The thing about travel is that you'll never run out of places to visit and things to do. Just when you think your trips for the year are set, a stunning new hotel or a cool new destination crosses your radar and you find yourself having to shuffle things again. Well, apologies in advance, because a fresh list just dropped, and it's filled with extraordinary places you'll want to check out ASAP.
Every year, TIME magazine publishes a list of the 100 greatest places in the world. It encompasses hotels, resorts, and attractions nominated by its network of correspondents and contributors, and through an application process. The goal? To uncover the newest and best travel experiences that money can buy. 2025's edition is finally out – and there are a whopping 21 picks for Asia.
The selection is split into two categories, the first covering nine out-of-this-world hotels and stays in Asia. They all provide a unique way to experience each destination: sail the Coral Triangle aboard the luxury phinisi, Celestia in Indonesia and tailor your voyage to your interests, be it history, food, or diving; get intimate with Nepalese traditions and way of life with the Community Homestay Network in Nepal, which connects travellers with local families; or go on culinary-focused trips and learn Japanese cooking techniques at Mirukashi Salon in Japan's Kyushu countryside.
The 12 spotlighted attractions and experiences are no less charming. There's the breathtaking Nangma Valley Trek in Pakistan, more accessible than ever now that tourist fees have been waived; Bhutan's majestic Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum, newly-restored and now home to rare manuscripts and artefacts celebrating the nation's cultural heritage; and Sri Lanka's Pekoe Trail, which winds through tea-carpeted highlands in 22 sections, now connected in a single continuous trail (and which, coincidentally, made it to our best hikes in Asia list).
There are more incredible places to visit in Asia, from an awe-inspiring new library in Beijing (housing 8 million books!) to a palace-like hotel in Jaipur – not the mention the full list of 100 destinations across the world. Read all about them in TIME's The World's Greatest Places of 2025.
Where to stay
- Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort, Bandhavgarh – Madhya Pradesh, India
- Celestia – Indonesia
- Raffles Jaipur – Jaipur, India
- QT Singapore – Singapore
- Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas – Koh Yao Yai, Thailand
- L*SNOW Indoor Skiing Theme Resort – Shanghai, China
- Community Homestay Network – Nepal
- Nipponia – Sado, Japan
- Mirukashi Salon – Karatsu, Japan
Where to visit
- Zebun Nessa Mosque – Ashulia, Bangledesh
- Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine and Seigantoji temple – Wakayama, Japan
- Nintendo Museum – Uji, Japan
- Papa's Bombay – Mumbai, India
- Chelebi – Baku, Azerbaijan
- The Beijing Library – Beijing, China
- Nangma Valley Trek – Pakistan
- Wild Food Adventures – Areni, Armenia
- The Pekoe Trail – Central Highlands, Sri Lanka
- Eagle Hunter Cultural Centre – Ulgii, Mongolia
- Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum – Jakar, Bhutan
- Ho Chi Minh City Metro – Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
ICYMI: Our selection of the most spectacular places to visit in Asia.
Also check out the 'happiest' beach in Asia.
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