Travel blog

Thailand’s temples, or wats, are among its most popular tourist attractions. There are over 30,000 Buddhist and Hindu wats found across this Southeast Asian country. They are sacred places that many people visit every day to pray, meditate, and seek counsel from monks.

Thailand’s wats are colorful, ornately decorated complexes that are as beautiful as they are sacred. With multi-layered roofs, bell-shaped stupa towers, holy relics, and elaborate ornamentation, they are some of the most impressive religious structures in the world.

With so many options, how do you choose which Thailand temples to visit? Easy. You start with this list.

The list of the best places to visit in China is long because there is so much to see in this massive, ancient, endlessly varied Asian nation. China covers 3.7 million acres. It contains megacities, the towering Himalayas, lush forests, the sprawling Gobi Desert, tropical islands, and many more diverse environments.

The country is home to 3,000 years of history, and the world’s largest population at 1.3 billion people. 

The most popular places to visit in China are spectacular displays of history, natural beauty, and culture. From the centuries-old treasures hidden within the fortified walls of the Forbidden City, to the thick bamboo forests lining the scenic banks of the Yangtze River, there is no shortage of memorable places in China to visit.

Here are just a few of our favorite places to visit in China. 

Tokyo, Japan has a well-earned reputation as one of the finest foodie cities on the planet. Tokyo’s culinary offerings run the gamut from Michelin-starred haute cuisine to humble street food.

No matter the cost, you can expect perfection from each dish served in the bustling Japanese capital. Fresh ingredients, centuries of knowledge, and a culture with exacting taste all ensure that the food you eat in Tokyo will be a highlight of your trip.

Vietnam is fast becoming one of the most appealing destinations in all of Southeast Asia. It’s blessed with a huge variety of stunning natural beauty, as well as incredible cultural accomplishments. You’ll see an expansive coastline, pleasant beaches, countless rivers, thick forests, stunning Buddhist pagodas, and bustling cities. It is also home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a varied and delicious culinary scene.

One of the main reasons so many travelers have Japan at the top of their bucket list is for the tiny island nation’s one-of-a-kind culture. Japan kept itself isolated from the rest of the world for centuries under their isolation policy of Sakoku, finally emerging in the mid-1800s with an utterly unique identity, free of the Western influence that had already seeped into many parts of Asia. Japan has changed drastically in the more than a century since the end of Sakoku, and while it has certainly been influenced by the rest of the world in that time, it has maintained the majority of its still strong cultural identity.

Spain is the second most visited country in the world. It is a diverse nation made up of 17 regions, each with its own culture and traditions. To fully appreciate the local culture, it is a good idea for travelers to familiarize themselves with Spanish customs.

The Burj Khalifa was designed to impress. A record-breaking feat of engineering, it stands at 830 meters, over half a mile, high above the United Arab Emirates’ city of Dubai. It took five years and over $1.5 billion to construct the tallest building in Dubai and the world, and as you can imagine, it contains more than its fair share of interesting facts.

Technology has changed the way people travel today compared to even ten years ago. For example, travelers now have access to mobile maps, translation apps, and cultural information with just a few taps. English has also become the universal language for many industries and has definitely been embraced by the tourism sector.

Americans are no longer limited to travels to Canada, the UK, and Australia in order to feel comfortable with the local language, as the list of English-speaking countries continues to grow. There are plenty of English-speaking European countries

In a city of 20 million, there is always noise. The commotion never stops—the rumble of traffic, the familiar din of the metro line, the early morning staccato of jackhammers. But beyond the cacophony and bright lights there is another Shanghai—the Former French Concession.

When China lost the Opium Wars in 1842, it was forced to open itself to foreign trade, and to cede portions of its cities to colonial powers including the United States, Japan, and various European countries. Shanghai sacrificed much of its territory in a series of concessions where swaths of the city were leased, occupied and governed by these foreign governments. The occupying government’s citizens were given the right to freely inhabit, trade, and travel in these concessions—in some cases Chinese citizens were no longer welcome—making the areas effectively little slices of that foreign country, inserted in the middle of Chinese cities.

A trip to Asia will immerse you in cultures and traditions that may be unfamiliar and exotic. The sights and sounds will captivate your attention as you visit vibrant and colorful markets, people-watch as locals go about their daily business, admire the serenity of temple grounds, and marvel at opulent palace grounds.

Before embarking on your tour, be sure to set aside time for learning about the history of the places you’ll be visiting. Another area to look into is the weather at your destination in order to ensure you pack for maximum comfort on your escorted tour. The weather across the region varies from country to country, but depending on when you visit, humidity in the region may be unlike anything you have experienced before.

To properly prepare for your trip, here are essential items to pack for your vacation to Asia: