Famous Travel Destinations in Asia Beijing, China: History on a Massive Scale

Agra, India: Taj Mahal

The historical sites of Beijing make it another top

destination with tourists from China, Asia and Western
Built in the 17th century in memory of his beloved late wife, countries. The Temple of Heaven and Forbidden City
Emperor Shah Jahan created the Taj Mahal, now considered are some of the city's grandest ancient attractions,
one of the Seven Wonders of the World and one of India's while an estimated 16 million tourists a year make the
major tourist destinations. The white marble mausoleum
day trip to the Great Wall, originally built to protect
encrusted with precious gems and Koranic verses laid out in
China's northern border more than 2,000 years ago.
flower patterns took 22 years to construct and still attracts
lovers and dreamers from all over the world, captivated by Hong Kong, China: Victoria Peak
the romance of the building just as much as the heartbroken
husband who built it.

Bali, Indonesia: Beaches Galore

Winner of TripAdvisor's "Best Asian Destination"

Travelers' Choice Award in 2011, Hong Kong is a city
known for its culinary delights, massive skyscrapers
For those who want to enjoy island living, Bali is a top and modern structure. It is also home to Hong Kong
destination. A mountain chain with several active Disneyland. But it is Victoria Peak, the highest point in
peaks cuts across the island from east to west, dividing the city, rising 1,810 feet, which tops the tourists'
the landscape into steep slopes in the north, lush plains destination lists, receiving more than 9 million visitors
tumbling down the backside of the mountains into the annually.
center of the island and sandy beaches in the south. As
Kyoto, Japan: Asia's World Heritage Leader
the most popular island in Indonesia, the Balinese have
taught many tourists the local concept of "Tri Hita
Karana," which unites God with humans and nature in
a trinitarian philosophy.

Bangkok, Thailand: Most Asian Arrivals

The second travelers' choice destination in Asia

according to the TripAdvisor awards, Kyoto is home to
more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other city
in Asia (and any in the world, apart from Rome). But if
Based on a study of international air arrivals conducted ancient temples and the famed Imperial Palace are not
by MasterCard, Bangkok is the top tourist destination on your list of things to see, Kyoto still should be.
in Asia, with 11.5 million visitors arriving annually. Visitors to Nagashima Spa Land, an amusement park
Sunny beaches, ancient temples, intense night life and and spa treatment center, number more than 11
a thriving modern city make Bangkok a great first million annually, making it one of the biggest theme
destination for Western travelers. However, it is parks in all of Asia.
visitors from nearby Singapore and Hong Kong, as well
as Tokyo, who make up the largest share of
international visitors to the city, according to the study.
Mount Everest, Nepal: Reaching the Peak Tokyo: Disneyland Conquers Asia

Not all visitors to the world's greatest peak actually

climb to the top; in fact, most of them are content It may be hard to believe, but it's true: Tokyo Disney is
seeing Mount Everest from nearby Tibet, China or even the most popular tourist attraction in Asia, according
India. But the world's highest peak, rising 29,029 feet, to an AsianHotels.com survey of tickets sold per year at
still tops many a tourist's list of sights to see in Asia. Asian attractions. With 25 million visitors annually, the
Stop by on a journey through Kathmandu. first Disney theme park outside of the U.S. gives visitors
from all over Asia a reason to visit Tokyo. If you would
Siem Reap, Cambodia: Temples of Angkor rather leave Disney to the Americans, visit Meiji Shrine,
or some of Tokyo's plentiful art, history and pop
cultural museums and sites.
25 Top Tourist Attractions in Europe

1. Colosseum

Still a bit off the mainstream tourist maps, Siem Reap

continues to grow as tourists flock to the ancient
temples of Angkor Archeological Park. From the 9th to
the 15th century, kings of ancient Cambodia
participated in an extensive building campaign that
resulted in hundreds of temples dedicated to Hindu The Colosseum is the perfect symbol of the power of the
and Buddhist deities. The temples, half-hidden in the Roman Empire at its height. Dating back to 72 AD, it was
jungle growing up alongside them, were rediscovered designed to hold 50,000 spectators and was, at the time, the
biggest amphitheater ever built. Here, all manner of public
in the early 1900s by French archeologists. Now, the
spectacles were shown – from animal hunts and executions
UNESCO World Heritage sites are also on the top of
to gory gladiator battles; it was even filled with water for
many tourist's lists. Siem Reap ranked third in
mock sea battles.
TripAdvisor's list of top Asian travel destinations.
Although practically a ruin, the Colosseum is still very much
Singapore: Stopover City with Soul an icon of Rome. Step inside the arches and take a tour of
the structure. Sit and imagine yourself as a spectator in
Roman times, and the grand displays and spectacles that
went on inside the ring.

2. Acropolis

Known for its pristine streets and upstanding character

thanks to strict government regulations, Singapore is
sometimes taken for granted by tourists who see the
modern, sparkling city as just a stopover on the way to
another destination. With a trip into the city to The Acropolis in Athens is a simply stunning sight. This
discover the world-class shopping, ethnic monumental hill is the location of a number of ancient sites
neighborhoods and the original Raffles Hotel, you will that date back to the 5th century BC. Some of the attractions
soon learn that it is not just convenient flight times that that crown the Acropolis include the Temple of Athena Nike,
make Singapore a top destination. the Erechtheion, and, of course, the Parthenon.

Constructed at the peak of the Athenian Empire in 447 BC,

the Parthenon is a symbol of Greece and impresses with its
innumerable columns. Dedicated to Athena, it became a
Christian church in the 6th century AD and a mosque in the Norway boasts over 1000 fjords, only a portion of which are
1460s after the Ottoman invasion. After nightfall, the visited en masse (like the Hardangerfjord and
Acropolis is lit up with a glow that can be seen around Geirangerfjord), meaning it’s still possible to find a slice of
Athens. solitude. Taking a cruise ship is a great way to see the soaring
walls of the fjords as the boat glides on the waters.
3. Hagia Sophia
Alternatively, hiking atop the fjords offers a birds-eye-view
of the incredible landscape.

6. Palace of Versailles

For almost 1,000 years, Hagia Sophia was the biggest

cathedral in the world and is still a fantastic structure to set
eyes on. Originally built as an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral in
537 AD when Istanbul was named Constantinople, Hagia Versailles is a monument like no other; when it comes to
Sophia became an Ottoman mosque from 1453 and is today palaces, Versailles definitely takes first place. This grandiose
a museum for all faiths to enjoy. building was the main residence for French royalty from
1682 until the 1789 French Revolution.
The dome of the Hagia Sophia is a marvel in itself, and the
building as a whole perfectly reflective of Byzantine The exterior of the castle is enchantingly ornate, but its
architecture – as well as Istanbul’s patchwork heritage. interiors are no less impressive. Some rooms inside the
Walking around the building today, you can piece together building are as famous as the palace itself, such as the Hall
the history of the city with its intriguing murals and of Mirrors with its opulent gilded decoration. The geometric
interesting artifacts. Garden of Versailles is punctuated with conical trees and
woven as canals and fountains.
4. Alhambra
7. Canals of Venice

Built on the ruins of Roman fortifications in 889 AD, Venice is the original canal city; every other canal city in the
Alhambra is a combination palace and fortress situated in world is compared to Venice. The enigmatic waterlogged city
Granada, Spain. For almost 1,000 years, much of the Iberian is the site of more than 150 waterways and 400 bridges,
peninsula was ruled by the Islamic Moors, with Andalusia including the famous Bridge of Sighs.
(the area where Alhambra is located) being their longest-
held territory. The main canal in Venice is the two-mile-long Grand Canal,
which flows past St Mark’s Square and is lined with some of
Today, you can explore its citadel, the oldest part of the Venice’s historic architecture – from the Medieval to the
fortress, climb up its watchtower, explore the amazing baroque. Gondoliers punt visitors around wearing striped
Moorish gardens and courtyards, and be amazed at the shirts and wide-brimmed hats, but boats on the river are not
delicate geometric patterns throughout the complex. The just for tourists; they are also used for everyday jobs such as
setting on the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada makes rubbish collection.
Alhambra that much more mystical.
8. St. Peter's Basilica
5. Fjords of Norway

Located in Vatican City, St Peter’s Basilica is the biggest

One of the top reasons many people travel to Norway is to church in the world, and one of the most famous examples
see its majestic fjords. Shaped by glaciers over an of Italian Renaissance architecture. Construction began on
incomprehensibly long 2.5 million years or so, the towering this monument in 1506, with one of the architects being
U-shaped valleys and their carved cliffs create a stunning none other than Michelangelo.
landscape that’s almost too huge to take in.
This is where the Pope himself addresses the tens of center. Dug in the 17th century, the canals were used for
thousands of worshippers who crowd the adjacent St Peter’s transportation, as sewers, as drinking water – a bit of
Square. The current Basilica replaced the old St Peter’s everything. In the modern city, the canals make up the
Basilica, which stood in the same place from around 360 AD. charming cityscape that Amsterdam is known for. The canals
The church itself is thought to be built over the tomb of St are backed by 17th-century townhouses, adding even more
Peter. to the charm factor

9. Prague Old Town 12. Dubrovnik Old Town

One of the most beautiful old towns in Europe, Dubrovnik’s

The medieval Old Town of the Czech Republic capital is Old Town is a red-roofed marvel that is asking to be
bristling with historical sights, which is what makes it such a explored. Its ancient city walls jut out into the Adriatic Sea,
popular destination. At its heart is the Old Town Square, and its cobblestone streets hide a plethora of restaurants,
where you’ll find the Old Town Hall, boasting the Orloj – or bars, boutiques, and museums.
Astronomical Clock – which dates back to 1410, making it the
oldest clock still in operation in the world. Dating back to the 16th century, the stone walls boast
baroque churches and crumbling buildings. Built in 1573, Pile
Connecting the Old Town with the Lesser Town of Prague Gate marks the entrance the Old Town with its remarkable
across the Vltava River is the Charles Bridge. Construction on renaissance arches – it’s particularly beautiful when lit up at
the bridge started in 1357 but wasn’t completed until the night. The Dubrovnik Cable Car offers the opportunity to see
early 15th century. Around the Old Town, plenty of bars and the ancient streets of the city from above
a buzzing nightlife scene make for an enjoyable place to stick
around after dark. 13. Saint Basil's Cathedral

10. Eiffel Tower

Arguably the most iconic sight in Russia, this twisting

Cathedral with its multi-colored onion domes is set in
Moscow’s equally iconic Red Square. St Basil’s Cathedral was
also built by a very iconic man – Ivan the Terrible – in 1555.
Named after Gustave Eiffel, the unmistakable symbol of
Paris is a sight that must be witnessed when visiting the The structure is a madly bright lollypop of strange styles that
French capital. Constructed between 1887 and 1889, the seem more like a funfair and look unlike anything else in
tower was originally built to be the impressive entrance to Russia. Because of its unique architectural style and its
the 1889 World’s Fair. The tower stands at 324 meters tall historic links to a victorious battle in Tatarstan, the cathedral
and was amazingly the world’s tallest man-made structure is a symbol of Russia.
until the Empire State Building took the title in 1930.
14. Lake Bled
Take the lift all the way to the observation deck of the tower
and marvel at the views of the Parisian boulevard and
pattern of parks below. Or simply sit on the Champ de Mars
and marvel at the lattice structure itself.

11. Canals of Amsterdam

Set in Northwest Slovenia close to the town of Bled is a
gleaming emerald lake surrounded by stunning verdant hills.
Catch one of the old wooden boats called pletna over to the
small Bled Island in the middle of the lake. The island is home
to the Church of the Assumption of Mary – a 17th-century
Amsterdam is well known for its canals. In fact, there are building with some 15th-century gothic frescoes still intact.
more than 100 kilometers of canals weaving around the
Around this incredibly picturesque spot, there’s also Bled
Netherland’s capital, forming around 90 islands and
Castle, but one of the best things to do in the area is to
requiring 1,500 bridges to get around. The waterways lead
simply stroll around the lake and take a break for a swim in
to Amsterdam being labeled the ‘Venice of the North.’
the calm waters.
The Grachtengordel is Amsterdam’s canal district, where the
four main canals form concentric rings around the city
15. Scottish Highlands 18. Tower Bridge

Often mistakenly thought to be London Bridge, Tower Bridge

The Scottish Highlands form a rugged, mountainous region is a late Victorian masterpiece showcasing the height of
of Northern Scotland. There are many things to do in London’s standing on the world stage. Opened in 1894, the
amongst the dramatic scenery of this picturesque area. bridge crosses the Thames close to the Tower of London,
There’s Glencoe Valley where red deer roam and waterfalls another London landmark.
hide; close to here, Ben Nevis calls with the highest
The bridge itself is a drawbridge powered by engine rooms
mountain peak in the United Kingdom.
which are located in the neo-gothic north and south towers,
Elsewhere, Loch Ness sits in the Central Highlands and is making this a feat of 19th-century engineering. The bridge is
where you can try to catch a glimpse of the legendary Loch still in use to this day and has even been modernized with
Ness Monster, or simply take a stroll and enjoy the serene lights that glimmer in the evening.
atmosphere. The Scottish Highlands are also home to
19. Tallinn Old City
Inverness, the largest city in the region. Nearby Moray Firth
is where you may be able to spot dolphins playing in the sea.

16. Mont Saint-Michel

Once part of the trading alliance the Hanseatic League,

Tallinn was formerly an extremely prosperous city. The
riches of Tallin’s past can be seen be in the Old City, which
This famous fortified island is located around a kilometer off still retains its 13th-century city plan. Authentically
the northwestern shores of Normandy, France. Walking medieval, there are grand merchant’s houses and churches
around Mont-St-Michel might feel as if you have been lining the cobblestone streets.
transported back to another time; the monastery here dates
One of the major sites in this cultural and historical heart of
back to the 8th century and is still in use today. The old walls
the Estonian capital is the Town Hall Square, home to the
and chapels are intriguing places to explore.
gothic Town Hall. Elsewhere, you’ll find Estonia’s oldest
At high tide, waters make the island seem as if it is a floating church, the 13th-century cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin,
fortress in the sea. Previously only reachable by foot or car set on Toompea Hill. Today, it’s not just the historic buildings
during low tide, the island can be reached at any time on foot that make the area so charming; there are also numerous
along a bridge built in 2014. bars and shops to enjoy too.

17. Neuschwanstein Castle 20. Sagrada Familia

One of the architectural projects of “Mad” King Ludwig II of Officially the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, this famously
Bavaria, Neuschwanstein Castle is the quintessential opulent church in Barcelona is the brainchild of the
fairytale castle. In fact, it was the castle’s soaring spires and renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. With work
romanesque revival style that inspired Walt Disney’s starting on the church back in 1882, 137 years later, the
Sleeping Beauty Castle. Sagrada still remains unfinished. It is expected that the
building will be completed in 2026.
Construction of the castle began in 1869, but sadly, Ludwig
never got to live in his castle; he died in 1886, the same year Built in the art nouveau and gothic styles, the fantastical
of the castle’s completion. Set in South Bavaria among church has an impressive eight spires and ten that are yet to
forested mountains and mirror-like lakes, the picturesque be constructed. This decidedly Gaudi-esque building draws
setting of the castle is as impressive as the building itself. crowds of tourists with twisting turrets, and surreal curves,
while intriguing gargoyles make for something from another
world and time entirely.
21. Meteora 24. Canals of Bruges

The arteries of the old town, the canals of Bruges have long
Meaning “elevated” in Greek, Meteora is a jutting rock been the roadways that connect the city. Bruges originally
formation in Thessaly, Greece – a wild landscape made up of sat on the banks of the river Reie; as the city developed, so
hill-like boulders that dominate the skyline. Part of what did its charming waterways. The canals were dug from the
makes that magnificent landscape so amazing, however, are river for commercial shipping in order to move essential
the monasteries that precariously cling to the rocks. goods and supplies around the town.
Set on cliffs with staircases cut into the very stone itself, this Bruges’ inner canals mark the old city walls and ramparts and
religious site dates back to the 15th century, and some still make for a beautiful area to explore on foot or in one of the
welcome visitors to this day. The most famous of all, the Holy many tourist boats. Cruise past the numerous old
Trinity Monastery, perches an amazing 400 meters atop a overarching brick bridges, sail along small streams, and spot
natural rock tower and is a breathtaking sight to set eyes on. the scenic riverside houses.
22. Pompeii 25. Leaning Tower of Pisa

In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted with devastating effect. The world-famous leaning tower is known for its incredible
Many small towns and settlements in the region were four-degree tilt that makes it seem as if the tower is about
completely destroyed by the eruption, not least Pompeii. to topple over. The amazing slanted belltower sits behind
Ironically, being buried under layers of ash that fell from the Pisa Cathedral and was built in the Romanesque style.
volcano has led to an incredibly well-preserved snapshot of
a Roman city frozen in the midst of a disaster. Dating back to the 12th century, the tower took a whopping
199 years to complete, but began to slant during its
Though a few valuables were taken through the centuries, construction due to soft ground on one side. Today, the
the site was rediscovered and has been excavated since tower – which stands at a wonky 55.86 meters tall – attracts
1764. Nowadays, visitors can walk around the ancient city tourists from far and wide who want to catch sight of the
and marvel at preserved colorful murals and see the plaster tower and snap pictures of themselves in front of it.
casts of people and animals in their final moments.

23. Cliffs of Moher

Located in Ireland’s County Clare, the Cliffs of Moher are an

awe-inspiring sight. The coastal cliffs are made up of steep
214m stone and run for 14km from Hag’s Head to Doosouth.
From the top of the cliffs, the Aran Islands can be spotted
across the sparkling waters.

The coastal walking paths along the cliffs make for a fantastic
ramble among the natural landscape, where you can glimpse
the castle-like cliffs. The cliffs have been the subject of many
folk tales and stories, and have been featured in numerous
films, such as Harry Potter.