The Lonely Planet travel guide has named its best 10 spots in Asia, and crowning glory has been taken by a seismically active island in Japan's north.
The second-largest island in the country, Hokkaido is home to just 5 percent of Japan's population. But in this mountainous region, it's not the hustle and bustle you visit for, it's the natural sights.
In winter, people visit Hokkaido for the snow and skiing, but the Lonely Planet insists there are plenty of options for warmer months too. Visitors can try white-water rafting, mountain biking, hot springs and hikes, coupled with seafood plucked fresh from the cold seas that surround the island.
The island is mostly rural, with 10 percent of the island comprised of national parks, but it is also home to Japan's fifth-largest city, Sapporo.
Lonely Planet's top ten
1. Hakkaido, Japan
2. Shanghai, China
3. Jeonju, South Korea
4. Con Dao Islands
5. Hong Kong
6. Ipoh, Malaysia
7. Pemuteran, Indonesia
8. Trang Islands, Thailand
9. Meghalaya, India
10. Taitung, Taiwan
Shanghai (Photo by Simon Wong)
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