The 8 most beautiful places in Asia

Asia is a continent filled with history and different cultures. The diversity of its countries and landscapes will undoubtedly win you over, with an immediate guaranteed change of scenery. Between visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites, paradise beaches, and breathtaking landscapes, get your cameras ready! Here is the list of the most beautiful places in Asia to prepare your next trips, from China to Malaysia via Myanmar.

Cambodia: Angkor Temple

Here is a great idea for a stay in Cambodia! The temples of Angkor are a group of more than 200 temples listed as UNESCO World Heritage since 1992. The site covers more than 400 km². Angkor is an archaeological site dating from the 11th to the 15th century. It is impossible to visit it in one day and it is totally possible to consider it as part of a tour in Cambodia, dedicating several days to visit. If you are short on time, focus on Angkor Wat, Bayon, or Ta Prohm, the most beautiful archaeological sites of this sacred place.

Best time to visit Angkor Temple: December to March

Practical tip: buy your tickets in advance to avoid wasting time on site. Prepare in advance the temples you want to visit.

Price: 1 day visit = $37; 3 days visit = $62

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China: The Great Wall of China

The first image that comes to mind when mentioning a trip to China is its great and majestic crenellated wall that undulates over 6700 km. It is a strong symbol of Chinese civilization and a must-see for any trip to China. It is a set of Chinese military fortifications built between the 3rd century BC and the 17th century on mountain ridges. It allowed China to protect itself from several enemy peoples. Since 2007, it has been elected among the 7 wonders of the world and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987.

Best time to visit the Great Wall of China: April – May (spring)

Practical tip: depart from Beijing, avoid going there on weekends (many Chinese tourists).

Price: €5.40 for the ascent.

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India: Taj Mahal

Every trip to North India includes this must-see stop: visiting the Taj Mahal. Located in the city of Agra, this sublime white marble mausoleum, of incredible beauty, is a true jewel of Mughal architecture. The Taj Mahal, meaning "crown of the palace", was built in 1631 by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983, its architecture is flamboyant and brings together elements at the crossroads of Islamic, Iranian, Persian, and Indian styles. The Taj Mahal is not only a sumptuous marble mausoleum, there are also other monuments on the site including mosques, as well as gardens, water features, and perfectly symmetrical fountains.

Best time to visit the Taj Mahal: November – February

Practical tip: as the Taj Mahal, like all wonders of the world, is very popular, we advise you to start your visit as soon as it opens at 6 am (by 8 am, the crowd becomes overwhelming).

Price: entry costs €13.50 for tourists.

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Thailand: Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is undeniably one of Thailand's paradise islands. It is so beautiful that it was chosen as the filming location for the now legendary Hollywood movie The Beach, with Leonardo DiCaprio in one of the main roles. Feel free to reenact scenes from the movie on this magnificent fine sand beach! On the agenda: island hopping with swimming, diving, and barbecues, a trek in the forest and mangrove, not to mention a stop at Monkey Beach, the aptly named monkey beach. You can enjoy its protected underwater reserve thanks to its diving and snorkeling spots. And for those on a honeymoon, a stop is a must on this beach with its very romantic bay.

Best time to visit: December – April

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Japan: Kyoto & Mount Fuji

Located in the Kansai region, often considered the guardian of Japan's history, Kyoto is famous for its old Gion district and its geishas, as well as its thousand temples. The most famous are the splendid Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and the peaceful Shoren-in and Honen-in.

With its 3776 meters of altitude, Mount Fuji, located southwest of Tokyo, is the highest mountain in Japan. It is a very popular destination for Buddhists and Shintoists, due to its strong religious symbolism, but also for nature and trekking enthusiasts.

The cherry blossom (Sakura) in spring gives rise every year to the Hanami custom throughout the Japanese archipelago. Thousands of Japanese then flock to parks and gardens to admire the cherry blossoms and thus celebrate the beginning of spring.

Best time to visit: April – October

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Indonesia: Bali

Between the southern coast and the central volcanoes of the island, on the hills overlooking the waterways, rice is grown in the village of Tegallalang among the coconut trees. This landscape of terraced rice fields will transport you into a relaxed and authentic atmosphere, carefully preserved by the local population. Magical. A magical place listed as UNESCO Intangible World Heritage.

Best time to visit Bali and the rice fields: May – October

Practical tip: the rice fields are not protected from the sun, so they are in full sun between 10 am and 4 pm. There are no opening or closing hours. We advise you to start your visit around 8 am.

Price: free (donations), some owners may charge you for photos.

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Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur

Sprawling capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, from an important city, has gradually transformed to become today an authentic Asian megalopolis. The approximately 7 million city dwellers come from three main communities: Malay, Chinese, and Indian. So many cultural singularities that can be found both in urban planning, with a diversity of temples, as well as in the way of dressing or in gastronomy. Located north of Kuala Lumpur, the Batu Caves house a Hindu sanctuary accessible at the top of a large staircase of 272 steps. On the occasion of the religious festival of Thaipusam in January, thousands of pilgrims go to this site. Installed in caves on the side of a cliff, the place is incredible. A giant statue of the god Murugan, Ganesh's brother, guards the entrance to the temple and welcomes pilgrims with a benevolent smile. He gives them strength before climbing the 272 steps leading to the caves.

Best time to visit the Kuala Lumpur temple: January – July

Practical tip: arrive early (sunrise) to avoid the crowd and the heat. Beware of monkeys present in the temple.

Price: free entry for the Batu Caves

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Myanmar: Valley of 2000 Temples

Bagan, or the valley of 2000 temples, has become the tourist heart of Myanmar (Burma), with a site of 42 km² including about 2000 temples and pagodas dating from the 11th and 13th centuries. Bagan was the capital of the Burmese Empire. It dazzled Marco Polo and still has a unique splendor today. Its more than 2000 temples in the archaeological site are reason enough to go to the land of pagodas, meet the friendliest people in the world, and stop on the red plain where the stupas shine. It is not for nothing that UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage site in 2019.

Best time to visit the valley of 2000 temples: November – February

Practical tip: allow 2 to 3 days to visit to see as many temples as possible and enjoy the beautiful sunsets. We also recommend taking a hot air balloon ride over the valley, an unforgettable experience.

Price: €15 unlimited entry for 5 days

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