<strong>10. Komodo National Park, Indonesia: </strong>New flight connections have made Indonesia's Komodo National Park more accessible than ever. It's where you'll find the Komodo Dragon, the largest lizard in the world. Lonely Planet placed it at No. 10 on its list of best places to go in Asia for 2018. Click through the gallery to see the rest:
10. Komodo National Park, Indonesia: New flight connections have made Indonesia's Komodo National Park more accessible than ever. It's where you'll find the Komodo Dragon, the largest lizard in the world. Lonely Planet placed it at No. 10 on its list of best places to go in Asia for 2018. Click through the gallery to see the rest:
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<strong>9. Sichuan province, China: </strong>Historic Buddhist sites, fiery food and adorable pandas are just a few of the reasons Lonely Planet added China's Sichuan province to its 2018 Best in Asia list.
9. Sichuan province, China: Historic Buddhist sites, fiery food and adorable pandas are just a few of the reasons Lonely Planet added China's Sichuan province to its 2018 Best in Asia list.
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<strong>8. Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka:</strong> "This surf town on Sri Lanka's east coast has managed to retain its cool as holidaymakers swarm the rest of the country's ancient citadels and hiker-strewn hill stations," says Lonely Planet of its number eight pick.
8. Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka: "This surf town on Sri Lanka's east coast has managed to retain its cool as holidaymakers swarm the rest of the country's ancient citadels and hiker-strewn hill stations," says Lonely Planet of its number eight pick.
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<strong>7. Lumbini, Nepal: </strong>"For decades, Lumbini was somewhere travelers flashed through en route from India to Nepal, unaware they had passed within yards of the birthplace of the historical Buddha," says Lonely Planet. <br />"Today, Lumbini is on the ascendancy. A new international airport is under construction offering a safer route into Nepal."
7. Lumbini, Nepal: "For decades, Lumbini was somewhere travelers flashed through en route from India to Nepal, unaware they had passed within yards of the birthplace of the historical Buddha," says Lonely Planet.
"Today, Lumbini is on the ascendancy. A new international airport is under construction offering a safer route into Nepal."
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<strong>6. Chiang Mai, Thailand: </strong>Perhaps the most famous destination on this year's Lonely Planet list, Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai continues to earn fans.<strong> </strong>"A young, creative population has taken up residency in Chiang Mai, bringing an exciting buzz," says the guidebook publisher.
6. Chiang Mai, Thailand: Perhaps the most famous destination on this year's Lonely Planet list, Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai continues to earn fans. "A young, creative population has taken up residency in Chiang Mai, bringing an exciting buzz," says the guidebook publisher.
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<strong>5. Nagasaki, Japan: </strong>Though Nagasaki is synonymous with the atomic bombing of August 1945, its identity transcends one violent act, says Lonely Planet. "Visit a new foreign-trade museum housed in Japan's oldest church, or pass the verdant harbor towards the hiking routes that snake through the surrounding volcanic hills," advises the guidebook publisher.
5. Nagasaki, Japan: Though Nagasaki is synonymous with the atomic bombing of August 1945, its identity transcends one violent act, says Lonely Planet. "Visit a new foreign-trade museum housed in Japan's oldest church, or pass the verdant harbor towards the hiking routes that snake through the surrounding volcanic hills," advises the guidebook publisher.
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<strong>4. Western Ghats, India:</strong> "These rugged hills are UNESCO-listed as one of the top spots for biodiversity in the world, protecting the neelakurinji flower, which blooms only once every 12 years and will be painting the hills in purple livery from August to October 2018." says Lonely Planet.
4. Western Ghats, India: "These rugged hills are UNESCO-listed as one of the top spots for biodiversity in the world, protecting the neelakurinji flower, which blooms only once every 12 years and will be painting the hills in purple livery from August to October 2018." says Lonely Planet.
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<strong>3. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam:</strong> "The southern supercity of Ho Chi Minh City somehow keeps getting cooler," says Lonely Planet of its number three pick.
3. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: "The southern supercity of Ho Chi Minh City somehow keeps getting cooler," says Lonely Planet of its number three pick.
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<strong>2. Uzbekistan: </strong>Lonely Planet applauds this Central Asia nation for its visa-free and e-visa schemes, new air routes and extensions to its shiny high-speed rail line, "making access to its arsenal of jeweled architecture and ancient cities easier than ever."
2. Uzbekistan: Lonely Planet applauds this Central Asia nation for its visa-free and e-visa schemes, new air routes and extensions to its shiny high-speed rail line, "making access to its arsenal of jeweled architecture and ancient cities easier than ever."
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<strong>1. Busan, South Korea:</strong> Move over, Seoul. It's Busan's time to shine. "A stunning confluence of scenery, culture and cuisine, Busan packs an eclectic offering of activities to suit all travelers," says Lonely Planet of the city topping its 2018 Best in Asia list.
1. Busan, South Korea: Move over, Seoul. It's Busan's time to shine. "A stunning confluence of scenery, culture and cuisine, Busan packs an eclectic offering of activities to suit all travelers," says Lonely Planet of the city topping its 2018 Best in Asia list.
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