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| Angkor Wat |
ANGKOR WAT, CAMBODIA
Angkor Wat is one of the most iconic sights within Asia, and tops many travellers' bucket list, but with such a strong level of interest can come big crowds at peak times of year.Inside scoop: Do a sunrise visit via one of the lesser used entrances to avoid the maddening crowds. It may be the one time you'll appreciate a 4am start! Also make sure to dress appropriately with your knees and shoulders covered to ensure you're able to visit the third level of the temple.
Insider team tips: Consider travelling during the green season when the lotus pond is at its fullest since it provides spectacular photo opportunities of Angkor Wat reflecting from the lotus pond. It's also worth visiting some of Cambodia's lesser known, but also equally beautiful temples, including Boeng Mealea, just two hours from Angkor.
THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA, CHINA
Often considered one of the 'seven wonders of the world', the Great Wall of China is the world's longest man-made structure, and is another bucket list regular for travellers.Inside scoop: The Great Wall is another hot spot where it pays to know the 'lesser visited' spots and the best time to go to avoid being overwhelmed.
Insider team tip: Though a little further from Beijing (around 2-3 hours) it is worth the trip to see the Great Wall at Mutianyu or Jinshanling as there are far fewer tourists than at the Badaling section.
THE TAJ MAHAL
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| Taj Mahal |
India's greatest architectural achievement, the UNESCO protected Taj Mahal is universally admired as a masterpiece of world heritage and an embodiment of romantic expression.
Inside scoop: The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays, so make sure to time your trip accordingly.
Insider team tip: A truly romantic destination, during the full moon there are a limited number of tickets available to see the Taj Mahal at night.
Inside scoop: With the new highway linking Hanoi and Sapa, it's easier than ever to get to Sapa and it can fit into a shorter timeframe.
Insider team tip: If you'd like to avoid most tourists, head northwest from Hanoi to explore Ha Giang, rich in tribal culture, spectacular landscapes and a great Sunday market at Meo Vac.
Insider scoop: Be prepared to jump in the back of a pickup truck to get to the top of the cliff to see the expansive view from this UNESCO World Heritage listed site.
Insider team tip: If you stay at the boutique hotel a short drive away, you'll be able to visit for both sunset and sunrise.
Insider scoop: For the more adventurous, try zip-lining in the Bolaven Plateau, flying over cliffs and waterfalls, which can be arranged by special request in advance.
Insider team tip: Spend the night in a jungle tree-top house for a truly unique experience.
Insider scoop: These amazing Roman-style ruins, which stretch over a vast spectacular rocky area, are visited by few tourists but easily accessed from Bangalore.
Insider team tip: Bring good walking shoes, a hat, and do your touring early and late in the day to avoid the midday heat.
Insider scoop: Uncover Juizhaigou's scenic highlights with a combination of park transportation, cable car rides and hiking. Its beauty shifts with the different seasons, from the steamy days of summer to the brilliant hues of gold, orange and red in autumn.
Insider team tip: While the scenery in winter can be breathtaking, it's best to avoid the time of year when heavy snowfall renders many of the roads impassable. Also steer clear of China's three national holidays (also known as 'Golden weeks') when the area is inundated with huge crowds.
Inside scoop: The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays, so make sure to time your trip accordingly.
Insider team tip: A truly romantic destination, during the full moon there are a limited number of tickets available to see the Taj Mahal at night.
SAPA AND HA GIANG, NORTHERN VIETNAM
Sapa's terraced rice fields, which sit high amongst Vietnam's tallest mountains, are home to a number of colourful hilltribes leading traditional rural ways of life.Inside scoop: With the new highway linking Hanoi and Sapa, it's easier than ever to get to Sapa and it can fit into a shorter timeframe.
Insider team tip: If you'd like to avoid most tourists, head northwest from Hanoi to explore Ha Giang, rich in tribal culture, spectacular landscapes and a great Sunday market at Meo Vac.
PREAH VIHEAR, CAMBODIA
Straddling the Thai-Cambodian border is the sprawling Hindu temple of Preah Vihear, which sits on the edge of a cliff overlooking the valley below.Insider scoop: Be prepared to jump in the back of a pickup truck to get to the top of the cliff to see the expansive view from this UNESCO World Heritage listed site.
Insider team tip: If you stay at the boutique hotel a short drive away, you'll be able to visit for both sunset and sunrise.
THE BOLAVEN PLATEAU, LAOS
Sitting 3,000 feet above sea level, the Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos is covered in lush vegetation, with jungle-clad waterfalls, remote hilltribes and organic coffee plantations.Insider scoop: For the more adventurous, try zip-lining in the Bolaven Plateau, flying over cliffs and waterfalls, which can be arranged by special request in advance.
Insider team tip: Spend the night in a jungle tree-top house for a truly unique experience.
VIJAYANAGAR AT HAMPI, SOUTHERN INDIA
The amazing ancient Roman-style ruins of Vijayanagar at Hampi, in southern India, may be one of the best kept secrets in Asia.Insider scoop: These amazing Roman-style ruins, which stretch over a vast spectacular rocky area, are visited by few tourists but easily accessed from Bangalore.
Insider team tip: Bring good walking shoes, a hat, and do your touring early and late in the day to avoid the midday heat.
JIUZHAIGOU NATIONAL PARK, CHINA
Nestled amongst evergreen forests and snow-capped mountain peaks, the bright turquoise waters of Jiuzhaigou National Park may be one of the most overlooked nature spots in Asia.Insider scoop: Uncover Juizhaigou's scenic highlights with a combination of park transportation, cable car rides and hiking. Its beauty shifts with the different seasons, from the steamy days of summer to the brilliant hues of gold, orange and red in autumn.
Insider team tip: While the scenery in winter can be breathtaking, it's best to avoid the time of year when heavy snowfall renders many of the roads impassable. Also steer clear of China's three national holidays (also known as 'Golden weeks') when the area is inundated with huge crowds.
SHWEDAGON PAGODA, YANGON, Myanmar (formerly Burma)
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| Shwedagon Pagoda |
Yangon's shining jewel and over 2,600 years old, the Shwedagon Pagoda is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Burma.
Insider scoop: For those who are entranced by the beauty of Pagodas, be sure to journey beyond Yangon to also watch the sunset behind the thousands of intricate stupas dotting the Bagan Plains.
Insider team tip: The Pagoda is at its most beautiful as the sun sets and the light from the sky changes its hue from gold to crimson.
Insider scoop: For those who are entranced by the beauty of Pagodas, be sure to journey beyond Yangon to also watch the sunset behind the thousands of intricate stupas dotting the Bagan Plains.
Insider team tip: The Pagoda is at its most beautiful as the sun sets and the light from the sky changes its hue from gold to crimson.
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