Year-end holidays are a perfect time to plan a long vacation out of the country with your family. After all, taking a trip to the local zoo once every three months can be a bit banal.
By this time you’ve probably already booked your flights to your destination and might be looking at Instagram pictures of all the places, you will soon be visiting, at every break. And while you’re at it, add these places to your schedule as well!
1. Hida Takayama Sanmachi Suji – Japan
Location: 20 Kamisannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0846, Japan
Source: Kanazawa Station
Shirakawa-go town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Gifu is quite a charmer, especially so in winter. Imagine a rustic little town with snow piled atop its thatch-roof farmhouses, and it’ll not be hard to see why. But if you wish to take a swerve from the norm, the city of Takayama is your place.
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Popularly known as Hida Takayama, this city offers quite a bit to do, ranging from weaving through Edo-period farmhouses at Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato) to soaking in an onsen surrounded by nature.
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The Hida Takayama Sanmachi Suji, in particular, is home to an array of offerings from mouth-watering snacks to souvenir stores. Satisfy your cravings with food like crunchy croquettes, hand-grilled senbei, cat manjus, and Gohei mochi, as you stroll down the streets of this old town that has retained its traditional wooden houses from the Edo-period.
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2. Korean Folk Village – South Korea
Location: South Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Yongin-si, Giheung-gu, Minsokchon-ro, 90 KR
Source: Seoul City Tour
If you thought of quaint streets lined up with houses from years long gone when you read ‘Korean Folk Village’, you would be surprised when you actually step into the village. It’s a sort of a cross between a theme park and a museum.
Consisting of real houses that were relocated and reconstructed from different parts of the county, the Korean Folk Village offers an all-inclusive outlook into the traditional culture of Korea from the late Joseon period.
Source: KoreanFolkVillage
You’ll find a farming village, a nobleman’s house, official districts, and a realistic-looking village street, among others within the compound. They also have traditional workshops and art performances, exhibitions of the Korean folk culture, dining establishments serving up Korean fares, as well as a Play Village for kids. To make the most out of your visit, rent a hanbok and stroll around the village in the traditional Korean apparel.
Source: KoreanFolkVillage
Consider staying to catch the live performances, they’ll liven up the trip. You can find a schedule of the performances at the Korean Folk Village here.
3. Black Mountain Water Park – Thailand
Location: 1 Moo 2 Hin Lek Fai | Prachuapkhirikhan, Hua Hin 77110, Thailand
Source: Black Mountain Water Park
If you’re looking for a bit of splish-splash action in Thailand with little ones in tow, Black Mountain Water Park is worth taking a trip to. While it may be a little ways out of the Hua Hin City, they do provide shuttle services to and from the city centre.
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The water park may not be a sprawling attraction with a myriad of rides and slides, but its nine different slides, ranging from long narrow tube slides to spiral slides, lazy river, infinity pool, wave pool, children’s pool, and “Witbit” Sport Park, will most probably be enough to keep you and your little ones busy for the day.
Source: Black Mountain Water Park/Instagram
Additionally, this water park with a magnificent aerial view offers complimentary entry for your tiny tots under 110 cm. Lockers are free of charge as well.
4. Tagaytay Picnic Grove – Philippines
Location: Tagaytay Picnic Grove Complex, Barangay, End, Tagaytay, Cavite, Philippines
Source: Rachel Ramento/Trover
Known for its cool climate and a fantastic view of the Taal Lake and Volcano, Tagaytay in the Philippines is a breath of fresh air from the usual hustle and bustle and modern skyscrapers in Singapore.
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While you do have a choice of places to explore, such as the Puzzle Mansion, People’s Park In The Sky and Yoki’s Farm, consider popping by the Picnic Grove. Not only will you be able to indulge in a leisurely scenic picnic, but you can also go on an eco-trail, visit a butterfly garden and go ziplining.
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5. Parangtritis Beach – Indonesia
Location: Jl. Parangtritis Km. 28, Parangtritis 55188, Indonesia
Source:kilarov zaneit/unsplash
Situated near the city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Parangtritis Beach is one of awe-striking beauty. Aside from marveling at the rolling waves, you can also do things like paragliding, go sandboarding, ride an ATV, and have your own photo shoot at the sand dunes. Above all, it would be a waste to leave without staying to watch the sunset; pictures just don’t do it justice.
Source: Berry/flickr
An interesting titbit about the Parangtritis Beach that makes it more magical is that many Javanese people believe that the beach is the gateway to Ratu Kidul, Queen of the Southern Sea’s kingdom.
6. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology - Vietnam
Location: Nguyễn Văn Huyên, Quan Hoa, Cầu Giấy, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
Source: Vietnam Tourism Information
Located in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology provides an insight into the history and culture of the various different ethnic groups in Vietnam. The indoor exhibit houses images and artefacts that paint a picture of the life and lifestyle, from the weddings to funerals, of the different ethnic groups.
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The outdoor exhibit, where you can find life-sized replicas of traditional homes of the different ethnic groups, might be of more intrigue for the little ones. The spacious grounds also allows them to feel free rather than constrained. Information is available in Vietnamese, French and English.
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7. Changhua Railway Roundhouse – Taiwan
Location: No. 1, Section 1, Zhangmei Road, Changhua City, Changhua County, Taiwan 500
Source: Spectral Codex
In the midst of modern cities and breath-taking natural scenery in Taiwan, are quaint towns and old streets. You’ve probably already heard (possibly many times) about places like Jiufen, Shifen and Taichung—they are among the more popular destinations in Taiwan for people seeking to experience the history and culture of the country. But you don’t have to follow them. Take a turn off the beaten path and check out the Changua Railway Roundhouse.
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Built in 1922, this fan-shaped train garage is the last one of its kind in Taiwan and it’s still operating today, which means you will be able to catch trains regularly arrive and depart at the roundhouse.
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If you’re lucky, you’ll even be able to witness trains making use of the turntable, you can actually get really close to the train during this process, which can be quite an electrifying experience.
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