Choose from 1,872 Fun Things to Do in Asia
Central Market Kuala Lumpur
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Bat Trang Ceramic
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Chalong Big Buddha
- The Chalong Big Buddha is a must-see for photographers and first-time visitors.
- Entry to the Big Buddha is free, but donations are accepted.
- Make sure your knees and shoulders are covered during your visit; avoid beachwear.
- Be prepared to remove your shoes before entering the temple at the Big Buddha.
- There’s a public restroom at the statue about halfway down the stairs.
Battlebox
The Basics
- The underground Battlebox is only accessible via guided tour.
- Photography and note taking are not allowed inside the Battlebox.
- Most tours start and end at the air-conditioned Battlebox Visitor Center, which is open daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm and can provide a nice respite on hot days.
- Restaurants and restrooms can be found at the nearby Fort Canning Centre.
- While tour content is meant for mature audience, tours do not feature any disturbing images and children are welcome.
Tucked into Fort Canning Park, near where the Singapore River meets the Straits of Malacca, Battlebox is most easily accessed by taxi or free Singapore Tourism Board shuttles that run a loop around museums in the Central Business District. Ask to be dropped off at the roundabout at the entrance to Hotel Fort Canning (the Battlebox Visitor Center is just beyond the roundabout). The site can also be accessed by public transit; it’s a short walk and two sets of staircases up from the Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station’s Exit B to Park Mall.
When to Get There
Battlebox is open from 9:30am to 5:30pm with three tours on Mondays (at 1:30, 2:45, and 4pm) and five tours all other days of the week (at 9:45, 11am, 1:30, 2:45, and 4pm). The longer, two-hour “Of Graves, Guns, and Battles” tour costs a bit more and runs Mondays and Thursdays at 2pm. It’s best to reserve tour tickets in advance if planning to visit on a weekend or public holiday.
More Historic Sites in Fort Canning Park
Bayon Temple
The Bayon temple forms a square at the center of the much larger square of the vast Angkor Thom, and is the architectural highlight of the complex. This was considered by the Khmers to be the conjunction of heaven and earth, though the auspicious site was covered in jungle for centuries.
Like much in the area it dates to the 12th-century reign of King Jayavarman VII, and is particularly noted for its magnificent carved stone faces with their beatific smiles. They depict either the king himself or a bodhisattva; the confusion was probably deliberate.
The bas relief carvings on the temple’s outer walls are a riot of scenes depicting everything from celestial beings and mighty battles to humble village life.
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Bayon is within Angkor Thom, which lies 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) north of Siem Reap, past Angkor Wat.
Chalong Bay Rum Distillery
- The Chalong Bay Rum Distillery is a must-see for rum and cocktail aficionados.
- The legal drinking age in Thailand is 20 years old.
- The distillery is wheelchair accessible.
Batu Caves
- Be mindful that the Batu Caves are a sacred site so be sure to dress modestly.
- Avoid feeding the monkeys as they can behave unpredictably.
- Make sure you stop at the easy-to-miss Cave Villa, located halfway up the steps.
- If you want to explore the Dark Cave, make sure you book a tour in advance.
Government Museum
Come in the morning when the museum opens to avoid the tour bus crowds. Take some time to walk the grounds and take in the detail of the structures themselves, particularly the recently renovated Museum Theatre. Several sculptures and old cannons can be found scattered between and around the main buildings. If you time your visit right, you can catch a performance in the Museum Theatre.
Central Museum (Albert Hall)
- Photography is not allowed inside Albert Hall Museum.
- Drive by at night to see Albert Hall beautifully lit up.
- Parking is limited near the museum, though tour buses and cars can stop for a few minutes near the front for photo opportunities.
Central Market (Pshar Thom Thmey)
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Beas River
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Chairman Mao Memorial Hall (Maozhuxi Jiniantang)
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Eden Gardens
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Batuan Temple
- A visit to Batuan Temple is essential for fans of Balinese art.
- The small entrance fee includes renting a sarong to meet temple decency standards. Also cover your shoulders as a sign of respect.
- During the 1600s, Batuan was a powerful kingdom, controlling much of southern Bali. As with so many little kingdoms in Indonesia, it rapidly fell from grace—allegedly due to a priest’s curse.
Edo Wonderland
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Grand Palace
- A strict dress code applies for entry: long pants or skirts, shirts with sleeves (no bare shoulders), and socks—even with sandals. If you come unprepared, a booth near the entrance may offer extra cover-ups with a deposit.
- Most half-day Bangkok tours couple a visit to the Grand Palace with other top activities like canal cruises or stops at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), or Wat Arun.
- The grounds feature a cafe and three restrooms.
Cham Island (Cu Lao Cham)
- Shops and facilities are limited on the Cham Islands: Don’t forget your sunscreen.
- Both public boats and tour boats can be dangerously crowded: Use common sense before boarding.
- While bikinis are fine on the beach, put clothes on when leaving the beach or exploring villages.
Cemetery of Confucius
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Central World Plaza
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Central District
- Central is a must-visit for first-time visitors to Hong Kong.
- Wear comfortable shoes and prepare to walk. Some of the terrain in Central is hilly and steep.
- It’s a good idea to carry an umbrella, as weather can be unpredictable.