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Koh Phi Phi (Thailand)
These idyllic islands near Phuket were the scene of the enchanting scenes from the movie The Beach. Vertical rock faces rise right out of the water hiding tiny coves, caves, and tiny beaches of legends.
Yalong Bay (Hainan, China)
At the same latitude as Hawaii, Hainan is where mainland Chinese come to get that Waikiki feeling without leaving home. Near Sanya on Hainan’s southern tip, may lack Polynesia’s heaving surf and swaying skirts, its broad white beaches are better than many in Hawaii.
HOMA (Yangshuo, China)
Nestled between a limestone peak and a pine forest, and featuring a unique sloping roof covered with grass, the hotel sits in harmony with its environment. The only Chinese hotel member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux alliance, it offers guests a level of style and design never before available in China.
The Zhiwa Ling (Paro, Bhutan)
Whose main building and eight cottages are built in the classic Bhutanese style, and faces the rocky cliffs surrounding Tiger’s Nest Temple. Don’t miss the Paro Festival (in late March or early April, depending on the lunar calendar).
FCC Angkor (Siem Reap, Cambodia)
Renovated from the old French Governor’s mansion, art deco embraces chic hotel, creating an atmosphere of refined luxury and casual elegance. Just minutes away from Cambodia’s most alluring attraction, Angkor Wat.
Terelj Hotel (Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia)
Terelj Hotel (Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia): An oasis of calm and relaxation in the midst of the Mongolian steppes, the Terelj Hotel is as special and unique as the setting.
Loi Krathong (Tak, Thailand)
Offers thanks to the Goddess of Water. Traditionally, participants head to rivers around the country to set their “krathongs” – a lotus-shaped vessel made from banana leaves that is laden with candles and burning incense – afloat, making a wish as they do so.
Dosmochey Festival (Leh, Ladakh)
Is celebrated in Leh (Leh Palace), Liker (Lower Ladakh) and Deskit (Nubra valley) monasteries in February. During the festival monks perform prayer and rituals to get rid of disaster and peace in the world. Monks perform mask dances singing with traditional music, and pilgrims wear colourful traditional Ladakhi dresses.
Golden Eagle Festival (Altai Mountains, Mongolia)
In western Mongolia, an ancient tradition of hunting with Golden Eagles is still alive. Join the hunters on hunting trips, and see different sights in Bayan Olgii province, home of the Kazakh minority in Mongolia.
Saga Dawa Festival (Kailash, Tibet)
Reach Mt Kailas at the time of the Saga Dawa festival when many thousands of pilgrims from all over Tibet gather to pay homage to the mountain. Following the path of pilgrims on their quest for spiritual enlightenment, before returning to Kathmandu.
Paro Festival (Paro, Bhutan)
At these festivals hundreds gather to see the monks dressed in brightly coloured robes perform ritual dances. For several days there are masked dances, prayer meetings and a general carnival atmosphere prevails as many villagers arrive to meet old friends and catch up with mountain gossip.
Songkran New Year Water Festival (Siem Reap, Cambodia)
The most obvious celebration is the throwing of water. Besides people also go to a monastery to pray and give food to monks. They may also cleanse Buddha images. The water is meant as a symbol of washing all of the bad away.
Taling Chan Floating Market (Bangkok, Thailand)
This little-known treasure is not often on most tourist itineraries, and offer an idyllic taste of the Bangkok of the days of yore. The market only opens on weekends from 9am-4pm.
Central Market (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)
This is where it all happens in Phnom Penh. The main building is a massive Art Deco rotunda with wings extending in all directions. It’s an anthill of activity on any given day, and you can get some interesting bargains and unique finds.
Bird Market (Hong Kong)
In Mong Kok district. The customers seem to be mostly old men, who also bring their own caged birds and walk them up and down, showing them off to friends and other birds.
Central Market (Hoi An, Vietnam)
On the banks of the busy Perfume River lies this entire city block of narrow, roofed aisles. Products of every description are for sale inside: handicrafts, household items, and services such as facials and massages. On the outskirts, an entire warehouse is devoted to silk and silk tailoring.
Wet Market (Shanghai, China)
Offers the full spectrum of ingredients required for the intricacies of Chinese cuisine. Plenty of fish heads, eels, cow stomachs, and pig feet to get your appetite going.
Night Bazaar (Chiang Mai, Thailand)
Most of those gorgeous handicrafts you find all over Thailand are made in the north, and at Chiang Mai’s sprawling Night Bazaar, you’ll find the widest selection, best quality, and best prices.
Mai Khao Beach (Phuket, Thailand)
Look to your right – nobody. Look to your left – nobody. Just 17km of deserted beachfront, the longest beach on Phuket, with only one resort (which also happens to be one of the island’s best) dotting its shores. Not a place to come if you want to party, though, since the only excitement occurs [...]
Mui Ne Beach (Phan Thiet, Vietnam)
Just a few hours from Saigon, Phan Thiet is the latest getaway in Vietnam. Oceanside development is in full swing here, and there are some great boutique resorts along the stunning white sands of Mui Ne Beach. The seafood here is good, and the town itself is an interesting little fishing port.
Mae Nam (Koh Samui, Thailand)
Koh Samui’s east coast strands are almost too well known. Head up to the north coast to snoozy Mae Nam, where the sands may be narrower, but you’re not sharing them with the crowds. The water is clear and calm, the palm trees shady.
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