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10 Best Places To Travel In Asia, According To Lonely Planet

Hello, bucket list.
By 

Lifestyle Intern, The Huffington Post

It’s finally summertime, and the travel bug is officially going around. But that doesn’t mean you have to shy away from planning next year’s getaway. 

To help you out, Lonely Planet rounded up the best places to visit in Asia this coming year. For the foodie, the adventurer, the sight-seer, and the relaxer, the experts at Lonely Planet have found the best vacation spots for every type of traveler.

Whether it’s your first time visiting Asia or you’re a seasoned pro, these top picks will offer you a fresh look at stunningly ancient cities and towns. So go ahead, visit the “center of the universe” in Shanghai, or ski on Hokkaidō’s “perfect powder snow.” Plan a trip that you’ll look forward to, because you deserve it.

The Top 10 Places To Visit In Asia This Year
Taitung, Taiwan(01 of10)
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"Taitung is Taiwan’s secret wild card," says Lonely Planet." "This cradle of indigenous culture is the place to party after harvest with music festivals and sweet millet wine. Or take advantage of this rural county’s superb whale watching, stargazing and cycling." (credit:© Anthony Ko / Getty Images)
Meghalaya, India(02 of10)
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"Opportunities for hiking, climbing, caving and rafting abound," says Lonely Planet. "After decades off the tourist map, people are starting to notice this backwater. Meghalaya won’t stay this quiet for long; go before thrill seekers storm the Khāsi Hills." (credit:© Mahesh / Getty Images)
Trang Islands, Thailand(03 of10)
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Lonely Planet writes, "Trang Islands pack the same knockout punch as their more famous Andaman Coast neighbors; all they lack are the crowds. Go, now – while these sleepy islands bask in untouched splendor." (credit:© Sunphol Sorakul / Getty Images)
Pemuteran, Indonesia(04 of10)
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"A double bay of beaches near Menjangan … don’t wait until everybody arrives; catch the buzz now from this alluring mix of art-filled resorts, inventive new restaurants and the mellowest vibe around," says Lonely Planet. (credit:© Tropical studio / Shutterstock)
Ipoh, Malaysia(05 of10)
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"Malaysia’s lesser-known food capital has new flair thanks to a crop of boutique cafes that have sprung up in its historic quarter," Lonely Planet writes. "At the heart of Ipoh’s renaissance is otherworldly concept hotel Sekeping Kong Heng." (credit:© coleong / Getty Images)
Hong Kong, China(06 of10)
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"Hong Kong is focusing on its natural heritage – specifically, the UNESCO-designated geopark, a 50-sq km region to the northeast," writes Lonely Planet. "A shuttle bus between the geopark’s Sai Kung town and its ancient rock formations debuted this May, hard on the heels of a ferry service to Lai Chi Wo Village." (credit:© chinaface / Getty Images)
Con Dao Islands, Vietnam(07 of10)
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"This archipelago now ranks among Asia’s hottest emerging destinations," says Lonely Planet. "With improved flight connections from Ho Chi Minh City, there is no better place right now to feast on fresh seafood, explore in search of a perfect beach and revel in a castaway vibe." (credit:© Cao Tran Tho / Shutterstock)
Jeonju, South Korea(08 of10)
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"Having long flown under the radar as the country’s top foodie destination, Jeonju has finally started to make mouths water further afield," Lonely Planet writes. "The birthplace of Korea's most famous dish, bibimbap, now lures a younger crowd thanks to its fast-emerging street food scene." (credit:© Kangheewan / Getty Images)
Shànghǎi, China(09 of10)
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"Looking for the center of the universe right now? It’s surely Shànghǎi," Lonely Planet writes. "This year’s a big one, with the first Disney resort in mainland China opening here, as well as the completion of the long-awaited Shànghǎi Tower, the world’s second tallest building." (credit:© tonnaja.com / Getty Images)
Hokkaido, Japan(10 of10)
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“Hokkaidō's perfect powder snow put it on the international map, but it has also blinded visitors to the year-round charms of Japan's northernmost island," Lonely Planet says. "Hokkaidō has become a lot more accessible this year thanks to the new bullet train linking its southern port city, Hakodate, to Tokyo.” (credit:© Seigo Yamamura/Aflo / Getty Images)

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Before You Go

The Best Travel Photos Of 2016
West Bengal, India(01 of10)
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"Every year in the month of January few lacks of devotee come to Gangasagar fair in West Bengal. It is the second largest fair of India. Captured the devotees while they worship sun just after their bath." (credit:Abhijit Banerjee)
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile(02 of10)
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"The 'Cuernos del Paine' mountain range reflected over the glacial waters of lake Nordenskj in 'Torres del Paine' National Park... Or perhaps a vision of Eden's Gardens?" (credit:Adriano Neves)
Bryce Amphitheater, Utah(03 of10)
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"The hoodoos of the Bryce Amphitheater glistened as the golden rays of the sun illuminated them, while the vista took my breath away." (credit:Anasuya Mandal)
Vesturhorn, Iceland(04 of10)
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"Iceland is one of my favorite destinations,for several reasons. The most important is the unique atmosphere and the strong feelings caused by the beautiful landscape which constantly changes as you drive around the country." (credit:Nick Kontostavlakis)
West Pier, England(05 of10)
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"Brighton, West Pier." (credit:Ralph Graef)
Bernese Alps, Switzerland(06 of10)
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"Two thousand, one hundred and seventy-six meters above the sea. Berner Alpen, Switzerland. It was a very hard and dangerous way to this beautiful place: Climbing and walking up and down mountains. One time I had to take my dog into my backpack to climb down a wall. We were 36 hours on the road with heavy backpacks, only two hours sleep, I'm very happy that we arrived back alive (first time we did such a crazy spontaneously trip) and I am happy that I have seen this wonderful nature." (credit:Simone Cmoon)
Sanur Beach, Indonesia(07 of10)
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"I fell in love with photography five years ago, initially shooting portraiture and landscape until I discovered the minimalism art/ long exposure technique 3 years ago. The distilled, condensed quality of sourcing the art form into the chosen frame, stripped off the nonessential bring to focus a beauty that's mysterious, abstract, contemplative and otherworldly. This shot was taken in Bali before the daybreak. In the face of such palpable stillness, it's the mystery of silence that speaks to our innermost self..." (credit:Tan Jia Yi)
South China(08 of10)
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"A fisherman is farming the sea in between the bamboo rods constructed for aquaculture off the coast in southern China." (credit:Tugo Cheng)
U Bein Bridge, Myanmar(09 of10)
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"Taken at the U Bein Bridge in Myanmar, taken from a boat on Taungthaman Lake." (credit:Lesley Hall)
Sorško polje, Slovenia(10 of10)
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(credit:Andrej Tarfila)

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