Can’t decide where to go in Asia in the next 12 months? Lonely Planet writers have explored the continent’s most electrifying cities, trekked through steaming jungles and even swum in bountiful seas to seek out the spots you simply cannot afford to miss. It’s a tough job but…
The result is a hit list of classic destinations offering a fresh twist for travellers, regions packed full of action and edge-of-the-map places you’ve probably never heard of. Read on to find out where you should go next in Asia.
Asia - Lonely Planet (PDF) >
1. Hokkaidō, Japan
Hokkaidō defies the image of Japan as a crowded nation. It’s a different world up here, or at least it feels like it, with 20% of Japan’s land area but only 5% of its population. The island is winning a reputation as a haven for thrill-seeking travellers wanting to ski and hike in its mountains, explore its magnificent national parks, relax in its hidden onsen (hot springs), and experience its offerings at their own pace. Enjoy it at your leisure.
Coverage includes: Sapporo, Southern Hokkaidō, Hakodate & around, Ōnuma Regional Park, Central Hokkaidō, Otaru, Niseko, Shikotsu-Tōya National Park, Tomakomai, Northern Hokkaidō, Asahikawa, Furano, Daisetsuzan National Park, Wakkanai, Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park, Eastern Hokkaidō, Abashiri, Shari, Shiretoko National Park, Akan National Park, Kushiro Wetlands National Park, Kushiro, and Tokachi.
2. Shanghai city guide
The engine of China’s future, Shànghǎi dazzles. A blend of East and West with a voracious appetite for new styles and trends, the city is above all cosmopolitan and cutting edge.
Coverage includes: Plan Your Trip, The Bund & People’s Square, Old Town, French Concession, Jìng’ān, Pǔdōng, Hóngkǒu & North Shànghǎi, Xújiāhuì & South Shànghǎi, West Shànghǎi, Understand Shànghǎi and Survival Guide.
3. Jeonju, South Korea
At the centre of Jeollabuk-do is the Unesco-listed Jeonju, famous for its hanok maeul (stilted houses) and as the country’s number-one foodie destination. Stretch your legs in rural Jeollabuk-do with fantastic hiking trails, skiing or relaxing sandy beaches.
Coverage includes: Jeonju & Around, Naejangsan National Park, Muju, Deogyusan National Park, Gochang & Around, Byeonsan-bando National Park, Gunsan and Seonyudo.
4. Con Dao Islands, Vietnam
Once the heartland of the Cham civilisation, today this sparkling coastline of ravishing white sands is Vietnam’s premier destination for beach holidays. If your idea of paradise is reclining in front of turquoise waters then you have come to the right place.
Coverage includes: Quang Ngai and around, Quy Nhon, Cha Ban Cham Area, Tuy Hoa, Nha Trang and around, Phan Rang & Thap Cham, Ninh Chu Beach, Ca Na, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Ta Cu Mountain, Long Hai, Vung Tau and Con Dao Islands.
5. Hong Kong, China
This enigmatic city of skyscrapers, ancient traditions and heavenly food will fascinate, whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth.
Coverage includes: Planning chapters, Central, The Peak & the Northwest, Wai Chai & the Northeast, Aberdeen & the South, Kowloon, Macau, New Territories, Outlying Islands, Day Trips, Understand and Survival chapters
6. Ipoh, Malaysia
Clifftop temples, dam-flooded wilderness, a mining town now famous for chicken with bean sprouts – Perak’s highlights are as intriguing as they are varied, but somehow this rugged Malaysian region has never seized its share of the limelight.
Coverage includes: Ipoh, Gopeng & Around, Cameron Highlands, Pulau Pangkor, Kuala Kangsar, Taiping and around, Bukit Larut, Kuala Sepetang and Belum-Temenggor Rainforest.
7. Pemuteran, Indonesia
Impossibly green rice terraces, pounding surf, enchanting Hindu temple ceremonies, mesmerising dance performances, ribbons of beaches and truly charming people: there are as many images of Bali as there are flowers on the island’s ubiquitous frangipani trees.
Coverage includes: South Bali, Kuta & Legian, Seminyak & Kerobokan, Canggu & around, Bukit Peninsula, Sanur, Denpasar, Nusa Lembongan & Islands, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Penida, Ubud & around, East Bali, Gianyar, Bangli, Semarapura (Klungkung), Sidemen Road, Pura Besakih, Rendang to Amlapura Road, Gunung Agung, Kusamba, Padangbai, Tenganan, Candidasa, Amlapura, Tirta Gangga, Amed & the Far East Coast, Tulamben, Central Mountains, Gunung Batur & around, Danau Bratan & around, Gunung Batukau Area, North Bali, Singaraja, Lovina, West of Lovina, Pemuteran, Bali Barat National Park, Gilimanuk, West Bali, Pura Tanah Lot, Tabanan, Balian Beach and Jembrana Coast.
8. Trang Islands, Thailand
The Andaman is Thailand’s turquoise coast; one of those places you see on a postcard that makes you want to quit your job and live in flip-flops…forever. For once, the beauty exceeds the hype.
Coverage includes: Ranong, Ko Chang, Ko Phayam, Laem Son National Park, Phang-Nga Province, Khuraburi, Surin Islands Marine National Park, Ko Phra Thong & Ko Ra, Khao Sok National Park, Khao Lak & around, Similan Islands Marine National Park, Natai, Ao Phang-Nga, Phuket Town, Ko Sireh, Laem Phanwa, Rawai, Hat Kata, Hat Karon, Hat Patong, Hat Kamala, Hat Surin, Ao Bang Thao, Sirinat National Park, Khao Phra Thaew Royal Wildlife & Forest Reserve, Thalang District, Krabi Town, Ao Nang, Hat Noppharat Thara, Railay, Ko Phi-Phi Don, Ko Phi-Phi Leh, Ko Jum & Ko Si Boya, Ko Lanta, Trang, Trang Islands, Satun, Pak Bara, Ko Bulon Leh and Ko Tarutao Marine National Park.
9. Meghalaya, India
Thrown across the farthest reaches of India, obscured from the greater world by ageless forests and formidable mountain ranges, the Northeast States are one of Asia’s last great natural and anthropological sanctuaries.
Coverage includes: Assam, Guwahati & around, Tezpur & around, Kaziranga National Park, Jorhat, Majuli Island, Sivasagar & around, Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar, Central Arunachal Pradesh, Western Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Dimapur, Kohima & around, Kohima to Mon, Nothern Nagaland, Manipur, Imphal, Mizoram, Aizawl, Tripura, Agartala & around, Meghalaya, Shillong and Cherrapunjee (Sohra).
10. Taitung, Taiwan
Taiwan’s eastern landscape is dominated by towering sea cliffs and marble gorges, rice fields and wooded mountain ranges. Cyclists enjoy good roads and that knockout scenery, and a high concentration of indigenous people gives the region an appealing distinction.
Coverage includes: Hualien, Taroko National Park, Highway 11, Cow Mountain Beach, Jici (Chichi) Beach, Shitiping (Shihtiping), Caves of the Eight Immortals, Platform of the Three Immortals, Dulan (Doulan), Hsiao (Xiao), Yeliu, Highway 9, East Rift Valley, Liyu Lake, Mugua River Gorge, Lintianshan, Hualien Sugar Factory, Matai’an, Fuyuan Forest Recreational Area, Ruisui (Rueisui), Yuli, Antong Hot Springs, Walami Trail, Loshan (Luoshan) Scenic Area, Guanshan (Kuanshan), Luye, Taitung, South Cross-Island Highway, Wulu, Lisong Hot Spring, Siangyang Forest Recreation Area, Jiaming Lake National Trail.
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