Singapore's futuristic Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, from above. Photo / Unsplash
After spending eight years travelling around Asia, Katie Lockhart shares seven must-see destinations.
Maybe it’s the smell of a sizzling wok, the endless golden beaches or the rhythmic sound of honking motorbikes, but Asia gets its hooks in – at least it did for me.
When I touched down in Japan in 2018, I didn’t expect to still be travelling the continent eight years later, with a list of places yet to see.
But throughout my years of travel, there are destinations I keep returning to. Sometimes it’s an addictive food culture, other times an unbeatable cafe scene, or a lazy riverside town bursting with charm.
There are plenty of cities still to explore, but for me, these are Asia’s greatest hits, worth seeing or revisiting.
The literal golden child of Vietnam, this Unesco Heritage Ancient Town is painted in a picturesque marigold hue and its famous yellow shophouses draw buses of travellers every year.
I spend three to four months a year in this small riverside town, cycling through its rice paddies and sipping coconut coffee. Like most locals and expats, I avoid the Old Town at night, when it’s busiest. Instead, you’ll find me practising yoga at Om by Em, at Hill Station for happy hour, eating homemade pasta at Lion’s Room or having a nightcap at tok. Hoi An is one of those destinations where the best finds are away from the maddening crowds.
The definition of paradise, the Maldives is home to the world’s most luxurious private island resorts. A kaleidoscope of blues against sugary white sands and thatched-roof overwater bungalows epitomise the ultimate beach destination.
I’ve been to 48 of its more than 180 resorts sprinkled across its 26 atolls, each unique in its own way. For multi-generational families, Here (yes, that’s the name) is the latest and greatest retreat, as is Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, home to the country’s best and biggest kids’ clubs. For couples, it doesn’t get more peaceful than Kudadoo, Gili Lankanfushi and Nautilus. A few of my personal favourites are JOALI Maldives for its striking feminine design, Patina for its arts activities and Soneva for what may be the best breakfast buffet in the world.
Controversial opinion, but Penang has the best food in Asia. Salty, sweet, wok fried and carb-heavy, this little Malaysian island is a food haven. Whenever I visit, I know I’ll happily gain at least three kilos on char kway teow (stir-fried noodle dish) alone.
After years of scouting out the best spots in town, I’ve become a regular at a handful of spots guaranteed to satisfy. For char kway teow, Left-handed Char Koay Teow and Goggles Man Char Kuey Teow are my go-tos. Try a satisfying bowl of Hokkien noodles in a savoury prawn broth at 888 Hokkien Mee, a local haunt for more than 30 years and while Georgetown’s Deens Maju Nasi Kandar always has a queue, it’s worth it for the heaping, affordable plates of this classic island dish. Book a table for breakfast or lunch at Loong Fong Cafe, for buttery Kaya toast and nasi lemak inside a retro shophouse. And when your sweet tooth comes calling, grab a slice of the famous tiramisu cake at ChinaHouse.
This sleepy Mekong outpost feels beautifully stuck in time. The pace of life moves like molasses as you spend days cycling from cafe to cafe. Not yet plagued by overtourism, Luang Prabang is known for its preserved French colonial buildings and golden temples hidden among its winding alleyways.
My days usually start with a cycle around the Old Quarter, stopping for a coffee or a bubble tea at Formula B or Zaori Cafe. From there, perhaps a motorbike ride out to Kuang Si Waterfall (stopping for ice cream at the Laos Buffalo Dairy), shopping for handmade hill tribe textile goods at Ock Pop Tok or Passa Paa. Dinner at Little Lao Culture Bar and Manda de Laos is a must. Each beautifully blends traditional Lao dishes with modern takes, surprising drinks and picture-worthy surroundings.
Sri Lanka’s south coast is hard to beat from December to April. Surfing towns pepper the coast, but none are better than Hiriketiya, a crescent-shaped bay that creates gentle rolling waves made for beginners.
After visiting in 2021, I vowed to come back and learn how to surf and last year I did. In between surf lessons, I drank fresh coconuts on the beach, fuelled up on pizza at La Luna and celebrated finally riding a wave with sunset cocktails at Raa Hiriketiya. This once sleepy seaside town is now buzzing with travellers, so book accommodation like MOND, Bombora and Le Cabanon well in advance.
Whenever I’m in need of a big city hit, I book a trip to Singapore. One of the world’s safest and cleanest destinations, I head there for big events like Formula 1, a Harry Styles concert or a girls’ weekend barhopping around Asia’s best cocktail bars.
For some, Singapore is just a layover city, but linger and you’ll see why it’s actually the main event. Lunch at one of its 200+ hawker centres is always first on my itinerary. My usual is Amoy Street Food Centre, but I recommend trying as many as you can and jumping in the first long line you see. If you’re looking to avoid the humidity or afternoon rain, head to one of its many world-class museums, like the ArtScience Museum and the Peranakan Museum. On the island of Sentosa, Capella Singapore is a premier stay inside historic colonial buildings with a standout Cantonese restaurant, Cassia.
A go-to on any Thailand itinerary, this northern temple city has that perfect blend of cruisy atmosphere, traditional culture and tourist activities to fill your days. My time here is typically spent chowing down on khao lao, a traditional Northern Thai chicken soup, sipping Thai iced tea at a colourful cafe and listening to jazz at the North Gate Jazz Co-Op after street food at the North Gate night market.
But every year, I plan a trip to Chiang Mai around Songkran, the Thai New Year. Every April 13-15, this holiday is marked by the world’s biggest water fight. For three days, people of all ages grab a bucket or a water gun and spray each other from dawn until dusk. It’s my favourite holiday in Asia, and Chiang Mai is arguably the country’s most fun and festive place to partake.