7 Underrated Tourist Attractions in Asia for Every Traveler

When people travel to Asia, they usually pick the most well-known (and highly recommended) destinations, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, and, of course, the Philippines. But for travelers who want to walk the “road not traveled” and explore someplace different—someplace remote, obscure, but no less exciting or enchanting than the more popular tourist hotspots—in this exotic, culturally rich continent, here are some of the best-underrated travel destinations to check out:

1. The Vijayanagar Ruins in the city of Hampi, South India

Think the Taj Mahal is the only place worth visiting in India? Think again.

At the height of its glory, the Vijayanagara Empire was the largest and most powerful empire in South India—and one of the richest in the world—during the Renaissance Era. Today, the empire’s once-majestic capital city, Vijayanagara, lies in ruins, much like most ancient cities worldwide, yet still retains vestiges of its former beauty and splendor: temples, stone idols of various Hindu gods, and other structures such as pavilions, stables, and towers.

2. Raja Ampat Islands in Papua, Indonesia

Serene, pristine, and immensely beautiful, the Raja Ampat Islands in Indonesia are the epitome of paradise with their lush, virtually untouched greenery, glittering white sand, clear blue waters, and wonderfully diverse marine habitat.

This remote archipelago is home to three-quarters of the world’s coral varieties, hundreds of fish species, and other aquatic life, making it the perfect destination for travelers who enjoy diving, snorkeling, and stunning underwater photography.

Raja Ampat is also an excellent place for adventure seekers for surfing, sailing, hiking, and underwater spearfishing.

3. Tatev Monastery in Syunik Province, Armenia

Armenia is primarily known in mainstream culture for giving us the Kardashians, but it should be known for so much more. Being the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as its official national religion, it is home to many beautiful historic churches, monasteries, museums, and more.

Now, if taking the longest (and probably scariest, if you’re afraid of heights) nonstop cable car ride of your life sounds like something you’d be willing to try, the Tatev Monastery is not one to miss. Thrillseekers and history buffs will enjoy visiting this landmark, built in the 4th century when Armenia adopted Christianity.

Although it started as a modest church, it later developed into a large, fortified monastery that housed three churches, a library, a dining hall, a belfry, a mausoleum, and various other buildings. Despite numerous invasions and earthquakes over hundreds of years, the monastery and its medieval structures stand the test of time, and they have been added to the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

4. Yoro Park or the “The Site of Reversible Destiny” in Gifu Prefecture, Japan

Japan is a pretty popular destination in Asia. Still, when travelers visit this beautiful country, they usually make a beeline for the more popular attractions such as Mount Fuji, the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, Tokyo DisneySea and Tokyo Disney Resort, the Imperial Palace, and the cherry blossom spots.

The next time you visit Japan, check out The Site of Reversible Destiny for a unique (weird) experience combining installation art and adventure. It is an “experience park” carefully designed to provide visitors with a disorienting, bizarre, and exciting journey through an interactive, maze-like playground of art installations.

5. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Brunei, one of Asia’s most underrated travel destinations, should be your next stop if you want a more peaceful and relaxed trip filled with exciting visits to the country’s floating village, food markets, and beautiful nature spots.

And, of course, a trip to Brunei will not be complete without a visit to the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, considered one of Asia’s most beautiful mosques.

6. Fenghuang County in Hunan, China

This beautiful, idyllic town—rich in history, culture, and ethnic customs—offers a more scenic, peaceful travel experience that is somewhat unique among most of China’s tourist attractions, as it is reminiscent of an older, simpler time.

After recently doubling its tourism efforts, Fenghuang County has been attracting more and more visitors, especially with the addition of bars, nightclubs, and other modernized hotspots—so it may not be your cup of tea if you don’t like crowded touristy places.

Nonetheless, the quaint, ancient-town feel that used to be a big part of this place’s charm remains. And, if only for the beautiful, picturesque scenery and fantastic photos you can get, it is still worth visiting.

7. Jomalig Island in Quezon, Philippines

The Philippines is known for its beautiful, pristine beaches, like those in Boracay and Palawan. But apart from these famous—and often crowded—tourist destinations, there are many Philippine beaches that are relatively unknown to the public and can offer a more serene, peaceful vacation for travelers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle.

Jomalig Island in Quezon, Philippines, is a beautiful, untouched paradise not for the faint of heart. Because of its somewhat inaccessible location, reaching the beach requires a grueling, six-hour boat ride across the open sea in a fishing boat. And once you get there, you must be prepared to rough it. Electricity is limited, and accommodations, ATMs, and public restrooms are nonexistent.

You can arrange to stay with a local family and have them cook for you for a fee, but if that is not an option, you will have to pitch your tent, bring your own food, and build your own fire (for cooking).

Despite the lack of conveniences for tourists, a visit to Jomalig Island will not disappoint. The quiet, back-to-basics simplicity of the island, along with its unparalleled beauty (perfect golden sand and bright blue waters), will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on any beach-loving traveler.

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Read:

• BRUNEI TRAVEL GUIDE
• Top 5 Reasons Why I want to visit Brunei!
• Raja Ampat Travel Guide: DIY Itinerary, Things to do + How to get there and more