Travel Bucket List Asia: 29 Exciting Family Adventures

Where to travel with your family in Asia? The continent of Asia is vast, stretching from the Eastern edge of the Mediterranean to the edge of the Bering Straight. Many families stick to SE Asia, known for it’s inexpensive prices, and it’s beautiful beaches. While we love SE Asia, there is more to explore, from the complexities of India, to the distinct culture of Japan.

Some of these adventures were part of our Family Year Out (what is a family year out?), and others are still on our personal bucket list! We’ve indicated age ranges when applicable, though, of course, this may vary by family.

This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our recommendations are independent and are in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.

Talking with your family about bucket list ideas? At the bottom of this post download free Mobile Wallpaper images to satisfy your wanderlust!

Bucket List Travel: Asia

These experiences throughout Asia vary widely- with massive cultural differences as you move between countries. We started our adventures through Asia with Sri Lanka, then India. We’ve loved our time in SE Asia, including several months in Bali and Vietnam. We also highly recommend a visit to South Korea, as well as Japan.

We try to slow travel when we can and are never fans of visiting just to “check the box”, but find these types of lists great for organizing our plans, and inspiring more travel.

Asia is massive area and includes most of Turkey, as well as most of Russia, parts of which are also partially covered in our post on Bucket List Europe destinations. While the Middle East is technically part of the continent of Asia, we created a separate bucket list for the Middle East.

The more we travel, and check a few places off of the list, the more we realize how incomplete any list is. There is so much to explore, let us know if we missed something on your personal or family bucket list!

1. Visit Tibet

Stroll through Lhasa, visit the Potala Palace, and learn about Tibetan Buddhist culture. See the emerald-colored, freshwater Yamdrok Lake, visit monasteries, and explore the Himalayas.

Yowangdu Experience Tibet has a great article on Lhasa– covering everything from safety to traveling around.

Tibet is at a high altitude, and the sun can be harsh- make sure to bring sunscreen, and plan to take time to acclimatize to the altitude.

Travel to Tibet is best for kids 5+ based on the risk of altitude sickness. The best times to visit are April-June and September-October.

2. See Wild Orangutans in Borneo

Borneo is famous for its beaches, resorts, and incredible snorkeling and diving, but it also has amazing wildlife! One of the things we enjoyed the most as a family was visiting the Semenggoh Wildlife Center just outside of Kuching to see wild Orangutans.

Orangutans are the largest tree-dwelling animals, and can only be found in the wild in Borneo and Sumatra. They are highly intelligent, use tools, build nests, and the mothers actively teach their children. They are endangered and need to be protected.

At this wildlife center you can see wild Orangutans in their natural habitat and learn about conservation. When you arrive, you’ll take an electric shuttle from the park entrance, or walk into the park on foot.

There are several feeding areas where you are most likely to see the animals. The staff at the center are very present and active, so they make sure that the animals feel safe, and that people do not get too close.

While at the center you can learn about the different orangutans who live there and you can even get in evolved to support and protect them with their adoption program.

3. Explore Bhutan

I’m intrigued by this small, landlocked, Himalayan nation where archery is the national sport. Hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery, the holiest site in Bhutan, which is built into the side of a cliff.

The government requires all tourists to have a preplanned itinerary with a Bhutanese guide. To visit you must pay a daily tourist fee, per person. Adults pay approx. $250 USD per day, children ages 5-12 pay approx. half, and children under 5 are free.

While this makes Bhutan very expensive to visit, it also ensures that the tourist attractions are never crowded, or disrespected.

The best times to visit are from October-December and March-April. Due to altitude and the difficulty of the trek to Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan is best for ages 7+.

4. Trek to Annapurna Base Camp

The ABC trek in Nepal is very popular- it will generally take you about 14 days starting and ending in Kathmandu. The scenery along the route is breathtaking, and you’ll stay in traditional tea houses along the route.

You’ll need a guided trip for this outdoor family adventure- I trust G Adventures, I used them in Jordan, and have spoken with other travelers who have used them all over the world.

Book Now: 15 Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The minimum age is 12 for the Annapurna tour. You can also trek to Everest Base Camp, also ages 12+.

Families with younger kids may want to consider a five-day Poon Hill trek. While in Nepal, don’t miss Chitwan National Park- you may see a One-horned Rhino!

5. Find Tigers in the Wild

See tigers, leopards, and sloth bears in Royal Bardia National Park or Chitwan National Park in Nepal. Explore the parks through guided tiger walks, jeep tours, and canoe rides.

Nepal takes animal conservation very seriously, so the animals here are well protected, You can also travel to Ilam in Eastern Nepal to try to spot the endangered red panda.

6. Make Silk Lanterns in Vietnam

Hoi An is a beautiful city to visit with its historical streets, night markets, traditional arts and crafts, and of course, its colorful lanterns. Every night along the river, they make and release thousands of lanterns onto the river for tourists to see.

Since the 16th century, silk has been a staple product of the city and lanterns were used not just for light, but to decorate homes and shops. In Hoi An you will find countless places to buy lanterns, but you can also take a class, where you learn to make a lantern and leave with your creation.

This is great fun for people of all ages as you get to decide what size and type of lantern to make, as well as the fabric and ornamentation. We loved our class with The Lantern Lady. There are staff to help you with each step of the process, but each person works individually. This may take from one to two hours, depending on how much time you decide to spend and how detailed you want your lantern to be.

This is a great activity for all ages, though we opted to make two lanterns rather than four. It is helpful to have extra hands when assembling or trimming the lantern, and kids under 10 may need some help.

7. Visit Mustang

I’d never heard of this place until a friend mentioned it, and now it’s definitely on our family travel bucket list!

Mustang is a region of Nepal, close to the Tibet border. It is considered the “lost kingdom”, and was its own kingdom until being incorporated into Nepal in 2008.

Tourists first entered this area in 1992. The Nepalese government now offers a 10-day permit to enter the area with a guide. This International Traveller article has more information. Ages 12+.

8. Slide Down the Great Wall of China

Visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, located about a two-hour drive from Beijing. Take the gondola to the top of the wall, then walk down the sloping wall until you reach the metal alpine slide.

The ride down takes about five minutes. You are in your own bobsled with a brake, so you control your speed. You’re not actually sliding on the Great Wall, but down the mountain to the base of the wall.

9. Eat Momos in the (Exiled) Home of the Dalai Lama

Dharamshala in northern India is where the Dalai Lama and members of his family and government found refuge after fleeing Tibet. This town in the north of India is a fantastic place to explore Tibetan culture within India.

Momos are similar to dumplings or gyoza and are made of seasoned vegetables and sometimes some meat, then wrapped in dough and steamed or fried. Everyone makes them a little differently, so try as many as you can! Our family’s favorites were at the Four Season Cafe on Jogiwara Rd, McLeod Ganj.

10. Spot a Leopard on Safari in Sri Lanka

Visit Yala National Park to try to spot a leopard on safari (we saw one named Amber!), and see elephants and water buffalo in the wild.

Sri Lanka has a laid-back attitude and miles of sandy shoreline, it’s also one of the best places in the world to spot a blue whale. Some of our favorite beaches are Hiriketiya Beach and Hikkaduwa Beach. Ready to visit? Check out our Sri Lanka itinerary to get started!

11. Stay at a Traditional Ryokan in Japan

A ryokan is a traditional Japanese Inn. They can be found all over Japan, but are especially prevalent in areas around hot springs, and the Kyoto area.

You stay in a room with a tatami floor and a futon, which often converts into your dining space. An elaborate traditional dinner may be served, as well as breakfast.

A bit more expensive than other housing options, they offer a window into Japanese culture and traditions.

12. Watch the Border Ceremony between India and Pakistan

The Attari–Wagah border ceremony has taken place since 1959. This daily drill is performed by the security forces of India and Pakistan and is both a symbol of the two countries’ rivalry, as well as the comradery and cooperation between them.

Much like a sporting event, there are crowds, loud music, chants, shouts, and taunts, along with vendors selling snacks and cold drinks. The soldiers perform dance-like maneuvers and raise their legs as high as possible.

The event begins each day at sunset and concludes with the simultaneous lowering of the two countries’ flags, a handshake between the guards of both sides and the closing of the border gate.

We watched the border ceremony from the Indian side, along with several hundred other onlookers, but you can also see the event, though perhaps a little more subdued, from the Pakistani side.

13. See the Terracotta Warriors

The Terracotta Warriors are a series of 2,000-year-old clay statues that guarded the tomb of China’s first Emperor. They were discovered by farmers digging a well in 1974.

You can visit three pits in the Terracotta Museum to see over 8,000 clay warriors, jade weapons, and bronze chariots. Each warrior is life-sized and unique- with different expressions, faces, and clothing.

Originally, each warrior was painted and carried a real weapon. The Terracotta Museum is located about an hour East of Xi’an, China.

14. Ride the Trans Siberian Railway

The Trans Siberian Railway is world-famous. Spend a few days onboard watching the scenery, then step off and enjoy a few days in a town along the way.

There is no set route, but rather a network of rail lines across Russia. The three main routes are Moscow to Vladivostok (the original route), Moscow to Beijing (via Mongolia), which takes about 5 days non-stop, including two border crossings; and Moscow to Beijing (via Manchuria), which does not include stops in Mongolia. Here’s a handy map.

Consider starting in Moscow, stopping in Ekaterinburg, Irkutsk (visit Lake Baikal), Ulaanbaatar, and finally Beijing.

Children under 5 are free, but they have to share a bed with a traveling adult. Children aged 5-10 are half price.

15. Sleep in a Yurt in Mongolia

Spend a few days in Ulaanbaatar, visit Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, and see the giant equestrian statue of Genghis Khan. Head to the Gobi desert to stay with a family in their ger (yurt), and climb the dunes at Khongoryn Els.

See the Flaming Cliffs, then head to Karakorum, the old capital of Mongolia. Finish with a trip to the Mongolian grasslands and Khustai National Park to see wild horses.

16. Step into the Ganges River

The Ganges is the longest river in India and one of the most sacred to Hindus. Over 1500 miles (2,525 km) long and the world’s third-largest by volume, it begins in the western Himalayas and flows through India and Bangladesh.

The river is a literal lifeline to millions of people and is considered to be a Goddess and mother in the Hindu tradition. A pilgrimage to the Ganges is considered a pious ritual, and taking a dip in the holy water can purge a person of all their past wrongdoings.

We visited the Ganges in Rishikesh, where the water is clear, clean, and cool, but also quiet, as compared to visiting in Varanasi.

17. See Cherry Blossoms in Japan

The cherry blossoms bloom across Japan in the Spring, starting in late January in the South, and blooming in Tokyo around late March, or early April. You can check forecasts to see predictions for the year.

Called sakura, this is a time of celebration and gatherings of friends and family. Many Japanese celebrate hanami, where they picnic and quietly contemplate life.

Mount Yoshino is a popular spot for hanami, as there are over 30,000 cherry trees. Look for sakura-flavored treats available only during this time.

18. Lounge on a Thai Island

The island beaches of Thailand are well-known for a reason! So many options for relaxing in a tropical paradise. We spent part of our honeymoon in Koh Samui, then took the kids to hang out on Ko Phi Phi, but there are endless options for islands to explore.

19. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia

While Western Türkiye is part of Europe, most of the country is in Asia. Cappadocia in central Türkiye is known for its tall rock formations called “fairy chimneys.” This otherworldly landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

One of the best ways to see this area is by hot air balloon- most balloons go up in the early morning for sunrise. To visit the area, take a flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir.

Base yourself in Goreme and stay in a cave hotel. Make sure to visit Uchisar Castle and the underground city of Kaymakli.

20. Visit the Taj Mahal at Sunrise

The Taj Mahal is such an iconic building, of course, it had to make our family bucket list! Fly into New Delhi, spend a few days there, then head to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.

Arrive for sunrise, then enter via the East gate. After you are done exploring, head to Agra Fort to see where Shah Jahan, who commissioned the Taj Mahal, was imprisoned after his son seized power.

The Taj Mahal is India’s biggest tourist attraction, it was built using the labor of 1,000 elephants! We wrote a full guide to visiting the Taj Mahal.

From Agra take the train to Jaipur to see “the pink city”, then see wild tigers in Ranthambore National Park. Head back to New Dehli, or continue on to Udaipur, the “city of lakes”, then Jodhpur, “the blue city”.

21. Sleep in a Monastery in Myanmar

Myanmar/Burma has been on the US “Do Not Travel” list since the 2021 coup, but we’ll leave this intriguing country on our travel bucket list for down the line.

Travelers have written of the beauty and isolation of this country which had just opened up to tourism before the current political climate closed it again.

Hopefully sleeping on a thin pad on the floor of a monastery will be one of our family adventures when the situation calms down.

22. Ride the Train in Sri Lanka

The train from Kandy to Ella is one of the most picturesque in the world. Cutting across the middle of the island, you’ll meander across mountains, over bridges, and through tea plantations. Originally built to transport tea from British estates, this is not a high-speed journey, but a relaxing one.

Stop in Nuwara Eliya to break up the journey, and have high tea at the Grand Hotel. Once in Ella we highly recommend a cooking class at the Spice Garden.

23. Eat Bingsu in Seoul

Bingsu is a Korean dessert made of shaved ice with sweet ingredients such as red beans and fruit. The most common and original is pat-bingsu, meaning red bean frozen water, and was introduced during the Joseon dynasty, sometime in the 1400s.

After the Korean War, with the introduction of condensed milk, syrup, and chocolate from the United States, bingsu became more diverse. Today you can find it in flavors of green tea, coffee, and yogurt.

There are many places to try this wonderful dessert in Seoul, whether you have one day or many, but our family’s favorite was at Samcheong Bingsu, just up Samcheong-ro road from the National Folk Museum of Korea.

24. Cruise Halong Bay

Board a traditional junk boat and cruise Halong Bay in Northern Vietnam. A few hours from Hanoi, the bay is known for its towering limestone rock formations. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s one of the most popular spots in Vietnam.

Choose a two-night cruise if you can- you’ll escape the crowds on the second day. There are so many tour operators, the hardest part is choosing which boat to take!

Most boats stop at Surprise Cave and Ti Top Island, and some offer cooking classes or other activities onboard. An alternative is Bai Tu Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay which are less crowded. October to March is the best time to visit.

Check Prices: Halong Bay Tour

25. Stay in a Stilt House in Myanmar

Visit the floating gardens of Lake Inle and stay in a bamboo house built on stilts. The woven bamboo allows for air circulation to keep the house cool. Apparently, tomatoes grow year-round in the gardens here!

26. Climb Through Lava Tubes on Jeju Island

Jeju Island is considered “the Hawaii of South Korea”, and a tropical destination that is popular with Koreans on holiday. There are some ferries, but most likely you’ll need to fly from the mainland.

Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. All of Jeju Island is classified as an active volcano, having erupted within the last 10,000 years. While the most recent eruption was over 5,000 years ago, it is still widely studied to understand volcanic activity worldwide.

There are lava tubes throughout the northeast side of the island, but the Manjanggul Lava Tube is the easiest place to visit and a major tourist attraction. These tubes are massive, and a lot of fun to walk through.

27. Visit the Temples of Angkor Watt

Waker and I visited Angkor Watt as part of our honeymoon, and were excited to take the kids there to explore. We spent a month in Cambodia, and found that Siem Reap has become a hipper town, than we expected, with lots of great coffee options.

Check out our guide to the Angkor Temples, as well as all the other amazing things to do in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Consider taking a food tour to learn about Khmer cuisine.

28. Support an Elephant Sanctuary

When we visited Thailand in 2013, we visited an elephant center where we fed, rode on, and bathed the elephants. We discussed it at the time and felt that our dollars were supporting the care of the animals (who are notoriously expensive to feed).

Animal tourism has evolved since then, and we are now more careful to only support places where the animal’s natural behaviors are encouraged.

We wanted to expose our kids to the wonder of elephants, but in a place where there is no riding or unnatural training. We opted to visit an elephant sanctuary to interact with rescued elephants.

Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai is one option that is on the well-worn tourist route.

We highly recommend a visit to the Elephant Valley Project in Mondulkiri, Cambodia. You can spend a half-day walking through the jungle with the elephants, and the other half of the day volunteering around the facility.

We spent two days and one night with them and had a great experience. We wrote a full post on our experience at the Elephant Valley Project so you can decided if it’s right for your family.

Responsible Travel has a great list of Elephant Sanctuaries around the world that you can feel good about supporting.

29. Relax on the Gili Islands, Indonesia

The Gili Islands are Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. There are no cars on the islands, you either walk, bike, or take a horse-drawn cart to get around.

Gili Trawangan is the largest of the islands with the most nightlife and a night market. Gili Meno is the smallest, least populated island and is known for its turtle sanctuary.

We opted for the middle-sized island of Gili Air, and spent part of our “babymoon” there- it was a bumpy boat ride from Lombok to get there, but the island itself is absolutely lovely.

There You Have It

So many amazing adventures around Asia, from the cities of Japan to the tropics of Sri Lanka.

Did we miss any travel adventures that are on your family bucket list? We’re always willing to add new ideas or destinations!

Don’t miss our other bucket lists, for travel in Europe, adventures around Africa, and bucket list Middle East destinations. We also have a list for North America that includes the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

We didn’t forget Central and South America, where are you headed next?