Explore Asia with Qatar Airways

24 October 2022

Having celebrated its 25th birthday this year, Qatar Airways is renowned above all for its excellent service. Serving not only its Middle Eastern home but also further-flung destinations, it’s a great option for those keen to explore Asia.

In 2022 Qatar was voted Skytrax Airline of the Year for a record seventh time, as well as receiving the awards for Best Business Class, Best Airline in the Middle East and Best Business Class Airline Lounge Dining. The Skytrax World Airline Awards are voted for by travellers across the world.

The array of options open to you with Qatar Airways includes the following wonderful destinations.

Bali, Indonesia

Now trending after the easing of restrictions, this tropical island is always a delight, whether you come for the culture, the landscapes, the wellbeing resorts or water sports including surfing, snorkelling, sailing and windsurfing – or a mixture of some or all of these. Jimberan Bay is famed for its blissful sunsets while the creative hub of Ubud beckons with its museums, galleries and creative community of painters, dancers, musicians and weavers. Don’t miss a traditional Balinese dance performance or shadow puppet play.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Renowned for its cuisine including its street food beloved of foodie legend Anthony Bourdain, Vietnam’s largest city – formerly Saigon – is drenched in history but also a pulsating modern metropolis: think ancient alleys and pagodas jostling with sleek skyscrapers and shopping malls. Make sure to browse Chợ Bến Thành (Bến Thành Market) with its fragrant delights ranging from bao buns to vibrant green soups, or Vĩnh Khánh Street (Seafood Street) with its sizzling alfresco grills and simmering cooking pots.

Hanoi, Vietnam

The country’s atmospheric capital blends southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. It's French Quarter is a particularly compelling spot to explore, with a mix of colonial buildings, temples, markets, art galleries and boutiques. Another must-see is the frenetic Old Quarter with its temples and Đồng Xuân Market. Hanoi is also a good base for visiting Hạ Long Bay, where rainforest-clad limestone islands tower above emerald waters popular for junk boat tours and sea kayaking.

Phuket, Thailand

The country’s largest island is well loved for its luxury resorts, lively nightlife and beach clubs, and fascinating culture and cuisine as evidenced everywhere from its temples to its street markets. When you can tear yourself away from the gorgeous beaches, head for magnificent local dive sites, check out a wildlife sanctuary or wander around Phuket Town with its museums, shrines, Sino-Portuguese mansions and shophouses, and moreish Peranakan cuisine.

Cebu, Philippines

This province of the country’s Central Visayas region has a unique cultural mix that sets it apart in the country, as seen in its traditional dances, its art, its highly spirited Sinulog Festival and its religious observances. Head to Cebu City and you’ll see 16th-century Spanish colonial landmarks, while the province as a whole (made up of Cebu Island and more than 150 surrounding islands and islets) also offers up tropical beaches and stunning coral reefs to investigate.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

One of the region’s most intoxicating cities and a great stop-over city break destination, the capital of Malaysia is best known for its Petronas Twin Towers – once the world's tallest buildings – but blends these with British colonial-era landmarks including the evocative Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Other highlights are the Art Deco Central Market for its Malaysian, Chinese and Indian crafts, and the Perdana Botanical Gardens, with the National Planetarium, a deer park, a butterfly park and an aviary.

To book your Asia holiday travelling with Qatar Airways, call your Travel Counsellor today.

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