Culture & History vacations

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As the home of the world’s oldest continuous civilization, Asia’s culture and history is deep, rich, and infinitely interconnected.

So, where to begin? It all depends on how you like your history. You could do it Indiana Jones-style, weaving through vine-strangled temple complexes in Cambodia’s ancient Angkor Wat temple complex at dawn – or if you’re interested in more modern history, you could learn about the darker moments in Southeast Asia’s recent past with a visit to the Bridge on the River Kwai. Looking for a more multisensory cultural experience? Then why not see how Vietnam really says “good morning” with a coffee tour of Saigon?

In a nutshell: if you're looking for an Asian vacation rich in culture, look no further. Here are our best Asian culture and history itineraries, top cultural destinations and the best cultural tours and excursions, all tried and tested by our country experts.

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Seoul Tower rises above beautiful cherry blossom trees agains vibrant sky background

Essential South Korea

$1,485

Activity

Culture & History

While not East Asia’s cheapest destination, South Korea isn’t the most expensive either, and a visit to this dynamic and fascinating country doesn’t have to break the bank.

Image of a Korean city in the rain at night, with neon signs and people walkign

Korean Wave

$4,352

Family

Culture

Culture & History

When it comes to pop culture, South Korea punches well above its weight, exporting films, TV dramas, and music all over the globe in a phenomenon known as Hallyu, or “Korean Wave.” Over almost two weeks, you’ll see firsthand how this small country has turned into a global entertainment powerhouse.

Ornate gardens with skyscrapers in the background

Heritage Hong Kong

$1,580

Classic

Culture & History

Delve beneath Hong Kong’s shiny surface to explore the rich Chinese and colonial heritage that shaped it.

Yellow tram travelling along tracks alongside advertisements at night

Classic Hong Kong

$950

Classic

Culture & History

Dim sum, neon signs and stunning skyline views: indulge in the classic experiences that have made Hong Kong an icon.

Kingdoms of Thailand

$2,637

Classic

Architecture

Culture

Culture & History

History

How did Thailand become Thailand? Follow the threads of history back to the kingdoms and cultures that shaped Thailand today.

Thailand & Laos Explorer

$3,192

Classic

Active

Adventure

Cruising

Culture & History

Scenery

Experience two unique but intertwined cultures as you cruise along the Mekong from northern Thailand to Laos.

Malacca

Malaysia

With a history stretching back through colonial rule and the Age of Exploration, Malacca’s Portuguese fortress and lantern-strung Chinese temples make it one of the best places to get a sense of Malaysia’s long and turbulent past.

Penang

Malaysia

World Heritage architecture, 130-million-year-old rainforest, world-class street art and a countryside peppered with spice gardens and durian groves: the island of Penang is an intoxicating medley of natural and cultural treasures.

Ipoh

Malaysia

Once a tin-mining boom town known for its seedy nightlife, Ipoh has remade itself. Stellar street-art, Western-Malay fusion cuisine, and a clutch of elegantly dilapidated galleries and cafes make this one of Malaysia’s trendiest cities.

Kuching

Borneo

A wide variety of indigenous and immigrant cultures combine to form Kuching’s unmistakable cultural mélange, expressed not only in its historic architecture and ethnic diversity, but in its legendary laksa, multicolored cakes and freshly blended gourmet coffee.

Siem Reap

Cambodia

The laid-back, low-rise town of Siem Reap is the gateway to one of the most spectacular man-made sights on the planet: the sprawling, root-strangled ruins of Angkor.

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Angkor Temples

Siem Reap

Culture & History

Magnificent in both scale and artistry, half-supported and half-consumed by buttress-rooted silk-cotton trees, the temples of Angkor are among the most fantastic man-made sights on the planet.

People climbing steps up to St Paul's church

Day trip to Macau

Hong Kong

Culture & History

Just 60km across the Pearl River Delta, the Portuguese enclave of Macau makes a fascinating counterpoint to Hong Kong.

Penang heritage trail

Penang

Architecture

Culture & History

History

Begin learning about George Town’s 200-year history over a breakfast of freshly baked Bengali bread, then delve into its Chinese roots with a visit to the former HQ of one of the city’s Five Great Clans.

Red tram climbing up hillside to Victoria Peak in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Island tour

Hong Kong

Culture & History

Where better to begin a tour of Hong Kong Island than its highest point?

Statue outside Victoria Concert Hall in Singapore

Colonial heritage walking tour

Singapore

Culture & History

Raffles, Victoria, Cavenagh, Fullerton: Singapore is peppered with British names and opulent buildings, but how does the city square all this grandeur with the legacy of colonialism today?

Kings & khlongs: Half-day tour of the canals of old Bangkok

Bangkok

Culture & History

Before Bangkok became famous for its busy nightlife and glitzy malls, it was known as the “Venice of the East”: threaded through with hundreds of canals (or khlongs) and lined with teakwood homes and shrines.

Ancient streets of Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang

Architecture

Culture & History

Luang Prabang has seen numerous cultures come and go in its 1,500 years, but what makes it so special is the way it has fuzed those traditions together to create something completely new.