metro.

This fort is open every day from sunrise to sunset, though it's best to visit early morning if you want to avoid the strong midday sun. Thursdays are the most popular day for local visitors, as it's believed that genies (djinns) come to the fort on this day of the week to grant wishes.

 

According to local legend, the fort is haunted, and since the 1970s, people have been visiting here in large numbers on Thursdays to leave letters to djinns. You'll likely see letters written to the head djinn, named Waale Baba, tied to the railings around the Ashoka Pillar.

South Korea’s largest theme park is like the DisneyWorld of Asia, a massive complex filled with rides, food, fairy tales characters, animal shows and the country’s largest waterpark. One of the highlights of Everland is the T-Express, the first and largest wooden rollercoaster in South Korea. It’s also the sixth largest wooden coaster in the world with more than a mile of hair-raising drops, curves and climbs.

An African Safari bus at Everland takes visitors through an animal park filled with lions, giraffes and elephants, while the Caribbean Bay water park offers a beach-like experience, along with a wave pool and water slides of every shape and size. And Everland Speedway is South Korea's first racing track, holding occasional racing events and also offering visitors the unique opportunity to drive on the track.

Fatahillah Square (Taman Fatahillah) is the heart of the Jakarta Old Town (Kota Tua) with a cobbled square with historic colonial buildings. Notable landmarks include the Cafe Batavia restaurant and bar, Wayang Museum of puppetry, and Jakarta History Museum, housed in the old town hall.

Fatahillah Square in Jakarta Old Town is a pleasant place to explore, whether to learn more about the puppets at the Wayang Museum, to soak up history at Jakarta History Museum, or for a stop at the historic Cafe Batavia for a drink.

As the center of colonial-era Jakarta and one of the city’s most photogenic locations, Fatahillah Square is an essential stop on any Jakarta history tour. Most Jakarta full-day tours will make a stop here, and it’s a great place to start a guided or self-guided walking tour of Old Town.

Fatahillah Square sits at the heart of the city’s historic quarter. The pedestrianized square is an easy walk from Kota train station—which you can reach riding the Korridor I busway from Jalan Thamrin. Save time navigating and explore Jakarta with the help of a private driver or on an organized tour. Self-driving is not recommended. 

If visiting Old Town’s museums are on your to-do list, avoid visiting Fatahillah Square on Monday, when its museums are closed; a few also close for prayers at Friday around lunch. Museums in Indonesia shut early—typically around 3pm—so aim to visit in the morning or at lunch. Photographers will find the light best and the square less crowded in early morning.

Many Jakartans know Jakarta Old Town simply as “Kota” (City), and its crumbling buildings are part of the atmospheric. A wander around Fatahillah Square reveals the shapes of the Dutch colonial-era city, Old Batavia, with its canals, grand houses, and administrative buildings. While much of Kota remains slum land, some historic sites are undergoing restoration.

Engaku-ji, one of the most important Zen Buddhist temples in Japan, is considered by some to be an almost-perfect example of Chinese-inspired Zen architecture. It was founded in 1282 by a Chinese monk and is now classified as a Japanese National Treasure. Located in Kamakura, it’s a convenient place to visit on a day trip from Tokyo.

Engaku-ji is nestled in a peaceful spot beneath Kamakura’s forested hills. Although its founding dates back more than 700 years, many of the buildings are newer than that. As well as being notable for its remarkable architecture and highly prized 8.5-foot (2.6-meter) temple bell, Engaku-ji is important because one of the Buddha’s teeth is believed to be housed in the reliquary. The temple has long been very important to Japanese Buddhism: during the Meiji era (1868-1912), it became the center of Zen teaching in the Kanto region. Zen meditation (zazen) sessions are still held here daily. 

Tokyo visitors usually come to Engaku-ji on a day or overnight trip to Kamakura, a town dense with temples, shrines, and monasteries. You can also get there independently on the local train or with an organized guided day tour.

Engaku-ji is just beside Kita-Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line, an easy 90-minute train journey from central Tokyo.

The temple is open every day from 8am to 4:30pm March to November, and 8am to 4pm December to February. Fall is perhaps the prettiest time to visit Engaku-ji, as the colorful autumn leaves—most stunning in early December, especially the maples—liven up the simple buildings.

While Engaku-ji is not normally packed with visitors, the Daibutsu at nearby Kotoku-in temple is. The 37-foot (11.4-meter) bronze Buddha statue, sitting outside in a meditative pose, is one of the most iconic sights of Japan and shouldn’t be missed when visiting Kamakura. You can easily combine visits to Engaku-ji, the Daibutsu, and other Kamakura sights in one day. 

Originating from a warm stream in the lowland forest of Khao Nor Juji, the Emerald Pool (or Sa Morakot) is a hot spring located within the Khao Pra­Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary in Krabi. 

The dazzling Emerald Pool is 115 long, 214 meters wide, and deep enough to swim in (although, due to the high levels of calcium carbonate, visitors should avoid swallowing any water while doing so). The color of the water varies according to the reflection of the sunlight at different times of the day. To experience the most intense emerald hue, visit at dawn or as early in the morning as possible.

There are three nature trails that lead to the Emerald Pool. The first is a direct 800­ meter path from the main entrance. The second is via ‘Thung Tieo­Sa Morakot’, which is around 1400 meters long and and more challenging, but is ideal for birdwatchers and nature lovers. The third method is the longest at just under three kilometers, and is a scenic nature trail through the forest.

When Entopia opened in 1986 as the Penang Butterfly Farm, it was the first facility of its kind anywhere in the tropics. This living museum showcases more than 15,000 rare, endangered, and indigenous butterflies and dragonflies representing some 120 species alongside 200 species of plants. A multistory indoor discovery center known as the Cocoon lets visitors explore the world of invertebrates through a series of hands-on exhibits and activities. Entopia doubles as a research and conservation center for butterflies, insects, and their habitats.

You can purchase tickets to Entopia Butterfly Farm online or upon arrival at the butterfly farm; discounts are available for children, seniors, and families visiting with two adults and two children. While it’s possible to visit Entopia on your own, a private tour of the butterfly sanctuary offers added convenience with hotel pickup and drop-off, plus your own private guide who can offer insight into the colorful wildlife of Malaysia. Some tours include a visit to the nearby Tropical Spice Garden.

Entopia is located at the foot of the Teluk Bahang Hills, on Jalan Teluk Bahang near Batu Ferringhi. You can get there via Rapid Penang buses 101, 102, or 501 to Teluk Bahang, or by riding the hop-on hop-off bus Beach Route to stop 21.

Entopia is open daily from 9am to 7pm, including on weekends and public holidays. The park hosts several educational programs and shows throughout the day, so be sure to check the schedule in advance of your visit.

If you’re visiting Entopia independently, you might want to plan to spend the day in this area of Penang Island to explore some of its other attractions. Just up the road from Entopia is Escape, a ropes course, zipline, and climbing tower popular with families. Also nearby, the Tropical Spice Garden encompasses 500 acres (202 hectares) of fragrant landscaping where you can learn more about more than 500 species of local spices and medicinal plants.

The Elephanta Caves are among the most beautiful, historically significant attractions in Mumbai. Situated on an island off the coast, this UNESCO World Heritage Site features multiple rock-hewn cave temples and statues dating back to around the 7th century AD, including a celebrated statue of Shiva in his three-faced form.

There are two groups of caves at the site: one featuring five caves dedicated to Hindu deities, and a second group with two Buddhist shrines. While there's a lot of debate about the true origins of the caves, there are elements of South Indian Badami Chalukya architecture as well as architectural styles from the Gupta Empire. 

Many city tours come to the island, and going with a guide can help you make sense of the caves, as the signage here isn’t the greatest. 

Elephanta Island is located in the Mumbai Harbour, about 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) northeast of the Gateway of India monument, from which boats to the attraction depart. Once on the island, travelers can take a miniature train up to a tall, steep set of stairs that lead up to the monument.

The caves are open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30am to 5:30pm. It's best to get there first thing in the morning to beat crowds and hot temperatures, but if you come in the evening, try to get on the last boat of the day, when things have quieted down. Note that visiting during monsoon season may make for a choppier boat ride to the island and back.

You may see lots of monkeys while on the island (and all over India, in general, especially in rural areas). On Elephanta Island, you’re most likely to encounter them on the stairs leading up to the monument, and they can be aggressive and carry disease. Do not feed them, and keep an eye on any possessions you may have, from food to the eyeglasses on your head, as they are known to pickpocket the inattentive. 

The name ‘Erhai’ translates to ‘ear-shaped sea’ — the name giving to the 97-square-mile (250-square-kilometer) lake sandwiched between the town of Dali and the Cangshan Mountains in China’s Yunnan Province. It’s one of the seven biggest freshwater lakes in all of China and the seconds largest highland lake after Dianchi.

The local Bai people — one of China’s 56 recognized ethnic minority groups — have long used the waters of the lake for fishing using a rather unusual method. Fisherman train cormorants to catch fish (mostly carp) and return them to the fishing boat. Parks along the banks of the lake offer hiking and cycling opportunities, but most visitors choose to explore the lake by boat. These tours allow visitors to see cormorant fishing in action as well as visit some of the lake’s many islands and temples.

This grandeur was short-lived, however, as in 1585, Akbar moved the capital to Lahore in his campaign against Afghan tribes. By 1619, the city had been completely abandoned and would remain so until archaeologists began exploring it in 1892.

Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a ghost town of beautiful sandstone arches, buildings and courtyards exhibiting Persian, Hindu and Jain design elements. Since Akbar was the only emperor to reside in the city for a significant amount of time, it’s considered one of the purist examples of the great emperor’s design aesthetic. Most visit the city on a day trip from Agra, but spending a night in nearby Fatehpur allows you to visit the city at dawn or dusk, when it is at its most peaceful and beautiful.

Boasting more than 1,000 years of history, Fengjing Ancient Town is one of Shanghai’s most charming water towns. Black and white houses and scarlet lanterns flank shady canals; ancient bridges, such as Yuan Dynasty Zhihe Bridge, reflect in the water; and folk artists create prized “peasant paintings”. The wedding museum is also charming.

Fengjing Ancient Town has a moderate entrance fee, and a few of the attractions within also charge for entry. Many visitors choose to visit as part of a tour, either of Fengjing alone or combined with another ancient Shanghai water town such as Xitang. 

Fengjing tours typically cover attractions such as historic Zhihe Bridge and the wedding museum and include a boat ride and stops to sample mooncakes, millet wine, and other delicacies. Fengjing is famous for its folk art, so painting classes or demonstrations are other popular options. 

Fengjing Ancient Town is about 43 miles (70 kilometers) southwest of Shanghai. To reach it by public transport, catch metro Line 1 to Jinjiang Park station, then ride the bus from West Meilong bus station to Fengjing station. If you don’t speak Chinese, you might find it easier to join a Fengjing tour or hire a private driver and guide. 

Fengjing Ancient Town is open seven days a week from morning until afternoon. As with all canal towns, try to avoid visiting during China’s peak domestic tourist seasons, the Golden Weeks in early October and the Lunar New Year period (January or February). In winter, roughly mid-November to mid-March, even subtropical Shanghai can be surprisingly cold.

Built around a canal network that includes the mighty Grand Canal, southern China’s water towns have been drawing domestic tourists for centuries, even since they first grew wealthy on the proceeds of the Silk Road. Famous water towns such as Tongli, Wuzhen, Xitan, and Zhouzhuang, as well as less well-known towns like Fengjing, have been heavily reconstructed to recreate their historic charm.

Set amid bustling Mongkok, Fa Yuen Street Market is a must-visit Hong Kong street market. It’s best known for sportswear—one stretch with scores of sports shops is known as Sneaker Street—but it’s a mecca for all sorts of goods and clothing. There’s an indoor wet market with stalls selling cooked food and nary a souvenir in sight.

Fa Yuen Street Market is easy to visit independently: just hop on the MTR, then cruise the stalls for goods. However, both the wet market and the cooked food center will be hard to navigate if you don’t speak Chinese. A good local guide can enhance the shopping experience. 

Fa Yuen Street Market typically features as a stop on Mongkok walking tours, market walking tours, Hong Kong market tours, and occasionally on Mongkok food tours. You can also request a Fa Yuen Street Market tour when planning travel with a private guide.

Set in Mongkok, on the Kowloon side, Fa Yuen Street Market runs from Dundas Street to Prince Edward Road. Just take the MTR to Mongkok station, select exit D3, and turn right along Argyle Street until you hit Fa Yuen Street. Taxi drivers generally speak English but in case of doubt, show the Chinese characters: 花園街.

The stalls tend to get going around 10am or 10:30am and start to close over the course of the evening—although it’s not unusual for shops and stalls to still be serving at midnight. Weekdays are less crowded than at weekends and Fa Yuen Street Market is open year-round, with the exception of the first two days of Chinese New Year.

Hong Kong’s trend-conscious youth have been shopping for the latest sneakers on Fa Yuen Street since the 1980s, and sneaker junkies will be awestruck by the range on offer. Besides the latest offerings from mainstream global brands such as Nike and New Balance, look for chic boutiques with niche brands and Asian favorites.

One of the best places to score bargains in all of Mumbai, Fashion Street is a stretch of shops and market stalls selling inexpensive clothing and accessories, with a focus on international women's wear. While most people come here to bargain hunt, the people watching and abundant street food options make it worth a visit for everyone.

 

Fashion Street has long been popular with local fashionistas and students on a budget, but its South Mumbai location near many of the city's major attractions makes it equally appealing to international tourists who love to shop. Few city tours stop here, but it's easy enough to stop by if you are visiting one of the many area attractions, such as the Bombay High Court or Victoria Terminus.

 

 

Fashion Street spans a 1.4-mile (2-kilometer) section of South Mumbai's MG Road, across from Azad Maidan. It’s easy to reach by train: it’s about a 10-minute walk each to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Railway Station (aka Victoria Terminus) and to the Churchgate station. Alternatively, it’s a 5- to 10-minute drive to the Gateway of India.  

Most of the shops on Fashion Street are open daily from 11 to 9. You’re best off visiting first thing in the morning, as selling to the first person who browses at your shop is believed to bring good luck. While the market is a year-round destination, monsoon rain in July and August can make this largely outdoor shopping experience uncomfortable.

 

While it’s not unheard of to find knockoffs of major international brands at Fashion Street, many of the items here, particularly those with labels from major high-street brands, are authentic. Many of the items here are simply factory surplus or have slight manufacturing defects, making them unsuitable for export but good enough to sell at rock-bottom prices at the market.  

Feilai Peak, or Feilai Feng – literally translated as ‘Peak Flown from Afar’ – is a unique, 200-meter tall limestone peak located next to the Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.

At the site, ancient tree roots rise above the ground, their branches twisting and winding up the peak. Due to erosion, there are a large number of caves within the mountain, and some of these feature intricately carved Buddha statues that were created during the Song and Yuan dynasties.

The largest Buddha statue here is the Maitreya Buddha, with its exposed belly and beaming smile; this is one of the best-preserved statues of its kind, displaying the artistry of carving in the Song Dynasty. In Longhong Cave, there is a seated statue of Avalokitesvara, while in Shexu Cave, a beam of sunlight pours in through the rock tunnels above – a famous scene known as 'the gleam of the sky'.

While the terra cotta warriors have been mostly excavated, their entombed emperor has been resting undisturbed in his mausoleum of underground caverns for over two millennia. Emperor Qin Shi Huang, born in 259 B.C., was China’s first emperor. He conquered six warring kingdoms, joined them and created the first unified nation of China – something no one had managed before. When he died, Qin was buried with the usual artifacts and even live people such as concubines, armies and servants, which was a custom at the time and supposed to be useful in the afterlife. Additionally, and maybe most famously, he was also buried with their clay replicas.  

The mausoleum is part of the Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Site Park, which includes a garden, the museum with the terracotta warriors and horses, and Quin’s tomb itself, which can so far only be imagined. Geological surveys prove that the opulent mausoleum is bigger than the Great Pyramid, consisting of a whole underground city resembling the city plan of the ancient capital Xianyang and including a massive palace, pavilions and offices. According to ancient writings, there are believed to be additional pits with the models of concubines, ceilings mimicking the sky and stars and imitations of the region’s rivers made of mercury. The unexcavated mausoleum is located to the west of his famous terracotta soldiers and it is not known, when and if China will allow an excavation. Doing so would not only endanger the treasures hidden and expose them to the elements, making them lose their color like the terracotta warriors, but soil samples have also indicated dangerously high levels of mercury.  

The Peace Hotel (or Heping Fandian) is an historic art deco hotel located on the Bund and divided by Nanjing Road. Built in 1929, it has recently been restored to its former glory and today operates as two separate hotels, the North Building and the South Building.

As well as beautiful rooms and excellent food, there's a gallery on the first floor that charts all of the historic events that have taken place at the hotel, as well as the famous people that have stayed here. Don't miss the mature jazz band who perform every evening in the lounge bar – these musicians have been performing here for years and have become famous in their own right.

You can enjoy a stop at the Peace Hotel to listen to some classical jazz as part of a Shanghai luxury dinner and nightlife experience, which also includes dinner at Lost Heaven and drinks at Bar Rouge. Explore the attractions and other landmarks of the Bund on a two-hour private walking tour or with a Shanghai hop-on hop-off bus tour.

Opened in 2002, the giant Esplanade–­Theatres on the Bay performing arts center is set on the Marina Bay waterfront. The striking complex is Singapore’s premier performance venue, boasting a 1,600-­seat concert hall and a 2,000­-seat theater. There is also a recording studio and a recital studio, plus open­-air and waterfront theater venues.

Esplanade is one of the busiest performing arts venues in the world, with about 3,000 performances annually. The program is eclectic and comprehensive, with everything from Asian plays to New York Philharmonic Orchestra performances. The center also hosts festivals, such as the Singapore Arts Festival, along with a number of touring productions and free music, dance, and theater programs.

Those looking to learn more about the architecture and history of the venue can take the Esplanade Walk, a 45-minute guided tour through the main concert hall, theater, and other facilities. Visitors can also enjoy a pre­-show dinner or a spot of shopping within the various restaurants and retail outlets in the complex’s three­-story mall.