Every continent has its noteworthy locations that attract millions of tourists each year, and if you’re craving an exotic vacation you might want to know which the most popular travel destinations in Asia are. The largest continental territory on earth has a vast universe of culture, food, landscapes, and monuments to offer its residents and tourists alike. But with so many options at hand it can be difficult to decide where you want to spend your time and money. So we’ve compiled a short selection of the 48 Asian countries, to help you decipher the most visited ones and why.
If you’re planning a trip across the globe, check out our list of the 10 most visited countries in the world, to pick your top-notch destinations. Now, in a territory that has so much to offer, the most remote locations might strike you as the most beautiful, but in this case we’ve decided to focus on the more famous spots as a point of guidance. So, let’s take a look at the most popular travel destinations in Asia and why they should be on your bucket list.
6. Penang, Malaysia
There’s a reason this place was named the “Pearl of the Orient”. Apart from its majestic architecture, the Penang National Park is the youngest in the country and you’ll most likely run into some sea turtles there. Also, as a result of its colonization process, the food is unlike any other in Asia: a mix between Malaysian, Chinese, and Indian flavours will leave you satisfied to the core.
5. Singapore
If you’re travelling on a budget, maybe this isn’t the best location for you, but keep it on your bucket list for when financial bonanza comes around. While it’s very small in surface, the city offers some noteworthy museums, a relaxing atmosphere, English speaking civilians, and culinary delights. Also, for fashion lovers, this city has several massive shopping malls where you can indulge in consumerism.
4. Agra, India – Taj Mahal
The golden rule for measuring a popular travel location is to look at how many pictures have been taken there. If we follow that standard, there’s no doubt that Agra, India is on the top-ranking positions of Asian travel bucket-lists. As the home to the Taj Mahal – one of the Seven World Wonders – this location holds one of the most romantic architectural creations in the world, which attracts over 3 million tourists each year.
3. Bali, Indonesia
For those seeking breath-taking beaches with white sand, volcanic mountains, and extreme serenity, your best bet is Bali. The most popular island of Indonesia has been the home to honeymooners and surfers for many years, but the recent turn towards a new form of spirituality in western cultures has boosted this location’s value enormously. The Hindu philosophy, which unites nature, humans, and God in harmonious unison, makes a vacation here more of an enlightening experience.
2. Beijing, China
When it comes to the most popular travel destinations in Asia we can’t leave Beijing out of the ranking. China as a country is already one of the top choices for travellers seeking oriental adventures, but the amount of historic landmarks surrounding Beijing make it the go-to spot for tourists. In spite of its extremely chaotic urban rhythm, you’ll have to make a stop here if you want to see the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven.
1. Siem Reap, Cambodia
Once you’ve made your way through a few of Asia’s temples and relics you won’t be able to stay away from Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. Located in Siem Reap, you’ll find the 900 year old UNESCO World Heritage Site: strewn across 600 feet, and covered in vines from the on-growing jungle, the ancient temples sprawl up from the ground in a very impressive manner, creating a very particular atmosphere. In fact, apart from archaeologists and tourists, cinematographers are frequently charmed by the scenery and use it as film sets. Therefore, it’s without a doubt one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia.
