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Best up-and-coming destinations in Asia

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Tbilisi
A blend of old-world charm and energy
7.5
Abanotubani's domed sulphur bathhouses have drawn bathers to Tbilisi for centuries. A rapidly growing wine and restaurant scene has spread through the surrounding old town. Visitors can soak in a private bathhouse before wandering nearby wine bars. Cable cars now carry visitors up to the hilltop fortress overlooking the city.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Relax in the historic sulfur baths of Abanotubani
  • 🏘️ Wander the colorful streets of the Old Town
  • 🏰 Ride the cable car to Narikala Fortress for city views
Yerevan
Soviet Grandeur, Pink Stone, Lively Soul
6.3
Yerevan ranks among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, founded in 782 BC. The nearby Areni 1 cave held what researchers call the oldest known winery on record. Visitors can tour vineyards across the surrounding valleys as Armenia's wine tourism grows. Mount Ararat rises visibly on the horizon on clear days.
Highlights:
  • 📜 Explore Matenadaran, ancient manuscripts repository
  • 🏛️ Visit the National History Museum at Republic Square
  • 🌆 Climb the Cascade Complex for panoramic city views
Baku
Where modernity meets ancient charm
7.3
Baku's Flame Towers have reshaped the skyline of Azerbaijan's oil rich capital since 2012. A Formula 1 street race has run through the old city each year since 2016. Visitors can walk cobbled lanes in the walled Old City below the modern towers. The Caspian Sea stretches out along the promenade nearby.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Visit the modern Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center
  • 🗼 Climb the historic Maiden Tower for panoramic views
  • 🏘️ Explore the ancient alleys of Baku Old City (İçəri Şəhər)
Tashkent
Silk Road crossroads with modern flair
6.6
Tashkent's metro stations double as underground art galleries, decorated with mosaics and chandeliers. Uzbekistan's relaxed visa policies have drawn a fast growing number of visitors. Visitors can ride the line simply to view station after station of Soviet era design. The city serves as the main gateway before continuing on to Samarkand and Bukhara.
Highlights:
  • 📜 Visit the Khast-Imam Complex and see the oldest Koran
  • 🛍️ Shop and sample food at bustling Chorsu Bazaar
  • 🚇 Explore the stunning Tashkent Metro stations
Da Nang
Beaches, Mountains and City Vibes
6.8
The Golden Bridge near Da Nang appears cradled by two giant stone hands above Ba Na Hills. It opened in 2018 and quickly became one of Vietnam's most photographed spots. Visitors can ride a cable car up through the clouds to reach it. Da Nang's beaches have drawn a fast growing wave of digital nomads.
Highlights:
  • 🚠 Take a cable car to Sun World Ba Na Hills
  • 🪨 Explore the Marble Mountains with caves and temples
  • 🌉 Visit the iconic Dragon Bridge lit at night
Samarkand
The Silk Road’s Shimmering Gem
7.2
Samarkand's Registan Square once served as the heart of the ancient Silk Road. Three tiled madrasas face each other across the square, covered in blue mosaic patterns. Visitors can explore the interior courtyards after years of restoration work. Eased visa rules have brought a fast growing wave of visitors in recent years.
Highlights:
  • 🏺 Wander through Shah-i-Zinda necropolis adorned with colorful tiles
  • 🏯 Visit Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, Tamerlane’s majestic tomb
  • 🕌 Explore the breathtaking Registan Square with its three madrasahs
Ulaanbaatar
Vibrant capital where steppes meet skyscrapers
8.1
Ulaanbaatar serves as the main gateway to Mongolia's Gobi Desert and its dinosaur fossil sites. Paleontologists have uncovered some of the world's best preserved dinosaur eggs in the region. Visitors can arrange multi day trips into the desert from agencies in the capital. Glamping style ger camps have grown quickly to meet rising demand.
Highlights:
  • 🍖 Taste traditional airag and local barbecue
  • 🏛️ Stroll through Sukhbaatar Square’s historic monuments
  • 🧘‍♂️ Explore Gandan Monastery's vibrant prayer flags
Almaty
Mountains, markets and modern spirit
7.0
Shymbulak ski resort sits just a short drive above Almaty in the Tian Shan foothills. Investment in lifts and lodges has grown quickly over the past decade. Visitors can ride a gondola up from the city for alpine views within an hour. Apple orchards below give Almaty its old nickname, Fatherland of Apples.
Highlights:
  • 🍲 Shop and taste local cuisine at the buzzing Green Bazaar
  • ⛪ Stroll around the colorful Zenkov Cathedral in Panfilov Park
  • 🚡 Ride the cable car to Shymbulak Ski Resort for mountain views
Colombo
A Colorful Blend of Old and New
6.5
Galle Face Green has become a lively evening gathering spot in Colombo after years of rebuilding tourism. Street food carts line the seaside promenade as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean. Visitors can wander colonial era buildings in the nearby Fort district. A growing cafe scene has opened across several central neighbourhoods.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Explore the vibrant Pettah Market’s bustling shops
  • 🌊 Relax and picnic at Galle Face Green seafront park
  • 🛕 Visit the historic Gangaramaya Temple and museum
Hue
Imperial Vietnam on the Perfume River
7.2
Hue served as Vietnam's imperial capital for over a century under the Nguyen dynasty. Its walled Citadel and elaborate royal tombs are slowly drawing more heritage focused travellers. Visitors can cruise the Perfume River past pagodas and mausoleums outside the city. Restoration projects continue to open new sections of the complex each year.
Highlights:
  • 🏰 Tour the ornate Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh
  • 🛕 Visit the serene Thien Mu Pagoda by Perfume River
  • 🏯 Explore the vast Imperial Citadel of Hue
Batumi
Black Sea Vibes, Gardens and Art
7.0
Batumi's skyline has filled with new towers and casinos along Georgia's Black Sea coast. A twisting Alphabet Tower spells out the Georgian script in moving letters. Visitors can walk the seaside boulevard past botanical gardens just outside town. Investment has grown quickly since the city began courting international visitors.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on Batumi Beach and swim in the Black Sea
  • 🗼 Marvel at the Alphabetic Tower’s futuristic design and panoramic views
  • 🌃 Stroll along Batumi Boulevard and watch the dancing fountains at night
Bishkek
Soviet Squares, Mountain Backdrops, Bazaars
6.2
Bishkek serves as the gateway to Kyrgyzstan's Tian Shan mountains and its growing trekking scene. Ala Too Square anchors the Soviet era city centre with wide open plazas. Visitors can arrange multi day treks into the mountains from agencies downtown. Song Kul Lake's high altitude yurt camps draw growing numbers each summer.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Shop and eat at bustling Osh Bazaar market
  • 🏛️ Explore historical Ala-Too Square and Victory Monument
  • 🥾 Hike through stunning Ala Archa National Park trails
East Timor
Coral reefs, mountain trails and quiet beaches
6.7
Timor Leste became the world's newest country when it gained independence in 2002. Coral reefs off Atauro Island remain largely untouched by mass tourism. Visitors can dive or snorkel among some of the most biodiverse waters in the region. Dili's small guesthouses and dive shops have only recently begun to grow.
Highlights:
  • 🤿 Snorkel in the vibrant reefs of Atauro Island
  • ✝️ Visit Cristo Rei statue overlooking Dili Bay
  • ⛰️ Climb Mount Ramelau for breathtaking sunrise views
Oman
Ancient heritage meets natural wonders
7.5
Jebel Shams, nicknamed the Grand Canyon of Arabia, cuts a deep gorge through Oman's mountains. Wadi Shab's turquoise pools sit a short hike from the coastal road nearby. Visitors can swim through narrow canyon pools towards a hidden waterfall. Adventure tourism has grown quickly as an alternative to nearby Gulf cities.
Highlights:
  • 🏜️ Camp under the stars in Wahiba Sands desert
  • 🏞️ Marvel at the turquoise waters of Wadi Shab
  • 🏰 Explore the ancient Nizwa Fort and its bustling souq
Saudi Arabia
Desert kingdom of ancient traditions
7.5
Saudi Arabia opened to leisure tourism with a new e-visa system introduced in 2019. AlUla's ancient Nabataean tombs at Hegra sit carved into rose coloured sandstone. Visitors can explore the site much like a quieter version of Jordan's Petra. New museums and desert resorts continue opening across the region.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Visit the historic At-Turaif district in Diriyah
  • 🗻 Hike the dramatic cliffs at the Edge of the World
  • 🏺 Explore the ancient Nabatean city of [translate:Hegra]
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