Asia Holidays

Asia’s temples and sacred sites offer far more than impressive architecture. Visiting places such as Angkor, Borobudur or Kyoto’s historic temples gives travellers a closer look at the beliefs, rituals and traditions that have shaped local communities for centuries, often in some of the continent’s most atmospheric settings.

Travelling through the Himalayas is as much about the people and places along the way as the mountain views. Across Nepal, Bhutan and northern India, visitors can combine dramatic scenery with monasteries, traditional villages and walking routes that reveal a slower, more remote side of Asia.

Island-hopping is one of the easiest ways to experience Southeast Asia’s variety. A single trip can bring together lively beach towns, quiet coves, snorkelling spots, volcanic scenery and local fishing communities, making it ideal for travellers who want both relaxation and a sense of discovery.

Rail travel lets visitors see landscapes and everyday life that are often missed when flying between destinations. From Japan’s efficient high-speed trains to Sri Lanka’s scenic hill-country routes, the journey itself becomes part of the holiday, passing through cities, countryside, mountains and small communities along the way.

Borneo offers the chance to see wildlife in one of Asia’s most important rainforest environments. Guided walks, river cruises and conservation centres can bring visitors closer to orangutans, proboscis monkeys and other species, while also offering a better understanding of the island’s fragile ecosystems and conservation work.

Japan’s cherry blossom season is worth experiencing not only for the flowers, but for the atmosphere that surrounds them. Parks, riversides and temple grounds fill with visitors enjoying hanami, creating a distinctly seasonal experience that combines natural beauty with one of Japan’s most recognisable cultural traditions.

An overnight cruise is one of the most memorable ways to experience Ha Long Bay. Sailing between limestone islands gives visitors time to appreciate the scale of the landscape, while many itineraries also include kayaking, caves and quieter areas that are harder to reach on a short-day trip.

The Maldives is best understood from the water. Snorkelling, diving, kayaking and boat trips reveal coral reefs, marine life and islands that cannot be fully appreciated from the beach alone, making water-based experiences an essential part of understanding what makes the archipelago so distinctive.

Night markets offer an easy, informal way to understand a destination through its food. In cities such as Bangkok, Taipei, Seoul and Singapore, visitors can sample local dishes, watch food being prepared and experience neighbourhoods at their liveliest, often all within a few streets.

Walking through rice terraces and farming valleys offers a slower way to experience rural Asia. Routes across destinations such as Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines combine mountain scenery, traditional villages and agricultural landscapes shaped by generations of local farming.

Lunar New Year is celebrated across several parts of East and Southeast Asia, with customs centred on family reunions, food, decorations and good fortune. For visitors, it offers a chance to see cities and communities transformed by parades, markets, temple visits and traditions passed down through generations.

Tea carries deep cultural meaning in both China and Japan, although the traditions differ considerably. Visitors can experience everything from everyday tea drinking and specialist tea houses to formal Japanese tea ceremonies, gaining a better understanding of hospitality, etiquette, craftsmanship and the importance of ritual in daily life.

Traditional textiles across Asia often tell stories about place, identity and ceremony. Indonesian batik is one of the best-known examples, using wax-resist dyeing to create detailed patterns with cultural meaning. Visiting workshops or textile markets can reveal the skill, symbolism and regional differences behind these handmade traditions.

Kimjang, the communal preparation and sharing of kimchi, shows how food can bring families and communities together. Visitors to South Korea can encounter kimchi-making classes, markets and regional variations, offering a deeper look at how preservation, seasonality and shared meals remain closely connected to Korean cultural life.

Traditional performance remains an important part of cultural life across Asia. Indonesia’s Wayang puppet theatre and Japan’s Kabuki combine storytelling, costume, music and movement in very different ways. Watching a performance can help visitors understand how history, folklore and artistic traditions continue to be preserved on stage.

Calligraphy is more than decorative writing in many parts of Asia. In China especially, it has long been linked with art, education and personal expression. Museums, workshops and cultural centres can help visitors appreciate the control, symbolism and artistic discipline behind characters created with brush and ink.

Pilgrimage continues to shape cultural and religious life across parts of Asia. From sacred mountain routes in Japan to major pilgrimage gatherings in India, these traditions bring together faith, ritual and community. Visitors can gain valuable cultural insight by observing respectfully and learning the significance behind local practices.

Bathing in natural hot springs is an established part of Japanese culture, with customs covering washing, bathing and shared spaces. Staying at an onsen town or traditional ryokan gives visitors a closer understanding of relaxation, etiquette and the role hot springs play in everyday Japanese life.

Walking along the Great Wall gives visitors a real sense of China’s scale and history. Sections near Beijing combine watchtowers, mountain scenery and restored pathways, making it possible to appreciate both the engineering behind the structure and the landscapes it was built to protect.

The Taj Mahal is worth visiting for more than its famous white-marble façade. Seeing it in person reveals the symmetry, detailed stonework, gardens and changing light that photographs rarely capture, while its story offers an important introduction to Mughal history, architecture and craftsmanship.

Angkor is best explored slowly, with temples, reservoirs and forest-covered ruins spread across a vast archaeological landscape. Beyond Angkor Wat itself, places such as Bayon and Ta Prohm help visitors understand the scale, ambition and religious importance of the Khmer Empire.

Mount Fuji is one of Japan’s most recognisable natural landmarks, but its appeal goes beyond the view. Visitors can experience it from lakes, shrines and surrounding towns, while its long connection with pilgrimage, art and spirituality gives the mountain a strong cultural significance.

Ha Long Bay is defined by limestone islands rising sharply from emerald water, creating one of Vietnam’s most distinctive landscapes. Cruising through the area allows visitors to reach caves, quieter bays and viewpoints, making the journey itself as memorable as the scenery.

Borobudur is one of Asia’s most important Buddhist monuments, built around a series of terraces decorated with detailed reliefs and stupas. Walking through the complex helps visitors understand its symbolic design, while the surrounding volcanic landscape adds to the atmosphere of the site.

The rice terraces offer a striking example of how people have shaped mountain landscapes over generations. Visitors can see traditional farming systems, irrigation channels and villages that remain closely connected to the land, making the area as culturally interesting as it is visually impressive.

Gardens by the Bay shows a very different side of Asia, combining ambitious modern design with large-scale horticulture. Visitors can explore climate-controlled conservatories, elevated walkways and the Supertree Grove, making it a strong choice for travellers interested in architecture, gardens and contemporary city design.

The Forbidden City sits at the heart of Beijing and served as the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties for centuries. Visitors can explore vast courtyards, ceremonial halls and richly decorated buildings that reveal how imperial power, court life and traditional Chinese architecture were organised.

Komodo National Park combines volcanic islands, dry savannah, coral-rich waters and the world’s largest living lizards. Visitors can explore the landscapes by boat and on guided walks, while the surrounding marine environment adds snorkelling and diving opportunities to one of Indonesia’s most distinctive natural areas.