When traveling with family, it can be tricky to choose the right destination that makes everybody happy. Enjoyable, affordable and suitable for children of different ages, are fervently believed to be the criteria for choosing the destination. A whole bunch of Asian destinations might meet the standards, yet some careful consideration needs to be given.
Before you have kids, you might hop right onto the next plane to Vegas and never blink an eyelid when the travel bill comes along. Things are different now. You need to spend a month or two coming up with ideas that strike your kids’ fancy without compromising their college funds. But it isn’t all bad news. The truth is that there are a lot of mind-refreshing destinations in Asia that are enjoyable, affordable and suitable for your family.
Every family trip has a main goal. And most of the time, that goal is for the children. That is everything but surprising, as traveling is one of the greatest gifts that a parent can offer. Children at different ages require different skill-sets for trip planning. We have a run-down of destinations suitable for different age ranges, and reasons and tips for you to make up your mind.
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For Toddlers and Small Kids (Aged 10 Months to 6 Years)
When traveling with children under 6 years old, it is important to be flexible and easy-paced. Such philosophy applies to choosing the destination, too. You may want to consider a place that is within shorter flight hours, safe, easy to get around, and offers as much convenience as possible. Think about this trip more as the parents’ getaway, with a side-purpose of keeping the kids entertained and well-relaxed. Such a destination is Japan.
Japan
Why we recommend it to you:
Direct flights between Japan and Europe or America take less than 16 hours. This is not so daunting for a writhing toddler.
Traditional culture and landscapes, remarkably well-preserved. Sushi-making class, footwear making and a tea ceremony, plenty of activities to keep both, adults and small children, entertained.
Super convenient local transportation gets you around easily. From local buses to Shinkansen bullet trains, public transportation is punctual, safe, and easy to get on and off with a stroller.
Easy and safe to walk on the streets. Cars stop 10 yards away when you try to across the street, and all sidewalks are smoothly paved so your stroller won’t be bumped.
Various dining options and 7-11s are around every corner. You can find all kinds of cuisines from across the globe. 24-hour convenient stores provide everything you need, from diapers to a bottle of sake.
Theme parks, arcades, play grounds, you name it. Take a photo with a life-size Pikachu, hop on a ride at Disneyland or spend a couple of hours at a SEGA arcade – no time to be bored in Japan!
Itinerary idea: 7-day Family Trip to Japan
Day 1- Tokyo Arrival
Day 2 - Tokyo City Highlights: Start with a relaxing morning walk at the Shinjuku Imperial Gardens and visit Meiji Shrine. Enjoy soba (buckwheat) noodles for lunch. Cruise down the Sumida River and get to Asakusa for a rickshaw ride. Walk on Shibuya Street and have a simple dinner at a sushi restaurant.
Day 3 - Tokyo to Hakone: Ride on the Romance Car to Hakone and take the ropeway up the mountain. Get on board a pirate ship to view Japan’s landmark: Mt.Fuji. Or get up to the 5th Station of Mt.Fuji. Stay overnight at an Onsen hotel with a chance to soak your body in the healing hot spring.
Day 4 - Hakone to Kyoto: Lazy morning with another hot spring bath before you leave for Kyoto. Arrive in the afternoon and take a sweet-making class.
Day 5 - Day Trip to Nara: Morning visit to the Deer Park in Nara, 40 minutes train ride away from Kyoto. Feed the deer as they roam freely in the pine forest. When you are back in Kyoto in the afternoon, delve into the bustling Nishiki Food Market.
Day 6 - Kyoto to Osaka: Morning visit to the Nijo Castle, the nightingale that was built to tweet like birds whenever anyone walks on it, will definitely fascinate your kids, of course you too! Travel to Osaka and have dinner at Kiji Umeda Sky Building for the famous Okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake).
Day 7 - Osaka Departure (possibly after a last spin at Universal Studios Japan)
Other Good Destinations:
Thailand: Great food, beautiful beaches and budget-friendly
Bali, Indonesia: Mild and beautiful climate, great beaches with affordable accommodation
Hong Kong: Direct flights, no language barrier, good food and fascinating cityscape
Singapore: Direct flights, sweet and soft food, safe streets and lots of theme parks
Related reading: How to Plan a Multi-Generational Family Vacation to Southeast Asia
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I have never hear of this company…
I have never hear of this company before , and after reading all these reviews ,I decided to give it a try . The professionalism and communicative skill received by one of the agent , Sharon of Asia Highlights , convince me that She was the right travel agent for my trip in Asia . Very quickly she communicated with me and got all the detail of my desire vacation . Sharon made me a great itinerary with great experiences that I am dreaming to experience and I am looking forward to it . Thanks Sharon for been so great and crafting me a dream vacation with great suggestions. More
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May 2023
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Coco Yang worked tirelessly to…
From the moment I landed in Bangkok, Ms Noi Ying was there to welcome me and get me settled into my hotel. We enjoyed several days together touring Bangkok and Kanchanaburi. In Chiang Mai, Mr Ekachai took my son snd I on an amazing trip to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and to visit a community Lanna home, gardens and a hands-on cooking class preparing an authentic Thai meal. Lisa arranged a last-minute speedboat tour of 5 breathtaking islands in Phuket. From start to finish, the guides exceeded my expectations!! Thank you, Asia Highlight!! Debbie Woods More
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May 2023
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Sharon from Asia highlights has been…
Sharon from Asia highlights has been amazing. She offered her amazing ideas to other tours I wanted. We have planned the perfect 9 day itinerary to Thailand. She worked in my budget and was very flexible when I had to change my flights. Thank you sharon. Can’t wait for the trip. More
Heather Stern Wilensky,
Apr 2023
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Ms. Ning first review 4-2023
Ms. Albee Ning has been doing a great job accommodating my requests and itinerary changes. Remember the first itinerary is a rough draft and you may modify it to suit your tastes. Remember you can not do it all and see everything in 3 weeks. If the flight wasn't so long I would visit Southeast Asia more often. I will update my review in a few months. We don't leave for 9 more months. Asia Highlights is working well for me so far! More
Chiefray,
Apr 2023
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Perfect Trip To Thailand…
We had so much fun in Bangkok with Tanni and Tom as they kept laughing at all of our silly jokes. Paul, our guide and Chiang Mai was really thoughtful, fun and full of great information about the temples and sights. Thanks so much! Brian and Michelle More
Scott Orchard,
Mar 2023
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I highly recommend Asia Highlights
I highly recommend Asia Highlights. I worked with Alisa and she is fantastic! I was planning my honeymoon trip, and I changed the destination multiple times. Each time, Alisa provided me an updated itinerary with activities that matched my interests. Whether I had a small change to an activity, a question about one of the arrangements, or a change or destination, Alisa was helpful, thoughtful, and knowledgeable, providing me with updated options in an extremely timely manner. In the end, despite the fact that I changed my mind on location multiple times, I ended up booking a 17 day trip to Thailand for this upcoming November. I am extremely excited to experience everything that Alisa planned for us. I recommend Asia Highlights to everyone and look forward to using them again on any other trips to Asia in the future. Thank you Alisa and Asia Highlights! More
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Mar 2023
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Three weeks encompassing Vietnam
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Deby,
Feb 2023
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Over the last 5 years we've used Asia…
Over the last 5 years we've used Asia highlights twice. And both times we've had fantastic vacations. Would not want to do it any different when we travel to Asia from now on. Sharon was fantastic. She was a wonderful agent who helped us nail down our trip and make everything go as smooth as possible. More
Todd Atwell,
Feb 2023
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Family Trip to Thailand
Our trip to Thailand comprised three generations of the family , ten people and an age range of 4 to 70 so a potentially difficult brief.Our itinerary over two weeks involved four locations, and a number of different trips and tours.From out arrival at an extremely busy Bangkok airport Asia Highlights were terrific.In each location we were met by a smiling , knowledgeable and professional guide who simply made everything easy and stress free for everyone.Our transportation was clean and comfortable . Transport was always ready for us at the agreed time and the drivers were excellent.There were so many highlights enjoyed by all the age groups. The floating houses , railway market and elephant sanctuary were particular favourites.We had one minor glitch with the accommodation in Phuket which was immediately dealt with by Tip. I think we would have struggled to resolve the problem by ourselves. So, thank you Asia Highlights , Cathy, Tip and tour guides Tanny, Sam and Lisa. It was a memorable holiday and we will be back. More
Roger Pyle,
Feb 2023
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Trip of a lifetime from Asia Highlights!
I recommend highly Asia Highlights as a travel company. Our travel consultant Albee took the time to connect with us during the planning process to make sure we were comfortable with our itinerary. When we arrived, we were met by our guide and all the details were attended to. They picked great hotels and tours. I often describe our trip as the trip of a lifetime! Would definitely use them again when we come back to Asia More
Nancy Parker,
Feb 2023
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Asia Highlights and Albee - highly recommended
Asia Highlights is very reliable agency and Albee is an amazing representative of the company. From the moment when we contacted her until our departure, the whole support we received was 6* level. She prepared our trip offer within few hours and afterwards she was extremely flexible to adjust as per our needs. In the period between the offer and the trip, Albee was always available for all our questions and supported us on the best possible way. During the trip she was again flexible to add new activities/transfers and this went on the smoothest possible way. Thank you, Albee and Asia Highlights. Definitely we will approach you again for our next Asian trip More
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Feb 2023
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5 STAR CUSTOMER SERVICE BY MONICA
Monica is a very sweet young lady who speaks excellent English via email/WhatsApp, and knows the importance of excellent customer service. More
Trent,
Jan 2023
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We had an awesome experience with Asia Highlights
We started our trip in Bangkok, where Mr. Prassert our tour guide, met us. He was on time and the van was clean and well-maintained. Mr. Prassert was our guide for the 4 days we spent in Bangkok. He was helpful, kind, and willing to accommodate our pee and coffee breaks. The driver was safe and punctual. Next, we went to Chiang Mai.Gemma exceeded every expectation we had for our tour of Chiang Mai! She had a great attitude that made exploring the city fun and exciting, as well as an abundance of knowledge and experience. She was always spot on with figuring out logistics and coming up with unique ideas that suited our interests and schedules. Gemma was incredibly generous with her time and even walked us to security at the airport to make sure we could carry all of our luggage. That’s just one example of how far out of her way she went to make our trip easier and more enjoyable. Gemma was sincerely interested in making every minute of our trip count. We’re very grateful to have met her and feel like we have found a friend in Gemma! Our driver in Chiang Mai was also great and very accommodating to our changes in schedules. More
Lois Paskow,
Dec 2022
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Thailand & Cambodia 2022
Albee went above and beyond to make our trip perfect. She rearranged flights due to a mistake of mine. She made sure we were still picked up and escorted to the airport. I felt comfortable and safe with all our reps. She did an excellent job and I highly recommend her booking your next trip. Thank you, Albee. More
Karen Brooks,
Dec 2022
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Perfect vacation thanks to Albee we…
I can’t say enough about how much we appreciate all the efforts, attention to details and immediate responses to all questions that Albee and her team provided. The Asia Highlights team deserves more stars than the maximum allowed because of continually going above and beyond all expectations. Thanks Albee for making our vacation through south east Asia absolutely perfect!!! More
Michael Sharp,
Dec 2022
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2023 Chiang Mai CAD Yipeng Festival
We got early bird ticket and Bella was assisting us through whatsapp. Easy, competitive price, front row tickets. Thanks Bella, for being patient explaining everything to me. Highly recommended. More
lily hartati,
Dec 2022
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Bella has been an outstanding customer service rep
Bella has been an outstanding customer service rep. She was responsive and knowledgeable. Buying tickets from their website was super easy and the whole process was straightforward. Highly recommended. More
Khai,
Nov 2022
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I was ever so grateful to have a point…
I was ever so grateful to have a point of contact while in a foreign country for the first time, alone, that helped me through the Ins and outs of getting to and from my destination. Albee was readily available which brought me much comfort and feeling of safety. If in this part of the world again, I will not hesitate to use your services.. More
Omega,
Nov 2022
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Memorable Experience!!!
I booked tickets to the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Nov 2022. Bella was extremely responsive and helpful!! More
Bowen,
Nov 2022
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Personalized
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Nov 2022
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For Older Kids (aged 6 to 12 years)
Traveling with older kids is easier than with a lap child. You don’t need to pack tons of diapers or find plain spaghetti with no sauce or oil. You don’t need to worry about the long flights or them getting tired. Quite on the opposite, you might want to consider a place packed with activities and experiences that help them broaden the mind and learn about life experiences other than their own play dates. We would recommend Vietnam to you.
Vietnam
Why we recommend it to you:
Easy to get in and out on direct flights or flights with only one transit. Direct flights from Europe, Australia and New Zealand take less than 16 hours, less than 20 hours for transit flights.
All year round favorable weather, good for traveling. No matter what season you come, there is always a place with favorable weather, either Halong Bay for a mild winter or Sapa for a cool summer.
Light and healthy food with a true oriental taste. Smell the herbs and taste the chili; that is the first impression of the word “Orient” coming to life. Chance to take a cooking class.
Children-friendly, fun activities, will create precious memories: Squid fishing with dad, lantern making with mom, or cycling around the Mekong Delta.
Culturally engage and learn about other people’s life. Kids are more open-minded than you imagine. Get a great chance to teach them to understand and appreciate different cultures and lifestyles.
Affordable luxury pumps up your stay. Take the perks of a wide range of accommodation; a private beach villa in Danang only costs USD100 per night (only for reference).
Itinerary idea: 9-Day Vietnam Family Vacation
Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh City Arrival (possibly with an afternoon cycle ride)
Day 2 - Day trip to Mekong Delta: 2-hour road trip to get to Ben Tre; take a small sampan boat to visit an island, where your kids will see how coconut candy is made and sample some tropical fruit; chance to cycle under the trees.
Day 3 - Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An via Danang: Morning visit at the Cu Chi Tunnels where you and your kids can crawl inside the tunnels which were used by the Viet-Cong during America-Vietnam war. Fly to Danang and transfer to Hoi An. Leave your kids at the kids club and get yourselves a spa treatment.
Day 4 - Hoi An Experience: Take an easy walking trip in the ancient town of Hoi An. Some quirky old houses hide interesting stories. In the afternoon, get a private cooking class, and your kids can learn to carve a carrot into a bunny.
Day 5 - Hoi An to Hanoi via Danang: Visit the early morning fish market out of Hoi An and take an eco trip that involves basket-boat rowing, fish catching and easy farming. Transfer to Danang for onward flight to Hanoi.
Day 6 - Hanoi City Highlights: Explore different ethnic dwellings on the ground of the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Climb into the helicopter at the Museum of Military History. Continue your discovery trip to the Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter (where you can buy real bargain toys, clothes and footwear) and have some nice ice cream.
Day 7 - Hanoi to Halong Bay: Board a one-night cruise to Halong Bay. Onboard activities might include squid fishing, kayaking (in some specific areas), an engine chamber tour, diving and exploring a cave. A quiet night to spot stars.
Day 8 - Halong Bay back to Hanoi: Finish the cruise before noon and transfer back to Hanoi.
Day 9 - Hanoi Departure (possibly return to the Old Quarter for some last-minute shopping)
Other Good Destinations:
Sri Lanka: Direct flights from the UK, well-kept lifestyles and wildlife, tea country train ride, plus free beach days.
Mongolia: Horseback riding, nights at a Ger (Mongolia nomadic yurts), help out with farm work such as milking and herding, visit the Gobi desert.
China: Direct flights from most Western countries. Profound history and rich cultures, hands-on learning experiences, visit the Great Wall and pandas.
For Young Teens (aged 12 to 17 years)
Kids during this age span are more patient yet challenge still remains. They might not be complaining about the 20-hour flight from LAX to Hanoi. But careful, they will be grumpy all day long if they know they are going to a country with no Wifi or Cheesecake Factory. So it is important to get them onboard at the first stage of trip planning (read our “How to Choose Destinations for Your Family Trip to Asia).
A good destination for teens is one that offers quality bonding time, continuous excitement of various forms, and also allows time and space to chill. Keeping their sense of ownership and curiosity alive during the trip can be achieved by factoring in different types of tasks, such as finding an Italian restaurant near your hotel in New Delhi, driving a quad bike in Siem Reap on their own, or hail a tuk tuk ride in Bangkok.
The content of sightseeing matters too. Instead of squeezing 10 attractions into just one day, you might want to consider an in-depth visit of two to four key sites. For two hours, going with a Khmer scholar along the veranda of Angkor Wat, gives your kids a chance to learn things that are not found in textbooks. Don’t be baffled by some dark and even brutally inhuman historic aspects. Your teens might be more open-minded than you think.
Spark your teens’ wanderlust with a trip to Myanmar.
Myanmar
Why we recommend it to you:
Go before it is too late. It is no longer a dormant part of the global tourism map. Explore Myanmar right now before the locals get used to foreigners and the landscape gets trodden.
The pure innocence of lifestyle is nowhere else to be found. Myanmar may be the first time that your teenage kids are exposed to true kindness to strangers and faithfulness to their own beliefs.
Understand history and the country’s struggle for democracy. The long and scuffling history makes you wonder about humanity and life. Your travels can actually help the country.
Absolute wonders galore: Glittering pagodas, marching monks, plains filled with ruined temples, and giant golden rocks sitting at a tiny axis… you can’t help but WOW all the way.
Give your teens a little challenge; internet is slow, no 7-11s or McDonalds, after a time away from all their electronic jujus, you will find them more communicative and understanding.
Every penny is well-spent. Local people’s genuine hospitality allows you to comprehensively overlook scarcity of luxury. Also, the experience that you can just sit and talk for a long time is priceless.
Itinerary idea: 9-Day Myanmar Adventure with Your Family
Day 1 - Yangon arrival (an evening visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda is in order)
Day 2 - Yangon City Unraveled: Hop on a vintage train and walk through a bustling market. Learn about history at the National Museum and walk on the Colonial District or get a peek at Aung San Suu Kyi’s House.
Day 3 - Yangon to Bagan: Take an early morning flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, drive to a remote village where a local family awaits. Learn some cooking skills and have lunch with them. In the evening, sit on an ox-driven cart to visit Bagan’s thousands of pagodas at sunset.
Day 4 - Bagan Highlights: You may start the day with a 5am balloon flight. Return to the hotel for a break before today’s trip starts. Over 4,000 ruined pagodas and temples on the plains of Bagan, we will pick some of them for you. Most interesting ones include Ananda Pahto, resembling a Greek cross, and possibly one of the best preserved temples; Thatbyinnyu, the highest of the Bagan temples; Bupaya, a cylindrical one with terraces leading to the Ayeyarwaddy River, and some more.
Day 5 - Bagan to Inle Lake: Once again an early morning flight takes you to Inle Lake. Spend the rest of today chilling out at your lakeside resort or go for a boat trip.
Day 6 - Life at Inle Lake: Villages on the lake shore host markets on a 5-day rotation, and today you will be taken to one of the markets and observe interesting lifestyles. Learn about how local women weave lotus fiber into clothes. Take photos of the one-leg rowers as they wait for moments to catch fish.
Day 7 - Inle Lake to Mandalay: Enjoy a crisp morning on the lake before you fly to Mandalay. Get on the road to Amarapura and visit a monastery where thousands of monks dine at the same time. We will get a boat for your family to row on the river, waiting for a breathtaking sunset over the U Bein Bridge.
Day 8 - Mandalay Experience: If you are up to the task, get up at 04:00am and attend the face-washing ceremony at Mahamuni Pagoda. Take in other highlights such as Kuthodaw Pagoda & the World's Largest Book at Shwenandaw Monastery. Free time to relax.
Day 9 - Mandalay departure (It can be connected with Bangkok or Chiang Mai directly)
Other Good Destinations:
Cambodia: Haunting history of Khmer Rouge and world-class wonder Angkor Wat. It can be easily combined with Thailand and Vietnam.
India: The origin of Hinduism and curry. Fascinating funeral cultures along the Ganges River and vibrant local life.
Nepal: Isolated yet enchanting, good place for long-haul trekking in nature and wildlife in Chitwan. Best idea is to take a 1-hour flight along the ridge of Everest.
Japan: Various cultural activities, a place for comic fans regardless of age, great food and remarkable public transportation and services.
Asia Highlights’ Suggestion for Destination Choosing
Commence your family trip by choosing the right destination and work all your way down till the day you are on the plane. Hopefully our list of suggested destinations sheds some light on your choice. However, things don’t have to be complicated if you are traveling with more than one child (as it is true in most cases). Mix and match the ones that suit the majority and allow the small number to call it shots for some days of the vacation.
One thing that cannot be stressed enough, is that everybody should be involved, as it is a big family matter. Once you decide, why not let us do the work with our expertise? We will study your interests and needs thoroughly and design a trip wrought with interesting and meaningful experiences. See our itinerary below and let us do the work for you.
15-Day Family Trip to Mongolia, China and Thailand
You might like to read
Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
Get Inspired with Our Sample Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.
