Overlooked Cities in Asia

A dedicated researcher and academic, Sam W. Lee, PhD, has been working in the medical field for more than two decades. He serves as an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and the deputy director of the MGH/Harvard Cutaneous Biology Research Center. Outside of work, Dr. Sam W. Lee enjoys exploring new cultures and locations throughout Asia.

The largest continent, Asia plays hosts to major cities like Beijing and Seoul that many travelers want to visit. Unfortunately, this leaves numerous cities unexplored by foreigners, despite being just as interesting. Below are some of Asia’s top overlooked cities:

- Busan, South Korea. Located roughly three and a half hours away from Seoul, Busan features amazing local cuisine and unique sights. Packed with attractions to keep visitors busy, it is located along a coastline that includes several beaches.

- Chengdu, China. Backpackers are often familiar with Chengdu due to its being a stopping point on the journey to Tibet. However, the laid-back city has a great deal to offer visitors who stay longer than one night. Voted one of the more livable cities in China, it hosts several parks and tea shops and the entrance to the Jinsha Excavation Site.

- Onomichi, Japan. Offering a relaxed vibe, Onomichi is popular among locals, but largely unknown to foreigners. Over the years, it has drawn attention from anime, manga, film, and numerous other Japanese artists, thanks to its small-town feel and abundance of shrines and temples.

- Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The second-largest city in Taiwan, Kaohsiung has gone from a polluted industrial hub to a fascinating destination. Complete with historical buildings, untouched forests, annual festivals, and numerous waterways, the city is certainly worth seeing.