
George Town, Malaysia: The streets of this UNESCO-listed town are lined with old shophouses, many of which have been converted into cafes, shops and guesthouses.

Zhouzhuang, China: Built over 900 years ago during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the beautiful river town feels like a living museum.

Yufuin, Japan: A tiny town in Oita Prefecture, on Japan's southwestern Kyushu Island, Yufuin is best known for its peaceful atmosphere, onsen baths (hot springs), tile-roofed Japanese shophouses and pristine natural scenery.

Hoi An, Vietnam: Added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1999, this former French colonial trade port has been one of the most commercially vital towns in Vietnam since the 16th century. The narrow streets of Old Town feature rows and rows of charming mustard-hued merchant houses.

Vigan, Philippines: Another UNESCO World Heritage City, Vigan was established by the Spanish in 1572. One of the best places to experience Spanish colonial-era architecture in Asia, it's situated on the western coast of Luzon island in northwestern Philippines.

Luang Prabang, Laos: Sitting at the bottom of a valley in central Laos, the town is hugged by mountains while the Nam Khan River cuts through the center. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, its harmonious intermingling of European and Laotian architecture creates a distinct townscape.

Kampot, Cambodia: Best known for its river scenery and pepper farms, this serene coastal town has garnered a reputation as one of the prettiest small towns in the region thanks to colorful French colonial shophouses, pedestrian-friendly streets and countless outdoor activities.

Kota Gede, Indonesia: Among the oldest neighborhoods in Yogyakarta city, Kota Gede is known for its silver industry, little lanes and photogenic architecture.

Galle, Sri Lanka: Sitting on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, the walled town of Galle owes its historic atmosphere to many centuries as an important trade port.

Ghandruk, Nepal: A mountain village in the Himalayan region of Nepal, Ghandruk (also known as Stone Village) sits ore than 2,000 meters above sea level. Only accessible on foot, the village is about a five-hour hike from Pokhara, a lakeside city in central Nepal that serves as a starting point for the popular Annapurna Circuit.

Mawlynnong, India: Mawlynnong, a village in northeastern India, has a reputation for cleanliness and pristine natural landscapes. The area is famous for its living root bridges.

Sai Kung, Hong Kong: Sai Kung,in the New Territories of Hong Kong,is a fishing town with a shoreline filled with seafood restaurants.

Phuket Old Town, Thailand: The historic old quarter of Phuket Town, located in the center of the famed holiday island. Its lanes are lined with Sino-Colonial style shophouses, built during the island's tin-mining boom of the 18th and 19th centuries.



