On Flores Island sits Kelimutu, a 1639-metre-high volcano crowned by startling lakes of varying blue, green and black hues, which can change to red, white and blue at other times. Despite their close proximity (see them all from the highest lookout, Inspiration Point), each is capable of dramatically changing colour over the course of a couple of days thanks to dissolving minerals.

Rising from the centre of Jeju Island south of the mainland is Hallasan Mountain, a dormant volcano and South Korea’s highest peak. The 17-kilometre, eight-hour summit loop is a challenging full-day adventure, but well worth the effort for pinch-me views of the glistening crater lake at the top. 

Made up of 45 pristinely beautiful islands in Palawan, El Nido is one of the most biodiverse archipelagos in the Philippines. Think: colourful coral reefs, turtles, hundreds of species of fish and limestone karst cliffs punctuated with secluded lagoons and coves. Unsurprisingly, it’s one of the best scuba-diving destinations in the world. 

This dense bamboo forest on the outskirts of Kyoto is one of the city’s most photogenic spots. But no image can capture the magic of watching the grove sway while listening to the wood creak and leaves rustle. The Ministry of the Environment has even named it one of the top 100 Soundscapes of Japan.

The east coast village of Katong is where you’ll find Singapore’s prettiest (and most Instagrammable) shophouses – two-storey terraces with pale pink and spearmint green facades, ornate motifs and ceramic tiles. It’s a prime destination for food lovers, too; swing by Chin Mee Chin Confectionery for coffee and kaya toast with butter and coconut jam. 

The result of millions of years of sandstone deposits and shifting tectonic plates, these magical peaks are streaked with vibrant magenta, canary yellow and burnt orange. The mountain range is part of the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in China’s north-western Gansu province.

Surrounded by snowy peaks and fed by the enormous Ngozumpa glacier, these turquoise waters (136 kilometres east of Kathmandu) make up the highest freshwater lake system in the world. Summiting the 5356-metre-tall Gokyo Ri is a stunning alternative to the ever-popular Everest Base Camp trek, or you can tackle them together with operators like Intrepid. 

Travel to Bohol, an island province in the Central Visayas region, to take in the Chocolate Hills: more than 1200 grassy mountains that turn brown in winter, bringing to mind huge Hershey’s Kisses. One legend has it that they were formed by two feuding giants who spent days hurling boulders at each other until they were too tired to fight. 

Near the Myanmar border in the Kanchanaburi province, Erawan National Park is a three-hour drive from Bangkok and a great spot for unwinding in nature. The star attraction is the spectacular seven-tiered Erawan Falls where you can swim; the park gets packed so visit on a weekday to beat the crowds.

Step back in time at Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul, where some 900 14th-century hanoks (traditional Korean homes) are linked by a series of narrow alleys. Swing by the Bukchon Traditional Culture Center for a calligraphy class and stay at an Airbnb outfitted with the area’s signature wooden window frames. 

A one-hour high speed train from Shanghai, West Lake in Hangzhou is a tranquil spot that’s inspired poets and painters for centuries. The best way to see its ornate temples, pagodas and lush gardens is by boat; hop aboard a traditional wooden sampan – the Chinese answer to a gondola.  

A chain of 1500 sparsely-populated islands off the western coast of West Papua, boasts crystalline waters, powdery beaches and some of Indonesia’s most beautiful dive sites. You might spot manta rays, pygmy seahorses and schools of iridescent parrot fish, not to mention 75 per cent of the world’s known coral species. 

Home to over 1.5 million plants from around the world, Gardens by the Bay is a must-visit when in Singapore. Stroll beneath the 18 “supertrees” (the tallest is 16 storeys high), explore the massive Flower Dome greenhouse and swing by the OCBC Skyway for knockout views from 22 metres above the ground. 

Located within Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Son Doong is thought to be the world’s largest cave at around nine kilometres long with sections reaching up to 200 metres high and 175 metres wide (that’s enough space for a New York City block with 40-storey skyscrapers inside it). Currently, only Oxalis Adventure is licensed to guide travellers through. 

With its lush vegetation, calm waters, beautiful arched bridges and sheer walls that can reach up to 100 metres, Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki provides a peaceful respite from Japan’s often bustling energy. See it from high up on the one-kilometre nature trail above the gorge or rent a boat to row through the narrow channel. 

Emerald-green tea plantations unfurl across this hilly region 1448 metres above sea level in the state of Pahang. Travellers are lured by the verdant views and refreshing temperatures (it rarely tops 30°C), as well as butterfly gardens and strawberry farms where you can snack on strawberry waffles or scones slathered in jam and cream.  

Carved out of the rock face of a horseshoe-shaped escarpment, the Ajanta Caves near Jalgaon are famous for their classical frescos dating back to the second century BC. The more than 30 caves contain some of the oldest Buddhist paintings in existence, which were rediscovered in 1819.

Every autumn, the gently rolling hills at Hitachi Seaside Park on the coast of Ibaraki Prefecture bloom bright red. It’s the doing of some 32,000 kochia plants: small, fluffy bushes that transition from lime green to crimson as temperatures drop. Visit during spring to see the tulips and sky-blue nemophila. 

Constructed from marble during the 1740s, Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur appears to float on the mirror-like surface of Lake Pichola. Guests reach the 1.6-hectare, man-made island via a private boat provided by the hotel; expect 65 lavish rooms and 18 grand suites, plus four high-end restaurants. 

Everywhere you look is postcard perfect in Langkawi, an archipelago of 99 islands dotted off the west coast of Malaysia. Making the most of the palm-fringed beaches is of course a must (Datai Bay is particularly picturesque), and don’t miss the Langkawi Sky Bridge, a 125-metre curved cable bridge atop the rainforest canopy.   

Once you’ve ticked Angkor Wat off your bucket list, head to this 12th-century Buddhist temple in the heart of Angkor Thom. Its 54 towers feature 216 gigantic smiling faces believed to depict Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, while carved bas-relief visages on the exterior walls depict battles and scenes of ancient everyday life.

Miraculously perched on a cliff overlooking the Paro Valley, Paro Taktsang, or Tiger’s Nest monastery, is a complex of four Buddhist temples and residential buildings with whitewashed walls and golden roofs. Be prepared for a vigorous hike (it’s a steep six-kilometre round trip with thousands of uneven stairs) and an unforgettable experience. 

A 30-minute ferry ride from Hong Kong Island delivers you to Lamma Island, a beach-fringed retreat known for its laid-back vibe and top-notch seafood. After perusing Yung Shue Wan's waterfront markets, head to local institution Lamma Rainbow and order the award-winning fried crab with honey and pepper. 

Spanning an estimated 1.3 million square kilometres, the Gobi Desert encompasses much of southern Mongolia and northern China. Its vast sand dunes, sun-scorched valleys and red rock cliffs are more accessible today than ever before, with luxe accommodation at Three Camel Lodge and camel trekking with companies like Nomadic Expeditions. 

A 90-minute drive south of Jakarta, Bogor Botanical Gardens covers 87 hectares with vast swathes of immaculately maintained green lawns and towering rainforest. Founded in 1817, it has some 12,350 specimens on display, including wild orchids, giant water lilies and 400 different kinds of palms.

Short but incredibly scenic, the 8.5-kilometre Dragon’s Back trail guarantees panoramic views of Hong Kong Island from the 284-metre-high Shek O Peak. Pause at Pottinger Gap to snap a photo of urban high-rises against the forested landscape, then continue on to Big Wave Bay – a surfing hotspot perfect for cooling off. 

Blue Pond outside the hot spring town of Shirogane Onsen in Hokkaido is actually man-made, but its azure hue is thought to be caused by natural colloidal aluminium hydroxide in the water. Striking year round, it’s even more spectacular in the wintertime thanks to the contrasting white snow. 

Rising above Lhasa like a red and white mountain is the imposing Potala Palace, the former seat of the Tibetan government and home of the exiled Dalai Lama. With more than 1000 rooms, the palace contains almost 10,000 painted scrolls, 698 murals, and thousands of gilded and bejewelled statues.