Things to Do in Asia

Impossible to miss, Lady Buddha dominates the landscape of Da Nang. The marble statue, perched on the side of Monkey Mountain and visible from nearly anywhere in the city, stands 220 feet (67 meters) tall and measures 56 feet (17 meters) in diameter. Inside the statue, a flight of stairs leads up to 17 floors, each representing a different aspect of the Buddha.

The name Lady Buddha is a bit deceiving. The statue in fact depicts Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy can be found in coastal areas throughout Asia, as she is believed to bring calm to the sea. The giant statue stands in front of the beautiful Linh Ung Pagoda, with its gardens and small souvenir shop operated by monks.

The seaside village of Kusamba in eastern Bali fronts a miles-long volcanic sand beach where traditional sea salt harvesting and fishing continue to be important to the local way of life. Although Kusamba is not one of Bali’s best swimming beaches—it’s scorching hot black sand makes lazing uncomfortable—it comes alive at night and in the predawn hours when prahu fishing boats patrol the nearshore waters and salt workers ferry buckets of seawater on bamboo shoulder-top slings from the shore. Fish are displayed in the town market, but salt making is a process that continues throughout the day. The saltwater is spread over sections of the black sand beach and allowed to crystalize in hot sun. The sand is later collected and rinsed with freshwater before being placed into sifters and eventually wooden vats and atop timber planks for drying. The coarse, iodine-rich salt is finally scooped into woven baskets for sale using coconut halves.

Kusamba also serves as the main access point to Nusa Penida, the largest in a cluster of three islands some seven miles offshore. Though it has limited tourism infrastructure, the Island is inhabited by some 40,000 people and is home to several endangered Balinese bird species.

One of three lakes within the crater of the long-dormant Bratan volcano, Lake Beratan (Danau Bratan) occupies about 1.5 square miles (4 square kilometers) of highland real estate. The star attraction is the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan water temple, but there are also some World War II–era caves, and boat rides on the lake are available.

 

There is no charge to visit Lake Beratan, although a small fee is required to visit the temple of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan. Most people visit Lake Beratan as part of a tour that includes Bedugul and the central highlands, or Bedugul and north Bali. Many tours focus on the temple, though some include a short boat ride. Hiking is also popular, including a challenging route to the summit of Mt. Catur.

 

Lake Beratan sits in the caldera of the ancient Bratan volcano, by the town of Bedugul, on the main road north from Denpasar to Singaraja. It’s a 2-hour drive from Kuta. Self-driving around Bedugul can be slow and tiring if you don’t know the roads, so many visitors opt to book a tour or arrange for a private driver.

 

Lake Beratan is a popular destination for locals and visitors from elsewhere in Indonesia, so the area can become congested on weekends and public holidays. To beat the tour bus crowds and get the best view of the mirror-like waters, aim to arrive early in the morning.

 

Lake Beratan has been sacred to inhabitants of Bali since time immemorial, and its temple, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, dates back to the 17th century. Dedicated to the goddess of the lake (Dewi Danau), the temple was created by the same king of Mengwi who built Taman Ayun Temple, and the two buildings share a similar style of architecture.

What was once a worn and weathered trading area in Kuching has been transformed into one of Malaysia’s best public spaces. The Kuching Esplanade, also referred to as the Kuching Waterfront, officially opened in 1993 and extends for a little less than a mile (1.3 kilometers) between the Main Bazaar and the Riverside Suites. 

Once lined with wharfs and warehouses, this stretch along the south bank of the Sarawak River is now lined with cafes, souvenir shops and food stalls, along with several historic buildings and points of interest, like the Sarawak Steamship Company building and the Chinese Museum. With little road traffic, the area is ideal for strolling, particularly in the evening when the riverside lights blink on. Tiled mosaics along the esplanade depict Malaysian ethnic motifs, while placards offer insight into the area’s history.

In the heart of the mangrove forests of Semawang in Sandakan, the privately owned Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary allows travelers to observe the rare and distinctive proboscis monkeys in their natural Borneo habitat.

In the shadow of Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi, aka Lake Ashinoko, is a scenic spot in Hakone National Park. Considered sacred by the Japanese, it is home to the famous Hakone Shinto shrine. Visitors come to see the shrine, take a boat out on the lake, or enjoy the many hiking trails in the area.

 

Lake Ashi sits in the volcanic crater of Mount Hakone’s volcanic crater. Aside from the natural beauty and holy Hakone shrine, the lake and surrounding area are known for its many hot springs (onsen). Japanese inns with spa bathhouses (ryokan) can be found in the area surrounding the lake, and many visitors take the opportunity to try traditional Japanese spa rituals here.

 

A popular tourist destination that's often part of day trips from Tokyo, Lake Ashi is also home to the Narukawa Museum of Art, plus restaurants and historic sites, such as the 400-year-young Old Tokaido Road lined with Japanese cedars, and the well-preserved Hakone Shrine. Traveling to Mount Fuji 5th Station on the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway cable car is one of the top activities to try in the area.

 

 

Many opt to visit Lake Ashi, in the Hakone area in Kanagawa Prefecture in Honshu, via bullet train from Tokyo, which stops at Odawara Station (followed by bus transfer), or as part of a guided tour with round-trip transport provided, usually by car, or a combination of coach and bullet train.

 

Warm and often-sunny spring (March–May) is the most popular time to visit Lake Ashi. Summer is quite hot and humid, fall can be very pleasant with unpredictable weather, and winter often sees snowfall around the lake and its surroundings.

 

Many Japanese consider Hakone Shrine a holy place. They’ve worshiped the hills around it for thousands of years as a place where souls of the dead travel onward to the next world. The shrine’s current incarnation is more than a hundred years old, and visitors can tour the buildings and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Backed by the volcanic slabs of Mount Batur and Mount Abang, Lake Batur (Danau Batur) is a striking crater lake considered sacred by the Balinese. Besides sunrise trekking, Mount Batur offers hot springs, canoe trips, and tours of Trunyan village, where the local Bali Aga people expose their dead to rot in the open air.

 

Set in the heart of the Kintamani farming highlands, Lake Batur can be appreciated on a range of levels. One popular option is a buffet lunch at the strip of restaurants set high above the lake. However, a sunrise climb of Mount Batur is probably the favorite stand-alone tour. A visit to the lake as part of a tour is also sometimes combined with excursions to rice terraces and the island's art villages.

 

Volcanic hot springs feed a series of pools around the lake, which also offer services from Balinese massage to restaurants. Boat trips on the lake typically run to Trunyan village, where villagers practice a type of sky burial unique in Bali. Canoes are also available for rent.

 

 

Set in the highlands of east-central Bali, Lake Batur’s main attractions are spread out along the shore. As such, having your own transport—whether a private driver, self-driving, or an organized Bali day tour—is essential. The easiest place to base yourself for Batur day trips is Ubud, around an hour’s drive from the lake.

 

Lake Batur can get choppy in the afternoon and evening, so if you’re planning water-based activities, it’s best to visit in the morning. As with most touristic restaurants in Indonesia, the lakeview restaurants are typically full of large groups at lunch time: If this is a priority for you, consider visiting a little earlier or later in the day.

 

While Mount Batur, an active volcano, is Kintamani’s star attraction, the area around the lake has plenty of charm. Kintamani is a farming country, known for its orchards and coffee plantations. Many Lake Batur tours include stops at one of the plantations that produces Bali’s famous Kintamani coffee, as well as cacao and spices.

Formerly known as the State Mosque of Sarawak, the Kuching Mosque is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. The original mosque built on the same site in 1847 — a simple structure made from wood and pitch — was renovated several times before being completely rebuilt to its present form in 1965. In October three years later, the new state mosque opened to worshipers.

Located in the center of town near the open air market, the pink and white, gold-domed mosque opens its doors to non-Muslim visitors outside of prayer times, offering an opportunity to learn about Islam and its practice in Malaysia.

Mong Kok’s Ladies Market is one of Hong Kong’s most legendary street markets. Its name originates from the large amount of women's clothing and accessories for sale, but that’s not all you’ll find. A little less than a mile long, the market is crammed with all manner of clothing stalls and accessories for men, women, and children, as well as goldfish, electronics, household items, and just about anything else money can buy. 

As one of Hong Kong’s most popular markets, the Ladies Market is one of the first places most visitors go when in Kowloon. It’s a stop on many walking tours of the area, including market hopper tours, and foodie tours. Don’t leave without sampling some Cantonese street food at one of Mong Kok’s many fantastic street stalls near the market.

The Ladies Market is on Tung Choi Street, between Dundas and Argyle streets, in the north of Kowloon in Mong Kok. The nearest MTR station is Mong Kok. Buses 1, 1A, 2, 6, and 9 from Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier also stop at Nelson Street near the market.

The market opens for business in the afternoon, but it really comes alive in the evening (and doesn’t close until around 10pm or 11pm).

While the Ladies Market is one of the most popular markets in Hong Kong, it’s certainly not the only one. Once the sun goes down, the eight-block Temple Street Night Market comes alive with food stalls and street performers. The Flower Market near Prince Edward MTR station ranks among the city’s prettiest, while nearby Jade Market is an excellent place to pick up some souvenir jewelry. If you’re looking for antiques and cheap curios to take home, head to Cat Street on Hong Kong Island, and if the haggling experience is intimidating, get an easy introduction at Stanley Market.

Kyoto Station is far more than a busy transport hub – it’s an attraction in its own right featuring shopping malls, multiple restaurants, and many other things to see and do. This modern, almost futuristic building stands in direct contrast to the traditional buildings found in the city; the station's vast main hall features an exposed-steel beamed roof, and historical aspects of Kyoto are filtered through a modern lens.

Those looking for some retail therapy will enjoy Kyoto Station’s Isetan department store, Porta underground shopping mall, and Cube shopping mall. There are some great food courts to be found within each of these, with popular eateries such as Kyoto Ramen Koji and Eat Paradise for those who need refueling.

Aside from shopping and eating, there is an open-air observation deck on the station’s top floor, which can be reached via a series of escalators and an additional flight of stairs. From here, views of the city unfold before you (albeit through heavily tinted windows). Elsewhere, the Skyway Tunnel will allow you to walk the length of Kyoto Station some 45 meters above the main hall, revealing views of both the city and station below.

Various day and night tours of the city depart from Kyoto Station. You can also enjoy a day trip by arriving into the station on a Kyoto rail tour by bullet train from Tokyo.

The Golden Rock, also known as the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda because of the Stupa on top of it, is just what it sounds like: a somewhat surreal looking, gold shimmering boulder that seems to completely defy gravity, threatening to drop into the adjoining 1,100-meter deep abyss at any moment. The legend says that for over a thousand years, a single hair of Buddha has been holding the roughly head shaped piece of granite in equilibrium. While the legend stands in contrast to the geological explanation, the reason why the rock seems to be made of solid gold is noticeable immediately. Women aren’t allowed to touch the big nugget, but men crowd around the bottom, sticking golden flakes on the stone, kneeling in prayer and wrapped in the smoke of incense. 

Buddhism is omnipresent in Myanmar and accordingly the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country. Up to 50,000 people visit on important days to see the rock that has survived centuries of weathering, earthquakes and erosion, while an average day usually attracts around 15,000 pilgrims. Although there is an air of devotion surrounding the site, the area has also been developed into a true tourist site providing everything you might need on the mountain, from accommodation, platforms, various buildings to food stalls selling delicious pancakes, skewers, fried fish and rice noodles. 

If you’re looking for the quintessential Delhi bazaar experience, the vibrant Central Market area of South Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar might be your ticket. Here you’ll find everything from multihued bangles to umbrella repair shops, not to mention beautiful saris, discount shoe shops, and a huge variety of Indian street food carts. 

 

Popular with Delhiites in search of good deals, Lajpat Nagar’s Central Market is a great place to people-watch, take photos, or pick up inexpensive gifts. Lajpat Nagar features a solid mix of roadside stalls and brand-name shops, not to mention a cinema showing Bollywood and international flicks. Because the market caters to a local crowd, you won’t find too many handicrafts here, but it’s a great place to get affordable clothes, accessories, housewares, and snacks.

 

Going to Lajpat Nagar with a guide or as part of a shopping-themed tour may be helpful for finding your way around and for navigating bargaining customs, especially if it’s your first time here. 

 

 

Lajpat Nagar is in the eastern part of South Delhi. Most visitors to the neighborhood head straight to the Central Market, where the majority of shops and stalls are located—if you’re taking a taxi here, it’s a good idea to specify. The nearest metro station is Lajpat Nagar (a 5-minute walk) on the Violet Line, which connects to Connaught Place in the heart of Delhi.

 

Lajpat Nagar is open Tuesday through Sunday year-round, but the crowds tend to be thinner when the market first opens, around 10am. This is also the best time to visit if you’re coming on a hot day, as early-morning temperatures tend to be more bearable.

 

Lajpat Nagar is a great place to sample Delhi’s famous street food snacks, known collectively as chaat. Popular items include momos, Tibetan steamed dumplings filled with meat or veggies, and aloo tikki, hash-brown–like potato patties covered with chutney. Adventurous eaters may want to try pani puri, crisp deep-fried flour balls filled with spiced water.

Laad Bazaar is one of the oldest markets in Hyderabad. It is situated along one of the four main streets that lead out from the iconic Charminar monument. Long before the city became a hive of business activity, the bangle market industry emerged here, and it still thrives today with locals and tourists coming from far and wide to browse the market’s colorful creations.

The production of the bangles involves painstakingly encrusting tiny stones and crystals into a mixture of resins. ‘Lac’ bangles, which are handcrafted from an insect secretion encrusted with dazzling stones, are a particular Hyderabadi specialty, although visitors to Laad Bazaar will also find accessories, perfumes, and saris among its many shops and stalls. The market is a one-stop shop for wedding items and accessories.

The Japanese royal family lived in Kyoto Imperial Palace until 1868, when the capital moved to Tokyo. It’s located within the Kyoto Imperial Park, which also houses other palaces and shrines. This must-visit attraction allows visitors to gain a greater understanding of Japan’s rich history and culture while enjoying landscaped gardens.

 

Although Japan’s royal family haven’t lived in the Kyoto Imperial Palace for more than 150 years, the imperial furnishings have been preserved and reflect the life of the royals in the mid-19th century. The beautifully landscaped Kyoto Imperial Park surrounding the palace contain jogging trails, picnic benches, numerous plants and water features, and is one of the finest public gardens in the city.

 

Travelers can visit the Imperial Palace independently, or as part of a full- or half-day sightseeing tour of Kyoto. Such excursions also tend to include sites such as the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), the Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji), Kiyomizu Temple, Gion, and Nijo Castle. The palace is located in Kyoto City, to the north of Kyoto Station, so is a convenient stop on sightseeing tours of the city.

 

The Kyoto Imperial Palace is located between two JR Subway stations, Imadegawa and Marutamachi, both of which are a short walk away. Imadegawa station is a bit closer to the entrance gate.

 

The palace is closed Mondays, as well as from December 28 until January 4, plus some other public holidays. From April to August, it is open from 9am until 5pm; in September and March, from 9am until 4:30pm; and from October to February, from 9am until 4pm. Last admissions are allowed in 40 minutes before the grounds close.

 

While it’s not easy to go inside the Imperial Palace itself, visitors can go inside Kaninnomiya Mansion, a restored Edo-period luxury home within the Imperial Park. There were once hundreds of such mansions around the Imperial Palace, but this is the only survivor. The mansion, teahouse, and gardens with a pond are worth visiting—plus, they’re also free.

Kumbhalgarh Fort is an enormous citadel situated deep in the desert outside of Udaipur. It was built in the 15th century and took over a decade to complete—unsurprising given that its walls stretch some 22 miles (35.4 kilometers) in total. Second in length only to the Great Wall of China, it is sometimes dubbed the "Great Wall of India." 

Built under Rana Kumbha, the ruler of Mewar, this gargantuan fortress played an important role in keeping rulers safe during times of conflict and war. Udai Singh II, the 16th-century maharana of Mewar who founded Udaipur, was smuggled here from Chittorgarh as an infant. 

Kumbhalgarh Fort makes for a quiet getaway from the city of Udaipur. Most day tours to the fort depart from Udaipur, and many tours combine a stop here with a visit to the nearby Ranakpur Jain Temple. 

Kumbhalgarh Fort is located in the Rajasthan desert, about a 2.5-hour drive from Udaipur or four hours from the state's most famous fort, Chittorgarh. It's not well connected by public transportation but is a convenient spot to break the journey if traveling by car between Jodhpur and Udaipur. From the fort, it takes about four hours to reach Jodhpur. 

 

The best time to visit Kumbhalgarh Fort is between November and February, the coldest months in Rajasthan. Temperatures begin to rise in March and continue to do so until they peak in late May and into June. Monsoon rains from late June through September help cool things down a bit. 

In 2013, UNESCO declared six of Rajasthan's forts, including Kumbhalgarh, a collective World Heritage Site. The other forts that received the honor were Chittor Fort in Chittorgarh, Ranthambore Fort in Sawai Madhopur (near the Ranthambore National Park tiger reserve), Gagron Fort in Jhalawar, Amer Fort on the outskirts of Jaipur, and Jaisalmer Fort in Jaisalmer. 

Lake Biwa is the largest freshwater lake in Japan and one of the twenty oldest lakes in the world. Located northeast of Kyoto in the Shiga Prefecture, its proximity to the ancient capital has seen many references to Lake Biwa within Japanese literature.

Over the many millennia that the lake has been in existence, a diverse ecosystem has evolved, with more than a thousand plant and animal species living there. The lake also attracts thousands of water birds, and therefore birdwatching is a popular pastime around its shores. Other activities at Lake Biwa include fishing, boat rides, and a number of watersports. Bicycles can also be rented next to the train station nearby, with the wide paths around the lake making the area ideal for cycling.

There are a number of historical places of interest surrounding the lake, including Hikone, a city most famous for its castle, which is one of just four in Japan designated as a national treasure.

Set just 14 miles (22 km) outside of the capital city of Kuching, the sandstone mountains of Kubah National Park offer some of the best day trekking and plant-spotting opportunities in the immediate region. Although myriad species of birds and mammals, such as arguas, pheasants, and bearded pigs, roam the tropical rain forest, Kubah is ultimately known for its stunning array of plant diversity, particularly palms. And if swimming beneath a waterfall sounds like the perfect afternoon, there are plenty of opportunities to do just that.

A walk down the hour-long Palmetum trail offers views of over 100 different types of palm trees, while other short walks such as the Belian Trail amble past exotic flora, like giant mushrooms, figs, durian, and rambutan. Those wanting to catch a glimpse of native Sarawak wildlife should head to the Matang Wildlife Centre located within the park boundaries. At this conservation center, where wild animals are rehabilitated for release back into the wild, visitors can observe orangutans, sun bears, and civets, a cat-like mammal with similarities to a mongoose or otter.

With its scenic canals lined with weeping willows, Edo-period gardens and historic merchant houses, the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter offers an authentic feel of Old Japan at the heart of one of Japan's oldest merchant towns.  

The historical quarter has been painstakingly preserved, with the 19th- and 20th-century buildings characterized by their mushikamado latticed windows, whitewashed walls and black tiled roofs, and the waterfront promenades linked by pretty stone footbridges. Highlights of the atmospheric district include the grand Ohashi House; an array of museums including an Archaeological Museum, a Toy Museum, a Museum of Folkcraft and the Ohara Museum of Art, Japan’s first museum of Western art; and the aptly-named Ivy Square, a former textile mill now crawling with ivy and home to a cluster of cafés, traditional tea houses and crafts shops.

Bali’s first beach hotel opened back in the 1930s on Kuta’s epic sweep of golden sand and metronomic surf. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, Australian surfers popularized the place, and today Kuta Beach is the epicenter of Kuta, Bali’s liveliest and most touristic district. If great waves and beach boys float your boat, Kuta won’t disappoint.

 

Once a sleepy village, the neighborhood around Kuta Beach is now Bali’s busiest—it’s particularly popular with Australians visiting on bargain breaks. But don’t let that put you off discovering the beach: whether bodyboarding or surfing is your thing, there’s fun to be had under the lifeguards’ protective eyes.

Most tours to Kuta Beach focus on those rolling waves. Classic experiences include Kuta surfing lessons and Kuta bodyboarding classes. Kuta surf schools are used to beginners and most have outsize “foamy” boards to help build confidence. While it’s perfectly possible to arrange lessons privately from the many surf rental spots on the beach, many prefer the fixed price guarantee of booking lessons online.

 

Everyone on Bali knows Kuta Beach, or “Pantai Kuta” in Indonesian. The cheapest and easiest way to get there is to ride the Kura-Kura tourist bus, or pick up a motorcycle taxi or 4-wheeled cab. Kuta is no place to learn to ride a motorbike, although tens of thousands try: If you must, stay sober and wear a helmet.

Kuta Beach is popular year-round: sunsets, which fall between roughly 6pm and 7pm, can be particularly stunning, especially washed down with an ice-cold beer. Kuta in general is best avoided during “Schoolies,” a 3-week period from mid-November when Australians graduate high school and descend on Bali en masse.

Bali is blessed with year-round surfing, with the east coast picking up when the west coast slows down, and vice versa. Great beaches for beginners include Double Six, Batu Belig, Kuta, and Canggu’s Batu Bolong; Uluwatu and Padang-Padang in the Bukit Peninsula can deliver spectacular swells. For less crowded breaks, consider heading north, perhaps to Keramas on the east coast or Balian on the west coast.