In this article, we shall discuss the 40 best places to visit in Asia that are beautiful and safe. To skip our detailed analysis of the Asian economy in 2024, trends in Asian travel, and the tourism industry as a whole, go directly and see 10 Best Places to Visit in Asia That Are Beautiful and Safe.
Investment Potential in Asia in 2024: An Analysis
According to a report by J.P. Morgan, the Asian economic outlook was marred by a host of different challenges in 2023, ranging from aggressive U.S. rate hikes to underwhelming economic growth in China, which largely hovered below expectations of 5.2% at a little over 4.6%. With local currencies weakening against the dollar, regional central banks tended to mirror the Fed’s aggressive stance. However, even against this backdrop of economic turbulence and geopolitical tensions, economic growth in some of the best places to visit in Asia that are beautiful and safe outperformed expectations, reaching more than 5% for the year according to the IMF. Near-term risks are largely balanced owing to global disinflation and the prospect of monetary relaxation providing a strong cushion to the market. Equity markets in countries like South Korea, India, Japan, and other underrated travel destinations in Asia saw impressive gains in the double-digits, supplemented by secular tailwinds and impressive fund flows, thereby pointing towards a favorable investment atmosphere in these areas.
A good way to gauge investor sentiment around the Asian economy in 2024 is to evaluate the performance of the top Asia-focused ETFs, many of which we covered in our article on the 12 Best Asia ETFs to Buy. One of the top Asia-focused ETFs is iShares Core MSCI Pacific ETF (NYSE:IPAC), which provides investors access to large, mid, and small-cap equities based in the Asia-Pacific region. As of May 7, the ETF has 1494 holdings, including prominent stocks like Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) and Sony Group Corporation (SONY). As of May 7, the ETF has a P/E ratio of 16.86% and is up more than 11.95% in the last five years, signaling strong investor favorability around the ETF. Another prominent Asia-focused ETF is the Franklin FTSE India ETF (NYSE:FLIN), which allows investors to gain exposure to the Indian stock market at substantially low costs. With total net assets worth north of $1.02 billion at of May 7, the fund holds more than 229 equities, including prominent names like HDFC Bank Limited (NYSE:HDB) and ICICI Bank Ltd. (IBN). As of May 8, the fund is up 32.8% in the last one year, pointing to strong investor interest in the Asian economy in 2024.
One major pain-point in Asia’s economic outlook in 2024 remains China, which despite meeting year-on-year real GDP growth targets of 5.2% in 2023, recorded subdued economic momentum as the year drew to a close, despite being one of the best places to visit in Asia that are beautiful and safe. Amid heavy property strains and depleting confidence, consumption momentum remained largely unimpressive, with nominal GDP growth maxing out at 4.2% in Q4 2023. However, with China’s New Year travel and tourism spending posting a strong resurgence in 2023, exceeding 2019 levels for the first time, investors are increasingly optimistic around consumer spending patterns in the country. Although retail sales seem to have slowed year-on-year in the first two months of 2024, comparisons with 2019 suggest a pick-up in momentum.
Travel Recovery in China: A Deeper Look
As the Chinese economy struggled to achieve stability and attract investors in 2023, Chinese travelers, once the largest spenders on overseas travel, limited travel close to home since the country reopened its borders in 2023 post the COVID-19 pandemic. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, outbound airline capacity hovered below 60% of 2019 levels during Q4 2023. When compared to markets in the US and the UK, the Chinese recovery lagged significantly behind, sending shockwaves across the travel industry. In 2019, Chinese travelers accounted for more than 170 million outbound trips, making up more than 14% of the world’s foreign-travel spending. The pullback cost the global economy more than $129 billion in 2023, with China’s expansive network of international airline routes retracting by more than 43%. More than 45 foreign destinations were no longer catered to by direct flights at all. These shockwaves reverberated across the Asian travel industry, especially affecting major travel stocks catering to Asia like Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG), Airbnb Inc. (ABNB), and Expedia Group Inc. (EXPE). One of the main reasons for the Chinese pullback was the slow economic growth spurring the Chinese consumer to opt for more budget-friendly travel options. Furthermore, political turbulence delayed the reconstruction of certain important tourism ties, with conflicts in Europe and the Middle-East making long-distance travel much more complicated, even to some of the best places to visit in Asia that are beautiful and safe. Moreover, much of the pullback could also be attributed to careful policy deliberations by the Chinese government, which incentivized domestic travel in a bid to offset some of the headwinds perpetrated by the country’s struggling economy in 2023.
However, according to a report by Bloomberg, the Chinese international travel market is poised for a strong comeback, with more than 63% of Chinese residents saying they are likely to opt for international trips in 2024. The average Chinese consumer is looking to travel to some of the best places to visit in Asia that are beautiful and safe, signaling strong tailwinds for companies like Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB), and Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE), which have diverted large investments into the Asian travel market. As of April 2024, outbound travel bookings for China’s May holiday season only lagged 2019 levels by a meagre 13% and included some of the best places to visit in Asia that are beautiful and safe. According to the report, global Chinese tourist numbers are poised to reach more than 130 million in 2024, which make up for 84% of pre-pandemic levels. The return of the Chinese traveler was long-awaited by the global tourism industry, which is increasingly well-positioned to exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2024 by pumping more than $11.1 trillion into the global economy. Some of the top 10 tourist destinations in Asia which have either waived the visa process for the Chinese traveler or offer electronic visas on arrival are Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the UAE. Many of the 15 Friendliest Countries in Africa and countries in the Middle East are expected to lead the recovery in Chinese tourism, with Australia, the UK and Turkey following suit.
Our Methodology
To compile our list of the 40 best places to visit in Asia that are beautiful and safe, we first decided to use the index from our article on the 25 Most Visited Places In Asia And Pacific Ocean to create a primary list of 100 of the most popular travel destinations and spots in Asia. To ensure that each place is safe, we decided to consult the US Travel Advisories by the State Department, which issues advisories more than 200 countries globally and updates them by crime, terrorism and civil unrest. We only shortlisted countries which were scored at either a Level 1 (exercise normal caution) or a Level 2 (take increased precaution), eliminating countries at Level 3 (reconsider travel) and Level 4 (do not travel).
For the beauty component of our scoring criteria, we decided to use a study conducted by Purdue University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management which uses theoretical frameworks from environmental psychology to reveal dimensions of tourist aesthetic judgment in the context of both nature-based and urban tourist destinations. Based on the findings of the study, we created a three-pronged criteria to measure the beauty of each destination, namely scenic attraction (30 points), based on the index from our article 41 Countries With the Most Beautiful Nature in the World; cultural or architectural heritage (25 points), based on the indices from our articles 15 Countries with the Most Beautiful Culture in the World and 20 Countries With The Best Architecture; and overall photogenic appeal (20 points). We then proceeded to award each place a cumulative beauty score according to the aforementioned criteria. We then ranked the places according to their cumulative beauty score from lowest to highest. In instances where there was a tie, we broke it based on the countries’ safety level and the scenic attraction of the place.
By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years. Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.
You can also check out our article on the 30 Best Places to Visit in Mexico that are Beautiful and Safe.
Best Places to Visit in Asia That Are Beautiful and Safe
40. Ajanta Caves, India
Insider Monkey’s Score: 24
Ajanta Caves, located in the Maharashtra state of India, are ancient Buddhist cave mountains that are known to be extremely majestic and beautiful, and are one of the best places to visit in Asia that are beautiful and safe.
39. Phuket, Thailand
Insider Monkey’s Score: 25
Phuket is packed with natural beauty as it includes pristine beaches, palm trees, and remote islands that attract many tourists. The most popular attractions in Phuket include The Big Buddha and Chaithararam Temple.
38. Osaka, Japan
Insider Monkey’s Score: 27
The crime rates in Osaka are extremely low because of a strong police presence and the respectful nature of the locals. One can visit the Osaka Castle and Universal Studios Japan while visiting Osaka.
37. Taipei, Taiwan
Insider Monkey’s Score: 27
Taipei is one of the safest and most beautiful cities in Asia, primarily because the locals in the city are extremely welcoming towards foreigners. National Palace Museum and Lungshan Temple are known to be some of its most best places to visit in Asia that are beautiful and safe.
36. Davao, Philippines
Insider Monkey’s Score: 29
Davao is known mainly for its natural beauty, which includes thick rainforests, waterfalls, and beaches. The city also has a vibrant history. Some of the most popular attractions in Davao include People’s Park Davao and Philippine Eagle Center.
35. Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar
Insider Monkey’s Score: 31
The Museum of Islamic Art is a must-visit site while traveling to Doha. The museum displayed ancient and modern art, which adds to the value of the place.
34. Lhasa, Tibet
Insider Monkey’s Score: 31
Crime is known to be extremely rare in Tibet, especially in the city of Lhasa. This makes Lhasa an extremely safe place to travel to, even for solo female travelers. Some of the must-visit spots in Lhasa include the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Sera Monastery.
33. Gobi Desert, Mongolia
Insider Monkey’s Score: 31
The sixth largest desert in the world, the Gobi Desert is a cold desert located in Mongolia. It is known to be one of the most beautiful places in Asia.
32. Petra, Jordan
Insider Monkey’s Score: 32
Petra, located in Jordan, is known to be an extremely safe and beautiful place to visit since it is extremely welcoming toward tourists. The Treasury, the Monastery, and Al-Siq are some of the most beautiful spots in Petra.
31. Great Wall of China, China
Insider Monkey’s Score: 34
The Great Wall of China stretches over 21,000 km across the country. It passes through many provinces including Qinghai, Gansu, and Shaanxi.
30. Petronas Twin Tower, Malaysia
Insider Monkey’s Score: 34
The largest twin towers in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers allow the visitors to look at the beautiful city view from the top, making them one of the best places to visit in Asia that are beautiful and safe.
29. Kumano Kodo, Japan
Insider Monkey’s Score: 35
Kumano Kodo is one of the UNESCO World Sites in Japan and holds great historical importance. The site is home to many shrines that provide a spiritual experience to tourists.
28. Paro Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan
Insider Monkey’s Score: 37
Paro Taktsang Monastery is known to hold immense cultural importance in Bhutan. The green valleys and mountains add to the beauty of the monastery.
27. Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Insider Monkey’s Score: 37
Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress located in Sri Lanka and is known to be one of the most beautiful places in Asia.
26. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Insider Monkey’s Score: 37
The Ha Long Bay is considered to be an extremely beautiful site mainly dominated by natural beauty, including caves and beaches.
25. Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Insider Monkey’s Score: 38
Since the city of Bukhara has been inhabited for more than 5000 years, it is home to innumerable historic and Islamic attractions, including Ark of Bukhara, Kalan Mosque, and Ismail Samani Mausoleum, making it one of the best places to visit in Asia that are beautiful and safe.
24. Georgetown, Malaysia
Insider Monkey’s Score: 41
Georgetown, located in Malaysia, is known to be one of the most peaceful places in the world. The city is known for its vibrant history. The Gurney Plaza and Pinang Peranakan Mansion are some of the must-visit spots in Georgetown.
23. Bangkok, Thailand
Insider Monkey’s Score: 43
Bangkok is known for its vibrant nightlife and world-famous street food, which adds to the beauty of the city. Some of its most iconic attractions include the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Chetuphon.
22. Golden Temple, Amritsar, India
Insider Monkey’s Score: 44
Located in Amritsar, the Golden Temple is a pilgrimage site for Sikhs. The temple is named “Golden Temple” primarily because of its golden exterior, and is one of the best places to visit in Asia that are beautiful and safe.
21. Kandy, Sri Lanka
Insider Monkey’s Score: 46
Known for the Temple of Tooth Relic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kandy is one of the most beautiful cities in Asia and offers a wide range of activities including hiking. Sri Dalada Maligawa and Bahirawakanda Temple are some of the most popular tourists spots in Kandy.
20. Railay Beach, Thailand
Insider Monkey’s Score: 47
Home to white sand beaches and limestone cliffs, Railay Beach is known to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Asia.
19. Hanoi, Vietnam
Insider Monkey’s Score: 48
Hanoi is known to be one of the safest cities in Southeast Asia since it is extremely safe to walk around the city at night. Some of its most visited attractions include the Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature.
18. Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal
Insider Monkey’s Score: 48
Sagarmatha National Park is a UNESCO-listed park with mountains, glaciers, and valleys situated in it. It is mainly known to be dominated by Mount Everest.
17. Maldives
Insider Monkey’s Score: 49
Made up of around 1100 islands, Maldives is known for tropical landscapes, white sand beaches, and coral reefs that add to the beauty of the city and make it one of the best places to visit in Asia that are beautiful and safe. The National Museum and Gulhi Beach are the most famous attractions in the city.
16. Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong
Insider Monkey’s Score: 49
Victoria Harbor, the Hong Kong skyline, is one of the most iconic and beautiful sights in the world. It is known to have extremely picturesque scenery.
15. Beijing, China
Insider Monkey’s Score: 53
Beijing is known to be an amalgamation of history, beauty, and culture, which attracts millions of tourists every year. Some of its historic and cultural attractions include Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, and Lama Temple.
14. Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi
Insider Monkey’s Score: 55
One of the largest mosques in the world, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is known to be an amalgamation of ancient and modern Islamic architecture.
13. Kerala Backwaters, India
Insider Monkey’s Score: 56
Most of Kerala is covered by backwaters, which are known to have an extremely picturesque landscape for tourists to visit, making it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Asia.
12. Bagan, Myanmar
Insider Monkey’s Score: 57
Known as the capital of the Pagan Kingdom in the 11th century, Bagan is home to the largest archaeological site in the world, which makes the city extremely beautiful. The city is also known for its majestic temples including That Bin Nyu Temple and Ananda Temple.
11. Hoi An, Vietnam
Insider Monkey’s Score: 60
Hoi An is known to be an extremely safe city as the streets are well-lit, providing a safe environment for tourists. An Bang Beach and the Old House of Tan Ky are some of the must-visit spots in Hoi An.
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Disclosure: None. 40 Best Places to Visit in Asia That Are Beautiful and Safe is originally published on Insider Monkey.