Top 10 Most Visited Countries In Asia & The Pacific

Singapore. Photo: KnowInsiders

Tourism in Asia and the Pacific offers some of the most spectacular natural and man-made wonders in the world. Visitors from outside of the region can see such ancient architectural achievements as temples and palaces, all the while enjoying truly exotic delicacies.

Housing some of the biodiverse hotspots of the world, this region also offers beautiful beaches, tropical rainforests, and crystalline waters. The most popular countries visited throughout Asia and the Pacific are listed below.

Top 10 Most Visited Countries In Asia And The Pacific - Top Travel Countries

Which are the 10 Most Visited Countries - Top Travel Countries In Asia And The Pacific?

1. China

Photo: World Atlas

China tops the list with 55.6 million tourists annually and is the third most visited country in the world. One of the most famous sites is certainly the Great Wall, an engineering feat that has yet to be recreated. Other attractions in China include the Forbidden City, the Ming and Qing dynasty palace complex with over 980 buildings that was once closed to the public, and the Terracotta Army, over 8,000 clay soldiers in place to guard the tomb of the first Emperor of China.

This of course does not mention the many natural sites in this country, such as the terraced rice paddies, the Five Sacred Mountains, and the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. China has an excellent transportation system and plenty of hotels and restaurants for every budget. International travel agencies in the country are regulated by the China National Tourism Administration and the Ministry of Commerce.

2. Hongkong

Photo: WallpaperBetter

Recent protests and political upheaval are warding visitors away from Hong Kong, but it remains one of the most visited places on the planet, largely due to its popularity among business travelers. The opening of the Hong Kong-Zuhai-Macao Bridge to connect the Greater Bay has also boosted Hong Kong's tourism industry by making automobile arrival an option for Asian travelers.

Whether visiting for travel or business, most tourists make their way to Hong Kong's wealth of shopping malls and highly rated restaurants.

Must-see in Hongkong: More than being practical, the Hong Kong-Zuhai-Macao Bridge is awe-inspiring to witness in person. At 34 miles, it's the longest sea-spanning bridge in the world.

3. Malaysia

Photo: VnExpress

Four Southeast Asian countries are featured on the list of the top 15 most-visited destinations of 2018. Malaysia is gaining in popularity thanks to its natural charms (rainforests, national parks and wildlife abound) and desirable tropical temps, which range from 68 to 86 degrees all year round.

Of visitors to Malaysia, the majority come from Asia. Vision 2020, the country's tourism plan, aims to see 30 million travelers by the decade's end.

Must-see in Malaysia: Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur features not only a series of fascinating caves, but a century-old Hindu temple. The temple is accessed via colorful rainbow steps, themselves a popular tourist attraction.

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4. Thailand

Photo: Croda

The fourth most popular country in Asia and the Pacific is Malaysia where 24.8 million people come to visit on an annual basis.

Thanks to its breathtaking beaches, glittering temples, and welcoming population, Thailand is a very popular tourist destination. Fittingly enough, it is often called ‘the Land of Smiles.’

While Bangkok has lots of fantastic cuisine and nightlife on offer, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are home to some of the nation’s most famous temples. Further afield, you can find wild jungle, picturesque paddy fields, and quiet and secluded towns and villages.

Lying in between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, its golden sands and underwater marvels attract hordes of people every year. Many also come to party in its beachside towns, visit idyllic islands such as Ko Tao, or enjoy the stunning scenery at Krabi.

5. Singapore

Photo: Vinanet

Singapore only gained full independence from the UK and became a sovereign state in 1965, but this brand-new country is now a financial powerhouse and one of the most fun countries to visit in Southeast Asia. Every year, there are about 15.0 million visitors coming to Singapore.

Because of its size and location, Singapore doesn't have a lot of beaches-unless you count the three beaches on Sentosa Island resort, small but with soft white sands and protected lagoons with clean blue waters-but it makes up for it with themed attractions, lush rain forests, and lively coastal fun.

From its own Universal Studios park and a 50-meter bungee jump from a tower over the beach to the Marina Bay Sands resort and its rooftop, which includes an infinity pool and a skybridge, Singapore has quickly established itself as a thrilling destination.

But this island-state also has plenty to offer in the form of greener entertainment, starting with the magical Gardens by the Bay, a 100-hectare nature park with the largest glass greenhouse in the world, two cooled conservatories, and plenty of artistically designed trees and flower areas.

Singapore's nature-themed Jewel Changi Airport has been recognized as one of the best in the world-it features not only the world's tallest indoor waterfall, but also an indoor suspension bridge 23 meters up in the air, four slides, and a butterfly garden.

6. Macau

Photo: iStock

Macau, or as we all also know it as ‘ Vegas of China’, is all about glamour, gamble, inspiring heritage, and a picture-perfect skyline. From casinos to Disneyland, there is a variety of nice places to visit in Macau. Certainly, this popular holiday destination knows the art of entertainment, regardless of the traveler’s age and preferences. But that is not all. This luxury destination with world-class entertainment knows much better and has much more to offer and the many beautiful places to visit in Macau are proof. The number of visitors coming to Macau every year is about 14.6 million.

Macau happens to be a place that was under Portuguese colonial rule for 300 years and the culture that is followed here is a manifestation of the hybridity. The beautiful juxtaposition of China with Portugal comes out very naturally in the gorgeous Chinese temples that stand on Portuguese tiles and the language and even the name of food items. Be it pasteis de nata (Portuguese egg tarts), Chinese dim sum or anything else, it is all there and this blend and the mysteries makes Macau a beautiful yet complex place to unravel and the happening Macau tourist spots adds to it all.

7. South Korea

Photo: History

The home of K-Pop and Kimchi, South Korean culture is currently very much in vogue around the world and draws about 14.2 million visitors every year. This represents a marked change, as for much of its history, it has been overlooked and outshone by its larger and more powerful neighbors China and Japan.

What makes traveling around the peninsula so fascinating is that the nation boasts a rich and unique history, heritage, and culture. It has, however, modernized rapidly. You’ll find centuries-old palaces and temples alongside skyscrapers and gigantic shopping malls.

Deceptively mountainous, South Korea also has lots of marvelous national parks for you to explore, with beautiful islands and beaches hugging the shore. Of these, Jeju Island is the most popular to visit among locals and tourists alike.

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8. Japan

Photo: CNN

Although it consists of almost 7,000 islands, most of Japan’s main sights and tourist attractions can be found on Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. These are the four largest of them.

Lying to the east of mainland Asia, the island nation is a fascinating place as old and new collide wherever you go. While the futuristic metropolises of Tokyo and Yokohama are full of skyscrapers and neon lights, Kyoto and Nara instead boast traditional palaces and age-old temples.

Covered in mountains and forests, the country is also home to some delightful nature and scenery. This explains why the vast majority of its large population is found in the densely populated cities that hug its long and indented coastline.

As for all the beautiful landscapes and modern society, Japan's every year visitors make up to 13.4 million.

9. Indonesia

Photo: Vinanet

Made up of more than 18,000 islands that span some 4,700 kilometers from east to west, Indonesia covers a huge area. As such, the nation is one of the most diverse places on Earth – whether that’s in terms of people, culture, and languages, or landscapes and wildlife. Every year, there are about 10.4 million traveling-lovers coming to contemplate this charming land.

In many ways, the archipelago defies the definition. For instance, its small, secluded sleepy settlements are in stark contrast to the teeming and chaotic capital of Jakarta. One of the most populous nations in the world, its customs, traditions, and cuisines also vary dramatically depending on where you go.

Lying between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, its islands’ habitats are just as diverse. While in Bali you can find beautiful beaches, Borneo has wonderful wildlife and awe-inspiring orangutans. With so much to see and do, the ‘Emerald of the Equator’ definitely warrants a visit.

10. Taiwan

Photo: Data Center Dynamics

When Portuguese sailors first saw Taiwan in the 1500s, they dubbed it “Ilha Formosa” which means the beautiful island. And with its many national parks and incredible scenery, never has a name been more fitting. But it’s not just the scenery that makes Taiwan a place for the avid traveler’s bucket list.

Those Portuguese sailors were on to something when they named Taiwan the beautiful island. Home to amazing national parks that boast beaches, mountains, valleys, and even dormant volcanoes, Taiwan has such natural beauty that several major film productions such as ‘Silence‘ and ‘Life of Pi‘ took advantage of its scenery.

If there’s one thing Taiwanese people love, it’s food. While many other cultures make do with three meals a day, locals here place no such dietary restrictions on themselves. The never-ending Taiwanese quest for new tastes and flavors means that there are always new dishes to try and the local passion for street food means that eating out can be quite a cheap alternative to cooking at home.

For the most part, Taiwanese people are quite religious, with the huge variety of beautiful temples dotted throughout the island a clear indicator of their pious nature. These places of worship are quite often opulent in appearance with some located in stunning surroundings. And while some tourists may feel a little intrusive by visiting these sites, locals are extremely welcoming to those that do.

These all combined things mentioned above help Taiwan make the list of top 10 most visited countries in Asia with about 10.4 million visitors every year.

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