If you’re on a tight schedule and budget, it is recommended that you visit some unusual destinations. They’re the ones that are explored by fewer tourists. However, they’re still some of the best destinations worth exploring in the Asian continent. Here, we’ve listed four of such unusual destinations you must visit while touring Asia:

1. Beijing, China

Beijing is one of the world’s most populous cities. It is also among the oldest. This means you’ll have some intriguing historic structures to explore during your visit to China’s capital city. One of these historic places is the narrow alleyways or ‘hutongs’. They’re lined up with fascinating traditional homes and courtyards. 

Beijing is also home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They include the Imperial Summer Palace and its gardens. You’ll be amazed during your visit to the Forbidden City. It is a palace complex made up of nearly 1,000 different buildings. 

This palace complex has been the home of China’s emperors for 500 years. China’s capital also gives its visitors the chance to see many temples and pagodas. Among them are the Tianning Temple, which was built in the 12th century.

2. Angkor Wat and Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap is a Cambodian resort town, considered as the gateway to the Angkor region. Upon entering this region, you can get to the magnificent temples that were built by the Khmer kings. Angkor Wat is undoubtedly the must-visit attraction of the Angkor region. 

This is the largest religious monument in the world. It was constructed in the early 12th century and covers a vast area of 160 hectares. Besides the ancient marvels, the city also has several French and Chinese buildings from the colonial era.

3. Jaipur, India

Jaipur is considered one of the most beautiful cities in India. It is also known as the ‘pink city’. This is because of the distinct colour of stones that were used to build many of the city’s structures. Jaipur is also home to a vibrant community of artisans. 

Many of the monuments and pink structures are located within 10 kilometres of this city. They include the ancient temple complex of Galtaji. It has been built into the narrow hills and is surrounded by sacred water pools. Other attractions include the world’s largest stone sundial at Jantar Mantar and Amer Fort.

4. Bagan, Myanmar

One of the world’s top heritage sites, Bagan was the capital of a powerful kingdom. The Bagan Archaeological Zone covers an area of 41 square kilometres. It is home to over 3,000 stupas, pagodas, and other structures of religious importance. All of them are tucked away in the midst of dense forests. 

Outside the archaeological zone, this ancient city is popular for its lacquer and sand paintings. They are available at the local markets in most of the villages. You can also buy beautiful gifts and mementoes from Bagan’s night market and the traditional Burmese market.

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You can combine your passion for cycling and your love of adventure to enjoy some memorable tours. To make things easier, we’ve picked a few destinations from different parts of the world for adventurous cyclists:

1. Girona, Spain

Located at a distance of about 60 miles to the northeast of Barcelona, Girona is an enchanting historical city. It is also a favourite among many professional cyclists. You’ll find this place extremely pleasant, as it has a wonderful climate, good roads, and attractive mountain scenery. Besides, it also gives you the chance to savour diverse varieties of food. 

Girona is a part of the Costa Brava region, which falls between the Pyrenees mountain and the coast. You’ll come across an ideal mix of long, flat lanes and rolling terrains. The best trails for cycling enthusiasts include the Rococorba climb, coast road, and Els Angels.

2. Cape Town, South Africa

The stunning roads of Cape Town run through the coastal area. They provide excellent conditions for cyclists to enjoy fabulous views along the way. This South African city offers some healthy lifestyle choices for its people. The Bicycle Cape Town is an organization focused on improving and encouraging cycling facilities, routes, and services. 

In March, the city organizes the ‘LifeCycle Week’. The event honours everything done on two wheels with several events and competitive races. While touring the city, you can enjoy cycling down the coastal roads of the peninsula. You’ll also love riding steep up to the spot that gives you a fantastic view of False Bay. 

The roads and tracks of Cape Town and its surroundings are suitable for any cyclist. It doesn’t matter whether he or she is a leisure cyclist or a professional.

3. Dolomites, Italy

The Dolomites are a famous mountain range situated in the northern part of Italy. It is a part of the Alps. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this mountain range is worth exploring for all the cyclists. Among the most wonderful parts of this mountain range are the Sella Ronda Loop and the Fedaia climb. 

You’ll not find many flat lanes in this part of Italy. So, you’ll have to deal with a tough uphill climb or a smooth, curvy downhill ride.

2. Morzine, French Alps

This is an excellent spot for road biking as well as mountain biking. Morzine is located close to Switzerland in the Rhone-Alpes region of France. The resort towns of Avoriaz and Morzine cater to outdoor sports. You’ll find some idyllic chalets and hotels in these towns. 

Morzine has hosted the popular Tour de France over 20 times. This resort town is home to the challenging Morzine Vallee d’Aulps. It covers a total distance of more than 150 kilometres with over 3,900 meters of climb.

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There are several cities here that can be visited during any time of the year. Many others can be best explored only during summers. Here we’ve listed some of the best cities you must never forget to visit while holidaying in this continent:

1. Lisbon, Portugal

There are many tourists who feel that a tour of Europe is incomplete without a visit to Lisbon. This city is the capital of Portugal. When you arrive in the Portuguese capital, you’ll be welcomed with hearty meals and warm smiles. In recent times, there has been an increase in the number of direct flights to Lisbon. This has made accessing this city more affordable and easier than ever. 

Once you’re in Lisbon, you can explore some beautiful places on foot. If you wish to give your legs a break, go for the hop-on-hop-off buses. You’ll be in awe when you witness the historical structures in the Portuguese capital. Among the prominent ones are the Santa Justa Lift, Sao Jorge’s Castle, and Ponte 25 de Abril bridge. You can set aside some time to visit the fabulous beaches of the city as well.

2. Dubrovnik, Croatia

This Croatian city is often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. It is surrounded by ancient walls of stone and has structures with orange-tiled roofs. Dubrovnik is also considered one of the most amazing cities on the Dalmatian Coast. The city was used as one of the shooting locations for the popular television series, Game of Thrones. It is the old-world charm of this city that attracts many tourists from many countries. 

You can take one of the popular day cruises to the Elafiti Islands. They’re visited by plenty of tourists during the hot season. Another great feature of this city is its local cuisine. It’s almost impossible that you’d come across a bad restaurant. The city experiences its peak tourist season from May to September. Plan your trip to Dubrovnik at the beginning or end of the high season to avoid crowds.

3. Budapest, Hungary

For the history buffs who are conscious about their tight budgets, Budapest would feel like heaven. It is among the best cities of Europe worth exploring. You can access this city using trains or flights. When you’re in Budapest, it seems as if you’ve been transported back in time. You’ll come across some beautiful Gothic cobblestone streets in the Hungarian capital. Budapest has many options in fusion restaurants. 

They combine the western and eastern cuisines to create some mouth-watering treats. The two districts of Buda and Pest are separated by the famous Chain Bridge. You can take the Budapest Eye or a cable car to witness some marvellous views from the top. You can know more about the history of this city by visiting the Budapest History Museum.

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