10 Best Places in Asia for Teens and Tweens
So you’re thinking about braving Asia with your teens and tweens? First of all, you’re a legend. Second of all, you’re going to need a plan that combines culture, chaos, and creature comforts (read: WiFi and snacks). Fortunately, Asia is bursting with destinations that are as captivating for kids as they are for parents who just want to survive another family vacation without anyone threatening to go live with Grandma.
Whether your tween is obsessed with anime or your teen won’t look up from TikTok unless there’s a view worth filming, this guide to the best places in Asia for teens and tweens will make your planning a breeze. We’re talking temples, street food, snorkeling, roller coasters, and a chance to pet elephants without anyone sobbing about missing their cat back home. Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
1. Bangkok, Thailand
Why They’ll Love It: Bangkok is sensory overload in the best way possible. There’s a skytrain, riverboats, and enough neon lights to make them forget they’re not at a music festival.
Top Teen-Friendly Activities:
- Chatuchak Weekend Market – A shopper’s paradise and a dream for TikTokers looking for trendy souvenirs.
- Bangkok Bicycle Tour with a Jungle Adventure
- Wat Arun & Wat Pho – Impressively Instagrammable temples that even the most temple-fatigued teen will find cool.
- Thai Cooking Class – Give them the gift of pad thai-making skills. They’ll thank you later in college.
- Asiatique the Riverfront – Ferris wheel, night market, and snacks galore.
Quick Tip: Stay somewhere with a rooftop pool. You’ll need a bribe to get them out of bed before noon.
2. Singapore
Why They’ll Love It: Singapore is the cleanest city they’ll ever see, and it’s packed with futuristic attractions that feel like living in a sci-fi movie.
Top Teen-Friendly Activities:
- Gardens by the Bay – Giant glowing trees? Yes, please.
- Universal Studios Singapore – From roller coasters to Minions, it’s pure teen bait.
- Sentosa Island – Zip lining, beach clubs, and indoor skydiving. It’s a teen adventure buffet.
- Hawker Centers – Let them discover the magic of $3 Michelin-starred meals.
Quick Tip: Get an EZ-link card for public transport. Teens love independence, and this way, they can pretend they’re local commuters.
Plan your Singapore trip with our Singapore articles:
3. Sri Lanka
Why They’ll Love It: Think wildlife, waterfalls, and beaches. Sri Lanka is basically National Geographic IRL.
Top Teen-Friendly Activities:
- Safari in Yala National Park – Spot elephants, leopards, and crocodiles without needing a zoom filter.
- Surfing in Weligama – Chill beach town vibes and beginner-friendly waves.
- Train Ride to Ella – Possibly the world’s most scenic train ride, perfect for photo-obsessed teens.
- Climbing Sigiriya Rock Fortress – An ancient rock palace with views that might just get a gasp.
Pro Tip: Build in downtime. Sri Lanka is hot and full-on. Teens and tweens need their recharge time.
Plan your Sri Lanka Trip with our Sri Lanka articles:
- 10 Day Sri Lanka Itinerary
- Sri Lanka Bucket List for Families
- 10 Places To Visit In Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
- Things to do in Kandy, Sri Lanka with Kids
4. Tokyo, Japan
Why They’ll Love It: Anime, vending machines, and convenience stores with gourmet food? It’s teen heaven.
Top Teen-Friendly Activities:
- Harajuku and Shibuya – Quirky fashion, crepes, and the world’s busiest crosswalk.
- TeamLab Planets – An immersive digital art museum where no filter is needed.
- Odaiba – Giant Gundams, VR arcades, and a mini Statue of Liberty. Why not?
- DisneySea – Unique to Japan and an absolute hit with all ages.
Quick Tip: Japan’s rail system is unmatched. Grab a Japan Rail Pass and explore beyond Tokyo.
5. Bali, Indonesia
Why They’ll Love It: Bali is a mix of beachy relaxation and jungle adventure, with just enough smoothie bowls to keep teens full and happy.
Top Teen-Friendly Activities:
- Monkey Forest in Ubud – Because monkeys.
- Surf Lessons in Canggu – Teens + waves = endless entertainment (and wipeout videos).
- Waterbom Bali – One of Asia’s best water parks.
- Nusa Penida Day Trip – Unreal landscapes that make perfect phone backgrounds.
Quick Tip: Book a villa with a pool and breakfast service. It’s Instagram-worthy and makes mornings easier.
Plan your Bali trip with the help of our Bali articles:
6. Seoul, South Korea
Why They’ll Love It: K-pop. Enough said. But also, techy experiences, quirky cafes, and beauty shops galore.
Top Teen-Friendly Activities:
- Lotte World – Indoor amusement park with ice skating and VR zones.
- K-Star Road – A must for fangirls (and boys).
- Street Food in Myeongdong – Skewered everything and bubble tea on every corner.
- Hanbok Rental and Gyeongbokgung Palace – Dress up like royalty for a day.
Plan your trip to Seoul with our guide:
7. Hoi An, Vietnam
Why They’ll Love It: This historic town is like walking through a movie set, and there are lanterns everywhere.
Top Teen-Friendly Activities:
- Lantern-Making Workshop – A crafty keepsake even the grumpiest teen can get into.
- Tailor Shops – Have a custom outfit made for less than their latest sneaker drop.
- Cooking Classes – Vietnamese pancakes > chores back home.
- Bike Rides through Rice Fields – Yes, they still make bikes. No, this isn’t a simulation.
Quick Tip: Visit during the full moon for the monthly lantern festival.
8. Hong Kong
Why They’ll Love It: This city is a vertical wonderland with theme parks, tech, and a skyline that glows like a giant gaming monitor.
Top Teen-Friendly Activities:
- Victoria Peak Tram – Get those panoramic skyline selfies.
- Hong Kong Disneyland – Smaller than others, but full of charm.
- Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car – See the Big Buddha and feel the breeze.
- Sneaker Street in Mong Kok – A must for hypebeasts.
Quick Tip: Take the Star Ferry at night. It’s cheap, beautiful, and oddly peaceful.
9. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Why They’ll Love It: Multicultural, full of malls, and did we mention the theme parks inside the malls?
Top Teen-Friendly Activities:
- Petronas Towers Skybridge – That view though.
- Batu Caves – Climb the rainbow stairs to see monkeys and Hindu shrines.
- Sunway Lagoon – Water rides, scream-worthy roller coasters, and even a zoo.
- Jalan Alor Night Market – Let them snack their way through satay and ice cream rolls.
Quick Tip: KL is hot. Like, melt-your-mascara hot. Plan indoor activities for the afternoon.
Plan your trip to Kuala Lumpur with our itinerary: 2 Days in Kuala Lumpur.
10. Taipei, Taiwan
Why They’ll Love It: It’s safe, fun, and full of quirky surprises (like toilet-themed restaurants and cat cafes).
Top Teen-Friendly Activities:
- Taipei 101 – That elevator is wild.
- Night Markets – Try stinky tofu if they dare.
- Maokong Gondola – Cable cars with glass floors.
- National Palace Museum – History with a side of air conditioning.
Quick Tip: Download the Uber app – it works great in Taipei and takes the guesswork out of getting around.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Why It’s Mesmerizing for All Ages: With its surreal landscapes, ancient cave dwellings, and sunrise hot air balloons, Cappadocia is straight out of a fantasy novel.
Top Experiences:
- Take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise (yes, even your teen will be speechless).
- Explore underground cities like Derinkuyu.
- Hike the otherworldly trails of Love Valley or Pigeon Valley.
- Stay in a cave hotel—cooler than any Hilton.
Quick Tip: Book the balloon ride early—it’s the hottest ticket in town and fills up fast.
Plan your Cappadocia trip with our itinerary:
Tips for Traveling Asia with Teens and Tweens
- Always have snacks. Preferably ones that don’t melt in your bag.
- Let them help plan. Teens have opinions, and involving them = less complaining.
- Break up the museums. One museum, then one pool or market. Balance is everything.
- Don’t overschedule. Teens run on vibes, not alarms.
- WiFi is sacred. Choose accommodations with strong internet. Or face the wrath.
Asia is the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure for families, and with a little prep (and caffeine), it can be an unforgettable bonding experience. Just remember: the more bubble tea and photo ops you provide, the more likely your teens will talk about it with something other than an eye roll.
So go forth, brave parent! The best places in Asia for teens and tweens are calling—and they’ve got charging stations.
Get Travel Insurance
Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).
Book Flights
I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.
Book a Place to Stay
I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.
If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.
Choose Activities and Tours
To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.
When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.
Rent a Car or Get a Lyft
More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.
Save Money on Gas
Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.
Get a Visa
I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.
Travel Printables
If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!
