Best Places to Travel: 12 Asian Destinations in 12 Months

Stop making excuses! It’s time to take more road trips, see more landmarks and share more embarrassing selfies in Asia’s best places to travel. We’ve mapped out a dozen adventures to get you off the couch, out of your comfort zone and into the great, wide world.

1. GET DISCONNECTED | Vang Vieng, Laos

Once regarded as a raucous party zone, Vang Vieng is now rebuilding its reputation one chilled-out adventure at a time. While the village does continue to attract younger backpackers, it remains a perfect getaway for anyone who can keep up with them! Travel about two hours north of Laos’ capital city to discover this colorful community surrounded by limestone caverns and rice terraces. Cooler temperatures make January the perfect month to take part in some of Vang Vieng’s most popular exploits, like rock climbing, hiking and even doing a pub crawl while tubing down the Nam Song river!

Check In to any of these accommodations, Step Out to Nam Song River in Vang Vieng

Laos Haven Hotel | Villa Vang Vieng Riverside | Mountain View Riverside Boutique Hotel

Discover more guest houses and resorts in Vang Vieng

2. CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR | China

Welcoming Chinese New Year can be a lavish affair, but deciding where to join the fun is the trick. Locals in each region celebrate differently, but they all party hard for three days solid. Ring in the new year at a temple in Beijing, a flower fair in Guangzhou, a horse race in Hong Kong or an ice and snow festival in Harbin.

Check In to any of these accommodations to celebrate Chinese New Year:

Fairmont Beijing Hotel (Beijing) | Chimelong Hotel (Guangzhou) | Kew Green Hotel Wanchai Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

Discover more hotels and apartments in Harbin

3. ISLAND HOPPING | Boracay, Philippines

Sure, Boracay has its novelties, but the islands around it have a whole lot MORE! Add some zing to an already-luxurious holiday by exploring caves on Crystal Cove Island and frolicking with sea life off the coast of Crocodile Island (thankfully named for its shape not its inhabitants). Take secluded getaways to Puka Beach and Hinugtan Beach, or fulfill your resolution to the max at Ariel’s point, where cliff diving is more than a spectator sport! Are you in???

Check In to any of these accommodations, Step Out to Boracay Island

Se-E Hotel and Residence | 7Stones Boracay Suites | Discovery Shores Boracay

Discover more hotels and resorts near Bulabog Beach

4. FIND FALL FOLIAGE | Central Otago & Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

The window of opportunity to see fall foliage in New Zealand is only open for a limited time, and we suggest you leap through it in April to behold the most beauty. Autumn technically takes place from March until June, but hiking trails in Central Otago on the South Island and Hawke’s Bay on the North Island are most magical during mid-season. Go south for a traditional outdoor experience, or head north if art and tourism are more your thing.

Check In to these accommodations in Central Otago & Hawke’s Bay, Step Out to Queenstown, New Zealand

Millbrook Resort (Queenstown) | Scenic Hotel Te Pania (Napier)

Discover more hotels and luxury accommodations in Napier

5. TAKE THE RIDES OF YOUR LIFE | Seoul, South Korea

Hang onto your hat while making this dream come true! You’re about to brave the rollercoasters at Lotte World, Gyeongju World Amusement Park and
Everland, the largest theme parks in Korea. For a thrill a minute at lower heights, try Seoul Land, Maze Land or Psyche World, which are each packed with plenty of rides but also feature adventuresome activities for the entire family.

Check In to any of these accommodations, Step Out to Lotte World in Seoul

Donkey Hotel | Gangnam Artnouveau City | SIGNIEL SEOUL

Discover more serviced apartments and motels in Gangnam

6. GET ARTSY | Singapore

For three weeks only in June, Singapore showcases everything ART on nearly every street corner in the city! Join the merriment as dancers, musicians, opera singers and even circus performers parade their talents down the streets. Mixed in with the celebration each year is the Singapore Street Festival, when budding artists add to the entertainment with yo-yo competitions, parkour showdowns, magic shows and mind-boggling street graffiti.

Check In to any of these accommodations, Step Out to Clarke Quay in Singapore

Royal Hostel Singapore | Royal Plaza on Scotts Hotel | Resorts World Sentosa – Crockfords Tower

Discover more hotels and apartments near Marina Bay

7. SLED DOWN A SAND SLOPE | Mui Ne, Vietnam

Sledding in July in Vietnam? Totally possible, dude! You’ve seen the beach. Now, it’s time to hit some serious sand on the dunes of Mui Ne. With endless hills, kite-flying areas and shady picnic spots, the White Dunes are best loved by families. Shutter bugs, however, tend to migrate to the Red Dunes, where photos of sun-kissed sands are ripe for the taking.

Check In to any of these accommodations, Step Out to Mui Ne

Full Moon Village Resort | Viva Resort Mui Ne | Sea Links Beach Resort & Golf

Discover more resorts and bungalows in Phan Thiet

8. RUMBLE WITH NATURE | East Java, Indonesia

Stake out a live volcano while exploring Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. A hiker’s haven, the park features a trek up an active volcano, through a sea of sand and over a 10-kilometer crater left by a previous eruption. Get a bonus during July (or sometimes August) when locals honor their ancestors during Yadnya Kasada, also called Kesodo, a festival that takes place during Kasada Month of the traditional Hindu calendar. Trek to the summit of the crater on the eve of the 14th day and appease the gods by throwing offerings of food and money into the famous caldera.

Check In to any of these accommodations, Step Out to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java

Purnama Hotel | Ciptaningati Hotel | Arjuna Hotel Kota Batu

Discover more resorts and guest houses in East Java

9. UP, UP AND AWAY | Bagan, Myanmar

Seeing the ancient city of Bagan on foot is a sightseer’s fantasy, but floating above thousands of ancient stupas in the basket of a hot air balloon is something you can REALLY brag about! Spend 45 minutes hovering (and possibly drooling, but we won’t tell) above Myanmar’s most noted archeological zone. Those who have embarked on the journey say that a bird’s-eye view of this golden city is as awesome as a visit to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat.

Check In to any of these accommodations, Step Out to Old Bagan in Myanmar

WEStay @ Bagan Lotus Hotel | Aye Yar River View Resort | Bagan Lodge Hotel

Discover more guest houses and motels in Bagan

10. DANCE LIKE A BOLLYWOOD STAR | Jaipur, India

For two days during the full moons of September and October, locals unite with tourists to share their vibrant culture, native music and vivid dances during the Marwar Festival in Rajasthan. Find out what a camel tattoo show is during an annual performance that kicks off each Independence Day, and plan well ahead because the Marwar Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the year for locals and bucket-listers across the globe.

Check In to any of these accommodations, Step Out to Jaipur, India

Hotel Kailrugji | Le Meridien Jaipur Resort & Spa | Zostel Jaipur Hostel

Discover more hotels and guest houses in Rajasthan

11. TAKE A TRIP TO 8 HELLS | Beppu, Japan

Perhaps spending your holiday in eight hells sounds horrifying, but not fulfilling your bucket list? That’s way scarier! Fortunately, it’s no punishment to visit the Hells of Beppu, and there is definitely nothing to be afraid of. Though you can’t take a dip in these steamy tourist attractions, which contribute to the second largest source of thermal water in the world, you can enjoy treats cooked in the boiling-hot waters while soaking your cares away in any of the hot spring resorts nearby.

Check In to any of these accommodations, Step Out to Beppu, Japan

Beppu Daiiti Hotel | Beppu Hotel Fuyou Club | Beppu Onsen Beppu Showaen

Discover more ryokans and guest houses near Umi Jigoku, Beppu

12. REACH FOR THE STARS | Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Wish upon a million stars from the top of Doi Chiang Dao in Northern Thailand. The name literally means “star city,” and the Milky Way looks positively brilliant from the top. Avid stargazers and experienced hikers find that one day on the mountain is just not enough. A two-day camp out – and a jacket – is recommended.

Check In to any of these accommodations, Step Out to Chiang Dao, near Chiang Mai

The Cave Camp | Aurora Resort Chiang Dao | Chiang Dao Privacy Resort