Asia/Oceania Forum

A forum for discussions, questions, comments, observations, and more re the world's biggest, most varied continent plus destinations across the Pacific.

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Stependous Sri Lanka and 7 of its top destinations

Adam Smigielski In good part because of its long civil war (from 1983 to 2009), this mostly Buddhist island nation of 22 million, located in the Indian Ocean to the southeast of India, is afflicted by overtourism yet is now attracting increasing numbers of visitors thanks to an amazing trove of sights and experiences, from coconut-palm-fringed beaches (some of which are great for surfing!); lush tea plantations; exciting wildlife-spotting safaris; a delectable cuisine; and friendly locals not…

Started by Tripatini

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9 of the top luxury resorts in the Maldives

There are nearly 200 hotels and resorts scattered across this gorgeous archipelago - many with the signature overwater bungalows the Maldives are known for - so it´s tough to narrow it down, but here´s a go: read post

Started by Tripatini

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8 of Thailand´s beautiful lesser known destinations

CEphoto, Uwe Aranas When planning a trip to Thailand, the images that often spring to mind are those of golden pagodas; buzzing markets and nightlife in Bangkok; and the busy beaches of Phuket. But " the land of smiles" holds many more secrets waiting to be unearthed in its lesser-known cities and towns. They´re all safe for travelers; accessible via the country´s efficient network of air routes, roads, and trains; and offer a range of accommodations; The best time to visit them is during the…

Started by Tripatini

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While hiking in Japan, exploring the the heart and soul (and tushes!) of a most singular country

Peter Van Bossche; other photos by Victor Block unless otherwise noted How often do a toilet and a tea ceremony form perfect metaphors for the culture of a country? But so it is in the Land of the Rising Sun. The toilet falls into the realm of delightful personal discoveries. First a warm toilet seat along with musical options with a variety of buttons that cleaned more areas with water spray than I have nether-region body parts, a portion of the large bathroom mirror that remained perfectly…

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David Paul Appell March 30, 2026 at 11:46am

I´d love to start traveling more to Asia later this year, and all of these look very enticing! https://www.cntraveler.com/story/7-wonders-of-southeast-asia-for-20...

7 Wonders of Southeast Asia for 2026, From Thailand to the Philippines

With the region’s meteoric rise in tourist popularity, it’s time to discover its marvels that exist off the beaten path.
Joseba Basabe February 16, 2026 at 9:46am

Top destinations in Asia in the spring? Cherry blossoms in Japan lead the list, of course, but there are some intriguing other options here, too: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/where-to-go-in-asia-in-spring

12 best places to visit in Asia in spring - Lonely Planet

From cherry blossoms in Japan to wildlife safaris in India, here are spring's best destinations in Asia for culture, hiking and scenery.
Ed Wetschler December 27, 2025 at 11:04pm

These do indeed look pretty spiffy! https://www.timeout.com/asia/news/these-are-the-12-most-exciting-ne...

These are the 12 most exciting new hotel openings in Asia for 2026

From heritage-listed restorations in buzzy cities to wellness-focused resorts by the ocean – these are the hotels we can't wait to check into in 2026
Ken Kok Lee March 18, 2025 at 8:15pm

Interesting, I didn´t see Jakarta coming. And honestly I think Hong Kong and my hometown Singapore should be on this list, too. But for what it´s worth: https://www.timeout.com/asia/news/asias-best-cities-for-food-right-...

These are Asia's best cities for food right now, according to Time Out

Four Asian cities stood out as culinary hotspots for thousands of city-dwellers worldwide.
Jordan Simon January 21, 2025 at 8:20pm

Ladies and gentlemen and non-binaries, Condé Nast Traveler has weighed in lol https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-places-to-go-in-asia-2025

The Best Places to Go in Asia in 2025

For ancient forests, cutting-edge fashion, and urban eco spaces.
María José November 11, 2024 at 5:03pm

Asia ranks high on must-travel lists for 2024 and 2025, and it turns out Travel+Leisure especially singled out Thailand as its "destination of the year" for ´25: https://www.travelandleisure.com/thailand-destination-of-the-year-2...
José Balido June 8, 2024 at 5:57pm

Quite a few of this sites Indian members post about "yatras," which are Hindu spiritual pilgrimages, and the Modi government has been investing millions in renovating Hindu temples and promoting religious tourism to them - and this also ties into its controversial Hindu-centric agenda. Reuters wrote about this earlier this year: https://www.reuters.com/world/india/markets/asia/temple-tourism-set...

Temple tourism set to soar under India's Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated one of the holiest Hindu temples and his government has been spending millions of dollars t…
Ken Kok Lee May 21, 2024 at 9:00am

Condé Nast Traveler´s top spots in Oceania/Pacific for 2024: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-places-to-go-in-australia-new...

The Best Places to Go in Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific in 2024

For First Nations cultural immersions, world-class wines, and top surfing spots.
Helen Brown April 8, 2024 at 5:31pm

Anyone know Macau? Is this a good case to be made? https://travelnoire.com/macau-hottest-new-travel-destination-asia

Why Macau Is The Hottest New Travel Destination In Asia - Travel Noire

With its blend of Portuguese and Chinese culture, world-class resorts, and vibrant nightlife, Macau offers a unique experience for travelers.
Jordan Simon February 9, 2023 at 11:14am

I recently came across CNN Travel's look at a dozen and a half destinations across Asia which are lesser known gems. I'd heard of (and have even been to) some, but others were new to me. An interesting read! https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/asia-underrated-places-intl-...

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/asia-underrated-places-intl-hnk/index.html