8 Top Things To Do in Asia, Middle East and the Pacific

As you might remember, a few weeks ago we started this series talking about Travel Bloggers top things to do in some European cities. In this occasion we have a round of cities the top things to do in Asia, Middle East and the Pacific.

The cities some travel bloggers decided to write about include: Eilat, Hong Kong, Wellington, Shiraz, Inle Lake, Cairns, Amman and Niseko.

Hope you can find an amazing range of activities to do on such a diverse list of cities.

Things to do in Middle East: Eilat, Israel

Maria from Tigrest.com

Snorkeling with dolphins at the Dolphin Reef

When visiting Eilat in Israel, you shouldn’t miss Dolphin Reef – a unique site where you can enjoy these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. Visitors have an opportunity to observe daily routines like feeding and play time or go snorkelling/diving with dolphins for an even closer contact. It’s important to remember that dolphins will approach you on their free will. No worries through – they are really curious animals and you will have a good look up close. I highly recommend visiting this place as one of the top things to do in Middle East. It also has great beach with coral reefs for you to explore.

Visiting Timna park

Located just 25 km north of Eilat, this awesome place offers great opportunities for experiencing the desert life. Timna park is a former copper mine with thousands of shafts throughout the park. The scenery is almost unreal and can hardly be found anywhere else in the world. Park offers great hiking and biking trails with campgrounds. Kids will love visitor centre activities like pedal boats on the lake, colored sand bottle craft and making “King Solomon’s stamps”.

Coral World Underwater Observatory

Eilat is a magnet for snorkeling and diving lovers. If getting wet is not on your list, Coral World underwater observatory may be the best choice. Thanks to its location – 11 meters below the water surface – you will get a chance to have a good look at the underwater world of the coral reef and its inhabitants. To make your day even better, consider visiting Sharks World during feeding times and Oceanarium for 5D movie experience!

Things to do in Asia: Hong Kong

Jess from ExpatGetaways.com

The Hong Kong Skyline

You can’t come to Hong Kong and not check out the incredible, iconic skyline. There are loads of vantage points, and most visitors will head straight for the classic view from Victoria Peak or the waterfront at Tsim Sha Tsui. To avoid the crowds at Victoria Peak, skip the observation deck and walk down Lugard Road. After a leisurely 15-minute stroll, the view will open up completely. The best bit: this is one of those things to do in Asia that are completely free!

Cantonese Food

Eating should be considered a national sport in Hong Kong. There’s dim sum, wonton noodles, and succulent roast meats. Do some research in advance to find the latest hot spots for har gow (shrimp dumplings), char sui bao (BBQ pork buns), and everything in between. You can go super budget at the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant, Tim Ho Wan, or live it up in style at Lung King Heen, the first Chinese restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars.

Get Back to Nature

You probably don’t picture green when you think of Hong Kong. It is the world’s most vertical city, after all! But, only 25% of the land is developed, and 40% is designated country parks and reserves. There are hiking trails and beautiful beaches, all within a short drive of Central. These are some of the top things to do in Asia, especially in Hong Kong.

Things to do in Wellington, New Zealand

Nicole from NicoleLaBarge.com

As a serial expat, Wellington is the fifth city I’ve lived in abroad and there’s a reason why it was named the ‘coolest little capitol’ by Lonely Planet. In Wellington, if we’re not talking about the weather or politics we’re talking about food or coffee. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Wellington (including eating!):

Go up to Mt Victoria Lookout

The hills around Wellington are distinctive to the area. Mount Victoria, or Mt Vic as it’s known here, offers a great city view. In 1839 the Company Secretary instructed the surveyor to encircle the new town of Wellington with a Town Belt. Traditionally, parks in English cities were owned by wealthy individuals, not the public. The motives were twofold. Colonists came from industrial cities hoping their well-being would be improved by having access to parks. The town belt is known as the “lungs of the city.” You can see the airport to the South, the Stadium to the north, and the hills of Wellington around you.

My Favorite Restaurant in Wellington is Ortega Fish Shack

It is a great place to try the local catch of the day. You will notice that the restaurants here in Wellington have small menus. There are a few choices they make, and they do them well. I also have to mention the amazing coffee on offer in Wellington. I know Australia is trying to take credit for the flat white, but it is said to have been created in New Zealand. Havana Coffee is one of my favorites, and they have a cool little cafe on Tory Street, too.

Te Papa is the National Museum of New Zealand

The museum is free, and you will find a lot about the history of New Zealand and Maori culture. One of my favorite exhibits is the colossal squid, which was found in Antarctic waters and donated to Te Papa. It is preserved and on display.

Things to do in Middle East: Shiraz, Iran

Ellis from BackpackAdventures.org

Iran is full of beautiful cities, but Shiraz might well be my favorite. It’s the city where great poets are born, and there is so much beauty to be found. These are my three favorite things to do in the Middle East, especially in Shiraz.

Exploring the bazaar and eating local food at Saray-e Mehr

The bazaar in Shiraz is a lively affair full of surprises. Shops are selling spices, herbs, colorful dresses, and carpets. You can also find a beautiful Quran school in the middle of the bazaar. Inside, the building is beautifully decorated with mosaics. The bazaar is also home to one of Shiraz’s best restaurants. Saray-e Mehr serves delicious Iranian food at affordable prices.

Visiting Religious Shrines

There is no shortage of religious buildings of astounding beauty in Shiraz. The Nasir Al Molk mosque is a must-visit. Try to go early in the morning when the sun shines through the colorful windows, creating a spectacular light show. Another must-visit is the Shah-e Cheragh shrine. A free guide will show you around and explain the significance of this place. The glittery mirrors inside will leave you speechless.

Visiting the Tomb of the Poet Hafez

The tomb of Hafez is where the famous poet Hafez is buried. Hafez is still very popular in Iran, and Iranians come here to show their respect for him. Iranians treat Hafez’s poems as a source of guidance and fortune-telling. Outside the tomb are men with boxes full of cards and lines from Hafez’s poetry. Little birds will pick out a card for you, and Iranians believe this will tell you something about your future.

Things to do in Asia: Inle Lake, Myanmar

Dariel from WheresDariel.com

Boat Tour

Take a boat tour if there’s only enough time to do one thing in Inle Lake. It is the top tourist activity in Asia. The huge, beautiful lake against the mountainous backdrop, with the Intha fishermen rowing their boats with one leg, is as picturesque as one can imagine. The boat tour will include visiting one of the rotating markets, which operate depending on which day it is (hence the term “rotating”).

The rotating markets are where the local hill tribe people meet to buy their weekly groceries, so it will be interesting to see how they live.
Other than the rotating market, the boat tour usually includes temples and villages. If you join the normal tour operators, be prepared to visit the “workshops” and “shops.” We found our boatman near the pier and managed to avoid all the shopping by telling him, “NO SHOPS.”

Cycling

To explore the inland of Inle Lake, i.e., Nyaungshwe, rent a bicycle and go around the villages at your own pace. It is an inexpensive way (about US$1 to US$2) to visit the rice padi fields, temples, and even a hot spring. There are two routes; both will take you to Maing Thauk, where you will see a mini version of the U Bein Bridge. There are eateries here where cyclists can take a break, and lunch is served in a very “homely” environment. I loved it because I got in touch with nature and the locals along the way.

Red Mountain Estate Vineyards & Winery

Who would have guessed that there is a winery in Myanmar? Red Mountain Estate Vineyards & Winery was founded in 2002 and started to produce its wines with locally grown grapes in 2006. They have an outdoor terrace where one can spend time with friends or family savoring the inexpensive wine while watching the sun set across the vineyard and down the valley. The easiest way to get to the Winery is by a tuk-tuk. Otherwise, you can make it one of the pit stops while cycling around Nyaungshwe. But for your safety, I would recommend that if you drink, don’t drive cycle!

Top Things to do in Australia: Cairns, Australia

Jess from ExpatGetaways.com

Great Barrier Reef

Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and it definitely should be on your bucket list! You can snorkel, scuba dive, kayak or even take a helicopter ride to appreciate the sheer enormity of this natural wonder.

Daintree Rainforest

An easy drive north of Cairns, you will find the Daintree National Park, where the rainforest meets the reef. Two UNESCO World Heritage sites and hot spots of biodiversity side by side which are some of the top things to do in Australia. If you have time, spend a night in the world’s oldest living rainforest and watch for native wildlife like cassowaries and tree kangaroos. Truly spectacular!

Indigenous Culture

The Wet Tropics surrounding Cairns are home to 18 different Indigenous groups living there for at least 40,000 years. Their culture is ancient and ingrained in the natural landscape. There are some fantastic ways to learn more from the local people. My top local businesses that support the Indigenous community are the Mossman Gorge Dreamtime Walk, the Kuku-Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tour, and Ingan Tours.

Things to do in Middle East: Amman, Jordan

Manon from TheDutchCountrySide.com

Amman citadel

Amman citadel is one of the highlights of Jordan’s capital and also one of the top things to do in the Middle East, and it is easy to understand why. The earliest settlements date back to 1650-1550 BC, and even though plenty of those settlements aren’t in their best condition, the most spectacular sites, such as the Umayyad Palace, were built around 800 AD. Walking through a site breathing the history of thousands of years ago is truly astonishing.

When you’re at the citadel, don’t forget to enjoy the long views of the city. The views are incredible. I suggest you stay until sunset if you can. The atmosphere turns into magic as the sun slowly goes down behind the hills on which Amman was built.

Markets

The markets in Amman are endless. Street after street. It feels like you’re walking through a fairytale. There are new flavors and spices on every corner, different vegetables, fresh nuts, and an endless stream of people doing their daily or weekly grocery shopping. You get a real taste of the Jordanian life when indulging in their daily or weekly habits. You will see the many curious faces, as when I walked around there, I didn’t see any other foreigners. The market I adored is the one next to the Husseini mosque, the mosque is beautiful by the way, however, you cannot enter it as an outsider.

Odeum of Amman

To be fair, the odeum is quite easy to miss. It is a small Roman theater located next to one of the world’s best-preserved and biggest Roman theaters. If you climb the Roman theater, that is an absolute must; you can easily see it. The theater only has room for a few hundred people and is still just like the big Roman theater used nowadays. Sometimes the odeum will be closed, however, you can always give it a shot since you’re nearby anyway’

Things to Do in Asia: Niseko, Japan

Allison from UrbaniteDiary.com

Ski Lessons and Night Skiing

Niseko is the best place to learn or improve your skiing/snowboarding skills with qualified instructors, and this is one of those lesser-known things to do in Asia. English-speaking ski lessons are easily available from many ski schools, such as Niseko Base Snowsports or GoSnow (Hirafu area) and Niseko Village Snow School (Niseko Village area). Despite the top lift only about 4,000 feet high, Niseko has over 47km of groomed slopes and 38 lifts (including 3 express gondolas and more new ones coming).

Moreover, Niseko is one of the world’s largest ski resorts, offering up to four hours of night skiing, with the last lifts going up at 8:30 p.m. each night. Enormous stadium-style lights brighten the mid-to-lower half of Mount Niseko Annupuri, with fewer crowds on the slopes, making it perfect for practicing your skiing/snowboarding skills.

Hot Springs (known as Onsen in Japan)

After a great day on the slopes, nothing is better than relaxing in a Japanese Hot Springs/Onsen. Hot Springs water is believed to have natural healing powers derived from the mineral content.  So long you can get over the part of being naked in front of same-gender strangers, the Japanese onsen is a must-try in Niseko and one of the top things to do in Asia. The best hot spring in Niseko is the outdoor onsen at The Green Leaf Niseko Village, offering the surreal experience of an outdoor hot spring surrounded by snow.

Dinner at A-Bu-Cha 2 ( 阿武茶弐 )

One of the best izakaya styled (a type of informal Japanese gastropub) restaurants in Hirafu, Niseko. Japanese Izakayas are famous for being the casual after-work drinking and dining places. They are often compared to Irish pubs or American taverns. The top picks of A-Bu-Cha 2 are their signature hot pot, Hokkaido Seafood Sukiyaki, and other side dishes, including grilled squid, sashimi, corn, and edamame. Their Seafood Hot Pot is delicious with fresh Hokkaido crab, prawns and mussels cooked with local vegetables, making it the perfect dish for a snowy winter night. Early table reservation is highly recommended as this place is always fully booked during the peak winter season.

Things to do in Asia, Middle East, and the Pacific: Final Thoughts

As we wrap up this journey through some of the top things to do in Asia, Middle East, and the Pacific, it’s clear that each destination offers a unique blend of culture, adventure, and unforgettable experiences. From the serene beauty of Inle Lake in Myanmar to the vibrant markets of Amman, Jordan, and the thrilling ski slopes of Niseko, Japan, these locations provide a rich tapestry of activities that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re seeking historical insights, culinary delights, or natural wonders, the diverse range of recommendations from travel bloggers around the globe ensures that your next adventure will be nothing short of extraordinary. Now, it’s your turn to explore, experience, and perhaps even add your own top things to do in these incredible cities.

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