10 Amazing Family Holidays in Asia

The largest continent in the world, Asia is a haven for families, as there are so many things to see and do that children of any age can enjoy. Even Mom and Dad will have fun exploring Asia with the kids, and will get the opportunity to be a kid themselves.

Asians love children, so it makes sense to take a family holiday in Asia, as there are so family-friendly things to see and do. Everything from amusement parks to cultural sites can be enjoyed all across the continent, and there are also safe beaches, lively cities, and incredible natural sights.

If you are thinking about going on a unique family holiday, these are the 10 best family holidays in Asia.

Hong Kong

Home to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Ocean Park, and Ngong Ping 360, Hong Kong is a top choice for a family-friendly destination in Asia. In addition to these three amusement parks, there is also the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, Yan Chau Tong Marine Park, the International Hobby and Toy Museum, and the Trick Eye Museum Hong Kong. If you want to get some heritage in, visit the Kowloon Walled City Park, the Po Lin Monastery, and the Tian Tan Buddha Statue.

In the middle of the city is a lovely urban park where the kids can spot koi fish swimming around in the ponds. Take a boat trip from Lantau Island to spot Chinese White Dolphins (which are actually pink), or go sailing along the Victoria Harbour to enjoy the stunning views of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Fantastic views can also be seen from Peak Tower or while riding the Hong Kong Ferris Wheel.

Bangkok, Thailand

Some may not think of this crowded Thai city when they consider destinations for a family holiday in Asia, but Bangkok has so much to offer. There’s the Siam Ocean World aquarium, Dream World amusement park, Dinosaur Planet Bangkok, and Safari World.

You can visit the interactive Art in Paradise 3D Museum, go ice skating at Ice Planet, be a pilot at Flight Experience Bangkok, and wander around the Children’s Discovery Museum. It doesn’t stop there. If you are traveling with little ones, be sure to take them to Snow Town and KidZania, while older children will thoroughly enjoy the Zanook Wake Park.

After all of the fun is done, head to one of the many shopping malls for a meal or to wander around and do some shopping. The Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is also a must! And don’t forget to visit cultural sites like the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, followed by a stroll and a paddleboat ride in Lumpini Park.

Koh Phangan, Thailand

Koh Phangan is an extremely picturesque island that boasts some very safe beaches, making it an ideal destination for families wanting a beach holiday in Asia. Although it is known as a party island, if you steer clear of the beaches on the south end of the island you will find yourself in a tropical paradise.

Head to the northeast part of the island and stay in Thong Nai Pan, which is one of the most family-friendly areas on the island. Thong Nai Pan is made up of two beaches that are separated by a mountain.

The smaller of the two (Noi) has a lovely village, with the beach being dotted with 4- and 5-star resorts. Its sister beach (Yai) is home to budget and mid-range properties, and is the more favorable of the two if you have small children, as the water is calmer. The village in Yai is not as lively, but you can easily go from one bay to the other on foot or by taxi. Some people also traverse between the two by kayak or by swimming.

Combine Bangkok and Koh Phangan for the ultimate family holiday in Thailand.

Penang, Malaysia

This Malaysian island sits off of the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It’s a multicultural island that is rich in history with its capital city (Georgetown) being a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In addition to being filled with amazing cultural and historical sites, Penang is also a food paradise, offering authentic Indian, Malay, Chinese, and Peranakan cuisine, as well as a plethora of western food options. It’s no wonder why Yahoo! Travel ranked it as one of the ‘10 Islands to Explore Before You Die‘.

So what makes it a great family destination? Aside from the excellent food and heritage sites, it’s also home to the Penang Botanic Gardens, Tropical Spice Garden, Tropical Fruit Farm, and Penang Bird Park. There’s also the incredible Toy Museum, the popular Butterfly Farm, and the famous Snake Temple. Let’s not forget about the Pulau Jerejak Resort; a public recreation resort that offers mountain biking, archery, and nature trekking.

Singapore

This small island country is one of the most affluent places in the world, but also one of the most popular destinations in Asia for families. It’s home to indoor playgrounds, parks, farms, and shopping centers, as well as offering numerous fun activities for all ages.

Places like the jungle-themed Amazonia, the Science Centre Singapore, and the ‘Enchanted Deep Sea’ themed Splash waterpark spring to mind, as does the Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Zoo, and Singapore Discovery Centre. There’s also Universal Studios Singapore, which is the top family-friendly attraction on the island!

Be sure to head to the Bugis Junction, which is a haven for young fashionistas. Or take a stroll down Orchard Road to go shopping in one of its many malls.

For outdoor loving families, East Coast Park is a great place to spend a day, which features a beach, cycling paths, wakeboarding, in-line skating, and kayaking. It even has a huge extreme skate park! Or take a boat to the smaller island of Sentosa and spend time lazing around on its beautiful beaches.

Bali, Indonesia

Bali is often pegged as a romantic island, or one for solo travelers hoping to ‘find themselves’. But it’s also packed with some phenomenal family-friendly attractions that go above and beyond the sun, sand, and sea that the island is so famous for.

You can get meet monkeys of all ages at the Monkey Forest Ubud, whizz down a waterslide at Waterbom Bali, pretend to be Tarzan or Jane at the Bali Tree Top, and swim with sharks at Bali Sharks.

Kids and adults alike can be a pirate for a day at Pirates Bay Bali, which includes dinner on a pirate ship! For an evening out, head to Jimbaran, which is one of Bali’s most highly recommended beachfront restaurants for families.

Don’t forget to go see the animals at Bali Safari or the butterflies at the Bali Butterfly House. You can also just relax at a beachfront resort and enjoy quiet time, enrolling the kids into the resorts kids club for the day.

ToKYo, Japan

Known for its anime, modern skyscrapers, and traditional Japanese charm, Tokyo is a city that anyone can enjoy, regardless of age. Some people may think that this cosmopolitan playground is not an ideal destination for a family holiday, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Not only is it the city that created Hello Kitty, but it’s also home to Sanrio Puroland. In addition to this Hello Kitty themed theme-park, Tokyo is also home to Tokyo Disneyland, Legoland Discovery Center, and the Tokyo Dome City amusement park. If that’s not enough, you can take the kids to Kidzania, RiSuPia Panasonic Digital Network Museum, Ueno Zoo, and the Fire Museum.

In addition to typical children’s attractions, Tokyo has some traditional aspects to it that are great for the whole family. For starters, slurping a bowl of ramen is always fun, as is wandering around the Tsukiji Fish Market. A great souvenir for anyone visiting the city is a photo of yourself dressed in a traditional kimono. The whole family can rent a kimono and get their photos taken at Meiji Shrine.

Don’t forget to take a stroll along Takeshita Street, which is a funky pedestrian street whose focus is predominantly anime.

Seoul, Korea

With its interactive museums, cycling paths, traditional Korean villages, animal farms, and lively shopping districts, Seoul is definitely one of the best places for a family holiday in Asia.

One of the first stops on the list should be the Teddy Bear Museum, especially if your kids are youngsters. This can be combined with a visit to Namsan Park, where you can not only enjoy the nature and the fresh air, but can also take in fabulous views from the N Seoul Tower observation deck. If you’d prefer to take a leisurely stroll to see deer and rabbits, head to the Seoul Forest. You can also see animals at Anseong Farmland, but here you can also touch them and feed them.

If you’d rather enjoy time indoors, be sure to make your way to Lotte World, which happens to be the largest indoor theme park in the world! Visit the Gwacheon National Science Museum to ogle dinosaurs, stare at marine life at Coex Aquarium, or wander around the Children’s Museum.

Themed cafes are also a treat, like the Line Friends Store and Café, the Hello Kitty Café, and the Cat Café, where you can actually sit with and play with live cats!

Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi is famous for its water puppet show, which proves just what a great place this traditional city is for kids. Families from all over the world wander around the streets of Hanoi, zig-zagging along the narrow streets in the Old Quarter and taking a leisurely stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake.

The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is of course the highlight of most family holidays in Hanoi, but other shows that are quite appealing to families are the Ionah Show Hanoi and the Hanoi Central Circus.

In the daytime, families can cool off at the Ho Tay Water Park, splash around at the Vinpearl Land Water Park Royal City Hanoi, or relax in Thong Nhat Park. A cyclo ride around the old quarter is a must, as is ice-skating in Savico Megamall Hanoi. This happens to be the largest mall in the city and a place where any family can easily spend the better part of a day.

The Aeon Mall Hanoi is another good place to take the kids, especially on a rainy day. Add some culture to the mix by visiting the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Xi’an, China

No matter what age you are the Terracotta Army will impress you. These are so incredible that even the kids will have their eyes wide open and their jaws open while staring at these amazing ceramic figures. Afterwards, you can all make your own mini terracotta warriors at one of the replica factories.

Another exciting experience is to cycle along Xi’an’s ancient city wall. Once you enter the ancient walled city you can rent tandem bikes and explore this popular attraction by bike. In the evening, enjoy a truly authentic Chinese meal and watch the magnificent music fountain show at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the daytime and climb the winding stairs to the top of it, looking out windows at each of the seven levels along the way. Tang Paradise is another great place to enjoy culture with the kids; listening to Tang music, looking at Tang buildings, and watching an acrobatics performance. There’s even a water play area for the kids!

For an added touch, take a calligraphy class at the Tang Art Museum. Others musts for families visiting Xi’an is Qujiang Ocean World, Mount Huashan, and the Shaanxi History Museum.