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Best destinations for first-time travelers in Asia

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Singapore
Tropical city-state of hawker food and gardens
9.5
The island is smaller than New York City, so sights are a short ride apart. English is an official language and signs are easy to read. Hawker centres serve full meals like chicken rice for a few dollars. Gardens by the Bay has giant Supertrees that light up each night.
Highlights:
  • 🏮 Wander through Chinatown’s temples and traditional shophouses
  • 🌳 Visit Gardens by the Bay and its iconic Supertree Grove
  • 🌆 Admire the futuristic skyline from Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
9.7
Edo was a modest castle town until Tokugawa Ieyasu made it his base in 1603. It was renamed Tokyo in 1868 when the emperor moved in. Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa dates to 645 and is free to enter. Trains are punctual and a prepaid Suica card works on most lines.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Visit the teamLab digital art museum
  • 🌆 Enjoy panoramic city views from observation decks
  • 🍣 Savor sushi at a local eatery
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
9.2
Japan's emperors lived in this city from 794 until 1868. Seventeen sites, including Kiyomizu Temple and Nijo Castle, share a UNESCO listing. Fushimi Inari has thousands of red torii gates on a free hillside path. Trains and buses link the main sights, so no car is needed.
Highlights:
  • ⛩️ Climb the vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine
  • 🍱 Experience Japan’s beautifully presented Kaiseki dining at a traditional restaurant
  • 🎋 Stroll through the magical Arashiyama bamboo forest early in the morning
Osaka
Castle, neon canals and street food
8.5
The city lies on Osaka Bay, about 15 minutes from Kyoto by bullet train. That makes it an easy base for day trips to Kyoto and Nara. Street stalls along the Dotonbori canal sell takoyaki, balls of batter with octopus. Osaka Castle was first built in 1583 and has a museum inside.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Visit the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the world’s largest
  • 🍢 Feast on street food at Dotonbori and see the neon lights
  • 🏯 Explore Osaka Castle and wander through its scenic park
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