BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN ASIA WITH KIDS

Asia is fabulous for family travel and traveling with kids of any age. While it’s hard to choose where we loved the most, here are a few of our favourite places for kids in Asia. These towns tick all the boxes – they have the best beaches for kids, relaxed vibes for families, cultural activities for families to enjoy and learn from, and natural beauty to make you fall in love with the nature and people. We would love to return to each of these places that we think are the best places to visit in Asia with kids.

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Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia

 

 

Walk, climb and adventure with kids though this ancient World Heritage listed rainforest, home to thousands of species of plants, oversized pre-historic looking insects and the daily bat exodus where millions of bats stream from the massive cave system in winding black ribbons, searching for mosquitos for dinner. The Mulu Caves are the second largest in the world and you can explore them each day, guided by expert rangers. Wooden walkways navigate the rainforest and you can go off the beaten track or climb to the top of the limestone Pinnacles. We love this place so much we’ve been here twice and would gladly return.

STAY: Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa – read our review here. 
MORE: Top things to do with kids in Sarawak, Borneo

Taipei, Taiwan

 

One of our biggest surprises during our trip, the welcoming and diverse city of Taipei is one of the best cities for family adventures we’ve ever been to. Easy access public transport with big, clean toilets and breast feeding rooms (I even wrote a post about this!), the friendliest people who constantly offered us help and were just so kind, beautiful Buddhist temples, delicious food in market stalls and fresh food morning markets, big open green spaces, the original Din Tai Fung, world class museums and revered memorials, the incredible Taipei 101 – the world’s 10th tallest building – and city views from the moderate hike up Elephant Mountain. We just adored Taipei and I definitely want to return.

STAY:   Check out the best accom in Taipei
MORE: Why you should visit Taipei with kids

Yangshuo, China

 

Straight to the Spirit town list with Yangshuo. This little village surrounded by karst mountains and nestled on the Yulong River is one of our favourite Chinese towns to visit with kids. If there is one particular feeling I had in Yungshuo it was joy. Joy is everywhere, especially from the tourists floating downriver on their bamboo rafts, hiking in the mountains and riding bikes around the rivers and fields. Emmie and I went into the Gold Water Caves and slid down a mud slide into a mud bath, it was so much fun. We just had a lovely time here and I was really, really sad to leave – I even had a little tear in the taxi.

STAY: Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
MORE: Best things to do in Yangshuo

The Great Wall of China

We camped on the Great Wall of China and it was one of the highlight of our lives. Emmie was only six when we did it and I completely recommend it for kids six and up as there is a few hours hiking but it is so much fun! You can read all about camping on the Great Wall of China here – it’s the most incredible experience. Then book yourself into the Shangri-La Beijing for a shower and some luxe.

STAY: Novotel Beijing – such a great location
MORE: Our favourite places in China

Melaka, Malaysia

 

We love this UNESCO Heritage town so much – its history, its laid back vibe, incredible food, crazy trishaws and yummy coconut shakes. Take river cruises along waterways that made Melaka one of Asia’s  most prolific ancient trading ports, wander the famous Jonker St night markets, visit churches, watch pirate shows and gaze at the incredible floating mosque – there is just so much to do here, and it’s only around an hour from Kuala Lumpur.

MORE: Melaka with kids
STAY: Best family hotels in Melaka

Lazy Beach, Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia

 

Lazy Beach is a beach and a fancy guesthouse although you get the fancy for around $60 a night. We had an incredible time here and met a lovely family we will never forget who was also long term traveling. The kids had such a great time together in a little beach paradise. Bungalows are spaced along the shore and while basic are more than enough with big balconies with chairs and hammocks overlooking the water, beds and mosquito nets and basic shower and toilet, and some have sitting areas. Spend your days swimming, jumping from the jetty, snorkelling, playing, eating from the incredible kitchen, and lazing in the beautiful hammocks, swings and couches all around the open air dining room. A definite goer with its kid friendly beach and lazy vibe.

MORE: How to get around Cambodia with kids

Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka

 

Hiri is heaven for us – and one of the best beaches for kids in Sri Lanka. A small jungle beach in a protected horseshoe bay, Hiriketiya is beautiful and peaceful in the low season and ramps up in the high. It’s a gorgeous beach with soft waves in the front, perfect for surf lessons for kids, and bigger waves out the back for adults. There are a few lovely little beach cafes along the shore and locals offering surfing lessons for $20 AUD and hour. Our fave is Matu who taught Emmie most days.

STAY: Jasper House
MORE: Train travel in Sri Lanka with kids

Maldives

 

What’s not to love about the Maldives especially when you can have the luxury or the budget holiday and still see the incredible blues of the water and white sand all around you. We adored our time here – it’s definitely a place that everyone should try to visit once. And it doesn’t have to be super expensive. Read all about experiencing the Maldives on a budget by staying at local islands or our luxury stays at the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa and the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi.

More: Flying on a seaplane in the Maldives

Hoi An, Vietnam

 

We lived here for four months while Emmie was at international school and whenever we went away it always felt like home when we returned. I love the ancient town and the incredible food and the lantern lighting ceremonies and I adore the people. Make sure to eat in a local home for breakfast and enjoy pho and banh mi and all the deliciousness of Vietnam. Oh I want to go back! The beaches are also beautiful and lined with cafes and bars, with local people selling food on the beach. Ride through the rice paddies, make lantern wishes on the river, and eat, eat, eat.

STAY: We lived here for months and love it: Hoi An Botanic Gardens

MORE:  If you’re planning a holiday in Hoi An make sure to read our guide on the best hotels for families. 

Coron, Philippines

 

One of our favourite places in the Philippines, Coron is a lovely little village perched over beautiful clear water stacked with coral and fish and white sand beaches. Take day trips on local boats and swim and snorkel all day and climb into freshwater lagoons and swim above shipwrecks. You can also visit Concepcion Falls and if you go early in the morning there’s a good chance you’ll have it all to yourself.

STAY: The Funny Lion
FLY: Cebu Pacific Airways
MORE: Coron Island Tour

So there they are! Have you been to any of these places? What did you think? There’ll be more faves to come soon…xoxox Evie & Emmie