Asia has plenty of breathtaking islands to catch your eye, from the ever-popular Bali to the trending nature hotspot Phu Quoc. But there's one South Asian island country that has flown comparatively under the radar despite all its natural appeal. That won't be the case for long though, now that it's shot to the top of Wanderlust Magazine's 'Most Desirable' Island list.
Sri Lanka takes the Gold in the category, rising from 8th place in last year's Wanderlust Travel Awards. This time, more than 3 million votes were cast by 168,000 readers to determine the result.
There's little question why Wanderlust Magazine's readers are dazzled. For one, Sri Lanka's natural landscapes are wildly beautiful. Wanderlust Magazine highlights its 'leopard-filled national parks and the jungle-fringed beaches of Tangalle and Trincomalee', good for a thrilling safari or a relaxing surf. Its tea-carpeted highlands are best enjoyed on a hike – our Time Out Asia contributor Lola Mendez recommends the Pekoe Trail, which goes by the iconic Nine Arch Bridge and the first tea plantation in the country. Historic attractions balance out the natural gems: Sigiriya Rock, an ancient rock fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site, made it to our list of Asia's most spectacular places to visit.
Sri Lanka surely has it all, though there are two other Asian islands you might want to consider. Taiwan snagged the Silver Award, we guess for its incredible mix of city attractions and adventure pursuits – you can go from slurping bubble tea at one of its famous night markets to scaling Alishan or scuba diving on Green Island in a matter of days. Palawan, a stunning province in the Philippines known for its white-sand beaches and limestone cliffs, also places at No. 9.
These are the most desirable islands in the world, according to Wanderlust:
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Puerto Rico
- Tasmania
- Bermuda
- Cuba
- Barbados
- Madagascar
- Palawan
That's not all! A capital city in Asia also took Gold in Wanderlust Magazine's 'Most Desirable' City list – find out which it is here.
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