For a beach destination, you’ll want to check out Dili. The capital of East Timor, this city is loved for its beautiful beaches perfect for snorkelling and diving. There’s plenty to explore in the waters, in fact, East Timor boasts around 600 reef-building corals and over 2,000 reef fish species. Dili also offers delectable cuisine that features a blend of Asian and Portuguese flavours.

This city in the Indian Union Territory of Ladakh is known for its beautiful landscapes and Buddhist temples. Among its many temples is the Khardung La. One of the highlights according to Sadasivan, this temple offers stunning panoramic vistas of surrounding mountains and valleys. Adventure seekers can revel in its many trekking routes like the Markha Valley trek. One of the most popular treks for independent hikers, this four- to five-day trek allows you to admire Ladakh’s landscapes while exploring old Tibetan villages.

Learn more about Nepal’s rich cultural diversity when you visit Pokhara. The city boasts a collection of temples and pagodas, including the Tel Varahi Temple, World Peace Pagoda and Shanti Stupa. The city is also the gateway to the Annapurna Base Camp, known for its multi-day trek. If you’re not a fan of treks, visit the Phewa Lake instead, the largest lake in Nepal featuring peaceful waters and stunning vistas.

Skip the mainstream tourist destinations in Japan and head to Okinawa Island instead. The smallest of the five main islands of Japan, Okinawa is filled with rich cultural heritage and raw natural beauty. Those who enjoy relaxing by the beach will revel in the island’s beaches. Here, find white powdery sand, warm crystal waters and colourful marine life. When it comes to hiking, Sadasivan shares that its various “panoramic viewpoints also make for excellent day hikes all year round”. History buffs won’t want to miss a trip to the Shuri Castle which served as the home of the royal family during the Ryukyu Dynasty.

One of the “world’s most beautiful destinations”, as mentioned by Sadasivan, Flores is home to the captivating Komodo National Park. A Unesco World Heritage Site, this park is known for its wildlife and natural beauty. It’s also home to the largest lizard species on earth, the Komodo dragon. Walk through the park and you’ll find lush forests, scenic viewpoints and an abundance of marine life. There’s much to see around the island apart from the park, including the Waerebo Village, where ancient traditions are preserved; Rangko Cave with a natural blue pool; and volcano Kelimutu.

Located in China’s northwestern Gansu Province, this city is known for its iconic cultural sites, including the Mogao Caves. First constructed in the fourth century AD, these caves were carved into the cliffs above the Dachuan River and used as a site of Buddhist worship and pilgrimage. Within the cave, find 492 grottoes (caves) featuring over 2,000 well preserved sculptures and about 45,000 square meters of murals that span 1,000 years of Buddhist art. Check out the Singing Sand Dunes too, a desert comprising sand dunes that make singing and drumming sounds when the wind blows.

Whether you enjoy visiting the malls, trying traditional cuisine or trekking at the national park, this city is the perfect place to visit. A wide range of activities await—visit Gandan Khiid Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia or experience a traditional folklore concert complete with traditional music, song, dance and contortion. Sadasivan shares that outdoor enthusiasts will also enjoy visiting the sand dunes and mountains located a short trip away from the city.

Bhutan is known to be one of the happiest countries in Asia—and for good reason. The country is filled with culture, traditions and dramatic landscapes, with the country adhering to a traditional way of life. According to Sadasivan, locals are known to “lay out the red carpet to any tourist who visits the land”. Adventurous foodies will want to try its street food, including traditional Bhutanese steamed momo dumplings, jasha maroo (spicy chicken stew) and ema datshi (chilli cooked in cheese). There are plenty of temples and monasteries to check out, with the most iconic being Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Located above Paro Valley, this monastery was built on a cliff in the late 17th century.

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