Ten Places To See In Asia Before You Die

 Traveling the world is one of the most interesting and enjoyable things that a traveler can choose to do with their valuable vacation time.  From Europe, to Australia, and even the continents of South America and Africa, there are a number of great destinations to choose from.  One of the best areas to travel to with an incredible selection of things to see and experience is the many different destinations of Asia.

Asia offers a wide variety of places to see, each offering their own history and culture, including Thailand, Japan, China, Indonesia, Russia, and more.  With this wide variety of destinations it is no surprise that there is a wealth of worthwhile attractions to see there.  Asia is huge though, so it is not easy to narrow down where the must see attractions are for those choosing to travel there.  With that in mind, here is a look at the ten best attractions and destinations in Asia that every traveler should attempt to see before they die.

Stretching for nearly 4,000 miles in length, the Great Wall of China has been one of the most impressive and famous attractions in China for literally thousands of years. The wall that is currently visible was mostly built during the Ming Dynasty and was intended to aid in the defense of the Chinese Empire from attacks from various enemies to the north.

Beginning in the latter parts of the 1900s, and due to an easing of travel restrictions by the Chinese government, the Great Wall of China became one of the most popular attractions to see for vacationers going to Asia. This is a true wonder of the world and one of the most incredible things to see in the entire world. When the traveler views the wall and sees it from the perspective of how it was built by the people of the time, they can gain a more in depth appreciation of it.

Some of the popular areas of the wall that are available to be visited by tourists of today include Badaling, the west pass of Jiayuguan, the pass of Shanhaiguan, the Wangjinglou watchtower, and the Mutianyu section. While the entire wall is impressive, some of the most impressive stretches are where it zig zags along the crests of some high altitude mountain ranges. A visit to the Great Wall of China is the type of experience that most vacationers would never forget.

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Check out Asia with the Disney touch!

The Walt Disney company has been treating families to some wonderful vacations for decades. The many great features of Disney attractions include shopping opportunities, great food, amusement rides, and more. The first Disney property built outside of the United States was Tokyo Disneyland which was first opened in 1983. The park contains both similarities and differences to and with its counterparts in the United States. There are a number of themed areas in the park including World Bazaar, Westernland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Critter Country, and Mickey's Toontown.

Millions of visitors head to Tokyo Disneyland each year for the express purpose of being entertained on a variety of levels. Some of the more popular attractions within Tokyo Disneyland include Snow White's Adventures, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan's Flight, Big Thunder Mountain, Mark Twain Riverboat, Splash Mountain, Chip 'n Dale's Treehouse, Donald's Boat, Jungle Cruise, and the Pirates of the Caribbean.

A more recent addition to the facility is Tokyo DisneySea which is located adjacent to the Tokyo Disneyland park. Tokyo DisneySea has become a popular attraction in its own right and includs a number of water based attractions and rides. The fun times that can be had in this truly interesting Disney owned property located in the amazing city of Tokyo.

When it comes to looking for interesting experiences in a foreign land, often one of the best things to do is to head out and enjoy a true part of local life. It's also a great idea for a traveler to look for some of the most unique things that a country has to offer so that they come away with experiences that are unlike those they could get elsewhere. When visiting the incredible city of Bangkok, Thailand, travelers can head out to the many floating markets in the city and have experiences that are both entirely unique and distinctly local.

Bangkok has been called the Venice of Asia due to the many waterways that are used as primary modes of transportation in the city. There are also many activities within the city that take place on these waterways and one of those are open markets. There are several different markets to choose from including the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Pratunam Market, Patpong Night Market, and the Pak Khlong Talat Market. The largest market in Bangkok is the Chatuchak Weekend Market which caters to both locals and tourists. The incredible variety of things that can be purchased at these markets is simply astounding. From local foods that feature Thai cuisine at its best to souvenirs and homemade crafts, the floating markets of Bangkok offer an extremely memorable experience that will stay with the traveler for the rest of their lives.

Located in the capital city of Beijing, the Temple of Heaven is one of the most impressive cultural and religious sites in all of China. The temple was constructed in the early 1400s and has been renovated a number of times since then. It is famous for its incredible architecture which spans not only the main structure, but the surrounding buildings that are also a part of the site too.

The Temple of Heaven itself is a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike, though even more locals make use of the surrounding open space as a place for exercise and public gatherings. There are three main groupings of structures that make up the Temple of Heaven and they include the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Imperial Vault of of Heaven, and the Circular Mound Altar. Each of these feature incredible architecture and a fascinating history. To this day, a number of important ceremonies are still held at the site of the Temple of Heaven. Visiting this attraction is a great way for travelers to experience an important part of Chinese history that many don't get the chance to see.

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The city of Hong Kong is an amazingly vibrant city that offers a great deal of entertainment options for the visitors that go there. From an incredible array of shopping opportunities to a great opportunity to sample some of the best cuisine in the world, the city of Hong Kong offers nearly everything any traveler could ever want.

One of the more interesting places to visit in Hong Kong is Victoria Peak. Also known to many as Mount Austin or simply The Peak, Victoria Peak is located in the western half of Hong Kong Island and towers over the rest of the island, reaching a maximum height of 1,810 feet. This is a popular destination for visitors to Hong Kong and offers some of the best views of the city, Victoria Harbor, and the surrounding waterways and islands.

The location began in the 1800s as one of the areas of the city where the more well to do would settle and build lives for themselves. Today, it offers some of the nicest buildings and most popular shopping centers in all of Hong Kong. The two main shopping towers at Victoria Peak are the Peak Tower and the Peak Galleria. These two entertainment hubs are located right next to each other and are popular with locals and tourists alike. There is limited access to Victoria Peak, with most travelers reaching it via the Peak Tram. It is also possible to get there by car, taxi, or bus by taking the long and winding Peak Road. A steep road that is open only to pedestrians also connects Hong Kong's central district with Victoria Peak too, and for those able to participate in such an activity, it offers another great way of experiencing the scenic view on the way up to this beautiful location. A visit to Victoria Peak is a great way to complete a vacation to Hong Kong.

Located on the grounds of the Grand Palace in the city of Bangkok, Thailand is one of the most highly thought of religious sites in the entire country. The Emerald Buddha is an extremely beautiful and intricate work of art that also has great meaning too.

There is a long and interesting historical legend that details how the Emerald Buddha came to reside in Bangkok. Legend has it that it was created in India and after residing there for more than 300 years, was taken to the island of Sri Lanka to escape the ravages of a civil war. It then made its way over the next thousand years through various locations in Southeast Asia before turning up in northern Thailand in the mid 1400s. It changed locations over the next few hundred years until coming to its current home in the late 1700s. One of the more interesting parts of the Emerald Buddha are the variety of gold clothing that it wears at different times of the year. Both the Buddha itself and the ornate gold clothing show that they were made by true master craftsmen. The different sets of clothing are changed by the King of Thailand during ceremonies and each of the three sets of gold clothes are tied to a specific season of the country.

While viewing the impressive Emerald Buddha, visitors should take the chance to check out the rest of the Grand Palace which sits right on the shore of the Chao Phraya River. The Emerald Buddha is contained in the Wat Phra Kaew, but the Dusit Phra and Chakri Mahaprasad Hall are also impressive structures in the complex, along with the many statues and other structures located there. A visit to the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha is one of those excursions where a traveler should definitely bring along their camera.

One of the most traveled to attractions in the amazing city of Beijing is known as the Forbidden City. It currently contains a number of interesting structures that feature some of the finest examples of Chinese architecture that can be seen anywhere. For more than 500 years, the Forbidden City in Beijing was where the Emperor of China resided.

Today, the Forbidden City houses the Palace Museum and is one of the best places to go to in order to learn about the true history of the early rulers of China, where they lived and how they functioned in daily life. A 26 foot high wall surrounds the Forbidden City and originally served as a last line of defense against invaders. Some of the interesting features within the Forbidden City that are worth visiting include the outer court, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony, Hall of Preserving Harmony, the Inner Court, Palace of Earthly Tranquility, Palace of Heavenly Purity, Hall of Union, and more.

The city is also filled with a number of historical artifacts and pieces of art. Travelers intent on visiting the Forbidden City should set aside at least a full day and possibly even more to explore the entire facility. From the treasures and information on display inside the buildings, to the amazing palatial architecture on the outside, the Forbidden City is a definite must see attraction that almost everyone should take the time to visit.

Located in the city of Agra, India which is found on the banks of the Yamuna River. The Taj Mahal is an incredible ornate building that was built in the 1650s by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It was intended as a memorial to Mumtaz Mahal, the emperor's most favored wife. This is considered by many to be the most impressive example of Muslim art, not only in India, but anywhere in the world.

The unique architectural style was constructed nearly flawlessly and offers visitors an amazing opportunity to capture what will surely become some of the most beautiful vacation photographs they ever take. The Taj Mahal is not only incredible to experience from the outside though. Inside the Taj Mahal is a great collection of fabulous examples of Muslim art, as well as important cultural artifacts too.

On the grounds outside the main buildings sits a large sunken garden that provides a wonderful opportunity for meditation and exploration. Even the outlying buildings in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal are designed well and in the same architectural style. Millions of visitors come to the Taj Mahal annually to experience all that it has to offer. There is nothing quite like a leisurely stroll around the grounds of the world famous Taj Mahal.

Known as one of the Five Sacred Mountains, Mount Tai is an impressive mountain located in the Shandong Province in China. This mountain has historical and cultural significance like few other sites in China. Standing at more than 5,000 feet tall, the most amazing part of Mount Tai is the numerous religious and cultural structures that are found at its highest points. These well constructed temples and outlying buildings feature great examples of Chinese architecture and are a true wonder to visit.

Many visitors are content to tour the main temple at the base of the mountain and to stare up at the wonders that rise above them on the mountain's slopes. For those that are in decent shape and have the time, a trip up the mountain can be a fun and exciting time. Hiking trails are not needed when climbing Mount Tai, thanks to a stairway and path system that includes more than 7,000 steps.

Two other much loved features on Mount Tai are the great view that can be had of the surrounding area and the many natural landmarks in the area, including a rock formation known as the Immortal Bridge. Some of the specific sights on the mountain include the Palace to Goddess Dou Mu, Ten Thousand Immortals Tower, Arhat cliff, and the First Gate to Heaven. Most travelers coming to Asia are not aware of the existence of Mount Tai, but it is definitely one of the most impressive sights to see and experience in the entire area.

For those seeking out the most impressive natural attractions that the world has to offer, there are few more wondrous things to see than the Himalayan mountains. The Himalayas stretch through a number of countries including Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, china, Bhutan, and India.

While not everyone can afford to, or have the ability to, go mountain climbing in the Himalayas, they can be viewed and experienced from the lower altitudes as well. Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the entire world, is in the Himalayan mountain range and is one of the focal points of most of the tourist activity there. While hiking and climbing is also done in the low altitudes, and is a great way to get a feel for this amazing part of the world, the true wonders are the incredibly tall mountains that are found there.

There are a number of tour companies that offer aerial tours of the Himalayas. While it is usually too dangerous to fly into the upper reaches of the tallest areas of the mountain range, doing aerial fly overs of the lowlands and the lesser peaks can still be an incredible opportunity to experience the region. There is nothing quite like seeing the Himalayas firsthand, and for those lucky few who do, it is something that they will never forget.