The best travel destinations in Asia [VIDEO]

AFAR reveals our list of the best destinations in Asia and explains why you should add them to your travel plans this year.
Learn about some of the places on the list in this video, then visit afar.com to learn more.

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Transcript

Hello everyone, this is Chloe from AFAR.
Asia isn’t just for 20-something backpackers. There’s something for everyone. Whether you want to relax in a hot spring or gorge yourself on street food. Here are some places on the continent we’re really excited to visit.

Chiang Mai is more than 700 years old and full of temples, cafes and Muay Thai gyms. Pack your stretchy pants when visiting this city in northern Thailand. It’s perfect for foodies. Whether you’re craving something from the Michelin Guide or simple street food like Pad Pad Kra Pow Gai. Also known as fried basil with chicken and rice or khao soi noodles in a coconut curry soup.

Cambodian places like Siam Reap have been easier to reach since the new airport opened in 2023. And you can see the famous Angkor Wat Here, consider going out of town to visit lesser-known, uncrowded temples, such as: b Kohkerwhich will be added to the UNESCO World Heritage List of Cambodia in 2023.

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Go to the region Ladakh Northeast India is home to Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and breathtaking views of the Himalayas. You may need time to adjust to the altitude of the nearly 12,000-foot capital. Lehbut hiking here is worth it. And even in this remote region of the Himalayas, luxury hotels like Doha have been springing up in recent years.

Are you thinking about a wellness trip? Well, there’s probably no better place to relax Beppu. This city has more onsen hot springs than anywhere else in Japan.
Thanks to volcanic activity, you can see steam and hot water practically everywhere. And one of the most famous sights is the Seven Hells of Beppu, which are more suitable for viewing than soaking as some can get up to 200°F.

Many people associate South Korea with its capital Seoul and with K-Pop, but the country has much more to offer.
The second largest city, Busanreceived its own Michelin guide in February 2024. And in the south the breathtaking natural landscapes of Jeju Island have the reputation of being the honeymoon capital of Korea. It is one of the country’s 16 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Mongolia‘s eagle hunter in Bayan Ölgii and the sand dunes of the Gobi desertare quite well known among travelers visiting this off-the-beaten-path destination.
But there are plenty of other unique places to explore, including the country’s newest UNESCO site, The Monuments from Hirschstein. These Bronze Age monoliths date from between 1200 and 600 BC. BC and can be more than three meters high.

And this is the video. Have you ever been to any of the places on our list? Comment below. Remember to like our video and subscribe along the way to get notified when we announce more cool places to visit.

Thanks for watching.