Western India’s mirror to Shimla and Darjeeling, with its own flavour of jungle appeal, the Western Ghats have bagged the fourth position in Lonely Planets ranking of the Best Asian destinations to visit in 2018.
Busan, South Korea topped the list of places to visit this summer followed by Uzbekistan and Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam.
Lonely Planet’s annual Best in Asia list features the Top 10 recommended destinations to visit in the year ahead.
The list
1. Busan, South Korea
The second largest city of South Korea, Busan has also bagged the title of East Asia Culture City of 2018. “Busan will be at its most vibrant this year with a medley of colourful events showcasing the country’s cultural heritage, from street art festivals to traditional dance shows”, states Lonely Planet.
2. Uzbekistan
The country hasn’t had a lot of opportunity to welcome tourists. “The country has remained largely closed off to the wider world due to tight control following the end of the Soviet era.” But in late 2017 it took huge strides in opening up the sector.
3. Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
The city is going up on the cool quotient as years go by. Apartment blocks are being colonised by vintage clothes stores and best craft beer scenes.
4. Western ghats, India
Unesco has listed them as one of the best spots for the growth of biodiversity. The flower, neelakurinji which blooms only once in 12 years is also being protected in the rugged hills.
5. Nagasaki, Japan
The place where atom bombs were dropped in August 1945, has converted the disaster into a coordinated call for peace exemplified by the explosion’s hypocentre, and the Atomic Bomb Museum
6. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Despite the weather worn city walls and a feeling that it is plucked out of the pages of history, the city has managed to attract creative and young population for residency. It was the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom
7 Lumbini, Nepal
The place has not received much attention by backpackers but with new developments in Nepal is expecting more tourists. A new international airport with a safer route into Nepal is being built
8. Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka:
The surf heaven has maintained its cool quotient despite of being identified as one of the world’s hottest destination.
9. Sìchuan Province, China
The destination is a tech hub with brewpubs and boutique hotels mushrooming there.
10. Komodo National Park, Indonesia
“Aside from laying eyes on the illustrious lizard, visitors to this cerulean-silhouetted archipelago in Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands can hike to hallowed viewpoints on Padar, sample laid-back beachside living on Kanawa and dive with a mind-boggling array of marine life in the reefs off Komodo”. The place is becoming more accessible because of the coming up of new flight connections and liveaboards to gateway. The park fee is likely to rise this year.
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