Tradition collides with pop culture in Tokyo, where you can reverently wander ancient temples before rocking out at a karaoke bar. Wake up before the sun to catch the lively fish auction at the Toyosu Market, then refresh with a walk beneath the cherry blossom trees that line the Sumida River. Spend some time in the beautiful East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, then brush up on your Japanese history at the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Don’t forget to eat as much sushi, udon noodles, and wagashi (Japanese sweets) as your belly can handle.

Chiyoda is located in Central Tokyo.This popular ward attracts visitors with views of the Imperial Palace, which takes up 12% of the ward! For travelers who love a good play, this ward houses one of the largest performing arts theaters in Tokyo, which contains nearly 3,000 seats. While you're there, take a walk over the most photographed bridge in Japan--the Nijubashi Bridge--and enjoy the whimsical backdrop, which includes a breath-taking view of the Palace. There on a honeymoon? Try eating out at one of many restaurants located in the Ekimae Plaza Building.

Urayasu is part traditional fishing village, part Disney. It’s best known as the home of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea (and, naturally, the hotels, restaurants and shopping that accompany the theme parks). Most visitors are, naturally, here for the parks, but if you’re interested in the town’s history, a few old fishermen’s cottages can be toured.

You can eat very well—and very cheaply—in Taipei. The restaurants may not look posh, but the quality of the food is superlative. And there’s a huge variety of restaurants—in addition to local Taiwanese specialties, you’ll find regional cuisines from all over China, as well as great Indian, Japanese and even Italian options. Just make sure to leave some room for snacks—street-vendor food here is addictive.

With its rich natural resources, Taoyuan has unique mountain and coastal sceneries! Visit the North Cross-Island Highway region, Shimen and Hutou Mountain, and refresh your mind and body by strolling; you can enjoy the phytoncide and admire the scenery that changes with the season. Other must-see locations include the treasure of the sea – the millennium-old algae reef, the one-hundred-year-old stacked stones, Xucuogang Wetland, and the reflective pond. Taoyuan has a colourful fusion of ethnic cultures from Hakka, Southern Fujian, aborigines and new immigrants. There are also several well-renowned tourism factories, showcasing the unique tourism charm of the City.

The charming Vietnamese capital has aged well, preserving the Old Quarter, monuments and colonial architecture, while making room for modern developments alongside. Hanoi may have shrugged off several former names, including Thang Long, or "ascending dragon", but it hasn't forgotten its past, as sites such as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison attest. Lakes, parks, shady boulevards and more than 600 temples and pagodas add to the appeal of this city, which is easily explored by taxi.

Singapore is known as a bustling metropolis that also happens to be one of the cleanest and safest cities of its size in the world. (Just make sure you heed the local laws—something like spitting in the street might merely be considered rude in your hometown, but here, it carries a severe penalty.) You'll find historic sites like the Thian Hock Keng temple, superlative shopping (including gargantuan malls) and numerous beaches.

Just a speedboat ride from Singapore, Batam’s beaches and bars tempt visitors with dishes of chili crab, grilled lobster, and freshly caught fish. While travellers golf, snorkel, and spa-hop, the island’s traditional culture thrives in fishing villages built on wooden stilts.

The cultural hub of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is visually defined by the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, which, at 88 stories high, are the tallest twin buildings in the world and a vision of modern architecture. On the flip side, the Sri Mahamariamman is the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia, its façade a colorful totem pole of iconography. Shopping at the Central Market is a joyful experience that involves haggling, handicrafts, and happiness.

Bali is a living postcard, an Indonesian paradise that feels like a fantasy. Soak up the sun on a stretch of fine white sand, or commune with the tropical creatures as you dive along coral ridges or the colorful wreck of a WWII war ship. On shore, the lush jungle shelters stone temples and mischievous monkeys. The “artistic capital” of Ubud is the perfect place to see a cultural dance performance, take a batik or silver-smithing workshop, or invigorate your mind and body in a yoga class.

Bandung is Indonesia's third-largest city but lies close enough to Jakarta and offers cooler weather. Bandung features a large collection of Dutch Colonial architecture, as well as a beautiful botanic garden, zoo, golf courses and a wide variety of culinary offerings.