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Lonely Planet's 10 Best Places in Asia 2017

Lonely Planet's 10 Best Places in Asia 2017

Lonely Planet have released their list of the best destinations to visit in Asia in 2017, representing a cross-section of destinations throughout Central, East, and South Asia.

Topping the list is the emerging gem Gansu China, the home of the rainbow sandstone peaks and the end road of the Great Wall of China.

The province is also one of the least populated in China, given its remote location and desert landscape. Thanks to the development of high-speed rail lines, a new metro service, and upgraded highways, Gansu has become more accessible in recent years.

"Asia is such a vast and diverse continent for anyone dreaming of an escape," Lonely Planet's Asia-Pacific media spokesman Chris Zeiher said.

He added,  "From Astana in Kazakhstan, to Xi'an in China, this is a line-up to inspire a multitude of travellers - Whether they're based in Asia, or maybe they've already visited some of the region's heavy-hitting destinations."

 

The complete list is:

 

1. Gansu, China

Gansu’s crown jewel and world-class Buddhist art site, the Mogao Grottoes, received a huge upgrade in 2015, but – just like the entire region – remains underrated and relatively crowd-free.

Image: The Atlantic
Image: The Atlantic

 

 

2. South of Tokyo, Japan

Two cities south of Tokyo, Yokohama and Kamakura, are well worth making time for any visit to Japan. Yokohama packs considerable appeal with its bayside location, eclectic architecture, microbreweries and tasty cuisine. While Kamakura, is classy seaside town known as Japan's first feudal capital.

Image: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
Image: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

 

 

3. Northern Kerala, India

2017 marks India’s 70th year of independence and the opening of a new international airport in Kannur – Kerala’s largest – which will provide an easy introduction to the north. 

The beaches around Kannur, Thottada and Bekal are pristine.

 

Image: Neil Mcallister / Getty Images
Image: Neil Mcallister / Getty Images

 

4. Keong Saik Road, Singapore

The former red-light district was a hotbed for crime, it is now lauded for its beautiful colonial and art-deco buildings where visitors can experience Singapore's famed dining scene.

Image: Asiastyle.asia
Image: Asiastyle.asia

 

 

5. Astana, Kazakhstan

 

A mirage of glass and steel with a stained-glass pyramid, golden skyscrapers and the world’s largest marquee, Astana is the city that oil built and part of President Nazarbayev’s futuristic vision.

Image: evgenykz / Shutterstock
Image: evgenykz / Shutterstock

 

 

6. Takayama, Japan

Takayama boasts one of Japan's most atmospheric townscapes and best-loved festivals. The town's present layout dates from the late 17th century and incorporates a wealth of museums, galleries and temples for a place of its compact size. Meiji-era inns, hillside shrines, and a pretty riverside.

 

Image: Tomomi Wong / Flickr
Image: Tomomi Wong / Flickr

 

 

7. Xi'an, China

 

Once Tang China’s grandest city, not to mention the eastern starting point of the Silk Road, Xi’an’s diverse heritage is supreme: there’s the bustling Muslim Quarter and the Army of Terracotta Warriors, celebrating 30 years as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2017.

Image: Japan Times
Image: Japan Times

 

 

8. Sri Lanka's Hill Country

Take a scenic train to Sri Lanka's idyllic Hill Country for a wonderfully temperate escape from the nation's humid coasts. The green hills beyond are carpeted with tea plantations – visit the Ceylon Tea Museum to learn about the country's most famous export.

Image: alex_aladdin / Shutterstock
Image: alex_aladdin / Shutterstock

 

 

9. Melaka City, Malaysia

Recent years have seen Melaka capitalise on its illustrious history and assert itself as one of Malaysia’s most irresistible tourist draws.Back in the 15th century, Melaka was one of Southeast Asia's greatest trading ports.

Image: Frans Sellies / Getty Images
Image: Frans Sellies / Getty Images

 

 

10. Raja Ampat

The sparsely populated Raja Ampat Islands comprise around 1000 islands just off Sorong. Raja Ampat has to be one of the most beautiful island chains in Southeast Asia with pure, unadulterated beauty. 

Image: Jones/Shimlock-Secret Sea Visions / Getty Images
Image: Jones/Shimlock-Secret Sea Visions / Getty Images

 

 

 

Indah Gilang Pusparani

Indah is a researcher at Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Cirebon (Regional Development Planning and Research Agency of Cirebon Municipality). She covers More international relations, tourism, and startups in Southeast Asia region and beyond. Indah graduated from MSc Development Administration and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom in 2015. She finished bachelor degree from International Relations from University of Indonesia in 2014, with two exchange programs in Political Science at National University of Singapore and New Media in Journalism at Ball State University, USA. She was awarded Diplomacy Award at Harvard World Model United Nations and named as Indonesian Gifted Researcher by Australian National University. She is Researcher at Regional Planning Board in Cirebon, West Java. She previously worked as Editor in Bening Communication, the Commonwealth Parliament Association UK, and diplomacy consulting firm Best Delegate LLC in USA. Less
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