This vast region offers a sensory overload that defies simple categorisation. Asia’s storied past is etched into every crumbling temple and sacred grove, all while a bold, high-tech future is simultaneously being written across its many neon-lit skylines. It’s no wonder Australians can’t get enough.

THE LOWDOWN

Asia is a powerhouse continent, one that stretches further than you might think. According to the United Nations there are 48 countries in Asia, which extends across the Indian subcontinent to include the countries of Central Asia and the Middle East. That makes Asia home to some of the world’s oldest civilisations as well as its most modern cities, a place where deeply ingrained traditions of hospitality are found in big cities and remote communities alike.

You could spend decades exploring Asia’s marvels and never get bored. The continent’s diversity is dazzling, from Thailand’s palm-fringed beaches and India’s energetic cities to Mongolia’s wide-open plains, from Central Asia’s blue-tiled mosques to Borneo’s lush jungles.

WHAT’S HOT

Australians’ love affair with Asia is in full swing, with the continent nabbing six of the top 10 places on the list of most-visited destinations last year. Indonesia claimed the top spot, fuelled largely by our passion for Bali, while Japan came third, China fifth and Thailand sixth. India and Vietnam sat at eighth and ninth places respectively. Expect Vietnam to rank even higher next year – along with Sri Lanka, it is one of our fastest-growing destinations.

It is not just the exchange rate that drives our decision-making, although the Aussie dollar remains strong across much of the continent. Asia ticks boxes for a cross-section of travellers. Its reputation for safety makes it a good choice for solo travellers, and there is plenty of affordable accommodation for budget travellers and multi-generation groups, while Asia’s luxe retreats are among the best in the world.

Asia is actively courting visitors, with China extending its visa-free entry until the end of this year and the Gulf countries planning to introduce a Schengen-style unified visa. Many countries are investing in infrastructure – new and expanded airports have been launched or are coming online in Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Bhutan, Dubai and Saudi Arabia – while air routes this year include non-stop flights to Turkey and the first direct flights from Australia to the Maldives thanks to Luxury Escapes’ non-stop route from Melbourne to Male.

What’s not

The current war in the Middle East has added even more destinations to Smartraveller’s Do Not Travel list alongside Myanmar, Afghanistan, the Jammu and Kashmir district of India, and areas along the Indian-Pakistan and Thai-Cambodia borders. The government also advises reconsidering travel to Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and the Indonesian Highland Papua provinces of Papua Pegunungan and Papua Tengah.

Dangerous levels of air pollution, fuelled by factors from crop burning to use of poor quality fuels and exacerbated by climate change, have been reported in a swathe of Asian destinations, including popular cities such as Bangkok, Hanoi, Delhi and Jakarta. Some seasons are worse than others, so check the situation at your destination before you book flights.

MUST-VISITCOUNTRIES

The Philippines

Looking for an island getaway? The Philippines has more than 7000 to choose from. The best-known destinations are Boracay with its white-sand beaches, and the sprawling Palawan archipelago, where lush jungles compete for attention with reefs and beaches. The government is working hard to spread the tourism dollar further by promoting destinations such as the coral reefs of Apo Reef Natural Park – home to more than 500 marine species – Cloud 9 surf break on Siargao Island and the Instagram-worthy Banaue rice terraces, a 2000-year-old feat of engineering. Hungry travellers should head to Ililo City, recently declared a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Turkey

Launching at the end of this year, Turkish Airlines’ 17-hour direct flights from Sydney to Istanbul will make it easier than ever to explore this magnificent country. Allow plenty of time to enjoy Istanbul’s many delights before heading to the otherworldly landscapes of Pamukkale, with its gleaming white mineral terraces, and Cappadocia, home to both underground cities and “fairy chimneys”. If you want some seaside action, check out the Aegean resort town of Bodrum, or head to the country’s Mediterranean coast to visit the rock-cut tombs of Myra or hike the Lycian way.

Sri Lanka

Despite the devastation wrought by Cyclone Ditwah at the end of last year, Sri Lanka is ready to welcome visitors – in fact, it is counting on tourism to help fund its recovery. The good news is that Jetstar is launching flights from Melbourne to Colombo, making it easier than ever to visit this tropical beauty. Sri Lanka is one of those small countries packed with a range of attractions. Wildlife safaris, centuries-old Buddhist temples and mist-draped hill towns are all on the itinerary. There are no fewer than eight UNESCO World Heritage sites to explore, ranging from the cave temples of Dambulla to the towering rock fortress of Sigiriya.

Armenia

It is easy to fall in love with Armenia’s pretty capital, Yerevan, where imposing government buildings are constructed with the improbably pink local stone, where long avenues lined with sidewalk cafes link one city park with the next, and where snow-capped Mount Ararat always looms on the horizon. But this compact country offers plenty more to explore, from medieval monasteries to the ruins of Silk Road caravanserais (guesthouses) and starkly beautiful landscapes studded with vast lakes and leafy mountain towns. And did we mention the many boutique wineries reviving the country’s ancient viticulture?

Taiwan

For an island half the size of Tasmania, Taiwan packs a lot into its compact confines. From bustling cities such as Taipei – equally famous for its lively street food and its world-class museums – to the amazing landscapes of the Central Mountain Range, from the beaches and reefs of Kenting National Park to colourful local festivals, there is a huge amount to discover. Rail fans will want to ride the narrow-gauge Alishan Forest Railway through the mountains, while Taiwan’s 16 indigenous tribes offer plenty of opportunities for a cultural deep dive.

MUST-SEE CITIES

Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi is packed with landmarks, from Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum to the Imperial Citadel, but the best way to enjoy Vietnam’s bustling capital is to spend time wandering through its most atmospheric neighbourhoods: the Old Quarter, the French Quarter and West Lake. Early risers can join locals doing a circuit of Hoan Kiem Lake; alternatively, breakfast in one of the city’s many cafes, ideally accompanied by a Vietnamese coffee, is a good way to ease into the day. Exploring the city’s leafy boulevards and narrow alleys is hungry work and Hanoi is one of the world’s great food cities, whether you feast on street food favourites, book in at a glamorous rooftop restaurant, or both.

Khiva, Uzbekistan

Central Asia has a bumper crop of historic sites, so the fact that Khiva scored the region’s first UNESCO World Heritage listing gives you some indication of how special it is. Located in the far west of the country, Khiva has been continuously inhabited for 2500 years, and a bullet train launching this year will slash the travel time from Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, from 15 hours to 7.5 hours. The historic 26-hectare walled city that is the heart of Khiva contains dozens of monuments, from the intricately-tiled Pahlavon Mahmud mausoleum to the towering Islam Khodja minaret.

George Town, Malaysia

We are going to call it. If you haven’t made it to George Town yet – or it’s a while since you’ve visited – get in now before the Americans take over. Both The New York Times and CNN Travel picked George Town as one of the top destinations for 2026, so an influx of Stateside visitors seems likely. And who could blame them? With picturesque shophouses and lively street art, wet markets, an extraordinary collection of boutique hotels and magnificent food that blends the city’s Chinese, Malay and Indian influence, George Town is a real treasure.

Hyderabad, India

Industries such as IT and pharmaceuticals have fuelled Hyderabad’s status as one of India’s richest hubs, but this city is used to being wealthy, as its extraordinary collection of elaborate monuments proves. The Qutb Shahi, who ruled in the 16th century, built the fortified citadel of Golconda, the imposing Charminar in the heart of the bazaar, and a collection of domed mausoleums surrounded by parklands. Their successors, the Nizams of Hyderabad, created the Chowmahalla Palace, an expansive compound built around garden courtyards – the audience hall is illuminated by 19 Belgian chandeliers.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The launch of Phnom Penh’s glitzy new airport, complete with a giant Buddha statue inside the terminal, got a lot of press last year, but it is urban reinventions such as the Chaktomuk Walk Street – a pedestrianised promenade along the Tonle Sap River that comes alive weekend evenings with food, music and performances – that have powered the buzz around Cambodia’s capital. Young Cambodian entrepreneurs are restoring the city’s modernist buildings and opening coffee shops, distilleries and boutiques, which is all helping Phnom Penh wrest back some of the spotlight from its rival city, Siem Reap.

MUST-SEE SIGHTS

Hokkaido, Japan

Japan’s largest island, Honshu, is studded with famous gardens but those of its northern neighbour, Hokkaido, are less well-known. The 250 kilometre-long Hokkaido Garden path links eight of the island’s best gardens, which showcase a different range of flowers thanks to its cooler climate. Don’t miss the beloved Ueno Garden and the Daisetsu Forest Garden, planted with more than 900 colourful perennial species as well as the rare Himalayan blue poppies, in bloom from late-June until mid-July.

teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi

Be prepared to get your feet wet if you visit the first project from Japan’s renowned teamLab in the UAE. The Japanese group is known for creating dizzying digital displays that are all-but-impossible to capture in words. Its new art museum in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District is divided between dry and wet zones so you might need to roll up your trousers and walk through shallow water. As you explore the 25 exhibits the light projections on the walls and floors react to your movements, meaning no two experiences are ever the same.

Asia’s most striking railway station, Mumbai

Mumbai’s magnificent Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station (formerly Victoria Terminus) was the launch point for India’s first passenger train service back in 1853, and it is still one of the busiest stations in the world. The building’s facade is absurdly ornate, boasting turrets, domes and multi-coloured marble – a style known as Bombay gothic – but even more jaw-dropping is the throng of people that pushes through here during rush hour, more than 3 million a day.

Mogao Grottoes, China

Head to the far west of China and tucked into a set of caves carved into the wonderfully named Rattling Sand Mountain, you will find one of the most important collections of Buddhist art in the world. The Mogao Grottoes, near Dunhuang in Gansu province, were carved by generations of believers starting in 366BC. Today this World-Heritage-listed destination showcases 1000 years of Buddhist art, some painted with colours made from indigo and lapis lazuli, that depict not just religious themes but also contemporary life and culture of western China.

Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Singapore

Ditching old-school ideas of what a zoo should be, Rainforest Wild Asia at Singapore’s Mandai Wildlife Reserve is a celebration of Asia’s most distinctive eco-systems, from rainforests to karsts and caves. Animals including Malayan Tapirs, estuarine crocodiles and Francois langurs roam free in eight different habitats, which visitors navigate via different paths, from accessible walkways to forest treks that include boulder-hopping and log crosses. You can also take in the view from above via an elevated walkway.

MUST-DO EXPERIENCES

Get near Indonesia’s largest lake

How big is Lake Toba, Indonesia’s largest lake? So big, it has an island the size of Singapore in its centre. Sitting in northern Sumatra at an altitude of 900 metres, this is the largest crater lake in the world, covering more than 1100 square kilometres and up to 450 metres deep in places. Samosir Island is home to the Batak tribe, known for its striking houses and its elegant dances, so add in some village visits to your itinerary, along with kayaking and hiking opportunities.

Get steamy in Seoul

Japan has its onsens, Korea has its jjimjilbangs – but the Korean take on a bathhouse is a very different thing to the Japanese version. Seoul’s most popular jjimjilbangs, such as Dragon Hill Spas, are vast complexes where you can spend an entire day or night steaming, eating, relaxing or even sleeping. The atmosphere is social and although the baths are segregated by gender (no swimsuits allowed – this is strictly nude bathing), the saunas and other areas are co-ed: you will often see family groups or friends hanging out.

Light up at the Nebuta festival

Every year in the first week of August, more than 3 million people from across Japan travel to Aomori in the country’s north for the colourful Nebuta festival. More than 20 massive lantern floats, each one based on kabuki stories, are paraded through the streets every night accompanied by colourfully-dressed dancers, flautists and drummers. On the final night, the nebutas are laden onto boats to be ferried around the bay, accompanied by fireworks. If you can’t make it to Aomori that week, come earlier to watch the nebuta being built in the festival lead-up.

Escape crowds at Lan Ha Bay

Vietnam’s booming popularity is leading to overcrowding at some of its most popular sights and nowhere is that more true than at beautiful Ha Long Bay, where hundreds of limestone karsts arise out of its emerald waters. What many visitors don’t realise is that those same karsts can be found in other spots, particularly at nearby Lan Ha Bay, which is also home to floating fishing villages. Take an overnight cruise or grab a paddle and get kayaking to savour the serenity that has faded from Lan Ha Bay’s more famous neighbour.

Watch worlds collide in Bangkok

Even if art isn’t your thing, the Bangkok Art Biennale is worth catching because of the creative way it displays contemporary art in some of the city’s most venerated buildings. For the fifth edition, opening October 29 and on show until February 28, 2027, venues, including Wat Arun and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, will host works by renowned artists from around the world including Mandy El-Sayegh, Gerard & Kelly and Sun Yuan & Peng Yu.

MUST-DO JOURNEYS

Explore Kyrgyzstan on horseback

There are few better ways to explore Central Asia’s dramatic mountain landscapes than on horseback and Kyrgyzstan, where nomadic traditions remain strong, is a brilliant spot for a horse trek. Ride through the high passes of the Tien Shan mountains and along the shores of alpine lakes such as Song Kol and Issy Kul on World Expeditions’ 11-day Kyrgyzstan by horseback expedition. Fall asleep in traditional yurts beneath vast mountain skies, sharing meals with local families.

Discover Malaysia by sea

Discover Malaysia’s exquisite archipelagos and historic ports on Seabourn’s eight-day Malaysia & Thailand: Malacca Strait Explorer cruise. This round trip departs from Singapore and lets you explore well-known destinations such as the lush Langkawi Islands, with its atmospheric caves and mangroves and its beautiful beaches, as well as less-visited cities such as Malacca, a melting pot shaped by traders from India and China, Portugal and Holland.

Hike China’s Great Wall

The Great Wall of China is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, yet most people spend just an hour or two exploring it. Intrepid Travel’s new eight-day Great Wall of China hike is a chance to explore some less-visited parts of the wall, including the Mutianyu, Jiankou and Gubeikou sections. Expect to walk up to 10 kilometres a day, with some steep elevations rising between 300 and 500 metres. Sleep in local guesthouses along the way and enjoy delicious meals.

Island-hopping on a luxury cruise

If your preferred method of travelling is buffet-style – a little of this, a little of that – a South-East Asian cruise is a great way to sample plenty of different destinations without constantly checking in and out of hotels. Oceania Cruises’ 14-day Indochina to Bali Seafarer itinerary takes you from Singapore to Bali, including no fewer than nine ports in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia along the way. Highlights include visiting Phuket, the Indonesian city of Surabaya, with its mosques and markets, and Lombok, where you can visit Hindu shrines, traditional villages and beachside restaurants.

Dive deep into Java’s diverse landscapes with Railway Adventures’ 17-day Java by Rail itineraries. Travelling on a range of transport, from heritage trains to express and local services, as well as coaches and ferries, this trip from Jakarta to Bali takes in World Heritage-listed temples, vibrant cities, steaming volcanoes and verdant jungles. Highlights include visiting South-East Asia’s largest mosque, Istiqlal Mosque, the brightly-painted village of Jodipan, and exploring Surakarta city in a privately-chartered steam train.

FUN FACTS: ASIA

• China crosses five geographical time zones but operates on only one: Beijing time. This means in some regions, the sun doesn’t rise till 10.30am in the winter months.
• In Lopburi, Thailand, monkeys are honoured with an annual feast of fruit, vegetables and ice cream on the last Sunday of every November as it’s believed they’ll bring good luck, and lots of tourists.
• Hong Kong has more mobile phones than people, with a ratio of approximately 2.36 phones per person, meaning residents typically have different phones for personal and business uses.
• In two-thirds of Middle Eastern countries, more women than men attend university.
• Saudi Arabia imports sand and camels from Australia because their own sand is too smooth to bind with cement for construction, and Australian camels are fatter and tastier when eaten at festivals than the local animals.