Asia Destination A to Z

Afghanistan
Afghanistan's strategic location has guaranteed it a starring (and bloody) role in history – but its wild landscapes are only intermittently accessible by travellers

Azerbaijan
Known as the 'Land of Fire', Azerbaijan entertains the adventurous traveller with colourful markets, a cosmopolitan capital, hilltop castles and snow-capped peaks

Bangladesh
Sun-dappled waterways, spice-infused alleys, tigers and tea fields: Bangladesh is full of surprises

Bhutan
The last of the Himalayan kingdoms, there’s nowhere on earth quite like Bhutan. Thanks to a long history of isolation and controlled modernisation under the previous king, a trip to Bhutan feels like a journey into the past

Borneo
Adventure doesn't get more exciting than Borneo. With luscious rain forests, endangered wildlife and diverse culture - this destination is perfect for adventure and nature lovers

Brunei
Brunei combines natural beauty with a rich traditional heritage. Visit the Sultan's house - the largest palace in the world featuring a unique blend of contemporary and traditional Islamic architecture

Burma/Myanmar
Years of isolation have kept Burma an unspoiled gem, with creaking teak monasteries and temples of stone, gracefully ageing in a cycle-paced society

Cambodia
Cambodia is a captivating land of beautiful temples, wild jungle, unspoiled countryside, colonial architecture and sandy beaches

China
China is a world to itself, with mountain ranges, ancient cities, charming wildlife and a fascinating culture – not to mention THAT wall

East Timor
With basic infrastructure East Timor is not an easy place to travel. But with deserted beaches, beautiful countryside and charming locals it is perfect for the adventurous

Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a dynamic metropolis of East meets West. An eclectic mix of modern skyscrapers, colonial buildings and traditional temples makes Hong Kong a popular destination for travellers

India
Mighty castles and exquisite palaces set India’s past in stone, a backdrop to an exotic society of devout religion, timeless custom and vivid colour

Indonesia
Dizzying in scale and variety, Indonesia is a captivating mix of natural beauty and cultural depth, tropical islands and traditional lifestyles – at a bargain price

Japan
A country of contrasts, Japan's city Tokyo dazzles with bright lights and high-tech gadgetry while the cherry blossoms in Kyoto’s Maruyama Park are symbols of peace and beauty

Kazakhstan
Despite the efforts of "Borat Sagdiyev", Kazakhstan is still a rarely visited part of Eurasia. With a sophisticated cafe culture and ecotourism programmes thriving in stunning countryside, this will not be the case for much longer

Kyrgyzstan
Packed with nomad culture, mighty mountains and super horse-riding across the steppes, Kyrgyzstan is the adventure hub of Central Asia

Laos
Discover the delights of this laid-back country of mountains and rivers. Travellers will be well rewarded with luscious landscapes, friendly people and unique glimpses of a country that's hardly changed for over a century

Macau
Tiny Macau, an enclave on China's Pearl Delta, is best known for glitzy casinos but also offers a fun fusion of colonial style and Asian flavours

Malaysia
The rising star of South-East Asia - Malaysia is a vibrant mix of tropical island resorts, warm coral seas, lush rain-forest, majestic mosques and temples and wonderful wildlife

Maldives
Blissful, turquoise-lapped dots in the Indian Ocean, the islands of the Maldives offer great beach lazing but also great diving and whale watching, too

Mongolia
Ghengis Khan's backyard is still frontier territory, home to nomadic herders and eagle hunters

Nepal
Nepal's historic towns and cities are atmospheric bases for tea-house treks amongst the snow-capped Himalayas: add lowland jungle wildlife and you have it all

North Korea
Probably the planet's most secretive, little-visited country, North Korea is a destination unlike any other

Pakistan
Mountainous and beautiful, Pakistan is simultaneously forbidding and incredibly friendly. Discover bustling bazaars and Himalayan highways

Philippines
With an archipelago so large, numerous and disparate, the Philippines is dizzyingly diverse – come for beautiful beaches, tribal cultures and volcanic landscapes

Singapore
South-East Asia's buzzing island city, Singapore is a shopping and foodie mecca

South Korea
A contradictory collision of ancient traditions ad hyper-modern cities, South Korea is one of Asia's offbeat hotspots

Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka – the island of serendipity – rises from tropical sandy beaches into cool highland regions, rich with temples and tea plantations shrouded in mist

Taiwan
It's China, but it's different – Taiwan has a culture, cuisine and scenery all of its own

Tajikistan
Wedged between Central Asia, China and Afghanistan, Tajikistan is a mountainous land with outstanding trekking and one of the world's great road trips

Thailand
Delicious food, beautiful beaches, great diving, trekking and wildlife-watching – what doesn't Thailand do brilliantly?

Tibet
Arguably the most enticing destination in the Himalaya, Tibet remains a dramatic yet controversial destination for adventurous travellers

Turkmenistan
The oddest of the Central Asian 'Stans' is a personality-cult police state with a wild hinterland harking back to the old Silk Road

Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan's ornate mosques and medressas hint at its legacy as the historic trading hub of Central Asia – key caravanserai on the ancient Silk Road

Vietnam
Vietnam has emerged as one of the hot travel tickets of South-East Asia. And why not?