A question as old as time, overrated or underrated. We've seen it everywhere, sweet or savoury? Running or cycling? Beer or wine? At the end of the day all opinions are subjective, but our writers have done some deep diving into where the most underrated spots to visit in Asia are. Have a look at our Top 5 Underrated Asian Travel destinations.
5. Suzhou, China
Well-known as the capital of silk. The streets and lanes in its downtown area are of the Song-dynasty style. Suzhou is also famous for its ancient gardens which are the gem of classical garden architecture in south China and have been included in the UNESCO heritage list.
Tourists to Suzhou mainly like the extensive gardens and the water towns. It is one of the wealthiest cities and has been known for its high culture, academic excellence and wealth for many generations. The classic gardens date from the Ming and Qing dynasties or from about 1500-1900. Today, about 60 classic gardens remain in the city, and nine of them have been listed as a World Heritage.
Suzhou is great for those who want to learn more about Chinese culture. It is suited especially for those who like Chinese gardens, old Chinese townsand delicious, esoteric, gourmet cuisine.
4. Chennai, India
Chennai, on the Bay of Bengal in eastern India, is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. The city is home to Fort St. George, built in 1644 and is now a museum showcasing the city's roots as a British military garrison and East India Company trading outpost, when it was called Madras.
For many travellers, a trip to Chennai means relishing mouth-watering Chettinad cuisine, taking a dip or two in the waters of Marina Beach, shopping for Kanchipuram silk sarees and gold jewellery, and going about exploring the heritage structures in the city. Surely, there are plenty of reasons to visit Tamil Nadu's capital city.
3. Huế, Vietnam
Huế is a city in central Vietnam that was the seat of Nguyen Dynasty emperors and the national capital from 1802 to 1945. A major attraction is its vast, 19th-century ĐạiNội Citadel, surrounded by a moat and thick stone walls.
Huế served as the administrative capital for the Nguyen dynasty and later functioned as the administrative capital of the protectorate of Annam during the French Indochina period, the city also features a tropical monsoon climate under the Köppen climate classification, falling short of a tropical rainforest climate because there is less than 60 millimetres of rain in March and April.
The city was the battleground for the Battle of Huế, which was one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War, making it acity with a ere of resilience and a definite must-see destination.
2. Kamakura, Japan
Kamakura is a seaside Japanese city just south of Tokyo. The political center of medieval Japan, modern-day Kamakura is a prominent resort town with dozens of Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. Its most recognizable landmark is the Kotoku-in Temple's Great Buddha, a roughly 13m-high bronze statue still standing after a 15th-century tsunami.
The city has also been referred to as the 'city of temples and shrines'. It is a coastal city with a high number of seasonal festivals and many ancient Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. In ancient days, when the roads were not well constructed, several artificial narrow passes were used to go places. The seven most important such passes were called Kamakura's Seven Entrances or sometimes even known as “Kamakura's Seven Mouths”.
As home to rich Japanese history we definitely think this city is an underrated gem!
1. ĐàLạt, Vietnam
ĐàLạt, the capital of LâmĐồng Province in southern Vietnam's Central Highlands, is centered around a lake and golf course, and surrounded by hills, pine forests, lakes and waterfalls. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its distinctive temperate climate, ĐàLạt was developed as a resort by the French in the early 1900s, and many reminders of its colonial heritage remain.
The town is slowly becoming one of the most popular places to visit in Vietnam. ĐàLạtis also called 'Le Petit Paris' because it has a mini-replica Eiffel Tower in the center and because it's been functioning as a holiday getaway since the French colonial times. ĐàLạtis famous for its beautiful waterfalls, pristine landscapes, countless nature sites, minority villages and the surrounding farmland.
One of the must-sees in ĐàLạt, this Guest House is also known as the “Crazy House” thanks to its design by Vietnamese architect Dang Viet Nga. Although the intent was to make it look like a fairytale house, the design is a bit odd but always interesting. If you want to stay in one of the guest rooms, you can choose between ten themed ones such as the tiger room, ant room, kangaroo room, to name a few.
So, basically, we'll see you in ĐàLạt!
