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INSIGHTS
Top places to visit in Vietnam include - Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Ha Long, Hanoi, Hoi An, and Da Nang.
Top places to visit in Indonesia include - Ubud, Bali, Seminyak, Indonesia, Bandung, Jakarta, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, and Komodo National Park.
Top places to visit in Malaysia include - Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, and Penang Island.

The top countries to visit in Asia include: Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. These countries feature over 30 of the most visited tourist destinations in Asia.

To compile our research, we started by identifying the best travel destinations in Asia suggested by credible industry sources like Trip to Discover, Best Products, Book Mundi, The Street, Lonely Planet, Travel+Leisure, Travel Pulse, etc. Next, we scanned through the geography and accessibility of the top destinations to identify the feasibility of traveling to multiple destinations during the travel period. It was noted that an ideal trip for two weeks can be made possible only if visiting one or more countries in the nearby region. We compiled a list of 7 countries featuring 30
cities (destinations) that are highly regarded as the best travel destinations in Asia. We were also able to identify the four unique regions that can be considered for itinerary planning, to travel in and around more than one country in two weeks time — Singapore+Malaysia, Vietnam+Cambodia, Japan+South Korea, or Indonesia standalone. The reason for clubbing two neighboring countries like Singapore+Malaysia, etc. is due to the fact that none of the countries, apart from Indonesia are large enough to explore for a period of two weeks, instead it is more feasible to explore one country with multiple destinations, followed by a visit to the neighboring country having one or two important destinations. Below we present the list of must-see places in Asia.

VIETNAM
Top places to visit: Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Ha Long, Hanoi, Hoi An, and Da Nang.


Vietnam features seven of the most visited tourist destinations in Asia. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the city is influenced by French and Chinese culture. One can easily explore the city with taxis. It features over 600 temples and pagodas, along with 1,000 years old maze of streets at Old Quarter. Hoi An is a city in the central Vietnamese coast and is one of the coolest towns in Southeast Asia. It features a national heritage zone with beautiful cobblestone streets lined with charming shops and cafés. Once a month during a full moon night the performers and musicians fill the streets with a live event.

Near to Hoi An is another coastal city of Da Nang, It is popular with tourists especially because it provides inland to visit the Bà Nà hills, Dragon Bridge, and My Khe Beach. One can also visit Ha Long from Hoi An and Da Nang. The city is known for its boat tours, kayaking, rock climbing, and scuba diving.

In the southern part of Vietnam, the Ho Chi Minh City is located, it boasts attractions like the War Remnants Museum, a pioneering street food scene, and accommodation suited for all tourists. Also, the megacity is well-connected to international destinations and is near to adjoining Cambodia.

CAMBODIA
Top places to visit: Siem Reap.

 
Siem Reap is also called the “perfect destination” for first-time travelers to Asia. The capital city is easy to get around, with plenty of friendly people, lots of history, museums, nightlife, culture, and markets. The ruins of Angkor Wat temple and its surrounding ancient structures (Phrom, Ta Som, and Bayon) are one of the largest religious complexes in the world. Travelers can also visit the Cambodian Cultural Village for a cultural history tour.

JAPAN
Top places to visit: Tokyo, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Osaka, Sapporo, Nagasaki.

 Tokyo is the bustling supercity of Japan and is one of the favorite tourist destinations. Tokyo offers everything from a karaoke bar to reverently wandering through ancient temples. While it’s chaotic, crowded and expensive, everything is incredibly clean and the people are extremely polite. “Cosplay” is popular among young people.

One of the treasures to see in Japan is the Kinkaku Temple in Kyoto, named as one of the World's Top Cities in Travel & Leisure's 2018 World's Best Awards. Visiting Kyoto is like diving headfirst into ancient Japan, complete with blooming cherry blossoms, geisha and tea houses. Tourists can take a stroll through the city’s ancient rock garden and climb to the top of Shinto shrine before visiting the Kyoto International Manga Museum for a more modern taste of Japanese culture.

 Fukuoka is another city in Japan featuring ancient temples, beaches, modern shopping malls, and the ruins of a 17-century castle, Maizuru Park. Osaka is another metropolis in Japan with over 9 million residents. It's known for its modern architecture and hearty street food. Top city attractions include the aquarium, Universal Studios Japan, the futuristic Floating Garden Observatory and the 16th-century shogunate Osaka Castle.

SOUTH KOREA
Top places to visit: Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan.

 
Seoul is the economic powerhouse and cultural hub of South Korea. The main attractions include N Seoul Tower and the five large palaces from the Joseon Dynasty. You can hop over to Bukchon Village to see some of the city’s more traditional wooden homes. The city boasts incredible food, with nearly all ingredients locally grown, often featuring grilled cuts of beef and unlimited portions of side dishes, including soups, fresh vegetables, and spicy sauces. Gyeongju is another travelers' paradise in Korea. The city was once the capital of the Silla dynasty which ruled over the area for about 1,000 years. Also, one can visit the second largest city of South Korea, Busan. It is located between mountains and sea, it features a stunning confluence of scenery, culture, and cuisine. It’s long been domestically lauded as the country’s best beach getaway.

MALAYSIA
Top places to visit: Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, and Penang Island.

 Kuala Lumpur boasts the famous Petronas Towers in its heart, the city also offers colonial architecture, excellent shopping, and dining experience. The Chinatown is a popular bargain hunter's paradise. Also, near to the city are tourist attractions of Batu Caves and the Perdana Botanical Gardens. Another travelers' paradise in Malaysia is Langkawi, it is an archipelago of 140 islands the largest island is also a UNESCO World Geopark which features the famous Langkawi Sky Bridge over the rain forest.

 Kota Kinabalu is located on the northern part of the island of Borneo and serves as a gateway for visitors headed to the Tunku Abdul Rahman marine park, the Padas River for white water rafting, or Mount Kinabalu. Penang Island is famous for the breathtaking views of the whole island from the hill. Also do check out the Kek Lok Si Temple, a seven-tiered pagoda.

SINGAPORE
Top places to visit: Singapore City.

Singapore has become an economic powerhouse over the past half-century. It’s considered a shopper’s paradise with its numerous malls, though it also offers magnificent architecture, culture and amazing public art along with a slice of horticultural heaven with its Gardens by the Bay and Singapore Botanic Gardens. Many visitors come for the incredible food, with the melding of cultures, cuisine and natural beauty evident in every area of the city. With clean streets and a dedication to preserving its traditions and connections to the world (as can be seen in areas like Chinatown and Little India, along with some distinctly British-Colonial style architecture) Singapore is perfect for the trendy, culture-loving traveler.

INDONESIA
Top places to visit: Ubud, Bali, Seminyak, Indonesia, Bandung, Jakarta, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, and Komodo National Park.

 Bali is a tropical Indonesian island featuring volcanic mountains, rice paddies, beaches, and coral reefs, and has the biggest Hindu population in Indonesia. Bali is one of the most visited destinations for ultimate relaxation, it houses lively bars on the beachside city of Kuta, and resort towns of Seminyak, Sanur, and Nusa Dua. Seminyak also boasts some of the most glorious beaches in Bali along with legendary sunsets. The city seamlessly merges with Kerobokan, immediately to the north, with the many restaurants combining to give visitors some of the greatest variety of style and budget in Bali.

Indonesia's third-largest city, Bandung features a large collection of Dutch colonial architecture, as well as a beautiful botanic garden, zoo, golf courses and a variety of culinary offerings. Another hot favorite with tourists visiting Indonesia is Komodo Island. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Park, the island is a perfect short escape from Indonesia’s busier islands, offering beautiful views and some excellent hiking opportunities. Take a day trip over to Padar Island, where you can hike to Padar Lookout for views of the entire National Park. The island is also great for diving and snorkeling, with some 250 species of coral off its coast.