Choose from 1,872 Fun Things to Do in Asia
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Marble Palace
The Marble Palace, one of Kolkata’s (Calcutta) odder landmarks, was constructed in 1835 by a wealthy merchant and art enthusiast by the name of Raja Rajendra Mullick. Made from more than 90 varieties of marble, the palatial mansion draws inspiration from nearly every cultural influence imaginable.
The Romanesque structure houses a collection of Buddhist, Catholic and Hindu religious relics as well as Ming Dynasty vases, Egyptian statues and works of art from more than 90 different countries, all lit by Venetian chandeliers. Authentic Rubens and Renoir pieces are said to adorn the walls. The neighboring Marble Palace Zoo is more of an aviary with several varieties of impressively feathered species with a few monkeys and deer as well.
The Marble Palace remains privately owned by Mullick’s relatives, and while admission is free, you’ll need to secure a permit at least 24 hours in advance. Be prepared to pay what you saved in admission on tips for everyone from the staff tour guides to the bathroom attendants.
The Romanesque structure houses a collection of Buddhist, Catholic and Hindu religious relics as well as Ming Dynasty vases, Egyptian statues and works of art from more than 90 different countries, all lit by Venetian chandeliers. Authentic Rubens and Renoir pieces are said to adorn the walls. The neighboring Marble Palace Zoo is more of an aviary with several varieties of impressively feathered species with a few monkeys and deer as well.
The Marble Palace remains privately owned by Mullick’s relatives, and while admission is free, you’ll need to secure a permit at least 24 hours in advance. Be prepared to pay what you saved in admission on tips for everyone from the staff tour guides to the bathroom attendants.
Address: 46 Muktaram Babu St, Kolkata, India
Hours: Open daily: 10am-4pm (closed Monday & Thursday)
From $ 49
Manakamana Temple
According to Hindu lore the goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Parvati, grants wishes to those who make a sacrifice in her name. Newlyweds praying for children and other favor seekers visit Manakamana Temple, located in Nepal’s Gorkha district, to do just that, often in the form of a goat sacrifice made in a pavilion behind the temple.
The pagoda-style temple has a history dating back to the seventeenth century, but the structure as it stands in its current form was built in the nineteenth century. While worshipers and visitors once had to make an arduous trek up uphill, today the temple is serviced by the Austrian-designed Manakamana Cable Car now makes the 1.7-mile (2.8-kilometer) journey in less than 10 minutes. From the top, the temple offers spectacular views of the Trisuli and Marshyang-di River valleys as well as the peaks of Manaslu, Himalchuli and Annapurna.
Practical Info
Visit the temple on a weekday to avoid long cable car queues.
Address: Manakamana, Nepal
From $ 79
Maokong Gondola
The 25-minute, 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) journey on the Maokong Gondola takes visitors from Taipei Zoo up to Mount Maokong. You can simply take the gondola and enjoy the stunning views, or you can visit the many attractions along the gondola route—including the zoo, temples, shrines, tea plantations, teahouses, and nature walks and hikes.
The Basics
Built in 2007 and upgraded in 2010, Maokong Gondola features 147 cabins, of which 31 are “crystal cabins” (also called Eyes of Maokong Gondola) with reinforced glass bottoms. The gondola makes four stops in total: Taipei City Zoo Station, Taipei City Zoo South Station, Zhinan Temple Station, and Maokong Station.
You can visit the gondola independently and purchase tickets based on the number of stations between which you are traveling. If you have a particular interest in tea or Taiwanese culture, you can opt for an evening, full-day, or multi-day tour featuring a visit to Maokong, a ride on the gondola, and visits to a number of teahouses and tea plantations, or other cultural attractions like one of Taipei’s many night markets.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Maokong Gondola is lovely for all visitors to Taipei, especially first-timers.
- Regular gondola cabins can hold eight passengers; crystal cabins can hold only five.
- The gondolas are not air-conditioned.
- In the event of thunderstorms or inclement weather, the gondola stops running and buses are used to transport passengers.
- The gondola stations and cabins are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, but not all attractions near a station may be accessible.
How to Get There
Maokong Gondola is located in Taipei’s Wenshan district. Take the MRT’s Brown Line to the terminus, Taipei Zoo; the gondola is about a 10-minute walk from the MRT station. A number of city buses also stop near the gondola.
When to Get There
Maokong Gondola is open Tuesday through Sunday; check the website for hours of operation. Arrive early in the day to beat the crowds and the heat, especially if you’re planning on hiking as well. Sunset is a beautiful time to ride the gondola.
Attractions Along the Route
The gondola’s first two stops are at the Taipei Zoo, where there is also a dancing water fountain with performances every half hour. At Zhinan Temple Station, top attractions include Zhinan Temple, Zhinan Scenic Spot, and Chen Yan-Chun Art Gallery. The final stop, Maokong Station, features the Tianen, Zhangshan, and San Xuan temples as well as a tea museum and tea promotion center plus numerous teahouses and restaurants. More active visitors can pick up a hiking map at this station. There are many trails, ranging from easy to very difficult, and lasting from about 30 minutes to several hours round-trip. Popular hikes include the Camphor Tree Trail, the Enlightenment Trail, and the hike to Yinhe Cave.
Address: Taiwan
From $ 100
Man Mo Temple
You’ll probably smell Man Mo Temple before you get there, as worshippers light enough giant incense coils within to turn the air an odd shade of blue and ensure everyone who enters leaves with a distinctive but pleasant Taoist perfume. Originally built in 1847, Man Mo is Hong Kong’s most famous temple, dedicated to the gods of literature and war. Students make up a significant portion of devotees who come seeking divine aid in their studies.
Within the temple, look for a statue of a man in green robes with a writing brush. This is one of the gods for which the temple is named -- Man Chung, the god of literature. Statues of Kwan Yu, the Chinese god of war, flank the main alter. As a famous general known for his martial successes, Kwan Yu is sometimes considered the deity of both the police force and the Chinese triads.
If you’re feeling particularly superstitious on your visit to Man Mo Temple, head into the hall to the right of the entrance to have your fortune told by an English-speaking teller who will divine your future using several bamboo sticks and a cup.
Within the temple, look for a statue of a man in green robes with a writing brush. This is one of the gods for which the temple is named -- Man Chung, the god of literature. Statues of Kwan Yu, the Chinese god of war, flank the main alter. As a famous general known for his martial successes, Kwan Yu is sometimes considered the deity of both the police force and the Chinese triads.
If you’re feeling particularly superstitious on your visit to Man Mo Temple, head into the hall to the right of the entrance to have your fortune told by an English-speaking teller who will divine your future using several bamboo sticks and a cup.
Address: 126 Hollywood Road, Hong Kong, China
From $ 53
Manila Chinatown (Binondo)
First settled by the Spanish during the 16th century, Manila Chinatown in Binondo is one of the world’s older Chinatowns. It centers on Ongpin Street, where stores offer mooncakes, incense, paper money, herbal medicines, and tasty dumplings. Buddhist temples and towering gates add extra color to the Chinese area of Binondo.
The Basics
There’s no charge to visit Manila Chinatown, or, indeed, Binondo, the district in which it sits. It’s easy enough to wander around on foot—Chinatown is a pleasant walk from Intramuros—or pick up one of the horse-drawn carriages known as kalesa.
If you’re pressed for time or would like to take a deeper dive, you may prefer a Binondo tour. Some old Manila tours and Manila history tours make time to stop in Binondo, as the district, although developing rapidly, is one of Manila’s oldest.
Things to Know Before You Go
- If you’re craving Chinese food while in Manila, Manila Chinatown is the place to head.
- Be sure to clarify price and currency when arranging a kalesa ride. Holding up peso notes or typing the numerals into your phone will help avoid finding your peso fare meant dollars, or that “10” actually meant “10,000.”
- Binondo Church dates back to the 16th century, when the Spaniards forced the Chinese to convert to Catholicism.
- The paper money you see in stores is for burning as an offering to ancestors during the Hungry Ghost Festival, each July or August.
How to Get There
Manila Chinatown is conveniently central and a satisfying walk from other historical areas such as Intramuros. Escolta River Ferry is the best water-bus stop if you’re riding the Pasig River Ferry; if traveling by train, connect to Carriedo Station on Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1. Ask taxi drivers to drop you at the Filipino–Chinese Friendship Arch.
When to Get There
As with Chinatowns the world over, Manila Chinatown comes alive during the big annual festivals: Lunar New Year around January or February and Mid-Autumn Festival around late September or early October. Try and avoid traveling to Chinatown during rush hour (roughly 7am–9am and 5pm–9pm), when Manila’s already hectic traffic is at its worst.
Binondo: An Ancient Chinatown
Often described as the world’s oldest Chinatown, Binondo was founded in 1594 by Spanish colonists across the river from their main settlement at Intramuros. Immigrants, mainly Hokkien people from Fujian, flooded in. For centuries the area was Manila’s business capital, with Escolta Street the city’s answer to Broadway, although today Makati holds that role.
Address: Manila, Philippines
From $ 76
Maiko Marine Promenade
At the north end of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the Maiko Marine Promenade takes visitors below one of the world’s longest suspension bridges. The observation hallway, located 154 feet (47 meters) above the sea, extends beneath the roadway with a floor partly covered by glass, allowing for views straight down to the water and an excellent viewpoint of the surrounding Akashi Straight.
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge opened in 1998 as the longest suspension bridge in the world, but it carried only auto traffic. While it’s still impossible to cross the entire bridge on foot, the Maiko Marine Promenade gives you a close-up look at Kobe’s engineering marvel.
Practical Info
The Maiko Marine Promenade is closed every second Monday of the month. Access to the promenade is located 5 minutes’ walk from JR Maiko Station and Maiko-Koen Station.
Address: Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Japan
Hours: The Maiko Marine Promenade is closed every second Monday of the month.
From $ 154
Marble Mountains
The five limestone hills that make up Vietnam’s famed Marble Mountains are each named after one of the five elements: fire (Hoa), wood (Moc), metal (Kim), water (Thuy) and earth (Tho). And while their shadowy caves and hidden tunnels draw thousands of travelers to wander this destination each year, its proximity to beautiful and ancient Buddhist and Hindu grottoes and access to a stunning summit are other reasons to make the voyage.
Travelers can climb the more than 150 steps that lead to the summit of Thuy Son, where incredible views of natural landscapes as well as access to these grottoes. Visitors can explore Huyen Khong and Tang Chon, as well as the Tam Thai pagoda, which was built in 1825. These ancient religious monuments showcase the region’s age-old tradition of stone carving, thanks to relief work chipped away from the mountain’s marble façade.
Practical Info
Marble Mountains are located in the Ngu Hanh Son ward just south of Da Nang.
Address: Da Nang, Vietnam
From $ 32
Makati
Even more than other Southeast Asian capitals, Manila is a city of contrasts. And never are those contrasts more acute than in Makati, home to sleek skyscrapers, high-end malls, and slick hotels. But Makati has historical appeal as well, with highlights including Saint Peter and Paul Parish Church, dating to 1620, and the Manila American Cemetery.
The Basics
You don’t need a tour to explore Makati, although a set of wheels will come in handy, as this is a large, sprawling district. One very Filipino way to experience Makati is by hanging out in malls—the Ayala Center alone offers three, as well as a museum.
Most Makati tours check off the key sights in half a day or visit the area as a stop on a more general Manila tour. Historical Manila tours may visit the American cemetery or one or more of Makati’s churches.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Shoppers, pop culture fans, and anyone who likes fine dining or fine drinking will enjoy Makati.
- When navigating Makati on foot, expect to spend a lot of time on walkways above street level.
- On a clear day, a sunset cocktail in a rooftop bar is a great way to appreciate Makati.
- Most malls and upscale restaurants in Makati are wheelchair-friendly, and this is probably the easiest part of Manila to appreciate when traveling with a disability.
How to Get There
Though it’s possible to drive and malls provide easy parking, gridlock during Manila’s lengthy rush hours makes public transit a more popular option. And getting to Makati by public transit is easy: Just ride the MRT (Metro Rail Transit) to Ayala station on Line 3.
When to Get There
If sundowners form part of your Makati plan, aim to arrive at the rooftop bar between 5pm and 6pm, depending on the time of year; arriving by 5pm should enable you to beat the evening rush hour. Malls are at their busiest on weekends, which can make them particularly entertaining for the traveler in search of local color.
Makati and Ayala
Manila was pretty much flattened during World War II, leaving opportunities for wealthy Filipino families. One such dynasty was the Ayala family, who built Makati almost out of nothing: Makati Avenue and Ayala Avenue were the runways of the city’s old airports. Today, the Ayala group is worth billions of dollars and remains family owned; attractions from museums to shopping centers as well as streets and stations bear their name.
Address: Makati City, Philippines
From $ 108
Manikarnika Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat is one of the oldest and most sacred ghats in Varanasi. It is the main cremation ghat in the area, with the bodies of devout Hindus being burned here before their ashes are carried away by the holy waters of the Ganges.
Hindu mythology links this ghat with Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. It’s said that those cremated here will attain moksha (salvation). Bodies are brought to Manikarnika Ghat via a stretcher made from bamboo and covered in red cloth, before being consigned to flames amid prayers that their souls rest in peace for eternity.
There is a sacred well at the ghat called the Manikarnika Kund, which is said to have been dug by Lord Vishnu at the time of creation. Lord Vishnu was said to have meditated for many years at the ghat, and it’s believed that his charana paduka (footprints) can be seen here in a circular marble slab. Manikarnika Ghat is also famous for the temple of the Lord Shiva and Mata Durga, which was built here in the mid-1800s.
Practical Info
Along with the other ghats of Varanasi, the best way to reach Manikarnika Ghat is by rickshaw or by taking a boat-ride along the river.
Address: Ghasi Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
From $ 7
Manzushir Monastery
Built in 1733 and dedicated to Manjusri as the permanent home of the Reincarnation of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, the Manzushir Monastery was once home to 20 temples and some 300 practicing monks. But this historic and cultural destination was among the hundreds of religious structures that were demolished during communist rule in the 1930s.
Visitors can check out the monastery ruins, located in an open space outside the city, and tour the reconstructed museum that showcases the religious structure in its original integrity. The Togchin temple ruins, which were built in the mid-1700s, as well as a massive two-ton bronze cauldron are also located nearby.
The Manzushir Monastery is an ideal stop for travelers who want to learn more about the history and culture of Mongolia’s diverse people, and perfect for exploring as part of a day tour of Ulaanbaatar.
Practical Info
The monastery is located 15 kilometers outside of Ulaanbaatar on the south side of Bogd Khan Uul Mountain.
Address: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
From $ 50
Malay Heritage Centre
Not just for history and culture buffs, the Malay Heritage Centre is a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in learning about the rich heritage of Singapore’s Malay community. Set in a grand former royal palace, you’ll see galleries focused on the history of Kampong Gelam, along with an interesting collection of artefacts from the National Collection and the wider Malay community.
Built 160 years ago, the former Istana Kampong Glam was once the royal seat of the Malay sultans in Singapore. Beautifully restored to its former glory, the Malay Heritage Centre sits within well-preserved grounds that can be explored as part of a Kampong Glam and Sultan Mosque walking tour.
Did You Know? Entry into the Malay Heritage Centre is included on the Singapore Ultimate Attractions Pass, which allows you to explore more than 25 of the city’s most popular attractions across two, three, or five days while saving money on individual ticket prices.
Practical Info
If not arriving as part of an organized tour, take the MRT to Bugis station; the Malay Heritage Centre is around a 10-minute walk from here. A number of public buses also serve the area.
Address: 85 Sultan Gate, 198501, Singapore
Hours: 10am-6pm (Closed Mondays)
Admission: Adult: S$4 / Senior & student: S$2 / Child (under 6): Free
From $ 3
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park is the city’s world-class ocean theme park. The 86,000-square-foot (8,000-square-meter) park features an oceanarium with over 14,000 marine creatures, as well as birds, insects, and other animals in a variety of interactive and educational exhibits and shows, and will appeal to visitors of all ages.
The Basics
Manila Ocean Park is divided into multiple sections and offers both attractions and experiences. Don’t miss the 82-foot-long (25-meter-long) viewing tunnel containing sharks, stingrays, eels, and a large variety of fish. Other highlights include the multimedia jellyfish exhibit and the sea lion show. The park also offers a chance to get up close and personal with their underwater residents, from dry encounters with sea stars, rays, and sharks to partially or even fully submerged encounters, where guests wear special diving helmets with pumped-in air. Or try the fish spa, where tiny fish nibble dead skin off your feet or hands.
Each attraction or experience charges a fee, and depending on what catches your interest, you can purchase tickets for individual attractions or experiences or choose passes that bundle multiple attractions and experiences. Bundles can sell out, so purchase them earlier in the day, or ahead of time.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Manila Ocean Park is a must for families with children and animal lovers.
- Flash photography is not allowed in the oceanarium.
- Outside food and drink is not permitted inside the park.
- There is no re-entry to attractions or experiences.
How to Get There
Manila Ocean Park is located behind the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park. It’s easiest to take a taxi or jeepney there. To get there by public transit, take the LRT to United Nations Avenue or the bus to Swagman.
When to Get There
Manila Ocean Park is very popular, especially on weekends and public holidays. Visit during the week for fewer crowds. Stay for Symphony, the daily multimedia light and water show at 6:30pm.
Shows and Experiences at Manila Ocean Park
A number of the entertainment options here are shows, such as the Sea Lion Show or the All Star Bird Show, and experiences, such as the Mermaid Swim Experience or the Aquanaut Voyage, on set schedules. Check the schedule before you start your day to best plan your route and avoid disappointment.
Address: Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines
Admission: Varies
From $ 82
Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum
In the ornate terraced home where Mahatma Gandhi stayed while on trips to Mumbai from 1917 to 1934, the touching Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum tells the story of Gandhi’s life as one of the 20th century’s most iconic figures who peacefully led India to independence from the British through his peaceful campaign of Civil Disobedience.
The most moving part of any visit to the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum is seeing Gandhi’s simple room on the second floor. This is the spot where Gandhi developed his philosophy of nonviolent protest. Furnished only with a small mattress, a book, some low tables, and his iconic spinning wheel (immortalized in the center of India’s national flag), leaders including Barack Obama and Martin Luther King have visited Gandhi’s room to pay their respects to the father of the Indian nation.
Set on a leafy avenue a few streets north of Chowpatty Beach in South Mumbai, as you wander the rooms of the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum you’ll get to learn about Gandhi through dioramas, press clippings, documents, images, films, memorabilia, and letters he sent to a range of figures including Hitler and Roosevelt.
You can also visit the library with its famous Mahatma Gandhi statue. Up the staircase, head to the photo gallery on the first floor to see photos from his childhood right up until his assassination in 1948.
Practical Info
On 19 Laburnum Road in South Mumbai, Mani Bhavan Museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Entrance is free, though donations are appreciated.
Address: 19 Laburnum Road, Mumbai, India
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
From $ 11
Mansa Devi Temple
Mansa Devi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the wishgranting goddess Mansa Devi. It’s located on the top of a hill in Haridwar, which is one of seven holy pilgrimage centers in India known as Sapta Puri.
Mansa Devi Temple is a hugely popular site, with hundreds of pilgrims flocking to it daily with their prasad (food offerings) for the goddess in the hopes of getting their wishes granted.
Visitors can either walk the one and a half kilometers up the hill to the temple, or take a cable car ride up instead. Along the way there’s always a large number of people selling everything from food and flowers to music and jewelry.
Once inside the temple, devotees offer some of their prasad to the Hindu priests and receive a blessing in return. Visitors are then encouraged into the inner sanctum where the idol of the Mansa Devi resides. It is here that the rest of the prasad is offered, pieces of coconut are received, and wishes are finally uttered.
Practical Info
Walking the 1.5 kilometers uphill to the Mansa Devi Temple can prove challenging in the hotter months. Many therefore take the cable car up and walk back down. Visitors should be wary of the monkeys on the walk up, as they are well-known for stealing food and other items!
Address: Bilwa Parvat, Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249401, India
Hours: Cable car opens: 7am April-October / 8am November-March
Admission: Rs.48 for return cable car ride
From $ 12
Malabar Hill
Mumbai’s most exclusive neighborhood, Malabar Hill sits at the northern end of Marine Drive and is home to some of the most expensive real estate in the city. An eclectic mix of modern buildings and old colonial mansions, Malabar Hill is where Mumbai's rich and famous reside.
Yet Malabar Hill is an area you wouldn’t visit unless you knew about it beforehand, or if you happened to extend a walk to the very end of Marine Drive; its exclusivity comes not only from accommodating Mumbai’s rich and elite then, but from having a location that is simply not on the way to anywhere else.
At the north end, in the crook of Malabar Hill, lies the infamous Chowpatty Beach, a long stretch of grey-white sand and a focal point in Mumbai for locals and tourists alike. While strolling up the hill, be sure to stop to admire the views of Marine Drive and take a photo or two. Malabar Hill is also home to a smattering of tourist attractions, including Banganga Tank, Walkeshwar Temple, and the Hanging Gardens.
Practical Info
Malabar Hill is located at the northern end of Back Bay in South Mumbai. It can be reached via both Walkeshwar Road and Napean Sea Road. The nearest train station is Grant Road (on the Western Railways line).
Address: Mumbai, India
From $ 34
Maota Lake
Situated in the town of Amber (Amer) in the outskirts of Jaipur in Rajasthan, Maota Lake was the main water source for the formidable Amber Fort (Amer Fort) back in its heyday. At the center of the lake is an island covered with lush gardens—including a saffron garden—planted by a 15th-century maharaja, Kesar Kyari Bagh.
The Basics
Maota Lake played an integral role in the development of Amber, acting as a primary source of water for Amber Fort and for the common people of the desert community, filling with rainwater from nearby hills during the monsoon. These days its role is more ornamental, though it is still used during the annual Ganesh Chaturthi processions, during which an idol of the elephant-headed deity Ganesh is submerged in the lake’s waters.
Most tours of Jaipur and the Golden Triangle visit Amber Fort, and many stop at the lake for photos before heading up to explore the fort.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Swimming and bathing are not allowed in the lake.
- Wear lots of sunscreen and a sun hat.
- You can get great photos of the lake from the interior of Amber Fort just above it.
How to Get There
Maota Lake is located at the base of Amber Fort, west of Jaigarh Fort and approximately 6 miles (10 kilometers) from Jaipur’s Pink City and the City Palace—about a 20-minute drive. Nearly all visitors come here as part of an excursion to Amber Fort or a larger Jaipur sightseeing tour.
When to Get There
You can visit the lake throughout the year, though Jaipur and Amber get very hot during the months of April through June. As such, the lake and its surrounding attractions are best visited early in the day, before it get too balmy, especially if you’re visiting in the warmer season.
Amber Attractions
Although Jaipur is now the capital of Rajasthan, the town of Amber was originally a stronghold of power and the ruling seat of Maharaja Man Singh. While the main attraction here is the Amber Fort, the area is home to a number of historic attractions, including the Jaigarh Fort, the Anokhi Museum, and, of course, Maota Lake.
Address: Amer, India
From $ 43
Manukan Island
The second largest of the islands that make up the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, Manukan Island is just a short boat-ride from Kota Kinabalu, attracting a large number of locals and international visitors alike.
Manukan Island boasts a beautiful coastline, some stunning coral reefs, and areas of lush vegetation. The main beach on the southern side of the island is a huge stretch of white sand facing a bay of crystal-clear ocean. The water is calm and safe, making snorkeling and swimming the most popular pastimes for visitors to the island. Meanwhile, a network of walking trails leading inland allow keen walkers to explore the island’s natural environment without getting wet.
The island caters well to tourism, with various facilities and services on offer, from accommodation and restaurants to gift shops and a diving center.
Practical Info
To reach Manukan Island, depart from the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal in downtown Kota Kinabalu. Visitors will need to purchase a ticket (conservation fee) to enter the island.
Address: Manukan Island, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
From $ 40
Manu Temple
The ancient Manu Temple is dedicated to the Indian sage of the same name. It’s located up in the clouds in Old Manali, offering some wonderful views of the valley beyond it. According to Hindu legend, Manu was the creator of the human race and the writer of Manusmriti, with Manali believed to be the region where he meditated and dwelt.
The temple is considered to be the only Manu temple in existence, and as such it’s an important place of worship for locals and pilgrims. Inside, the temple is made up of some exquisite wood and stone architecture, with plenty of unique features and elaborate carvings. The grand vaulted ceiling and marble flooring were added in 1992.
Practical Info
Manu Temple is located around three kilometers from the main market at the end of a narrow road. Visitors are advised to dress conservatively, ensuring knees and shoulders are covered.
Address: Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India 175131, India
From $ 600
Manmade Mahogany Forest
The skinny, uniform trunks of red and white mahogany seem to erupt from nowhere along the road between Loboc and Bilar towns, a route frequented by traffic heading from eastern tourist towns to the Chocolate Hills. Their quiet and leafy canopy tunnels over the road forming a shady respite for visitors that extends for more than a mile. The trees were planted by volunteers in the middle of the last century in an effort to restore the destruction caused by kaingin, a form of slash and burn agriculture that decimated the original forest and was used by residents who sheltered in the region during WWII. Though beautiful—with tendril-like tree roots consuming above-ground boulders—the Manmade Mahogany Forest has drawn criticism for the decision to feature mahogany; the hardwood tree is native to South and Central America and foreign to many native species of plants and animals that remain absent from the scenic area. Fortunately, the mahogany stand is bookended by more naturally evolving forests containing native trees and ferns.
Practical Info
The Manmade Mahogany Forest is 20 miles (33 km) outside of Tagbilaran City between the towns of Loboc and Bilar on the curvy Loay Interior Road on the island of Bohol. The route is often frequented by tour groups headed to the Chocolate Hills, the region’s primary tourist attraction.
Address: Loay Interior Road, Loboc, Philippines
From $ 105
Mandawa
One of the most charming towns in the Shekhawati region, Mandawa is celebrated for its numerous havelis (traditional mansions) and its fort, which is adorned with intricate frescoes. The 18th-century town feels like something out of a Rajasthani fairytale, and its havelis are often collectively referred to as the "open-air art gallery" of Rajasthan.
The Basics
Mandawa's main draw is its frescoes, many of which portray scenes from local history or religious stories. Visiting with a guide can be helpful, particularly for travelers not versed in Hindu mythology, in gaining greater insight into the significance of the works on display here. That said, it’s not the most popular stop on fixed-itinerary Golden Triangle tours, so travelers looking to spend time here may want to visit on a daytrip from Jaipur.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Bring plenty of water and sun protection, as Mandawa can get hot.
- This is great for history buffs and art and architecture fans.
- Wheelchair users might find getting around Mandawa challenging.
How to Get There
Mandawa is located in the Shekhawati Region of Rajasthan, about a 4-hour drive from Jaipur or a 5-hour drive from Delhi. It’s frequently visited by people traveling between the two cities, usually in conjunction with other area attractions, such as the nearby city of Jhunjhunu, a 45-minute drive away. Although there are busses connecting Mandawa to all major cities in the region, it’s much easier to come here by car or as part of an organized tour.
When to Get There
While Mandawa is a year-round attraction, it’s best visited from October through March, when temperatures are cooler. April and May can be oppressively hot; June through September aren’t always much cooler—they’re just more humid due to the monsoon season, and the area can get some heavy downpours in June and July. Most of the havelis in Mandawa are open daily during daylight hours.
Mandawa Fort
One of Mandawa's major attractions is its 18th-century fort, now a heritage hotel. It's full of beautiful old frescoes, many focused on Lord Krishna, and it’s worth visiting even if you don't plan to spend the night. They’ll even waive the admission fee if you come for a meal at the on-site restaurant.
Address: Mandawa, India
From $ 180