Choose from 1,872 Fun Things to Do in Asia
ShowingFilter 1161-1180 of 1872 listings.
Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (Fujian Assembly Hall)
In a city full of historical and architectural landmarks, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (Fujian Assembly Hall) is not to be missed. What once served as a gathering place for Chinese merchants, today functions as one of the city’s largest and most ornate temples. Intricate craftsmanship begins with the massive gates that protect this historic structure from the hustle of Hoi An streets, and it continues through the shaded hallways and colorful rooms.
Visitors can light incense burners in honor of their loved ones and explore the beautifully carved details of giant dragon statues and well-tended gardens.
Visitors can light incense burners in honor of their loved ones and explore the beautifully carved details of giant dragon statues and well-tended gardens.
Practical Info
The assembly hall is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily,
but visit mid-day and enjoy the cool shade of the temple. It is a short
walk from most places in Hoi An and also accessible by bike.
Address: 46 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An, Vietnam
Hours: 8a.m. - 5 p.m.
From $ 21
Pontocho
Foodies who spend any time in Kyoto will want to dedicate at least one evening to Pontocho, an incredibly atmospheric dining area packed with restaurants and exclusive tea houses lining a narrow, cobbled alley just west of the Kamo River.
Visitors from around Japan and the world come here for the open-air dining along the river and the opportunity to spot apprentice and master geishas scurrying to their appointments. While most of the tea houses are difficult to visit without a connection, visitors will find a range of restaurants — everything from inexpensive yakitori to modern Kyoto cuisine – to choose from in the evenings.
Practical Info
Pontocho is rather quiet by day, so plan your visit for the evening hours to experience the alley at its best.
Address: Pontocho, Kyoto, Japan
From $ 43
Phra Sumen Fort
Built in 1783 by King Rama I to help defend against naval invasions, Phra Sumen Fort sits on the banks of a river within Santi Chai Prakan park. The white, octagonal brick-and-stucco tower is one of only two of Bangkok’s original 14 city watchtowers still standing. The fort was named after Mt. Meru (Phra Sumen in Thai) from Hindu-Buddhist mythology.
Locals and visitors alike come to the park to enjoy cool breezes, river views and even the occasional riverside aerobics class in the early evening.
Practical Info
The entrance to the fort itself is blocked, but it’s possible to view the structure from the outside and enjoy the surrounding park.
Address: Phra Athit Road, Bangkok, Thailand
Hours: 5am-9pm
From $ 74
Pinang Peranakan Mansion
A visit to the Pinang Peranakan Mansion provides a good introduction to the history and culture of the Peranakans (also known as Babas and Nyonyas). These Straits Chinese settlers were unique to this part of the world, and adopted certain ways of life from both local Malaysians and the colonial British.
With more than 1000 items on display, this opulent mansion showcases a typical affluent Baba household from a century ago, giving an insight into their lavish lifestyle, as well as their many customs and traditions. Built at the end of the 19th century, this courtyard house features traditional Chinese carved-wood panels combined with English tiles, European furniture, and Scottish ironworks.
A trip to the Pinang Peranakan Mansion can be incorporated into a heritage tour of Penang, which includes visiting other cultural and architectural wonders, such as Khoo Kongsi and Fort Cornwallis.
Insider’s Tip: As there isn’t a great deal of written information within the mansion, using a tour guide is highly recommended. If not visiting as part of an organized tour, complimentary tours can be arranged by calling ahead, with a minimum of five people required.
Practical Info
The Pinang Peranakan Mansion is located along Church Street in George Town, making it easily accessible by rickshaw, or even on foot.
Address: 29 Church Street, George Town, Penang, Malaysia 10200, Malaysia
Hours: 9:30am-5pm
Admission: RM 20
From $ 8
Pola Museum of Art
Located within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the Pola Museum of Art opened in September 2002. This is the former head of the Pola group’s private collection, which features more than 9500 works of art, including many from the French Impressionism and École de Paris eras.
The museum sits within a forest of 300 year-old beech trees and is predominantly made up of glass, creating a sense of seamlessness with the natural environment that surrounds it. In addition, a large part of the building is located underground. The museum’s permanent collection includes works by artists such as Cezanne, Monet, Picasso, and Renoir, plus there are also modern temporary exhibits, with sculptures, ceramics, and glassware alongside paintings by both Japanese and European artists.
A museum cafe and restaurant gives visitors a chance to relax beside huge windows that open out onto lush green forest, and there’s also a 670-meter nature trail for those who wish to explore the forest further.
Practical Info
The Pola Museum of Art is a short bus ride from Gora Station, the last stop on the Hakone-Tozan mountain train. Visitors can then take a Hakone Tozan bus bound for Shissei Kaen and alight 15 minutes later at the Pola Bijutsukan bus stop.
Address: 1285 Kozukayama, Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan 250-0631, Japan
Hours: 9am-5pm
Admission: Adult: 600 yen / Teenager: 400 yen / Child: free
From $ 18
Phuket FantaSea Show
There's nothing subtle about Phuket FantaSea, a 140-acre (56-hectare) cultural theme park best known for its glitzy Las Vegas-style stage show.
Set in the Palace of the Elephants Theater, the family-friendly Fantasy of a Kingdom performance treats guests to a mythical story that combines traditional Thai dance, music and costumes with colorful special effects, magical illusions, pyrotechnics and dancing elephants. Hundreds of cast members showcase Thai culture on stage and charm the audience with circus acts, acrobatics and magic illusions. Guests can upgrade their experience to also include an international buffet dinner for a full night out.
Outside the theater, the PhantaSea theme park also features an enormous shopping village, multiple restaurants and a dizzying sea-themed arcade of neon lights and cartoon characters. To experience more of the park, travelers can take part in craft demonstrations, pose for photos in traditional Thai garb, ride an elephant or watch one of the vibrant cultural parades.
Practical Info
Phuket FantaSea is located north of Patong at Kamala Beach. Cameras are not allowed in the Palace of the Elephants Theater. Activities such as elephant rides and photo studio sessions have additional costs.
Address: 1 99 M3, Kamala Beach 076-385000, Thailand
Hours: Friday-Wednesday 5:30-11:30pm
Admission: Varies
From $ 650
Pingxi Branch Rail Line
The 8-mile (12.9 kilometer) stretch of track known as the Pingxi Branch Rail Line, falls a bit off the beaten tourist path but is a day well spent for its charming old-school train experience and excellent stops along the way, most notably the towns of Shifen, Jingtong and Pingxi.
The Pingxi Branch Rail Line was completed in 1921, and until the late 1980s, it was used exclusively as a mining train, transporting coal south from the mountains of Northern Taiwan. Today, the train whisks passengers through a wooded gorge area, past waterfalls, trail heads and old mining towns. It’s an inexpensive and easy way to get out of the city for a day and see the Taiwanese countryside.
Trains only pass along the line every hour or so, but because many of the stops and attractions are relatively close together, it’s possible to walk from one station to the next if you’ve just missed a train. Pick up a line map and schedule at the station before you head out so you’ll know when and where you need to be to catch the next one.
The Pingxi Branch Rail Line was completed in 1921, and until the late 1980s, it was used exclusively as a mining train, transporting coal south from the mountains of Northern Taiwan. Today, the train whisks passengers through a wooded gorge area, past waterfalls, trail heads and old mining towns. It’s an inexpensive and easy way to get out of the city for a day and see the Taiwanese countryside.
Trains only pass along the line every hour or so, but because many of the stops and attractions are relatively close together, it’s possible to walk from one station to the next if you’ve just missed a train. Pick up a line map and schedule at the station before you head out so you’ll know when and where you need to be to catch the next one.
Address: Taiwan
From $ 33
Pink Beach (Pantai Merah)
Besides the giant lizards who give the park its name, Komodo National Park is also well known for its beautiful and undeveloped beaches. One of the most unique is Pink Beach (Pantai Merah), named for the rosy sand that gets its color from eroded bits of red coral from the nearby reef.
Clear, calm waters make the beach an excellent site for snorkeling, especially since the coral reefs just beneath the surface are home to hundreds of species of marine plants and animals. Located about 15 minutes by boat from the Loh Liang boat jetty, Pink Beach makes for a convenient place to relax in the sun or cool off in the water after a day of trekking in the national park.
Practical Info
Pink Beach offers very little shade, so be sure to bring along a hat and plenty of sunscreen.
Address: East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
From $ 808
Pingyao
The old town of Pingyao, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Shanxi Province, is often considered the best preserved ancient walled city in China. Founded in the 14th century, the old portion of the city covers 556 acres (225 hectares) that retain many of the features of a traditional Han city during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Construction on the old City Walls of Pingyao began in 1370, and visitors can still walk a 3.7-mile (6-kilometer) road on top of the ramparts to take in some of the best views of the old cobbled streets below. Ming-Qing Street, the main commercial street cutting through Pingyao, is lined with hundreds of traditional courtyard houses, shops and snack stands.
Practical Info
Cars and taxis aren't allowed in much of the old walled city, but it’s small enough to navigate on foot.
Address: Pingyao County, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
From $ 50
Pillars of Ashoka
The Pillars of Ashoka refer to a number of columns inscribed with edicts by the Mauryan king, Ashoka, during his reign in the mid-3rd century BC. The pillar at Sarnath near Varanasi bears the inscriptions: "No one shall cause division in the order of monks."
The original column at Sarnath was 50 meters tall and was carved out of a single block of polished sandstone. It features four images of lions known as the Lion Capital of Ashoka, which stand back to back and were originally mounted atop a cylindrical abacus. The abacus was built over a bell-shaped lotus, with the figures of four running animals – an elephant, a bull, a horse, and a lion – separated by 24-spoked Dharma wheels. These four mammals are believed to symbolize the four different phases of Gautama Buddha's life.
However, the pillar at this site was broken in the midst of a past invasion, with the remains in three pieces now kept in a glass cage nearby. The lion figurehead can be found in the Sarnath Museum nearby.
Practical Info
The Pillar of Ashoka in Sarnath is located approximately a 20-minute drive from Varanasi. The easiest way to reach it is by taxi from the city.
Address: Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221007, India
Admission: Indian citizens: Rs. 5, Int'l visitors: Rs. 100, Child 15 & Under Free
From $ 32
Po Nagar Cham Towers
Situated at the mouth of the Cai River in Central Vietnam, just a few kilometres north of Nha Trang, is the ancient Po Nagar Cham Towers complex. Constructed between the 7th and 12th centuries by the Cham people who once ruled the central plain of Vietnam, the towers were built in honor of Yan Po Nagar, the ruler of this area, who later came to be identified with the Hindu goddess, Bhagavati.
Today, only four of the original towers in the complex remain. The tallest of the temples, Po Nagar Kalan, is the most impressive in terms of architectural prowess. It stands at over 25 meters tall and, according to the inscriptions, was the place where Po Nagar was worshipped, with animal sacrifices made in her honor.
In the center of the complex is at the Cri Cambhu tower, representing the goddess of fertility, with the remaining two temples serving as shrines to the Hindu gods, Shiva and Ganesh.
Practical Info
The Cham Towers are located just a few kilometres north of the city of Nha Trang and can be easily reached via the Tran Phu Bridge along the beachfront road. The towers are still used as active places of worship and, as such, visitors should be sure to dress respectfully.
Address: 2 Thang 4 Road, Nha Trang, Vietnam
From $ 18
Phromthep Cape
Situated at Phuket’s most southerly point, Promthep Cape (or Laem Promthep) is the rocky headland than juts out into the sea here, offering incredible views over the east and southeast of the island, particularly at sunset.
Promthep Cape is a popular spot with ample parking and a large open space on top of the hill from which to enjoy the views. There’s also an elephant shrine plus a lighthouse with historical maritime artifacts on display for those interested in the history of the area. If you go up to the viewing balcony of the lighthouse, you will be rewarded with some spectacular views of the surrounding islands – on a clear day, you can even make out the distinctive shapes of Koh Phi Phi, Koh Racha Yai, and Koh Racha Noi.
Every evening, tour buses and other vehicles arrive at Promthep Cape full of tourists and locals looking to catch the sunset. As a result, an inevitable series of stalls selling the usual tourist fare have been set up on the hill. After the rush at sunset, a sudden peace descends on the area, and those who like dining with a view can enjoy a peaceful dinner overlooking Nai Harn Beach at the Phromthep Cape Restaurant.
A trip up to Promthep Cape can be combined with visiting Phuket’s other viewpoints and attractions on a half-day Phuket city tour or a full-day island and city tour from Krabi. Those into their motorbikes will love exploring the island’s most scenic parts on a ‘big’ motorbike day trip.
Insider’s Tip: Promthep Cape gets extremely busy at sunset. If you want more privacy, take the fishermen’s trail down to the rocky peninsula that reaches out into the ocean. Here you can enjoy the sun descending into the sea in peace, but beware that the climb back up is somewhat challenging!
Practical Info
If not arriving as part of an organized tour, you can reach Promthep Cape by hiring a motorbike or taking a taxi and heading south from Rawai Beach.
Address: Promthep Cape, Phuket, Thailand
From $ 11
Pinaon Time Tunnel
Travelers looking for an easily accessible way to explore Penang’s much-storied history will find what they’re seeking at the Pinaon Time Tunnel. This unique interactive museum features 12 tunnels that cover periods of time between the early 1700s and the contemporary 21st century, which together tell the tale of this incredible place. Illustrated maps, photos, artifacts and indigenous artwork cover the walls of the museum’s galleries, and while adults will find detailed information about each of the exhibits, shorter (both in height and in length) versions of placards are available for the museum’s younger set, too.
Visitors say the Pinaon Time Tunnel puts the country’s culture, history and architecture into context. Whether it’s learning about the 10-day riots in this now peaceful place or exploring the migration of its every shifting populations, Pinaon Time Tunnel helps create a fuller picture of local life for visitors who’ve spent time wandering the streets, exploring the shops and sampling local cuisine.
Practical Info
The museum is located at 39 Jalan Green Hall in the George Town neighborhood. It is open daily from 9:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Address: 39 Jalan Green Hall, Penang 10200, Malaysia
Admission: Adults: RM25; Children: RM15
From $ 10
Plaosan Temple
Plaosan Temple (also referred to as Plaosan Complex) is a Buddhist temple site situated around a kilometer from the revered Hindu temple, Prambanan, and around 20 kilometers from Yogyakarta city center.
Plaosan Temple was built in the 9th century. The site spans some 2000 square meters and, rather uniquely, features two main temple structures – the North Plaosan Temple and the South Plaosan Temple, both of which have a number of buildings, stupas, and shrines surrounding them. Each temple shares common features, including a gate, a middle courtyard surrounded by a wall, and a guardian statue known as Dwarapala. The outer walls of the temples are adorned with carvings of divinities and other figures, including that of a Khmer prince, identified by his crown.
Practical Info
Plaosan Temple is located in Bugisan village. Most people visit Plaosan alongside a visit to the Prambanan Temple nearby.
Address: Jl. Candi Plaosan, Kec. Prambanan, Klaten, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia 57454, Indonesia
From $ 94
Pingjiang Road
Pingjiang Road is an ancient canal-side street located in the city of Suzhou. The road and its surroundings have been around for more than 800 years, since the Song Dynasty. A popular tourist destination, this charming cobblestone street gives visitors a fascinating glimpse into local Suzhou life.
More than 1,600 meters long, Pingjiang Road is lined with quaint old bookshops, local theaters, and traditional Suzhou houses with whitewashed walls and black tiles. You’ll also find eccentric cafes, jewelry shops, and street food vendors, as well as a number of other restaurants. Locals and tourists alike gather in the teahouses for performances of Suzhou Pingtan, a traditional performance of ballad singing and storytelling in the local dialect, while those interested in architecture will be in their element with the ancient design of the buildings here – plus there are 18 bridges scattered across the Pingjiang district.
Despite being a popular tourist destination, Pingjiang remains a quiet place away from the noise of the city. Because of its location, a visit here can easily be combined with a tour of Suzhou’s other top attractions, such as the the Humble Administrator’s Garden or Lion Grove Garden. A boat ride on the surrounding canals is a scenic way to experience this unique district.
Practical Info
If not arriving as part of an organized tour with transport included, the quickest and easiest way to reach Suzhou from Shanghai is to take the high-speed express train between the two cities. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes if you plan to spend the whole day out as there is a lot to see on Pingjiang Road and its surroundings.
Did You Know? Pingjiang Road first appeared in the Pingjiang Tu map produced in 1229. There are 51 smaller alleyways that intersect with the road, and around three kilometers of canals in the surrounding area.
Address: Pingjiang Road, Suzhou, Eastern China, China
From $ 55
Phu Tay Ho
Upon first look, Phu Tay Ho appears to be a traditional Buddhist temple. But locals are quick to inform that this beautiful religious and historical structure is actually a palace dedicated to three Mother Goddesses.
After passing through stalls selling cakes, flowers and incense intended for worship and offerings, visitors can enter into a building that houses three ornate thrones intended for the goddesses. This room also houses a statue of the Jade Emperor, who is also worshiped at this palace. A well-kept courtyard showcases a golden buffalo and its calf, which is part of ancient Vietnamese folklore dating back to the Ly Dynasty.
Practical Info
Phu Tay Ho is located on the northern bank of Phu Tay Ho Lake, near Xuan Dieu Street. It is open daily from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Address: Xuan Dieu Street, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hours: Open daily from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.
From $ 80
Poring Hot Springs
Tucked within the jungles of Malaysian Borneo and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kinabalu Park, Poring Hot Springs is a collection of built attractions highlighting some of the region’s wild features. The star is a series of tiled pools and public baths built by the Japanese during their occupation in WWI. Containing naturally hot sulfurous water pumped to the surface, the baths are popular with tired Mt. Kinabalu trekkers as well as area residents, especially on weekends.
The site also includes an enclosure housing hundreds of species of butterfly—many of which are raised for research or released—an orchid conservation center boasting 1,200 species including rare endemic varieties, tropical gardens home to the tiny mousedeer and, if you’re lucky, the chance to see the world’s largest flower, the rafflesia (or corpse flower), in bloom. A rope bridge canopy walk at 135 feet off the ground, is not for those afraid of heights or the unfit—there’s a muddy uphill scramble to reach it; it is ticketed separately.
Practical Info
The Poring Hot Springs and Nature Reserve is 25 miles (40 km) east of the Kinabalu National Park headquarters. It’s open from 7am-6pm and accessible by public bus or tour from Kota Kinabalu. Admission fee for foreign nationals is $4 (R15) and there is a $1 (RM 5) charge to use your camera (they do check for camera tickets). Some of the Poring Hot Springs attractions have separate ticketing and there’s also an upcharge if you would like a private bath.
Address: 89300 Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia
Hours: Daily 7am-6pm
Admission: $4 (R15)
From $ 53
Plover Cove Reservoir
The Plover Cove Reservoir was built within Hong Kong Geopark in 1968 by constructing a barrier across the mouth of a bay and siphoning out seawater while replacing it with freshwater from the mainland. It’s the largest reservoir in Hong Kong by area and the first in the world to be made from part of the ocean.
Today, Hong Kong residents and visitors alike head to the area surrounding the reservoir for hiking and mountain biking in one of the city’s least populated areas, far from the concrete jungle of central Hong Kong. Various paths are suitable for different ability levels, and nearly all afford stellar views of the reservoir.
Practical Info
Access Plover Cove Reservoir by taking public transportation to the village of Tai Mei Tuk, where you can rent bikes or head out on food to the Plover Cove Country Park Visitor Centre, where you’ll find the trailhead to Pat Sin Leng Nature Trail.
Address: Shuen Wan, Hong Kong, China
From $ 98
Po Lin (Precious Lotus) Monastery
If you ask around Hong Kong about the best attractions, chances are you’ll hear mention of the Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha) on Lantau Island. What you probably won’t hear mentioned is Po Lin (Precious Lotus) Monastery, yet this once remote monastery is one of the city’s most important Buddhist sites.
The monastery was established in 1906, long before the Big Buddha was erected, by three monks traveling from China. The three men discovered a flat stretch of land amid the verdant mountains and though it would be a perfect place for meditative religious practice. The monastery didn’t gain a spot on the global tourist map until 1993 when the Buddha statue was completed, and today it welcomes thousands of tourists who ride the cable car to see the statue and gaze out over the South China Sea.
The monastery itself is easy to overlook but is well worth a visit, particularly for the excellent vegetarian restaurant run by the monks. Dishes vary season to season and are made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients thought to help cleanse the body and spirit.
The monastery was established in 1906, long before the Big Buddha was erected, by three monks traveling from China. The three men discovered a flat stretch of land amid the verdant mountains and though it would be a perfect place for meditative religious practice. The monastery didn’t gain a spot on the global tourist map until 1993 when the Buddha statue was completed, and today it welcomes thousands of tourists who ride the cable car to see the statue and gaze out over the South China Sea.
The monastery itself is easy to overlook but is well worth a visit, particularly for the excellent vegetarian restaurant run by the monks. Dishes vary season to season and are made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients thought to help cleanse the body and spirit.
Address: Hong Kong, China
From $ 19
Pondicherry
Sometimes called the French Riviera of the East, the seaside town of Pondicherry operates at a slower pace than nearly any other Indian city. The small city was the largest French colony in India, and since the French only left in 1954, the town has retained much of its colonial flavor.
Practically everything worth seeing in Pondicherry exists within walking distance in the grid of streets and alleyways of the French Quarter; where whitewashed villas, colonial churches and gardens overflowing with bougainvillea are interspersed with quaint little French cafes. Cross over the Grand Canal and you’ll find yourself transported to a typical Tamil village.
The French-influenced local cuisine and variety of accommodation, both reasonably priced, make Pondicherry worthy of an overnight getaway from Chennai. For the spiritually minded traveler, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram teaches yoga and meditation to the ever-changing contingent of expats who come to Pondicherry and end up staying longer than anticipated.
Practically everything worth seeing in Pondicherry exists within walking distance in the grid of streets and alleyways of the French Quarter; where whitewashed villas, colonial churches and gardens overflowing with bougainvillea are interspersed with quaint little French cafes. Cross over the Grand Canal and you’ll find yourself transported to a typical Tamil village.
The French-influenced local cuisine and variety of accommodation, both reasonably priced, make Pondicherry worthy of an overnight getaway from Chennai. For the spiritually minded traveler, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram teaches yoga and meditation to the ever-changing contingent of expats who come to Pondicherry and end up staying longer than anticipated.
Address: India
From $ 49