DestinationsAsia9 Most Interesting Asian Towns and Villages to Visit
9 Most Interesting Asian Towns and Villages to Visit

9 Most Interesting Asian Towns and Villages to Visit

Asia is the world’s most populous continent. In particular, the region has countless unique towns and villages for visitors to explore with cultural heritage and breathtaking unspoiled landscapes. If you are planning a trip to discover Asia, let’s follow The Broad Life to roam the 9 most interesting Asian towns and villages!

A quick summary of the most interesting villages and towns in Asia to visit on YouTube.

Hongcun Village

Location: Hongcun Town, Yi County, Huangshan City, China.

hongcun ancient village anhui china
Hongcun ancient village in Anhui China.

Located at the foot of Huangshan Mountain, Anhui Province, the ancient village of Hongcun is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Indeed, Hongcun is one of the traditional Asian villages and towns that preserves the appearance and decoration, streets, water system, and houses away from the urban development in most lands of China. The landscape here is characterized by traditional whitewashed houses beneath pointed black tile roofs, reflected in the surface of the canals that wind around the village.

Hongcun received global attention when it became the setting in the hit martial arts movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. You can find peace and a rustic feeling when coming here.

Zuluk Village

Location: Pakyong District, Sikkim, India.

zuluk village asia
The people of Zuluk are living in the clouds.

At an altitude of nearly 3,000 meters, the tiny village of Zuluk is perched on a craggy mountainside in the Himalayas. In fact, Zuluk was once a stopover on the ancient Silk Road connecting India and Tibet. The village is now an exciting destination for adventurous travelers looking for stunning Himalayan vistas. Not only attracted by the beautiful scenery, but the area near the village also has rare animals such as red panda, Himalayan bear, and snow pheasant.

Kete Kesu Village

Location: Bonoran, North Toraja, Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The Tonkonan houses in Kete Kesu village
The ‘Tongkonan’ houses in Kete Kesu, one of the most interesting Asian villages.

Kete Kesu is a traditional village inhabited by the Torajan people in the mountains of South Sulawesi. Furthermore, it is the oldest village in the district. Kete Kesu Village impresses visitors with its unusual “Tongkonan” houses, highlighted by giant boat-shaped roofs and decorated with buffalo horns. Locals also have well-known customs, especially elaborate funeral rites with cliffside burials, large carved wooden effigies, and cattle sacrifices.

Shirakawa-go

Location: Ōno District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

shirakawa-go winter villages asia
Shirakawa-go in winter.

In fact, the village of Shirakawa in Gifu Prefecture is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the neighboring Gokayama area. Moreover, it is a popular destination for fans of the Doraemon series. Hidden deep in a remote river valley, Shirakawa impresses visitors with its traditional Gassho-Zukuri houses. They are large houses with characteristic steep triangular roofs, not found anywhere else in Japan. Surely, Shirakawa-go is one of the top travel destinations that brings to you a dream journey in the “Land of the Rising Sun”.

Damyang Changpyeong Samjinae Village

Location: Changpyeong-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea.

Damyang Changpyeong Samjinae Village Korea Asia
The bamboo forest in the area of Damyang Changpyeong Samjinae Village.

In 2007, the village of Damyang Changpyeong Samjinae was named Korea’s first “Slow City” – settlements dedicated to a traditional, health-focused, and slow-paced lifestyle. In fact, Damyang Changpyeong Samjinae Village is a farming village that mainly produces tomatoes and strawberries. Besides that, this countryside is famous for its bamboo forests. Here you can sample regional cuisine, attend a tea ceremony class, learn how to make traditional cakes and sweets, or wander the gardens.

Taal Heritage Town

Location: Batangas, Philippines.

Taal Basilica or Minor Basilica of St. Martin of Tours
The Taal Basilica, or Minor Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, at one of the most interesting Asian towns.

Taal is recognized as a heritage town for distinctive Philippine customs, cuisine, and crafts. Indeed, this small town is a historic center with well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, mostly old houses. Some old houses have been converted into museums. Significantly, the top tourist attraction here is the Minor Basilica of St. Martin of Tours. It’s the largest Catholic church in the country and in Asia.

Hatton Town

Location: Nuwara Eliya District, Central Province, Sri Lanka.

hatton town sri lanka
Houses in Hatton town Sri Lanka – one of the most interesting Asian towns.

Located on a hillside 1,271 m above sea level, Hatton town has green tea hills and a cool climate. Especially, this place is an important link in the tea industry in the island nation of Sri Lanka. Travelers to Hatton often visit tea factories, walk through the surrounding tea fields, take in the serene scenery, enjoy tea or explore the vast montane forests of nearby Horton Plains National Park. In particular, the experience of reaching Hatton by train is a special highlight of the journey.

Lamphun Town

Location: Lamphun Province, Thailand.

 Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, a famous temple in Lamphun town
Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, a famous temple in Lamphun town.

The historic town of Lamphun is the capital of the province of the same name. It’s also a top tourist attraction with outstanding cultural heritage. You can visit the local temples, golden pagodas, and museums. Additionally, you can browse the Northern Thai street food markets and handicraft centers,… A must-visit place is the magnificent Wat Phra That Hariphunchai. It is a golden Buddhist temple of spiritual importance.

Sapa Town

Location: Lao Cai, Vietnam.

du lich sapa vietnam cat cat riverside
Cat Cat Village has one of the most poetic sceneries in Sapa Vietnam.

Sapa town has a breathtaking scene with terraced fields on both sides of the valley. Located on the Hoang Lien Son mountain range in the Northwest region, Sapa is known for its cool climate and poetic scenery. In addition, here you can take the cable car to the top of Fansipan, the roof of Indochina. Foodies can also sample specialty hotpot dishes and stroll the wet market for street food.

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Khoi Nguyen builds The Broad Life with a desire to inspire people go exploring the world and live a more interesting, experience, and adventurous life. This blog shares the stories, pictures, and experiences at destinations where he has traveled to.

22 Comments

  • Stephanie Grillo

    Great descriptions in this article about all these towns. I would love to visit in the near future – but for now I am enjoying seeing these places ‘virtually!’

    • Khoi Nguyen

      I love visiting the beautiful towns in the world. And hopefully, I can make the list longer with more gorgeous ones.

  • Beth

    These are all such beautiful towns! I would love to make an entire trip of visiting all of them!

  • Luna S

    They are all beautiful, I can’t imagine how much more stunning they are to see in person. The city in the clouds looks so neat.

  • Stephanie

    I’ve never been to Asia before but would love to visit some of these towns! They are so gorgeous and sound like great places to stop.

  • Cinny

    I love these suggestions. I didn’t even know about some of these places and now they’re on my list to visit!

  • Alita

    Gifu in Japan is amazing. I visited last golden week and it was amazing even if I missed the snowy days.

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Gifu is special in any season. You can come in winter the next time to experience Gifu differently.

  • Fransic verso

    Wow, the indian village is so cool and a dream come to true to be in a cool place like that. Thank you for sharing!

  • Sienna

    Zulik looks amazing on the side of a mt and don’t even get me started on those picturesque houses in Japan! Wow!! Ok I want to go visit now!

    • Khoi Nguyen

      When will you visit the villages? Please come back to share with me your experience.

  • colossalumbrella

    Interesting villages! I would love to village these and enjoy the experience and exposure there. We a miss a lot of things staying in urbancities

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Yeah, visiting the villages brings us special emotions and feeling that urban cities hardly have.

  • Rose Ann Sales

    These are all really amazing and wonderful towns to visit! So beautiful!

  • Bedabrata Chakraborty

    Reading your post makes me realise once again that one lifetime is not enough to see the world. I have been to Zuluk village in Sikkim. But I would also want you to add Gandhi nu Gram, Gujarat, India in this list for its traditional lifestyle and beautiful art and handicraft.

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Thanks for your suggestion! I will surely add Gandhi nu Gram to this list.

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