9 Most Interesting Asian Towns and Villages to Visit

Hongcun Village

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

Kete Kesu Village

Location: Bonoran, North Toraja, Sulawesi, Indonesia.

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.

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.

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 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.

Lamphun Town

Location: Lamphun Province, Thailand.

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.

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.