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Best running destinations in Asia

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Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
9.7
Runners circle the Imperial Palace anticlockwise, a loop of about five kilometres with lockers and showers nearby. Yoyogi Park and the Sumida River have quiet paths for easy daily runs. The Tokyo Marathon is held in March and is one of the six World Marathon Majors.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Visit the teamLab digital art museum
  • 🌆 Enjoy panoramic city views from observation decks
  • 🍣 Savour sushi at a local eatery
Seoul
Where Tradition Meets High-Tech Marvels
8.6
Active and well organised, this city has paved running paths along the Han River with fountains, toilets and shops. Namsan Mountain has a wooded trail loop with city views. The Seoul Marathon passes Gwanghwamun and the old palaces each March. Many locals run it with friends.
Highlights:
  • 🌇 Admire Seoul’s skyline from N Seoul Tower at sunset
  • 🛍️ Shop and eat street food in bustling Myeongdong
  • 🏯 Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace and watch the royal guard ceremony
Taipei
A vibrant blend of old and new
9.0
Autumn and spring are the most comfortable seasons for running in this city. Riverside parks along the Keelung and Dahan rivers have long paved paths. The steps up Elephant Mountain give a hard workout and a skyline view. The Taipei Marathon is held in December.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Relax and soak in the Beitou hot springs
  • 🍢 Wander through the bustling Shilin Night Market and try local snacks
  • 🏙️ Take in the skyline views from the Taipei 101 observatory
Singapore
Tropical city-state of hawker food and gardens
9.5
As a small city state, this place has a network of park connectors of more than 300 kilometres. Routes link green spaces, reservoirs and the waterfront. Humidity is high all year, so run early or late in the day. The Singapore Marathon is held each December.
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
Hong Kong
Where East Meets West
9.3
Though dense and crowded, this city has country parks covering about 40 percent of its land. The Dragon's Back trail has sea views and is popular with trail runners. The Peak has a flat loop on Lugard Road. The Hong Kong Marathon is held in winter.
Highlights:
  • 🥢 Shop and eat street food in Mong Kok’s bustling markets
  • ⛴️ Sail across Victoria Harbour on the iconic Star Ferry
  • 🌇 Ride the Peak Tram and admire skyline views from Victoria Peak
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
9.2
Flatter and calmer than Tokyo, this city has riverside paths along the Kamo River and temple hill trails. The stone gate paths at Fushimi Inari lead up a wooded mountain. They are narrow and busy with visitors by midday. The Kyoto Marathon is held each February.
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
Beijing
Ancient history meets modern dynamism
8.9
Beijing hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics. Olympic Forest Park now has wide running paths and soft trails. The Beijing Marathon starts at Tiananmen Square in autumn. Spring and autumn have the clearest skies. Air quality can be poor, so check the index before a long run.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Explore the Summer Palace’s gardens and lakeside pavilions
  • 🧱 Climb the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu
  • 🏯 Walk across Tiananmen Square and visit the Forbidden City
Mumbai
India's bustling coastal metropolis
7.7
Marine Drive was built on reclaimed land in the 1920s and is now a curved seaside promenade. It is a popular route for runners at dawn. Sanjay Gandhi National Park has forest trails inside the city. The Tata Mumbai Marathon is held each January and raises money for charity.
Highlights:
  • ⛴️ Explore the ancient Elephanta Caves by ferry
  • 🌅 Stroll along Marine Drive at sunset
  • 🗽 Visit the historic Gateway of India monument
Jeju Island
Nature's Island Paradise
8.6
Spring and autumn are mild on this island, with highs between 15 and 22 degrees Celsius. The Jeju Olle trails follow the coast past fishing villages, black rock beaches and fields. Mount Halla, at 1,947 metres, has steep forest trails. Wind can be strong near the shore.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Visit the colorful Jeju Folk Village Museum
  • 🦇 Explore the stunning Manjanggul Lava Tube caves
  • 🌄 Watch sunrise from the volcanic Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak
Bali
Tropical beaches, vibrant culture and adventure
8.2
Located between Java and Lombok, this island has rice field paths near Ubud and a flat beachfront walkway in Sanur. The Bali Marathon is held in Gianyar each September. Heat and humidity are high, so run at sunrise and drink plenty of water. Mount Batur has a popular dawn trail.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Visit Uluwatu Temple perched high on a seaside cliff
  • 💦 Swim beneath the cascading Tegenungan Waterfall
  • 🌋 Watch the sunrise over Mount Batur volcano
Kathmandu
Temples, chaos and Himalayan magic
6.9
Locals walk clockwise around the Boudhanath stupa in the morning. Runners join the flow of the kora. Forest trails in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park climb above the valley. The Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon usually takes place in May, starting at Everest Base Camp and ending in Namche Bazaar.
Highlights:
  • 🏰 Explore ancient palaces in Kathmandu Durbar Square
  • 🕉️ Visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of Asia’s largest stupas
  • 🐒 Climb 365 steps to the iconic Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Ladakh
Himalayan Cold Desert of Contrasts
8.5
Located in the Himalaya of northern India, this region has Leh at about 3,500 metres above sea level. Visitors should rest two or three days before running. The Ladakh Marathon takes place in Leh each September. Quiet roads lead through dry valleys and past monasteries.
Highlights:
  • ⛺ Camp overnight beside the Tso Moriri Lake under stars
  • 🌊 Admire the surreal blue waters of Pangong Lake
  • 🏍️ Ride through the world’s highest motorable pass at Khardung La
Bhutan
Himalayan monasteries, dzongs and trekking trails
8.5
Peaceful and mountainous, this kingdom has trails past monasteries, prayer flags and rice terraces. Thimphu sits at about 2,300 metres, so easy, slow runs are wise in the early days. The hike to Tiger's Nest near Paro climbs to about 3,100 metres through pine forest.
Highlights:
  • 🌄 Admire Himalayan panoramas from Dochula Pass’ 108 chortens
  • 🎉 Join a colorful Buddhist festival at Punakha Dzong
  • 🏔️ Hike to the cliffside Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro
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