10 Destinations in Asia to Add to Your Bucket List

Asia is the world’s largest continent, home to various landscapes to explore, from tropical islands in the Philippines or Thailand to big, bustling cities in China or Singapore. There are festivals to attend, local markets to shop at, temples and churches to see, and cultures to learn about. You will also find monkeys to hang out with, delicious authentic food to try, and incredible locals to meet. There are SOOOO many places to visit in Asia that it was hard to narrow down this list. Below are 10 destinations in Asia to add to your bucket list.

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#1: Prambanan Temples, Yogyakarta-

Can you believe the Prambanan Temples exist? WOW! The ruins are stunning. The Hindu architecture built in the 9th century collapsed due to an earthquake. The beautiful Hindu temples in Indonesia should be at the TOP of your bucket list. After exploring the temples, you can catch a Ramayana Ballet performance in the park.

-Prambanon Temple Tickets!

#2: Hong Kong-

Hong Kong has delicious food, spectacular skylines, hiking trails, and hidden beaches. There are so many things to do in Hong Kong, but we will narrow down the list to the top 6 activities!

Gardens- Visit different parks, including Nan Lian Garden, Hong Kong Park, and Tsing Yi Park.

Views- Witness amazing views at Victoria Peak, Peak Tram, and Dragons Back.

Beaches- Swim at beaches, including Clearwater Bay Peninsula, Middle Bay, Shek O Beach, and Turtle Cove Beach.

Culture- Visit beautiful and intricate Temples, Monasteries, and Cathedrals. A few of the thousand to see are the Man Mo Temple, Hong Kong China Temple, Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, Western Monastery, and St. John’s Cathedral.
Landmarks- Admire the INCREDIBLE landmarks, including the Big Buddha and Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall.
Museums- Go to different Museums, like the Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Science Museum, and Hong Kong Heritage Museum.

#3: Philippines-

There are so many different islands in the Philippines to explore.

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Apo Island- Apo Island is also known as Turtle Island because you will see giant sea turtles constantly surfacing for air. I highly recommend jumping off the boat to swim with them.

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Bohol Island- Visit the infamous Chocolate Hills and explore the Tarsier sanctuary to observe their cute primates at Bohol Island. The tarsier is the second smallest primate on earth!

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white boats on sea near the gray rock formation — Photo by Romel Duarte on Pexels.com

Palawan- Visit the small and big lagoon in El Nido, go scuba diving or snorkeling, and visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan for a perfect getaway!

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Borocay– Watch the sunset and sunrise at the beautiful white sand beaches, experience the lively nightlife and events, and go cliff diving at Borocay.

Cebu- The best things to do in Cebu are to swim with Whale Sharks at Oslob Beach and to complete Kawasan Canyoneering, a hike down a canyon. Lastly, you can go parasailing, jet skiing, and banana boating.

4-South Korea-

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South Korea is rich in history and culture. You will find amazing Buddhist temples and delicious cuisine!

Seoul- Seoul is the capital of South Korea. You have to visit the Traditional Gyeongbukgung Palace, stroll along Bukchon Hanok Village, and admire the city view from Seoul Tower. Did I forget to mention? You MUST take a tour around Changdeokgung palace and Deoksugung Palace. Do you want to relax on your trip? GO TO A KOREAN SPA!

Gynegou– Gynegou is a coastal city in South Korea, home to parks, archeological sites, and more. It would make for a perfect weekend trip from Seoul to South Korea. Don’t forget to admire the incredible sunset from the beautiful red Woljeonggyo Bridge that lights up gold at night. You have to explore the beautiful temples in Gynegou, including the Golgulsa Temple.

#5: Thailand-

the big buddha under blue sky — Photo by Phakchira Sukcharearn on Pexels.com

Thailand is one of the world’s favorite travel destinations, as it has a tropical climate. All year round is a pleasant time to visit. Thailand is a cheap place to travel to, as for only $1.00 you can have delicious Pad Thai, and for $5.00 you can sleep in a hostel. Aside from the perfect climate, the nature surrounding the area is beautiful. You’ll find dense jungles, rice fields, crystal-clear beaches, whirling rivers, and incredible wildlife.

Ayutthaya- Ayutthaya is a famous city mainly because the country is home to ruins that are a part of the Ayutthaya Historical Park. This archeological site holds palaces, temples, and many statues.

Bangkok- Bangkok is a large modern city with ancient temples and is famous for hospitality, as the capital is bustling with tourists. You will find golden temples, canals, shops, restaurants, and a great nightlife scene.

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Chiang Mai- Chiang Mai is in the mountains of Northern Thailand, where you can explore Buddhist temples and ruins. The best things to do are to visit Doi Suthep, which is a famous attraction, explore Inthanon National Park, home to the highest mountain in Thailand, bathe an elephant at an Elephant Sanctuary, shop at the Warorot Market, and go on a boat ride along Mae Ping River.

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Ko Lipe- You will find palm trees, turquoise beaches, and white sand in Ko Lipe, making it the perfect place to spend any holiday or vacation.

#6: Japan-

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Japan is home to temples, shrines, natural landscapes, gardens, and delicious food.

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Kyoto– Kyoto is Japan’s most beautiful city, with over 1,000 Buddhist temples. Kyoto is the historical and cultural heart of Japan. The best thing to do is to visit Arashiyama, a 30-minute trip from the center of Kyoto. Go on the trip of a lifetime entitled the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Walking Tour. The other best thing to do is to visit the Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine. The best way to get around Japan is by purchasing a Japan Rail Pass. The pass can get you from Tokyo to Kyoto and save you money. For example, you can buy a 7-day Japan Rail Pass to take you to Tokyo, Kanazawa, and Kyoto.

Tokyo -Tokyo is another fascinating place to see in Japan. Don’t forget to visit the Meiji Shrine, Tokyo National Museum, Sensoji Temple, Imperial Palace, and the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

#7: China-

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China is the most populous country in the world, home to almost one-fifth of the world’s population at 1.3 billion people. The Chinese cultural values include harmony, benevolence, righteousness, honesty, and loyalty. There is so much to explore, from incredible architecture to ancient traditions.

Great Wall- The Great Wall of China is one of the most impressive handmade structures ever built. The wall spans over 20,000 km and will leave you in awe. Did you know? If you were to walk the entire path, it would take you 18 months. Of course, you will find shorter routes and trails perfect for a one-time visit. The most famous hiking section is about 1 to 3 hours from Beijing. The views throughout the hike are stunning!

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Mount Everest- Mount Everest is earth’s highest mountain at 29,000ft above sea level between Nepal and Tibet. It is a VERY dangerous trek, so BE CAREFUL if you ever decide to take on the adventure!

Huanglong- You will find beautiful limestone formations and hot springs to dip into at Huanglong in China !!! You HAVE to visit and add this destination to your ASIA bucket list. The light blue river has many waterfalls to admire!

#8: Singapore-

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Singapore is a city with 64 ISLANDS! WOW! The waterfalls in Singapore are man-made and gorgeous! The best gardens and parks to relax at are Singapore Botanic Gardens, East Coast Park, and the Gardens by the Bay. The best museum to see is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum! Don’t forget to go on a River Cruise!

#9: Kandy, Sri Lanka-

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Kandy is a major city in Sri Lanka situated near tropical tea plantations. Don’t forget to relax near Kandy Lake, visit the Degal Doruwa Raja Maha Vihara cave temple and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic!

#10: Vietnam-

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Vietnam has traditional delicious food and a heroic history. The architecture and archaeology are incredible. Do not forget to catch a performance of Vietnamese Water Puppets and go to the temple in Hoan Kiem Lake. Ha Long Bay makes an excellent backdrop if you would like to go on a dragon boat cruise!

We listed 10 destinations in Asia to add to your bucket list. Have you ever been to Asia? Please comment below about your experience!!

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13 Best Things to Do in Bali

Bali is a Hindu-majority province in Indonesia. 82% of the population practices Hinduism. Bali is just one island among 13,677 islands, also known as the Indonesian Archipelago. We list the 13 best things to do in Bali.

I went to Bali with my best friend, Ariana. We went in April 2019 and had an incredible experience because we learned about the culture, met the locals, and tried the traditional, spicy food. We even took a cooking class and made some of their iconic meals. Below I will list the best things to do in Bali. We booked private tours to see multiple places each day.

1. Mount Batur-

Watching the stunning sunrise at the top of Mount Batur, an active volcano, is one of the best experiences in Bali and should be at the TOP of your Bali bucket list. The first documented eruption was in 1804. The most recent one was in 2000. You will wake up at the crack of dawn to go hiking and it will be 1000% worth it.

2. Padang Padang Beach–

The beaches are breathtaking in Bali. The ocean is turquoise blue and the sand is soft. Padang Padang Beach has rock formations and large waves. This spectacular beach is next to Uluwatu. I highly recommend trying the tasty coconut water on the beaches in Bali.

3. Try the local street food!

Durian tasted different. The unusual taste consisted of a combination between savory, sweet, and creamy all at once. Would I try it again? Probably not. Do I recommend trying it for yourself? Yes, 100%.

4. The Tegallalang Rice Terrace-

This place in Bali was slightly touristy and overcrowded, but gorgeous and a must-see if you are ever in Ubud. These terraces stand 600 meters above sea level. The rice terraces carved into the mountain are used for crop cultivation.

5. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary-

This place is also known as Monkey Forest Temple. It’s a fun day trip and only costs $3 per person. The place feels as if you are in a small rainforest among large groups of monkeys. The monkeys might seem all nice and cute, but don’t be fooled because they are not. They will scratch you or steal your water bottle. Don’t forget to hold on tight to your things!

6. Try the infamous Balinese Coffee

Balinese coffee is known as Kopi Luwak made from cat poop. Okay, I agree! This coffee sounds disgusting, but I recommend trying it because it is infamous. To be honest, it tastes pretty good. I also recommend trying their local beer, also known as Bintang beer. In my opinion, it tastes similar to Heineken. Also taste dragon fruit and durian while you are in Bali.

7. Temples in Bali.

There are so many temples to cover, as every home in Bali has a temple. Buildings and Temples in Bali are made out of volcanic rock. I can list a few below that we went to and a few that I have researched, but we did not have time to see them. Legend has it that entering all temples in Bali from the south through the split gate also known as ‘Candi Bentar’ means that I have allowed my physical body to enter the spiritual world.

A. Uluwatu Temple- This Balanise Hindu Sea temple is dedicated to Hyang Widhi Wasa. The image above is from the popular show, also known as the Kecak Fire Dance. This performance runs every single evening after the sunset at the Uluwatu Temple. The entrance fee is IDR 50,000 /person and IDR 25,000 for children. This Balinese Hindu dance and music was developed in 1930 and is based on the story of Ramayana.

B. The Elephant Cave Temple, also known as Goa Gajah Temple, is located in central Ubud. This temple is known for its rock wall carvings, elephant-carved cave, bathing pools, and fountains.

C. Besakih Temples– We were grateful we saw the 80 temples of Besakih on a Sunday because there were ceremonies everywhere. We got to witness their traditional outfits and Balance offerings to their god. This place is on the inclines of Bali’s largest volcano, also known as Mount Agung.

D. Other temples to see that we did not get to include Tirta Empul and Luhur Lemuyang.

8. Pantai Pandawa Beach

All of the beaches in Bali are beautiful, but wow, Pantai Pandawa beach took my breath away, and I can’t imagine my trip without seeing this stunning place. Enjoy your time in the water by kayaking, swimming, or even snorkeling.

9. Seminak Beach

Seminyak beach is a touristy spot in Bali and overcrowded. There are restaurants located right on the beach and surrounding the area. We were able to catch a motorcycle ride from our hotel to the beach, and it was an experience I will never forget!

10. Traditional Balinese Cooking Class

Take a cooking class and try some local food from Bali. The ingredients we used are not available back at home. A cooking class is for you if you love spicy food. It is cool to say that I have cooked a traditional Balinese dish!

11. Yoga Class at the Yoga Barn

We were able to take an indoor, outdoor yoga class at the Yoga Barn, and it was nothing but both peaceful and relaxing. The yoga barn is more than a simple studio because it consists of seven studios and offers 100 classes per week. It is a well-rounded experience of healing, wellness, and community. They also offer meditation classes and Ayurvedic treatments.

Address: Jl. Pengoseken 80571 Ubud

12. Waterfalls in Bali

I recommend visiting the Tegenungan Waterfall in Ubud; however, there are a variety of waterfalls to swim at in Bali. This one had clean water, and gorgeous views. There are local shops and restaurants surrounding it.

Address: Jalan Lod Tunduh & Jalan Raya Negara, Gianyar, Bali 80571

13. Bali Swing

We were able to swing on the infamous ‘Bali Swings’ in multiple places. One of the main places you can hop on a swing is the Tegallalang Rice Terrace. I recommend this activity, as it is not only exhilarating, but also loads of fun.

We listed 13 best things to do in Bali. I hope that you enjoyed this blog post, and I am wondering have you been to Bali? If so, please comment below on your experience. I would love to hear about your adventures in Bali. Below are additional images that I have taken on my incredible trip! I hope that you have a wonderful day and have safe future travels!

XOXO,

Ashley

13 Best Things to Do in Bali!