17 places in Asia worth visiting at least once in your life

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Natural phenomena of incredible beauty and structures built by people with a century of history will not leave you indifferent.

1. Colored Hills Danxia, China

The Geological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its extraordinary colorful hills. The scenic landscape, with stripes of blue, red and yellow in many colors, has arisen due to the effects of climate, soil erosion, changes in the earth's crust and deposits of sandstone and other minerals. It took nature millions of years to create this beauty.

How to get there. The geopark is located 40 kilometers from the city of Zhangye, from where you can take a taxi to the striped mountains - the journey will take just over an hour. The entrance is paid, for the convenience of movement, free buses run on the territory.

When to come. The park is open to the public in winter and summer, although in the cold season it starts working later and closes earlier. Therefore, it is still better to choose a warm season and schedule a visit in the morning.

2. Temple complex Borobudur, Indonesia

The Buddhist temple complex, built in 780-840 AD as a place of pilgrimage and glorification of the Buddha, is located on the island of Java. It was abandoned for almost a millennium and hid under the thickets of the jungle, until UNESCO took the historical monument under its wing and restored it.

Borobudur is designed in the form of a mandala according to the model of the Universe, according to the teachings of Buddhism. To comprehend the truth, the pilgrim must walk from the foot of the temple to its top, climbing in a spiral through all the tiers.

On the way to nirvana, which is almost five kilometers long, there are numerous statues of Buddha and bas-reliefs with images of deities, fantastic animals and religious subjects. Passing each level, pilgrims get acquainted with the teachings of the Buddha and learn stories from his life.

How to get there. Borobudur is located 40 kilometers from the city of Yogyakarta. From there, the most convenient way to get to the attraction is by a rented car or scooter, taxi or with an excursion group.

When to come. At any time of the year, but high season and the warmest and driest weather - in summer and early autumn. So be prepared for an abundance of tourists. And on the first full moon of summer, which falls in May or June, they celebrate Vesak, the birthday of Buddha. In Borobudur on this day you can watch the procession of Buddhists and various performances.

3. Taktsang Lakhang monastery, Bhutan

The Buddhist monastery, whose name means "tigress's nest", is built on the slope of steep cliffs at an altitude of over 3,000 meters above sea level. Long before its construction, famous monks and saints meditated in local caves.

Due to its unusual location, it seems that the monastery is literally floating in the air. And if you go up to it, you will have a stunning view of the picturesque landscapes.

How to get there. The monastery is located 10 kilometers from the city of Paro. From there you can take a taxi to the foot of the mountains, and then a steep ascent to the "tigress's nest" awaits you. If you are strong in spirit and health allows, climb the path on foot. If not, rent a mule. The road will take about two to three hours, but you can stop at a cafe and stop at the observation deck to gain strength.

When to come. In any season.

What to consider. To get to Taktsang Lhakhang, you need to request permission to visit the monastery in advance from the Ministry of Culture of Bhutan, otherwise you will not see the religious monument.

4. Lake Nong Khan Kumphawapi, Thailand

A unique natural site of incredible beauty. The entire surface of the reservoir is covered with bright pink flowers - lotuses. In some parts of the lake, you can sail on a boat with a guide and find yourself in the epicenter of this splendor.

Also, various species of birds live here, including graceful egrets, which are interesting to observe in their natural habitat.

How to get there. 40 kilometers from the lake is the city of Udon Thani, from where you can get to the place on your own by car, taxi or by bus together with an excursion group.

When to come. To see this miracle, you need to be in Thailand from the beginning of November to the end of March - during the lotus bloom (but December is considered the most successful month). And to come to admire the flowers - early in the morning at dawn, when the buds are just opening.

5. Lakes of Kelimutu volcano, Indonesia

Three crater lakes are not like other bodies of water: they periodically change their color, becoming turquoise, green, milky blue, red-brown or even black.

This is due to chemical reactions caused by deposits of minerals at the bottom, however, the locals believe in the mystical cause of the anomaly and consider the lakes to be the last refuge of the souls of the dead, where they find peace.

How to get there. The volcano is located on the island of Flores. You can get to the lakes from the nearest large cities - Maumere (105 kilometers) and Ende (60 kilometers) - by car, taxi or regular bus. The closest to the place is the small village of Moni (only 15 kilometers away), where you can stay overnight, and then - also by bus or car - go to the volcano.

When to come. The attraction can be visited at any time of the year, but travelers are advised to choose a dry season - from May to September. During the peak tourist months - in July and August - you need to book accommodation near the volcano in advance. The lakes look most beautiful at dawn, and to get from Moni to the observation deck by this time, you will have to wake up at about 3 am.

6. Son Dong Cave, Vietnam

The largest cave in the world is located in Fong Nya Kebang National Park. Shondong is about 200 meters high and 150 meters wide. It stretched for 5 kilometers in length.

The cave was formed several million years ago, but it was discovered only in 1991, and the first tourist groups visited Shondong even later - in 2013. Inside you can find ancient fossils, see real jungle with tall trees, giant stalactites and stalagmites, and meet many species of birds and animals. The scale of Shondong is simply amazing, but getting to it is not so easy and not everyone can afford it.

How to get there. To do this, you need to purchase a tour from an authorized company in advance, for which you will have to pay a large amount - about $ 3,000 for a few days. This is the only legal way to visit Seongdong.

When to come. The cave is open to tourists from February to August.

What to consider. You must be reasonably well prepared and healthy: just to get to the cave, you have to walk more than 10 kilometers through the jungle, overcoming rivers and streams.

7. Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Indonesia

On the island of Bali, in the province of Tegallalang, there are some of the oldest rice terraces in the region. Locals continue to harvest and care for the plantation, while travelers come here for fantastic views and vivid photographs to remember. This is just a beautiful place to visit if you happen to be in Bali.

How to get there. Many excursion routes pass through the rice terraces. The easiest way to get there on your own is from Ubud - just 5 kilometers by car, taxi or scooter.

When to come. The object can be visited at any time of the year.

What to consider. At different stages of rice ripening, the terraces look different, but always impressive. When the rice is first planted, it is flooded with water, which reflects the clouds and sky. Then the shoots grow and the plantation becomes a rich green color. And when the grains are ready to be harvested, the terraces take on a golden hue. The crop is harvested three times a year.

8. Mount Fujiyama, Japan

The sacred Mount Fujiyama (or more precisely, it is a volcano) is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Land of the Rising Sun. It became an integral part of Japanese art from different eras, and the locals themselves believed that the one who conquered the top of Fuji would gain immortality.

The mountain is part of the vast Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, and every year thousands of tourists climb to its top and get, though not eternal life, but definitely a lot of unforgettable emotions.

If your goal is simply to enjoy the views, and not to conquer the summit, you can take a walk in the park. There are mountain lakes and waterfalls, hot springs and ancient temples.

How to get there. The National Park can be reached by bus from Tokyo in a couple of hours.

When to come. If you are attracted exclusively by the views, then in winter and early spring the mountain peak will be snowy and even more beautiful. For those whose goal is to conquer Fuji, the summer season is suitable. Climbing the mountain is allowed from July to early September, but exact dates may vary depending on weather conditions.

9. Forbidden City, China

The world's largest palace complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the first half of the 15th century to the beginning of the 20th century, it served as the residence of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Forbidden City is located in the center of Beijing and covers an area of over 70 hectares. On the territory there are almost 1,000 buildings, in which there are almost 10,000 rooms. It will appeal to connoisseurs of traditional Chinese architecture.

How to get there. Since the attraction is located in the center of Beijing, you can get there by city subway. And from Tiananmen East Station to the palace complex is only 100 meters.

When to come. The Forbidden City is open to visitors all year round.

10. Detian Falls, Vietnam, China

The picturesque waterfall is located on the Vietnamese-Chinese border, so you can enjoy the scenery from any of these countries. Not very high, but wide enough - 300 meters - Detian is considered the largest in Asia. You can get closer to it by boat or raft together with a local guide.

How to get there. By bus, taxi or car from the city of Cao Bang to the waterfall, it takes about 2-3 hours if you are traveling in Vietnam. And from China by bus from Nanning to Detian - 5 hours.

When to come. It is best in summer to see the deep waterfall in all its glory. True, this season there will be quite a lot of tourists.

11. Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia

The world's largest temple complex with unique architecture was the center of the Khmer Empire for several centuries. It is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia and is protected by UNESCO. On the territory of the complex are the ruins of temples of the 9th-15th centuries. Among them is the famous Angkor Wat, whose silhouette has been transferred to the national flag of Cambodia.

How to get there. From the nearest city of Siem Reap, which is only 6 kilometers away, the temple complex can be reached by taxi, mini-bus, auto rickshaw or sightseeing transport.

When to come. November to February. It will be too hot in March and April, and then the rainy season begins.

12. Shilin Stone Forest, China

Some boulders that seem to have grown out of the ground are somewhat reminiscent of carelessly planted trees, others offer our imagination more intricate silhouettes. But they all look monumental. Shilin is part of the South China Karst, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How to get there. There is a daily train from Kunming City to Shilin Station. The station and the reserve are separated by another 4 kilometers, which can be walked or taken by taxi. There is also a bus from Kunming that will take you to the park a little closer.

When to come. In any season.

13. Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia

In the reserve, you can watch elephants, buffaloes or tigers, meet more than 600 species of birds and about 200 species of fish. And also walk through a dense green forest, ride along the river with rapids or go with a guide for a night walk and find lurking spiders or snakes. This is a place for those who love nature, want to visit the real jungle and get to know the flora and fauna of Asia better.

How to get there. The park is located 240 kilometers from the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. It is rather difficult and time-consuming to get to the village of Kuala-Tahan, where the reserve is located, on its own - with transfers by bus or train. Therefore, it is easier to order a group transfer that will take you either directly to Kuala Tahan, or to Kuala Tembling, from where, for a fee, you will have to sail to the reserve by boat.

When to come. The chance of being hit by showers is less from July to September.

14. Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

In the bay of one of the paradise islands of the archipelago, the famous film "The Beach" was filmed with Leonardo DiCaprio. If you've watched it, you can imagine how beautiful this place is. Azure water and white sand are all you need if you are tired of the noise of the metropolis and want to fully relax and unwind.

How to get there. Ferries leave from Phuket ports to Phi Phi several times a day, but a private boat can also be preferred.

When to come. In order not to catch the rains, choose a period from the beginning of November to the end of April.

15. Great Wall of China, China

One of the seven wonders of the world needs no introduction: most likely everyone has heard about the Great Wall of China. This gigantic structure seems to be endless, and it is worth visiting here if only to feel the power of one of the amazing places on our planet.

How to get there. Popular sections of the wall, Mutianyu, Badaling, Simatai and Jinshanling, can be reached in about 2 hours from Beijing by regular or tourist buses or by car.

When to come. In summer and spring, you will see green landscapes from the wall. In autumn everything will be bright and golden. In winter, it is snowy, white and fluffy. Choose what you like best.

16. Aogashima volcanic island, Japan

A small island, in the center of which there is an active volcano, inhabited by people. True, there are very few of them - a little less than 200. Here you can swim in geothermal springs, go diving or go fishing. If you are not a fan of touristy crowded places, looking for tranquility and admiring volcanoes, Aogashima is for you.

How to get there. Helicopters fly daily from Hatijoujima Island to Aogashima - the journey takes about 20 minutes. Or you can sail (a little over 2 hours) by ferry when the waters are calm enough to do so.

When to come. In any season. However, it is better to check the weather for the planned dates in advance. If you are unlucky, there is a risk to spend a little more time on the island than you intended - you simply cannot swim away or fly away from it.

17. "Heavenly Gate" on Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie National Park, China

The arch is just over 130 meters high, formed in 263 AD by an earthquake. It is located high in the mountains and is often shrouded in fog, which is why it received such an unusual name.

The Heavenly Gate is located in the Zhangjiajie National Park, which is famous for its rich flora, fauna and scenic views and is protected by UNESCO.

By the way, there is also a mountain there, which inspired the creators of the movie "Avatar" to the fantastic landscapes of Pandora. It was even renamed Avatar Hallelujah Mountain. It is hard to believe that such beauty really exists and you can see it with your own eyes, but it is so. In addition, the reserve is home to rare species of animals listed in the Red Book.

How to get there. You can get to the place from the city of Zhangjiajie by bus. Stop for the night (one day is hardly enough for you) - in the city itself, in the village of the same name next to the reserve or near the entrance to it.

It is better to use the map on the territory so as not to miss anything interesting, because the area of Zhangjiajie Park is about 400 square kilometers. And to climb to the arch, you need to be a daredevil: the world's longest cable car and a winding highway with 99 turns leads there. Then you have to walk 999 steps up the stairs.

When to come. It is advised to visit the park in early autumn, although it is open all year round.

If you've been to one of these places, share your impressions in the comments. Or tell us about other picturesque corners of such a diverse Asia.