2019 Travel Guide to Asia

The Earth's largest and most populous continent, Asia is one of the world's most rapidly developing and fascinating regions. It offers something for everyone - the budget traveler, the luxury hound, the intrepid globetrotter, the nature lover - and all variations in between and beyond those categories.

Foodies can't go wrong when visiting this captivating region of the world either, with its unique culinary traditions dating back thousands of years. And urban explorers will find some of the most intriguing cities in the world. As for the year ahead, travel experts say Asia's tourism industry infrastructure will continue to improve, bringing with it new luxury resorts, more direct flights and a greater variety of unique cultural experiences.

When considering a continent as large as Asia, pinpointing just three top destinations is almost a fool's game. Remote Lands, the world's leading luxury and intrepid Asia travel designer, recently released its annual list of the top trending destinations in Asia, known as the "Dozen Dream Destinations." The 2019 crop, carefully curated by Asian travel experts who have their pulse on the region's newest and best offerings, includes such choices for the year ahead as Luang Prabang, Laos; Bhutan; China; Southern Cambodia; Quy Nhon, Vietnam; Uzbekistan and the Yaeyama Islands, to name a few.

Asia is home to some of the world's most iconic and unforgettable attractions, including numerous UNESCO sites. Locations that top bucket lists far and wide include the Great Wall of China; Angkor Wat in Cambodia; Mount Fuji in Japan and Borobudur (the world's largest Buddhist temple) in Java, Indonesia. The Taj Mahal in India and China's Forbidden City are also major contenders in this part of the world, as is Malaysia's Petronas Towers - the tallest twin towers on Earth.

Perhaps one of the most memorable ways to experience Asia is by attending a local festival. There are options for practically every month of the year and in every country throughout the region. One of the earliest events of the year is Chinese New Year begins on Feb. 5 with the Spring Festival and ends on Feb. 19 with the visually stunning Lantern Festival, a tradition that dates back more than 2,000 years. Also, noteworthy, the Bali Spirit Festival, a celebration of yoga, music and dance, takes place from March 24 - March 31. And in April, Thailand marks the Buddhist new year (April 13-16) with its most celebrated festival of the year. Known as Songkran, the holiday involves the entire country participating in a massive water fight.

Between being so clean, safe and easy to get around (thanks to an incredibly reliable public transportation system), Singapore is often one of the go-to choices for family travelers. Hong Kong is another popular option, and not just because there's a Disneyland. Hong Kong also offers a glittering skyline with nightly light shows, and a narrow-gauge heritage tram system that's been in operation for more than 100 years, which is a total kid pleaser. Travel insiders also point families toward Japan, particularly those families who have train lovers in their brood, as the country is home to the bullet train. Kyoto, with its more than 2,000 shrines and temples, is also not to be missed.

Bali is easily one of the most notable options for couples seeking a romantic escape in Asia. Between the tropical weather, unforgettable sunsets and luxe retreats hidden amid stunning landscape, what's not to love? El Nido, in the Philippines, is another picturesque option. Located on Palawan Island, a getaway here includes endless white-sand beaches and coral reefs for couples to explore and plenty of Instagram-worthy lagoons and dramatic rock formations. Hoi An, Vietnam meanwhile, is like taking a trip back in time. Hoi An's Old Town, filled with well-preserved buildings, is the ideal backdrop for walks with your significant other.

Phuket, Thailand is a great base for a beach-oriented getaway for large groups. Accommodations and food are budget-friendly and there's plenty of room to spread out and play. The sprawling metropolis of Bangkok meanwhile, offers a little something for every type of travel interest, from culture to food to unique markets, temples, and palaces. Similarly, Tokyo, Japan is a city with endless shopping, abundant nightlife, and fascinating history on display at the Imperial Palace.

There are so many mouthwatering foodie destinations in Asia, one could easily spend years eating their way across the continent. Hong Kong is among one of the must-visit stops, a city where visitors should be sure to experience dim sum (small bite-sized portions of food served in small steamer baskets.) Tokyo is another foodie paradise, particularly for sushi lovers thanks to the city's legendary fish market. Shanghai also holds its own in the region, a place where the soup dumplings are legendary.

Vietnam and Thailand are both safe bets for solo travelers. Each country is filled with friendly locals willing to help you in a pinch. There's also plenty of fellow travelers, particularly backpackers, in each of these destinations (especially the Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai region of Thailand). Hong Kong is another good option for the solo traveler. Public transportation is easy to find in this big city and English is widely spoken.

Surfing in Bali, hiking in Thailand, whitewater rafting in India or trekking to the Everest base camp in Nepal - Asia is made for the adventurous globetrotter. A region that's home to the Himalayas and Mt. Fuji, there's no shortage of thrills to be had here. While Thailand, Nepal, Bali, and Japan are among the most well-known adventure options, don't overlook biking through the Vietnamese countryside or even homestays in Cambodia.

Sumo wrestling anyone? For a unique experience look no further than Japan and its colorful national sport, which is highly revered and has been passed down for centuries. In Thailand meanwhile, the national obsession is Muay Thai, a sport that involves fighting with all parts of the body - fists, elbows, knees, you name it. Cricket lovers may want to opt for an exploration of India, where the sport is played by children and adults alike, a tradition that dates back to the mid-1800s.

Asia is filled with the jaw-dropping and unforgettable. Perhaps one of the most unique (if it's possible to give any location that title in Asia, a place where there's thousands of years of history on display) is Tiger's Nest Temple in Bhutan. The sacred monastery is perched on a cliff 3,000 feet above the Paro valley, a feat that appears incredibly precarious.

Like many other parts of the world, over tourism is, unfortunately, taking its toll on popular destinations in Asia as well. The Taj Mahal in India, for instance, attracts about eight million people annually and has begun limiting the number of time visitors can spend wandering its grounds in order to curb the crowding challenges. Cambodia's Angkor Wat has also become synonymous with crowds and continuing at its current pace will simply be unsustainable. You don't have to skip these places altogether. But do your research and find out how to visit them at less busy times of the day or year, or in ways that will have the least impact.