Asia has been on my family’s travel bucket list for a long time. My husband and I have been fortunate to travel to that part of the world several times already (pre-kids) and we are hoping to take our daughter and son within the next 3 years. Maybe for the 2020 Summer Olympics perhaps? Asia is a special place for us as both our families come from this area of the world and it would be fun to take the kids to see where their grandparents and great grandparents grew up.
Today we have James guest posting here on the blog.
*****
Are you planning on taking a family holiday/vacation in Asia? As the largest continent, it offers an extensive list of family-friendly, yet exciting destinations, from safaris, amusement parks, to adventure parks. Selecting the best destination can be quite a challenging task. Below, we discuss the best family-friendly destinations in Asia.
1. Bali, Indonesia
Bali has great weather and friendly locals who adore children. The diverse cultures, rich heritage, and exotic food are among the top reasons Bali is a fabulous destination for families.
There are many breath-taking attractions here, including water parks and monkey forests. Wildlife is the major attraction of this island. The Bali Bird and Elephant Safari parks are two must-visit places for families with kids.
Other places worth checking out include Waterbom Bali Park (with waterslides), Bali Treetop Adventure Park, and the pyramidal Rumah Pohon Temple.
The Splash Water Park (Canggu Club) has world-class water slides which take fun to an all-new level. Your family will have great moments at the beaches (Sanur, Dua, Jimbaran, and Nusa). The Outdoor Balinese shows (singing and dancing) are colorful, energetic and educational.
Bali is fun for young ones and those that are young at heart!
2. Malaysia
Malaysia is a combination of multiple, diverse cultures. It’s a mix of Malay, British, Indian, and Chinese traditions. Traveling around Malaysia can be likened to visiting multiple, different countries all at once.
Spending a vacation with your family in Malaysia will give kids the opportunity to visit a Chinese temple and smell the delicious aroma of Indian food from carts along the streets. In Malaysian Borneo, you’ll get to see semi-wild, rehabilitated orangutans. You can visit the different cultural villages to learn about now-forbidden tribal traditions.
Climb 272 steps to a Hindu temple that’s built high up in Batu Caves.
Enjoy the views from the sky bridge of the world’s tallest twin towers – the Petronas Towers.
If that’s not enough, you can spend several days at LEGOLAND Malaysia. The water park, amusement park rides, and themed hotel will definitely keep your family entertained. Take some time to walk around Miniland Asia where you’ll find models of almost everything built out of LEGOs, including China’s Forbidden City.
Malaysia is a country that will appeal to adventurous explorers.
3. Japan
Japan is an all-year-round destination, boasting a beautiful, yet varied landscape. It’s safe and clean. It’s rich in culture and history, and with polite, helpful locals.
The efficient public transportation systems (including bullet trains) will take you to any part of Japan you’d like to visit.
Kyoto and Tokyo are two family-friendly destinations.
Kyoto is the finest reflection of old Japan, with over 2,000 shrines and temples. On the other hand, Tokyo has many skyscrapers and offers impressive, innovative technologies.
Japan offers quite an extensive list of family-friendly activities and attractions, from parks, museums, castles, and temples. You do not want to miss out on unique activities like watching sumo wrestling, exploring Mt. Fuji, and visiting Hello Kitty parks.
Japan has multiple amusement parks which will entertain your family for days, including Universal Studios, Tokyo Disneyland, and Tokyo DisneySea. They’re among the best parks you’ll ever visit. Board a waterbus to get to Odaiba Island for spring cherry blossoms, a seabird sanctuary, and museums.
If you intend to travel all over Japan, you can get a Rail Pass. It allows for unlimited travel on buses and trains on the Japan transport network. Best of all, children under five years old get to travel for free.
4. Singapore
Singapore offers everything families are looking for when planning a trip to Asia – a reliable transport network, great food, safety, an interesting culture, and many different attractions. This country is loaded with unique, fun, and family-friendly activities for families.
The subway system is efficient and covers nearly all tourist attractions in Singapore. The combination of Indian, Chinese, and Malay cultures add to the appeal of this country and the common language here is English.
Among the attractions you’ll want to check out include the world’s biggest aquarium (the S.E.A Aquarium), water parks, and Universal Studios Singapore. Kids will enjoy exploring Sentosa Island and animal lovers will love the Night Safari.
It’s impossible to see all the top tourist attractions even if you spend weeks here. You’re certain to appreciate the multiple entertaining and shopping options, as well as the colorful neighborhoods.
5. Taiwan
Taiwan is a relatively small island but is known for its spectacular mountain ranges, quirky cafes, and natural hot springs. Families have begun exploring and enjoying Taiwan as much as independent travelers and backpackers have been doing for a long time.
There’s a broad range of exciting things to do here, including biking, mountain hiking, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Let your kids make bubble tea in the very place the bubble tea craze started — the Chun Shui Tang Tea House in Taichung. Visiting night markets in Taiwan cities are also a fun thing to do with kids. If theme parks are more your thing, you’ll enjoy Lotus Wake, Taroko, and Taipei Children’s Amusement Parks.
You shouldn’t leave Taiwan without visiting the famous Hot Springs Museum. It’s an exemplary piece of architecture. You’ll find great information regarding the hot springs, as well as the area’s history. You’ll also find that there are many child-friendly hotels in Taiwan with hot spring pools.
6. Hong Kong
Hong Kong is among the best Asian cities to visit with young kids. The well-connected transport network makes it easy to get around and English is a widely spoken in Hong Kong.
Popular kid-friendly attractions include glittering skyscrapers, Ocean Park and Disneyland.
On Sundays, Kowloon Park hosts lion-and-dragon dances and kung fu performances. Shopping is fantastic here and there are countless places to eat (including some popular western fast food chains) 24 hours a day. Hong Kong is a fantastic destination if you’re seeking a stress-free family holiday in Asia.
7. South Korea
It’s a tourist hotspot, in addition to being a favorite destination for many families. South Korea offers many remarkable attractions that are safe and child-friendly.
You can start the journey by visiting the Children’s Grand Park. This large, themed park is situated at Seoul. It offers lots of activities for both children and adults.
Lotte World – a popular theme park in Seoul – features a monorail system that links the indoor and outdoor segments. This park has a folk museum and a skating rink, too.
Myeongdong, a shopping district, welcomes visitors and satisfies their shopping cravings, from beauty products and clothes to street foods. There are many information booths along the shopping streets with amazing guides who provide prompt assistance.
Families visiting South Korea should also visit Mt. Namsan. The N Seoul Tower – which can be reached by cable car – resting on this mountain offers a fantastic, unobstructed view of the city. Restaurants and snack bars surround this tower. It also houses scheduled performances and exhibits.
8. Phuket, Thailand
Thailand is yet another top, family-friendly destination in Asia, loaded with countless attractions.
Phuket has kid-friendly beaches, clear seas, favorable weather, and an enormous list of activities that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
The Splash Jungle Park is a fun water park for young splashers. It features a pool, a lazy river and exhilarating rides. This park overlooks the picturesque Mai Khao Beach.
The Phuket Aquarium features tropical, colorful, and exotic marine life and is good if you’re looking for a half-day activity. Other popular things to do with kids include speedboating to Phi Phi Island, snorkeling, and elephant riding.
Parting Note
Parents often get overwhelmed by the many options available when trying to choose the best vacation/holiday destination. Asia has many great destinations to select from. We hope that the list above helps narrow down the options and makes decision making easier for you. Planning ahead will help you and your family have an unforgettable vacation/holiday.
James is the founder of Gotoawesomeplaces, where he shares his experiences about traveling, destination information, and adventures. Learn more about how to plan a trip to Asia and top travel tips on his blog.