Asia Travel Guide: 2025’s Best Destinations, Events, Attractions and More

Asia is an amazing region of the world: known for its breadth of diverse food traditions and ancient history, it’s no wonder many younger adventurers are particularly interested in visiting. 

We expect Asia to become a more popular destination in 2025, following its resurgence in 2024 with more travelers setting new visitor total records in Japan and heading for China after a years-long pause. Adventurous travelers are also choosing to visit less-visited places in Asia, spurred on by social media and a desire to take the road less traveled. 

With the range of regions, sites, and activities to choose from in this expansive destination, we’ve We put together a guide to help you with your Asia travel planning this year.

Best Destinations in Asia

Asia is a diverse continent filled with incredible wonders both natural and human-made. But there are a few destinations in particular we think travelers will lean toward this year.

Beach lovers flock to Bali’s many resorts and gorgeous crystal-clear waters. Travelers heading to this Indonesian island can relax and recharge any way they want, from hiking and practicing yoga to experiencing local cultures through temple visits or local street markets.

Those who thrive in big cities should consider Singapore or Seoul, South Korea. Both offer incredible culture, food, history, and nightlife. Singapore also boasts the world’s best airport, complete with the largest indoor waterfall on Earth.

Travelers who would like to visit Japan but are worried about the cost or the record numbers of travelers who visited last year should consider visiting Seoul instead. Plus, South Korea has the unique Templestay program for travelers to experience life in a Korean Buddhist monastery!

We also expect China to grow in popularity this year. The vast country boasts the Great Wall and many other historical sites, along with great food and big cities of its own, like Hong Kong, Beijing, and Nanjing.

Best Attractions in Asia

Asia’s best attractions include everything from bamboo forests in China and Japan to mangrove forests and tea plantations in India. There are also the beautiful beaches of Indonesia and Thailand and icons like Japan’s scenic Mount Fuji.

Popular historical attractions in Asia include China’s Great Wall and Terracotta Army, Japan’s Himeji Castle, Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, and India’s Taj Mahal (though — rest assured — the list is nearly endless!).

Must-See 2025 Events in Asia

Lunar New Year celebrations are held all across Asia at the end of January, promising  spectacular celebrations, decorations, and events no matter where you’re visiting.

But there are plenty of other spectacular events throughout the year. Japan, for one, offers many seasonal festivities, including spring’s cherry blossom festivals. Any K-pop fan will love the slate of musical concerts available to attend across Asia, but especially in South Korea.

Mongolia’s Naadam and Golden Eagle festivals are must-sees for adventurers wanting to experience a culture unlike any other.

Winter lovers should consider visiting Harbin, China, for the annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, the largest ice and snow festival in the world, featuring some of the most intricately carved ice structures and objects.

Best Places for Families in Asia

Many destinations in Asia are perfect for families to discover new cultures and ways of life. Adventurous children will love trying new foods in countries from Japan to India.

Warm-weather, tropical destinations like Thailand and Indonesia offer plenty of resorts with kid-specific clubs and programs, while families looking to do a more adventure-focused FIT journey could also consider Japan, Singapore, or Cambodia.

Best Places for Couples in Asia

Asia is a great continent for couples to renew their love or celebrate it.

Adventurous couples will find no lack of fun ways to explore the destination together, from the rainforests of Malaysia to the steppes of Mongolia. Beach vacations can be had anywhere with a coastline, but we recommend Indonesia, home to Bali and Komodo National Park. Those heading to a large city should consider combining a trip to Seoul with the volcanic Jeju Island, a popular spot for Korean couples to celebrate anniversaries and honeymoons.

Best Places for Group Travel in Asia

When we say there’s no bad place for group travel in Asia, we mean it: While Americans are known for their independent nature, Asian cultures are very communal, and you’ll discover that wherever you go.

No matter if you’re traveling with family, friends, or a guided tour group, you’ll make memories to cherish for a lifetime, whether you’re experiencing bustling night markets in Taipei, Taiwan, and Busan, South Korea, or encountering ancient cities like Hoi An, Vietnam, and Tokyo.

Best Places for Solo Travel in Asia

Safety is always a top priority for solo travelers; luckily, many of the world’s safest places are located in Asia. Singapore, South Korea, and Japan are all rated some of the safest countries in the world to live and to visit, making them great options for solo travelers.

Those worried about traveling on their own can consider taking a guided tour crafted for solo travelers, where they can connect with other tourists and stay in a group. This might provide a greater sense of security when visiting other parts of Asia (and assist with the expected language barriers).

Best Foodie Destinations in Asia

What isn’t a great foodie destination in Asia? From India’s spicy curries and Vietnam’s beloved pho to Japan’s sushi and udon, you really can’t go wrong. We could seriously wax poetic about the food and regional delicacies from every country in Asia — but just know, adventurous taste buds are a must to truly savor your trip. 

Tea is a huge part of the culinary traditions of so many Asian countries, from India and China to Sri Lanka, so if you’re a tea drinker, you might want to consider adding a tea experience to your itinerary. Big-city destinations offer teahouses and cafes, while other locales produce their own teas — such as Jeju Island and Sapporo, Japan — offering plantation visits (complete with tastings, of course).

Best Places for Adventure Travel in Asia

Adventure travel in Asia goes far beyond a bucket-list experience like climbing Mount Everest.

Water babies will enjoy boating, surfing, or scuba diving across Indonesia, while winter adventurers can ski or snowboard to their heart’s content in Hokkaido, Japan.

Trekkers will adore walking Japan’s many pilgrimage routes or hiking in one of South Korea’s 23 national parks, many of which offer their own mountains to climb. Animal lovers can take scenic tours through India’s Buxa Tiger Reserve, visit a responsible elephant sanctuary, or view China’s beloved pandas at one of its zoos.

Best Places for Sports Enthusiasts in Asia

Asia will offer a selection of unique sporting events in 2025, including the World Masters Games in Taipei, the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand, the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi, and the Asian Winter Games in Harbin.

Travelers can also find plenty of games to watch, from cricket in India to baseball in South Korea and Japan. Sumo wrestling is also a storied sport for travelers heading to Japan.

Unique to Asia

Asia is an amazingly diverse, beautiful, and ancient region of the world, home to incredible cultures, history, natural wonders, and historical monuments. Travelers can experience what makes Asia unique through its wealth of culinary traditions, natural beauty, and some of the largest cities in the world that weave together the past and future.