KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 — Bali, Phuket or Shanghai for your next trip? Try Perak instead. That’s right, Ipoh has made it to Lonely Planet’s top 10 destinations in Asia.

The world’s leading travel media company today announced its inaugural Best in Asia list that highlights the continent’s 10 best destinations to visit over the next 12 months.

Ipoh made the cut at sixth spot with Lonely Planet saying that “Malaysia’s lesser-known food capital has a new flair thanks to a crop of boutique cafes that have sprung up in its historic quarter.”

Topping the list is Japan’s Hokkaido with China’s Shanghai and South Korea’s Jeonju rounding up the top three.

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Mount Rishiri’s steep volcanic ridges tower over a field of wildflowers off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan.
Mount Rishiri’s steep volcanic ridges tower over a field of wildflowers off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan.

“In compiling our Best in Asia 2016 list, our Asia-expert authors have explored the continent’s most electrifying cities, trekked through steaming jungles and even swum in bountiful seas to seek out the spots you simply cannot afford to miss,” said Lonely Planet Asia-Pacific spokesperson Chris Zeiher.

“The result is a varied hit list of classic destinations offering a fresh twist for travellers, regions packed full of action, and edge-of-the-map places you may never have heard of,” he added.

In fourth place is the Con Dao Islands in Vietnam, followed by Hong Kong. Pemuteran in Indonesia was listed as the seventh top destination with Thailand’s Trang Islands, India’s Meghalaya, and Taiwan’s Taitung finishing off the list.  

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For details on the destinations that made it to list, click here. You’ll also find details there that could even win a holiday for two to Hokkaido courtesy of Lonely Planet.

While the rest of city has been industrialised, Jeonju Hanok Village retains its historical charms and traditions.
While the rest of city has been industrialised, Jeonju Hanok Village retains its historical charms and traditions.