Things to Do in Asia

The Vidhana Soudha houses the legislature of the state of Karnataka and as the biggest legislative building in India. The locals are particularly proud of this important city landmark. This imposing building is made of granite in a neo-Dravidian style with a few Indo-Saracenic architectural elements thrown in, like its golden dome. Surrounded by gardens, it stands on a 60-acre site.

The construction of the Vidhana Soudha started in 1951 and was the ambition of the then Chief Minster Sri Hanumanthaiya who wanted the building to symbolize the people’s legislative sovereignty, like the House of Commons in London or the Capitol in Washington DC. Construction on the building started with the foundation stone being laid by the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1951 and was completed four years later.

On Sunday evenings and public holidays the building is lit up between 6pm and 8:30pm. Just south of the Vidhana Soudha is its replica, the Vikasa Soudha. This building was opened in 2005 to house additional legislative and ministerial offices of the Karnataka government.

Take a breathtaking walk through see-through tunnels at Underwater World Pattaya, as sharks and rays glide overhead. This walk-through aquarium highlights the huge range of marine creatures found in Thai waters, from shallow rock-pool dwellers to coral reef and ocean fish.

Within the Can Gio Mangrove Reserve, Vam Sat Salt-Marsh Forest Ecological Tourist Zone is located within a section of forest between the Vam Sat and Long Tau Rivers that was destroyed during the Vietnam War, now regrown and protected as a wilderness park. Visitors here can explore Bat Swamp to fish for crab or spot for flying foxes hanging from the tree branches, and there’s a crocodile farm where you can take a boat tour and toss fish treats to the hungry reptiles. A 50-foot-tall wildlife observation tower offers a great vantage point for birdwatching or taking panoramic pictures of the marsh wilderness, and at Monkey Island you can stroll island trails among thousands of monkeys.

The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata (Calcutta) is both a symbol of the city and the entire British Raj. The giant, white marble tribute to Queen Victoria was erected over a 20-year period, starting in 1901, as a way for Lord George Curzon, the viceroy of India, to honor the queen following her death.

The architectural marriage between the symmetry and domes that are characteristic of the Italian Renaissance and the minarets and detailing of the Indo-Saracenic movement makes the building appear as a cross between the Capitol and the Taj Mahal. Inside you’ll find a museum which provides visitors a walk through the history of Kolkata and the complex relationship between Britain and India in West Bengal. The 25 galleries display more than 3,500 Raj-related artifacts: Queen Victoria’s desk and piano are among these pieces.

The reasonably well-kept gardens surrounding the monument make for pleasant picnicking, especially on cooler days. Come after dark for a short light and music show in English.

Recognized as one of the most easy-to-access shipwrecks in the world, the USS Liberty is located just 25-meters from shore and anywhere from five and 30 meters below sea level. It’s the ideal destination for first-time divers but holds enough interest for veteran underwater adventurers, too.

Visitors can swim through Bali’s calm warm waters and arrive at the dive site directly from shore.  A vast array of marine life, military cargo ruins and haunting ocean scenery make it the perfect underwater photo safari, and the 120-meter ship offers plenty to explore. Divers can expect about 66 feet of visibility almost any time of year.  

Once the royal residence of Prince Regent Daewon-gun, this historic palace is now a public museum that draws locals and travelers to its ornate halls and impressive gates. Visitors will find a network of galleries inside the palace where mannequins dressed in traditional clothing pay homage to the nation’s colorful past. The Morakdang Hall, the palace’s largest building, was once a women’s residence. Visitors will find a typical Korean kitchen here and may even catch a contemporary wedding ceremony, since the space is a popular spot among locals exchanging vows. And while these are certainly lovely to see, lucky travelers who visit Unhyeongung in the spring or fall have the opportunity to witness a royal wedding reenactment. The ceremony is an exact reenactment of King Gojong and Empress Myeongseong’s wedding and showcases traditional royal fashion and costumes, which are sure impress. 

Modern architecture goes space age and skywards at the cutting-edge Umeda Sky Building.

Two glass towers soar 173 meters (567 feet) into the air, connected by a futuristic observation platform that provides amazing 360-degree views. Located on the 40th floor, visitors can find the stunning "floating garden" and observatory, along with a restaurant and bar. The SkyWalk observation deck is also popular among visitors who want to feel the fresh air from the 40th floor and get 360-degree views of the city below.

For a change of pace and century, head to the base of the building to enter the old-fashioned Takimi Lane of Restaurants. Reproducing a Showa-era street, the precinct has a shrine, well, stone paving and enough restaurants and taverns to feed an army of visitors with delicious gourmet treats.