Explore Asia-Pacific’s Top Cultural Gems in These 5 Cities

Cultural tourism is travel aimed at discovering and visiting places with historical significance or spiritual meaning, experiencing different cultures, and learning about, exchanging, and enjoying a variety of cultural goods and services. 

Asia-Pacific is one of the world’s regions with a rich and authentic cultural tourism landscape. If you're planning a cultural trip to this region, here are our top 5 city recommendations!

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is more than just Japan’s economic and political center. This capital city—and the world’s most populous metropolis—is also where Japanese tradition and innovation come together as one. Unsurprisingly, Tokyo is home to many cultural destinations rich in history, each with a modern twist that makes them exciting to explore.

These historic sites are spread evenly across various districts in Tokyo. For example, the Harajuku District, home to the Meiji Shrine built in honor of Emperor Meiji; the Taito District, where the Tokyo National Museum and the historic Ueno Park are located; Asakusa District, known for its many ancient temples and traditional shops; and Shinjuku District, which blends towering skyscrapers with small eateries tucked in narrow alleys.

Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong is a special administrative region located on the southern coast of China. Amid rapid modernization, Hong Kong continues to preserve its rich cultural landscape.

This is evident in the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District, 100-hectare reclamation area housing world-class museums, performance spaces, expansive parks and open areas designed to showcase the cultural stories of the local community. Besides the West Kowloon Cultural District, don’t forget to visit the Wong Tai Sin Temple, dedicated to the three major religions of China: Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.

Sydney, Australia

As the largest and oldest city in Australia, Sydney certainly has a long and interesting cultural history. Interestingly, Sydney's cultural landscape is embodied in buildings owned by Australia's prestigious institutions, such as the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Australian National Maritime Museum, Opera Australia, and, of course, the Sydney Opera House.

While Sydney’s cultural landscape is generally showcased through collections of historical artifacts, you can still learn about the Aboriginal people—the Indigenous people of Australia—as well. That’s because these museums and buildings also house stories and artifacts from Aboriginal communities.

Taipei, Taiwan

According to Fora Travel, a modern travel agency, one of the best destinations to understand Taiwan’s modern history is the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei’s Zhongzheng District. Three of the building’s four floors present stories about Chiang Kai-shek’s life and the founding of the Republic of China, while also hosting rotating exhibitions of both local and international art and artifacts.

Besides the monument, you can also visit the National Palace Museum, which houses the largest collection of Chinese artifacts and artworks. Other culturally rich places in Taipei include the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine in Zhongshan, Fort San Domingo in Tamsui, and the Hot Spring Museum along the way to Beitou.

Hanoi, Vietnam

Last but not least: Hanoi. Besides being the capital city, Hanoi is also the cultural heart of Vietnam, home to 6,000 historical heritage sites. The city is also famous for its centuries-old architecture and a history that predates the name of 'Hanoi' itself.

That’s why there are so many cultural destinations you can explore when visiting Hanoi. Some of the must-visit spots include the Thang Long Imperial Citadel (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010), the Temple of Literature honoring Hanoi’s educational history since 1076, the Old Quarter of Hanoi, as well as the Bach Ma and Voi Phuc Temples.

So, that’s a look at five must-visit cultural hubs across the Asia-Pacific region. Before booking your flight tickets and accommodations to any of the cities above, make sure to get your Online Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia, which provides comprehensive protection for you and your family whether you're traveling domestically