<strong>Chengdu: </strong>Fall is a great time to head for Asia. Looking for travel inspiration? Here are five worthy destinations, starting with Chengdu in southwest China. The city has become more connected than ever with new direct flights to destinations such as San Francisco, Copenhagen, Sydney, Tel Aviv and London.
Chengdu: Fall is a great time to head for Asia. Looking for travel inspiration? Here are five worthy destinations, starting with Chengdu in southwest China. The city has become more connected than ever with new direct flights to destinations such as San Francisco, Copenhagen, Sydney, Tel Aviv and London.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Chengdu:</strong> The capital of Sichuan province, Chengdu has long been synonymous with its fiery hot pot and adorable pandas.
Chengdu: The capital of Sichuan province, Chengdu has long been synonymous with its fiery hot pot and adorable pandas.
Kate Springer
<strong>Chengdu: </strong>You can learn all about Sichuan cuisine -- and try a cooking class, too -- at the Sichuan Cuisine Museum northwest of the city, where an alfresco restaurant serves up more than 20 types of snacks.
Chengdu: You can learn all about Sichuan cuisine -- and try a cooking class, too -- at the Sichuan Cuisine Museum northwest of the city, where an alfresco restaurant serves up more than 20 types of snacks.
Kate Springer
<strong>Chengdu:</strong> Travelers can dig deeper into this UNESCO City of Gastronomy with gut-scorching Sichuan cuisine at popular local spots such as Chen Mapo Tofu, Shu Jiu Xiang Hot Pot Restaurant and Ming Ting Restaurant.
Chengdu: Travelers can dig deeper into this UNESCO City of Gastronomy with gut-scorching Sichuan cuisine at popular local spots such as Chen Mapo Tofu, Shu Jiu Xiang Hot Pot Restaurant and Ming Ting Restaurant.
Kate Springer
<strong>Chengdu</strong>: As a foil to its timeless treasures, the city has also been a hub of architectural development including the ritzy Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li shopping center, an upcoming Hi-Tech Zone, and an influx of international hotel towers.
Chengdu: As a foil to its timeless treasures, the city has also been a hub of architectural development including the ritzy Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li shopping center, an upcoming Hi-Tech Zone, and an influx of international hotel towers.
HEZHENHUAN/world architecture festival
<strong>Jeju: </strong>A quick hour-long plane ride from Seoul, Jeju is beautiful in the fall, when the leafy mountains turn all shades of brilliant rust and gold.
Jeju: A quick hour-long plane ride from Seoul, Jeju is beautiful in the fall, when the leafy mountains turn all shades of brilliant rust and gold.
Courtesy Republic of Korea/Creative Commons/Flickr
<strong>Jeju:</strong> It's all about nature in this two-million-year-old volcanic island. Travelers can enjoy freshly caught seafood, waterfalls, wildflowers, citrus farms, green tea plantations, and explore the longest lava tube in the world -- a UNESCO Geopark.
Jeju: It's all about nature in this two-million-year-old volcanic island. Travelers can enjoy freshly caught seafood, waterfalls, wildflowers, citrus farms, green tea plantations, and explore the longest lava tube in the world -- a UNESCO Geopark.
Courtesy Republic of Korea/Creative commons/Flickr
<strong>Jeju: </strong>While it will be too chilly to swim by November, early fall promises sunny skies. Two of the best beaches on the island are Hyeopjae Beach and Jungmun Beach.
Jeju: While it will be too chilly to swim by November, early fall promises sunny skies. Two of the best beaches on the island are Hyeopjae Beach and Jungmun Beach.
jeju tourism organization
<strong>Jeju: </strong>Usually in their 60s, these women divers (called haenyo) plunge 10-20 meters without breathing support to collect abalone, octopus, clams and more. This unique of way of life is disappearing as fewer young women take up the mantle.
Jeju: Usually in their 60s, these women divers (called haenyo) plunge 10-20 meters without breathing support to collect abalone, octopus, clams and more. This unique of way of life is disappearing as fewer young women take up the mantle.
JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Perth: </strong>A historic gold rush town and mining metropolis, Perth has enjoyed quite a few economic booms. But the most recent development has little to do with petroleum or minerals.
Perth: A historic gold rush town and mining metropolis, Perth has enjoyed quite a few economic booms. But the most recent development has little to do with petroleum or minerals.
Chris Dwyer/CNN
<strong>Perth: </strong>Over the past three years, the capital of Western Australia has seen an influx of new hotels -- such as the just-opened QT Perth design hotel.
Perth: Over the past three years, the capital of Western Australia has seen an influx of new hotels -- such as the just-opened QT Perth design hotel.
From QT Perth
<strong>Perth: </strong>Then there's the revitalized 19th-century architecture. The best examples are likely the State Buildings -- once an abandoned government complex, transformed into the city's most buzzing lifestyle destination.
Perth: Then there's the revitalized 19th-century architecture. The best examples are likely the State Buildings -- once an abandoned government complex, transformed into the city's most buzzing lifestyle destination.
From Post
<strong>Freemantle: </strong>Southwest along the coast from Perth lies ever-creative Fremantle, which is filled with street art, buzzing weekend markets, vegan cafes and old-world architecture.
Freemantle: Southwest along the coast from Perth lies ever-creative Fremantle, which is filled with street art, buzzing weekend markets, vegan cafes and old-world architecture.
From Tourism Western Australia
<strong>Phu Quoc: </strong>If you're dreaming of a beach getaway in Asia this autumn, Phu Quoc in Vietnam should be a top contender. For starters, the dry season begins in November and runs till April.
Phu Quoc: If you're dreaming of a beach getaway in Asia this autumn, Phu Quoc in Vietnam should be a top contender. For starters, the dry season begins in November and runs till April.
Ralf Tooten/JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
<strong>Phu Quoc: </strong>"Paradise Pearl Island" is just an hour from Ho Chi Minh City and there's a 30-day <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.phuquocislandguide.com%2Fphu-quoc-visa%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">visa exemption policy</a> for all foreigners.
Phu Quoc: "Paradise Pearl Island" is just an hour from Ho Chi Minh City and there's a 30-day visa exemption policy for all foreigners.
Ralf Tooten/JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
<strong>Phu Quoc: </strong>Formerly a prison island during French colonial times, Phu Quoc's photogenic setting and clear water has caught the eye of international brands like JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, which debuted its Bill Bensley-designed resort late last year.
Phu Quoc: Formerly a prison island during French colonial times, Phu Quoc's photogenic setting and clear water has caught the eye of international brands like JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, which debuted its Bill Bensley-designed resort late last year.
Ralf Tooten/JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
<strong>Fukuoka:</strong> Japan is in the midst of a tourism boom, with 20% year-on-year growth between 2016 and 2017. While cities like Tokyo and Kyoto draw most first-time visitors, the smaller city of Fukuoka -- on southern Kyushu island -- makes for a worthy alternative.
Fukuoka: Japan is in the midst of a tourism boom, with 20% year-on-year growth between 2016 and 2017. While cities like Tokyo and Kyoto draw most first-time visitors, the smaller city of Fukuoka -- on southern Kyushu island -- makes for a worthy alternative.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Fukuoka:</strong> The capital of Kyushu is beloved for its edo-era samurai castles, Hakata ramen (made with rich, savory pork bone broth) and riverside yatai (food stalls).
Fukuoka: The capital of Kyushu is beloved for its edo-era samurai castles, Hakata ramen (made with rich, savory pork bone broth) and riverside yatai (food stalls).
Y. Shimizu/JNTO
<strong>Fukuoka:</strong> Shofukuji Temple in Fukuoka Is the oldest Zen temple in Japan. This 900-year-old wooden structure has been kept in meticulous condition.
Fukuoka: Shofukuji Temple in Fukuoka Is the oldest Zen temple in Japan. This 900-year-old wooden structure has been kept in meticulous condition.
Brad Olson/CNN
<strong>Fukuoka: </strong>Travelers can head inland to hike up to the edge of Mt. Aso's smoking caldera -- the largest active volcano in Japan -- relax in tiny villages like Oita, explore hot spring towns such as Beppu on the east coast, or make their way south to Kagoshima or Obi.
Fukuoka: Travelers can head inland to hike up to the edge of Mt. Aso's smoking caldera -- the largest active volcano in Japan -- relax in tiny villages like Oita, explore hot spring towns such as Beppu on the east coast, or make their way south to Kagoshima or Obi.