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Where to even begin with Asia, there is so much I’ve seen yet so much more I haven’t seen. Of course this isn’t a conclusive list of the most beautiful places in Asia, but rather a list of the most beautiful places I’ve been to.
Bagan, Myanmar
Temple-studded landscape famous for its golden sunrises and balloon-dotted sky.
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Kinkaku-ji Temple, Japan
Gold-leaf temple surrounded by water otherwise known as the Golden Pavilion.
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Cadlao Lagoon, Philippines
Turquoise-coloured lagoon with towering limestone karsts jutting out from the sea.
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Bali, Indonesia
Indonesian island with rice terraces and waterfalls – now a haven for yogis and vegans.
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Koh Lipe, Thailand
One of Thailand’s most idyllic islands fringed with aquamarine waters.
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Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Ancient Khmer temple and iconic sunrise spot.
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Supertree Grove, Singapore
A futuristic garden made up of Avatar-inspired supertrees.
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Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Undulating hills of luscious tea plantations.
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Sigirya rock, Sri Lanka
Ancient rock fortress with remnants of a ruined palace atop.
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Maldives, Maldives
Scattering of islands and atolls in the Indian Ocean lapped by pristine waters.
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Yala national park, Sri Lanka
Wild elephants roam free in this beautiful national park. Lucky game drivers may also spot the secretive leopard.
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Hoi An, Vietnam
Multi-coloured colonial city with hanging lanterns and some of the best Vietnamese food you’ll encounter.
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Tokyo skyline, Japan
Sprawling city as far as the eye can see with Mount Fuji in the distance, best seen at sunrise when the city turns to flashing neon lights.
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Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
Gold-leaf pagoda which is one of the most sacred sites in Buddhism.
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Tea country, Sri Lanka
Rolling tea plantations as far as the eye can see.
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Chureito Pagoda, Japan
Five-storied pagoda with breath-taking views of Mount Fuji in the distance.
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Halong Bay, Vietnam
Spectacular scatter of limestone islands rising from emerald waters.
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Mount Ijen, Indonesia
Volcanic crater with a turquoise-hued lake steaming with sulphur.
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Coron, Philippines
Filipino island surrounded by emerald and sapphire waters.
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Singapore Flyer, Singapore
London Eye copycat that suits the Singapore skyline.
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Borobudur Temple, Indonesia
Buddhist temple encircled by bell-shaped stupas.
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Jiufen, Taiwan
Historic seaside town with multi-coloured houses and a popular market street.
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Long beach Koh Rong, Cambodia
Stretch of crystal clear waters and soft white sands.
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Filipino sunsets, Philippines
Skies light up in pinks, purples, oranges and reds.
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Inle lake, Myanmar
Serene lake with water villages and local fishermen using age-old fishing methods.
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Petronas Towers, Malaysia
Twin skyscrapers that have become Malaysia’s most iconic building.
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Train from Ella to Kandy, Sri Lanka
One of the most scenic train journeys in the world passing through Sri Lanka’s rolling tea plantations.
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Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, South Korea
Ancient palace surrounded by a pond – most famous at dusk when the reflection can be seen on the water.
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Kinabatangan river, Malaysian Borneo
A mecca for wildlife spotting with Pygmy elephants, orang-utans and proboscis monkeys along the river.
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Daigoji Temple, Japan
World-heritage red temple reached by a traditional Japanese bridge, best viewed in Autumn when its framed by burnt orange and red trees.
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Fushimi Inari Taisha, Japan
Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of red gates which lead to the top of Mount Inari
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Singapore skyline, Singapore
Futuristic cityscape pierced by cutting edge skyscrapers.
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Ha Giang region, Vietnam
A remote area of epic mountain ranges along the Chinese-Vietnamese border.
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El Nido, Philippines
Cluster of limestone islands surrounded by lagoons. A mecca for scuba divers with shipwrecks attracting multi-coloured fish.
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Oishi park, Japan
Flower-filled park overlooking Mount Fuji which changes with the seasons.
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Langkawi cable car, Malaysia
Jungle-clad island with long, sandy beaches.
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Koh Tao, Thailand
Tropical Thai island known for its incredible marine life.
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Chocolate Hills, Philippines
Cone-shaped hills that turn to a burnt chocolate brown in the dry season.
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Mount Bromo, Indonesia
Active volcano famous for its mystical sunrises where the volcanic peak emerges from a thick fog of clouds.
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Danum Valley, Malaysian Borneo:
Pristine rainforest home to a complex ecosystem which has remained untouched for over a million years.
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Seokguram Grotto, South Korea
A sacred statue of a Buddha resides in this grotto overlooking the mountainous landscape.
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Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, Indonesia
Hindu multi-tiered temple located on a lake.
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Pom Pom Island, Malaysia
Honeymoon island dotted with hammocks and lapped with translucent waters.
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Future World Exhibition, Singapore
Interactive exhibition with luminous lights and a glimpse into future technology.
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Puerto Princesa Underground river, Philippines
Marvel at limestone rock formations as you glide through the world’s longest underground river.
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Arashiyama Bamboo Path, Japan
Mystical pathway lined with towering bamboo trees.
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Yangmingshan national park, Taiwan
Mountainous national park sprinkled with natural hot springs and geothermal activity.
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Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Brunei
Lavish gold-domed Mosque surrounded by a lagoon – the most famous moment in the Kingdom of Brunei
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Timba Timba Island, Malaysia
Tiny slither of an island off the coast of Borneo with an epic sandbank.
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Perhentian islands, Malaysia
Snorkel with baby sharks, turtles and rainbow-coloured fish on these idyllic islands.
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