Step Into Adventure: Agoda's Guide to Asia's Top Cities to Explore on Foot
SINGAPORE, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda invites travelers to lace up their walking shoes and discover the charm of Asia's most stroll-worthy cities. From cobblestone streets to scenic riversides, Agoda's list of Asia's top cities to explore on foot celebrates destinations where pedestrian-friendly streets, compact layouts, and clusters of attractions make walking the ideal way to experience the local culture.
Walking through a city is more than just a way to get around. It's a journey of discovery that engages all five senses. Whether it's the aroma of street food wafting through the air, the chatter in bustling markets, or the intricate details of historic architecture, exploring on foot allows travelers to experience the rhythm of daily life, discover hidden corners, and fully engage with their surroundings.
Agoda has rounded up seven destinations across Asia where walking isn't just an option—it's the best way to experience the heart and soul of the city:
1. Hanoi, Vietnam: A Stroll Through Time in the Old Quarter
Hanoi's Old Quarter is a labyrinth of narrow streets brimming with history and culture. French colonial architecture, ancient temples, and vibrant street markets create a dynamic backdrop for exploration. The area's pedestrian-friendly layout makes it easy to wander and discover local delicacies like Pho and Bánh mì from street vendors. The Old Quarter's charm lies in its ability to surprise, with hidden cafés, serene pagodas, and bustling markets around every corner.
2. Kurashiki, Japan: Canal-Side Serenity in Okayama Prefecture
Kurashiki's Bikan Historical Quarter in Okayama Prefecture is a compact, flat area that is a dream come true for those who love leisurely strolls. The picturesque canals lined with weeping willows and traditional white-walled kura (storehouses) create a tranquil atmosphere. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the Ohara Museum of Art, while shoppers can browse handmade crafts. Walking through Kurashiki feels like stepping into a postcard, with every corner offering a picture-perfect view.
3. Chiang Khan, Thailand: Riverside Charm in Loei Province
Nestled along the Mekong River, Chiang Khan is a quaint town located in northeastern Thailand that's best explored on foot. Its famous pedestrian-friendly walking street, Chai Khong Road, is a car-free stretch lined with well-preserved wooden shophouses, cozy guesthouses, quirky cafés, and local boutiques. In the evenings, it transforms into a lively night market with street food, handicrafts, and live music. Visitors can also experience the serene Buddhist ritual of giving alms to monks at dawn, a photogenic and peaceful tradition. Don't forget to catch the sunrise over the Mekong for a truly magical experience.
4. Melaka, Malaysia: A Fusion of Cultures in a UNESCO-Listed Old Town
Melaka Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site that's compact, flat, and ideal for a walking tour. The city's rich history as a trading port is reflected in its diverse architecture, from Dutch colonial buildings to Chinese shophouses. Attractions, museums, cafés, and shops are clustered together, making it easy to wander on foot. Jonker Street and the surrounding heritage area are car-free on weekends, ensuring a safe and enjoyable walking experience. Shaded walkways, riverside promenades, and historical sites add to the charm of this culturally rich destination.
5. Pondicherry, India: A French Connection
Pondicherry's French Quarter is a walker's paradise, with its grid-like street layout, pastel-colored colonial buildings, and tree-lined avenues. The seaside promenade, Goubert Avenue, is closed to vehicles in the evenings and early mornings, offering a peaceful space for pedestrians to stroll or relax by the sea with views of the Bay of Bengal. The city's relaxed vibe, with less traffic and noise compared to many Indian cities, makes it an ideal destination for those who enjoy exploring on foot.
6. Gyeongju, South Korea: A Walk Through History
Known as "the museum without walls," Gyeongju's historic city center is a treasure trove of historical sites, making it perfect for walking. The main attractions, including Tumuli Park, Cheomseongdae Observatory, Gyeongju National Museum, and Woljeonggyo Bridge, are all within walking distance of each other. The city's well-maintained sidewalks, pedestrian zones, and scenic walking paths make it easy to explore on foot at a leisurely pace.
7. Taipei, Taiwan: The Emerging "15-Minute City"
Cited by The Economist as an emerging "15-minute city," Taipei offers wide sidewalks, clear signage, and shaded boulevards for the perfect city adventure, complete with an efficient MRT system that connects walkable hubs seamlessly. Highlights include Da'an Forest Park, Yongkang Street's food scene, the historic Dihua Street in Dadaocheng, and the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park loop. Scenic riverside bikeways and walkways add another layer of accessibility and beauty to the city.
Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President, Supply at Agoda, shared, "Walking is such a simple yet rewarding way to explore a destination. It's about letting the world unfurl around you, noticing the little things, and really soaking in the atmosphere of a place. At Agoda, we love to help travelers find places where they can wander, get lost, and make memories that last a lifetime. Whether you're strolling through Hanoi's Old Quarter or catching the sunrise in Chiang Khan, we've got the stays and activities to make your trip unforgettable."
With Agoda's extensive offerings of over 5 million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities, travelers can easily plan their next walking adventure. Visit Agoda.com or download the Agoda mobile app for the best deals and seamless booking options.
--- ENDS ---
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/step-into-adventure-agodas-guide-to-asias-top-cities-to-explore-on-foot-302468210.html
SOURCE Agoda
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ellen Pompeo Says She Was Detained by TSA for an Hour, Had Bomb Squad Called In: ‘Is This a Joke?'
Ellen Pompeo says she was delayed by TSA for an hour after trying to board a flight with a pricey snack that, triggered a bomb squad investigation. The 'Grey's Anatomy' star joked about the ordeal, saying she thought her publicist wouldn't believe it if she missed her flight A self-described nervous flier, Pompeo says she now sticks to carry-on essentials like wipes and water — and leans on her kids for comfort during Pompeo got an unexpected lesson on what snacks are safe to munch on in flight after a recent security debacle. The Grey's Anatomy star, 55, was stopped by TSA in March for attempting to board a plane with a bag of Erewhon sunflower seeds, she reveals in a new interview with Travel + Leisure. 'I had a bag of sunflower seeds, like organic sunflower seeds from Erewhon, so they were probably the most expensive sunflower seeds money can buy,' she says. 'They literally held me for an hour, and they brought the bomb squad in.' Pompeo asked the officials, 'What is happening? Is this a joke?' They replied that 'it was most likely a chemical on the packaging of these super expensive, fancy, organic, clean sunflower seeds' that triggered the search. To get on with the security and boarding process, the award-winning actor-director offered to simply throw the bag in the trash; however, she said they told her that she'd have to wait for the bomb squad to confirm the unopened bag of seeds was secure before being released. 'I almost missed the flight,' Pompeo recalls. 'It was really like no one would ever believe this! I was texting my publicist saying, 'I might not get on this plane, and you're never gonna guess why.'' Despite the TSA kerfuffle, Pompeo tells T+L that she loves to travel and reveals what she brings in her carry-on, excluding Erewhon sunflower seeds going forward, and her pre-seating routine. 'Mints, glasses, water, hand sanitizer, and baby wipes,' she shared. 'I have to do the Naomi Campbell thing and wipe down the entire seat.' As for how she likes to travel, the proud mom says her favorite way to jet set is with her family. Pompeo shares three children – Stella Luna, 15, Sienna May, 10, and Eli Christopher, 8 – with her husband, music producer Chris Ivery, to whom she's been married since 2007. As a self-proclaimed nervous flier, the Good American Family star says her family is her support system during any uneasy moments. 'I like to hold my kids' hands when I take off,' she confessed, 'which is probably a little selfish, and they're probably feeling my anxiety, which probably isn't the best thing to do.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Batteries Plus Concludes PlusCon with EmPOWERing Celebration of Plus Games Winners
Nation's leading battery services brand gamified its franchising convention with competition encouraging owner engagement Franchisee Frank Meier and his Glen Ellyn, IL team crowned winners of inaugural Plus Games Batteries Plus store owners achieved sizeable sales growth during Plus Games competition HARTLAND, Wis., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In an innovative twist on a traditional franchising convention, Batteries Plus reimagined this year's gathering, creating PlusCon, featuring collaborative sessions, insightful speakers, and the culmination of its inaugural Plus Games. The Plus Games were designed as a year-long initiative to boost franchisee engagement in training and sales goals through friendly competition, ultimately driving store performance and team expertise. Redefining a ConventionWhile many franchisors host their own version of an annual franchising convention to spark a renewed inspiration amongst their owners, PlusCon took a unique approach with the creation of the Plus Games building up excitement and encouraging franchisee engagement well before the event. "We knew we had to break the mold of a typical franchise convention and spark some new excitement within our system, so we sought out an opportunity to shake things up and give our owners something different to look forward to attending," said Joe Malmuth, Chief Development Officer for Batteries Plus. "The result was franchisee and store engagement even beyond anything we expected. We're proud of our owners for their dedication to this new competition and we're incredibly grateful to all our corporate team for helping bring our vision to life." PlusCon additionally encouraged franchisee connection and collaboration through an energized general session and breakout sessions offering valuable insights on strategies to achieve success. During PlusCon, Batteries Plus executives also announced the launch of a new branding campaign, Experts In Charge, aiming to celebrate the expansive expertise store owners and associates offer to consumers and businesses seeking power solutions. Plus Games Finale: The Final FourSince launching in November, the Plus Games all came to a head during the brand's PlusCon in Las Vegas as the Final Four store owners battled it out to the finish. In the end, Frank Meier and his team at the Batteries Plus store in Glen Ellyn, Illinois were crowned the winners of the first-ever Plus Games, outplaying 294 other franchise stores throughout the competition. Close behind and finishing in second was Richard and Kelli Epps and their store associates in Largo/Spring Hill, Florida. Competition by the NumbersThe Plus Games not only saw a healthy competition amongst owners determined to push boundaries and further their success, but they also resulted in a noticeable difference in sales across the franchise system. During the games, stores were evaluated on performance across key metrics, including key fob sales, flashlight sales, and total sales. The top three quartile stores saw a median total sales growth of 5.9-7.4% between November 2024 and January 2025, compared to the same period the previous year. Stores in the top quartile also saw a 12.3% median increase in key fob sales during the Plus Games, compared to the same time in the previous year. "We had a vision to redefine what you could achieve with a franchise convention, and we knocked it out of the park," said Jon Sica, Chief Operating Officer for Batteries Plus. "The Plus Games lit a fire across our system, and the resulting sales lift we witnessed across our top-performing stores is a testament to what's possible with a motivated, aligned, and focused franchise system." With nearly 40 years of operational experience and more than 800 stores open and in development, Batteries Plus continues to lead the specialty battery space by delivering unmatched value to consumers and businesses alike. To learn more about franchising with Batteries Plus or become a future member of the Plus Games, please visit ABOUT BATTERIES PLUS:Batteries Plus is the nation's leading battery and power solutions service center, offering a comprehensive selection of products, technical expertise, and customized services through a nationwide network of over 800 locations open and in development. Headquartered in Hartland, Wisconsin, and owned by Freeman Spogli, Batteries Plus is dedicated to providing reliable, commercial and residential power solutions – including batteries, lighting, and repair services – to help organizations and customers minimize downtime and maximize efficiency. For more information about Batteries Plus and its franchising opportunities visit Media Contact: Meg Ryan, Fishman Public Relations, mryan@ or 847.945.1300 ext. 264 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Batteries Plus Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Khmer Rouge refugees in the Bronx inspire the next generation through their resilience
Following the war in Vietnam in the 1970s, thousands of people immigrated to the Bronx, including many fleeing the Khmer Rouge communist regime. Moui Nguyen and Choeum Chy were among those who made the Bronx their home around that time. They describe the numerous challenges they faced, which included the language barrier, adapting to the culture, and earning a living. MeKong NYC has served as an advocate for Southeast Asians in the Bronx for more than a decade. Khamarin Nhann, the campaign director of Mekong NYC, said many of the refugees settled in neighborhoods like Fordham, University Heights and Bedford Park. "This is a very important year for us to commemorate, to reflect, to really process, while also still trying to make sure that we are here, still thriving," shared Nhann. Two refugees share their stories Nguyen was born in Vietnam in 1937, and was drafted to fight in the Vietnam War. After 1975, he was placed into a re-education camp. He was released in the '90s, and Nguyen said he was brought straight to the Bronx through the Orderly Departure Program, which the United States government established in 1979 to help refugees leave the country. Despite having government assistance upon arriving in the Bronx, Nguyen said he sometimes struggled to make ends meet and collected cans for extra money. The transition to the Bronx also wasn't easy for Choeum Chy from Cambodia. He moved to the Bronx in 1986 when he was in his 30s. "My first time when I just came to live in America, in the Bronx, I have been confusing. I am scary, you know?" Chy said. At that time, people in his community started with low paying jobs in garment factories, or cleaning offices, Chy said. He explained those were the options for those who were not well educated. Chy said he wanted to share his story not only to speak on the struggles he and many others endured, but to also encourage the next generation to continue pursuing their education. The challenges of those who relocated to the Bronx and beyond are appreciated by the younger generation. "You hear their stories, especially all they've done to get here, it really just emphasizes just how strong they are for making it here and how they're able to sacrifice," said Brandon Sam, a Mekong NYC youth member. You can email Erica with Bronx story ideas by CLICKING HERE.
