The most beautiful places in Asia include ancient shrines, jaw-dropping mountain vistas, and sugar-sand beaches. This vast region encompasses incredible geographic diversity, from limestone karsts rising majestically from bay waters to mountains shrouded in morning fog.
Many of the most beautiful places in Asia are man-made, too. You’ll find once-lost temples riddled with vines, as well as shrines where hundreds still pray each morning, and opulent palaces.
To choose the most beautiful place in Asia would take a lifetime of exploration. Consider this a short list of truly remarkable ones, each astonishing in their own right.
Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto, Japan
Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, Japan
If any of your friends have been to Japan lately, chances are high that one of their vacation snapshots features them posing in front of this shrine’s torii gates.
Fushimi Inari Taisha, a Shinto shrine to the god Inari, features fox statues and imagery throughout its premises. Although there are more than 400 shrines and 1,600 temples in Kyoto and its surroundings, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is by far the most internationally famous.
Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, Japan
There’s a good reason the Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the best places to visit in Japan, popular among visitors and aspiring photographers. The tunnel of roughly 10,000 flame-hued torii gates is as striking as it gets. If you’re looking to get the coveted shot, plan to get here as early in the day as possible to avoid the crowds.
While the gates themselves are the shrine’s most iconic feature, there are plenty of other corners and facets to explore. Even during peak hours, when the main shrine is packed, it’s possible to slip away to far more serene areas here.
One of the loveliest ways to spend an afternoon in Kyoto is to embark on a short hike through the bamboo forest surrounding Fushimi Inari Taisha.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Easily accessible from Hanoi, Ha Long Bay is one of those places that looks as though it’s been ripped from a fantasy world. The UNESCO World Heritage Site features more than 1,900 islets jutting up from vivid turquoise waters. Many of these take the form of limestone karsts, which rise dramatically, often with foliage draped over their sides.
Ha Long Bay’s beauty has inspired poets and storytellers for centuries and many believe it to be the most beautiful place in Asia. According to local mythology, this bay was formed by a family of benevolent dragons. As you sail or sea kayak through these waters, it’s easy to understand why people believed this place had supernatural origins.
The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok, Thailand
The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand
Considered one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in all of Thailand, Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, belongs on every traveler’s must-see list for Bangkok. The Buddha in question is actually carved of green semi-precious stone and covered in gold robes. With its golden pagoda spires and ornate decorations, it’s truly a marvel to behold.
Wat Phra Kaew is part of the much larger complex that includes the Grand Palace. Up until 1925, this was still the official abode of all of the Kings of Siam. Today, the world’s single wealthiest monarch largely resides elsewhere, but the dazzling palace complex is still used for state functions.
When visiting Wat Phra Kaew, it is important to remember that this is still very much an active place of worship, even if it’s also one of the most popular attractions in the Thai capital. As such, visitors are asked to dress and behave respectfully. Be prepared to cover your legs and shoulders, as well as to remove your shoes while on the premises.
Read: Two Days in Bangkok
Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
This small cluster of islands not far from the coast of Phuket has featured prominently on the silver screen on multiple occasions. It’s not hard to see why filmmakers would find inspiration here. These islands feature arresting limestone formations rising sharply from the Andaman Sea. The combination of white sands, azure waters, and sheer rock faces is hard to forget.
Koh Phi Phi Le, the smaller of the two main islands, is the more cinematically famous. Although it’s hardly the untrammeled island paradise it once was, it’s still dazzling. Koh Phi Phi Don, its larger sibling, features a few more beach bars and backpacker establishments.
Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia
Penang Hill in Penang, Malaysia
A stone’s throw from downtown George Town, you’ll find a remarkable nature preserve. The entire hill is considered a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, thanks to its astonishing array of flora and fauna. More than 100 species of birds can be found here, along with rare tropical plants such as the Penang Slipper Orchid.
Your journey starts with the Penang Botanic Gardens, which are nestled at the foot of the hills. Next, there are a few options when it comes to reaching the top here. There’s a paved road, which is closed to most cars, but open to hikers.
If you opt to hoof it, expect to spend approximately one to two hours on the ascent. It’s not a technically challenging hike, but the heat and humidity can make it feel tougher than it otherwise might.
Penang Hill Railway in Penang, Malaysia
Alternatively, hop on the Penang Hill Railway, a funicular rail that zooms up the side of the hill with ease. For travelers short on time, this option makes for a scenic, but far more efficient way to the top. Once there, you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping view of Penang.
Golden Bridge, near Danang, Vietnam
Golden Bridge, near Danang, Vietnam
As you make your way across the Golden Bridge, you might wonder if you’ve inadvertently stumbled into a Tolkien novel. Two enormous stone hands appear to hold the roughly 500-foot-long bridge aloft against a backdrop of misty mountains.
Glinting, golden railings serve the dual purposes of keeping visitors safe and catching the sunlight. It’s hard to believe that this whimsical man-made marvel is even real.
Despite its folkloric appearance, the bridge is a relatively recent development, built in 2018 as part of the Ba Na Hills entertainment complex. In the last two decades, Danang has become something of a boomtown in Vietnam, with skyrocketing numbers of visitors. The Golden Bridge has quickly become a symbol of the area and makes for stunning photographs.
Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Supertree Grove in Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
First opened in 2012, this 260-acre park is so much more than another botanical garden. More than 50 million visitors a year come to marvel at this astonishing green oasis.
The Gardens by the Bay is a point of national pride for the Lion City, in part because of how it aligns with Singapore’s ethos. In the 2000s, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong declared that Singapore would become a “Garden City.” The vision to transform the city-state into a green, eco-conscious metropolis.
The Singaporean landmark is actually an interconnected series of three distinct gardens, the largest of which is the Bay South Garden. Here, you’ll find the largest glass greenhouse in the entire world.
It’s known as the Flower Dome and it replicates a Mediterranean climate year-round. It’s home to an entire olive grove, not to mention baobabs, succulents, and all sorts of exotic blossoms.
Flower Dome in Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Still, even the Flower Dome pales in wow factor compared to the Supertree Grove. This cluster of 18 “trees” are like the setting for a sci-fi film. They vary in height from 82 feet to 160 feet.
Much like actual plants, they collect rainwater and generate energy from the sun’s rays. Unlike real flora, these Supertrees get a boost from photovoltaic cells, which help power their nightly light show.
Yehliu Geopark, Taipei, Taiwan
Yehliu Geopark in Taipei, Taiwan
If ever there were a place on Earth to make you ponder the existence of a supernatural power, Yehliu Geopark in Taipei is it. This cape, which juts out into the sea, connected to the Datun Mountains, is known for its most unusual, even uncanny rock formations. These curious geological oddities resemble the works of a sculptor working on a large scale.
The best-known of these is called the Queen’s Head, which resembles the profile of a woman with a long, slender neck and her hair bundled on top of her head. Squint at this stone and you might think you’re looking at a bust of Queen Nefertiti.
Other noteworthy formations include the Dragon’s Head and the Fairy Shoe. Tempting as it may be to imagine a mad artist creating these forms, they’re actually the result of natural phenomena. Powerful tectonic forces coupled with wind erosion on the cape sculpted these remarkable shapes.
Victoria Peak, Hong Kong, China
Victoria Peak in Hong Kong, China
Part of Hong Kong’s charm lies in the vast range of geography that it packs into a relatively small area. Ask most people to describe the Special Administrative Region and they’re likely to reference the towering, futuristic skyscrapers of Central, or perhaps the bustling lanes of Kowloon.
But while you’ll find neon, glass, and steel aplenty, Hong Kong is also a place of incredible natural beauty. Sandy beaches, sleepy islands, and lush jungles are never far away, even when you’re in the heart of one of the densest metropolises in the world. Locals have been known to squeeze in an after-work hike before heading to dinner.
To take it all in, head to the top of Victoria Peak, the highest hill on Hong Kong Island. The view of glittering skyscrapers and tree-lined coastlines from way up there is stunning. Travelers have a few different options when it comes to reaching the summit. While you can make the short, but somewhat strenuous trek by foot, the Peak Tram is by far the most popular choice.
Read: Three Days in Hong Kong
Sensoji Temple, Tokyo, Japan
Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, Japan
Roaming around the Asakusa neighborhood of Tokyo, located near the Sensoji Temple, feels like stepping into Edo Japan without leaving the city.
Much of this has to do with the fact that even locals come here to play dress-up. On weekends, expect to see women posing for pictures in gorgeous kimonos or yukatas. Dozens of shops near the temple sell traditional sweets, snacks, and handicrafts as well, which make exploring the area even more enjoyable.
Even if the overall vibes are the main draw here, the temple itself makes for some lovely pictures. There’s a classic, five-story pagoda located right at the heart of the complex. As you enter, take note of the enormous, scarlet Kaminarimon Thunder Gate lantern. It’s a great spot for posing, regardless of whether or not you’re dressed for the occasion.
Uluwatu Temple, Bali
Uluwatu Temple, Bali
Situated near the southern edge of the Bukit Peninsula in Bali, this Hindu temple is striking not so much because of the building itself, but rather its immediate surroundings. The temple resides atop a sheer 230-foot cliff set above the crashing waves of the Bali Sea.
This is one of the best places to visit in Bali, so be sure to bring the best camera you have, as the photographs are nothing short of breathtaking. After visiting the temple, which is dedicated to the Balinese Hindu god Siva Rudra, take a stroll around the grounds. There’s a roughly 20-minute walking path suitable for all levels of hikers that goes around the temple.
Singapore
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