8 Destinations Off the Beaten Track in Asia

Boasting almost every type of environment imaginable, from arid deserts to steamy jungles, home to exotic wildlife and a panoply of diverse cultures - and the birthplace of some of the world's great cuisines - Asia is a traveller's playground. Except that this mind-boggling array of attractions has hardly gone unnoticed, and this is no longer terra incognita as far as international tourism is concerned.

However, with just a little imagination, a dose of determination and an explorer's spirit, it's still possible to find places where foreign visitors rarely tread. If you are planning for an adventurous holiday, here are eight exciting off-the-beaten-track destinations in Asia for you to discover.

1. Dili, East Timor

East Timor has only existed as an independent nation since 2002, and it's a place that's totally off the radar as far as mainstream tourism is concerned. The capital, Dili, is where you will probably arrive, and it's a town that offers excellent beaches and a friendly atmosphere, making it a pleasant place to stay for a couple of days. However, it also serves as the perfect base from which to explore the rest of East Timor's hidden treasures, which include world-class diving over pristine reefs and superlative trekking through tropical forests filled with abundant wildlife. You'll also have the chance to interact with friendly locals in villages where foreign tourists are practically unknown.

2. Nagaland, Myanmar

If you prefer to take the road less travelled, Myanmar's Naga Self-Administered Zone bordering India's Nagaland state is the epitome of 'off the beaten track'. It isn't easy to reach, and once there, you will find very little infrastructure, but this is a destination that repays the hardships of the journey. It is home to a patchwork of loosely-related tribal groups, each with their own languages, vibrant cultures, colourful festivals and distinctive traditions. Some of these tribes may have been fearsome head-hunters until only a few decades ago, but now you will find them much friendly, and ready to welcome the few intrepid travellers who make it to their part of the world.

3. Kutch, India

Kutch is a small and isolated corner of Gujarat state in north-west India that is largely inaccessible due to the surrounding mudflats and marshes. However, this topography has contributed to the region's unique character as well as helping to keep it off the map for most tourists. On your next India tour, rent a motorbike and head out into rural Kutch to explore the fascinating traditional villages famed for handicrafts that are found there. You can also make a trip out to the Rann of Kutch, an area of marshland that is home to nesting flamingos and rare Indian wild ass. Alternatively, you can branch off to explore the numerous deserted beaches that you will probably have all to yourself.

4. Urumqi, China

The capital of China's western Xinjiang region and home to many of the country's ethnic Uyghurs, Urumqi merits at least a few days of exploration. In the evening, the Grand Bazaar, a bustling traditional market, shouldn't be missed, while in the mountains to the south, you can engage in horse riding and trekking before sleeping in a yurt with a local ethnic Kazakh family. Urumqi is also the jumping-off point for exploring the wider Xinjiang region, a land of evocative former Silk Road towns and vast, majestic desert landscapes.

5. Khmer Temples in Isaan, Thailand

The northeast of Thailand, the region known as Isaan, receives only a trickle of visitors compared to the beaches of the South or the mountains of the North, and yet the lack of tourism makes this perhaps the most traditional part of the country. In the south of Isaan, you will find several important but scarcely-visited Khmer temples constructed by the same civilisation responsible for Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The best ones are the complex in Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima province, and the spectacular Phanom Rung in Buriram province. Travelling there to see them gives you the perfect excuse to visit the Northeast and experience local Isaan culture in a part of the country that is completely unspoilt by tourism.

6. Togian Islands, Sulawesi, Indonesia

If you are looking for somewhere more unusual in Indonesia, forget about Bali, skip Lombok's Gilis and make your way to the Togian Islands in Sulawesi's Gulf of Tomini. These tiny specs of land are surrounded by turquoise coral seas teeming with tropical fish and are the perfect antidote to the overcrowded beaches you'll find in much of the rest of Southeast Asia. There's not much to do there apart from swim, snorkel, take advantage of the excellent diving or just chill on the beach - but if you're looking for an undiscovered paradise where you can simply kick back and relax, this remote group of islands fits the bill.

7. Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Of all the 'Stans', Kyrgyzstan is the most accessible and easiest to travel to - but it hardly tops any lists of the world's most popular tourist destinations, meaning that many of its secrets are still waiting to be discovered. Osh is Kyrgyzstan's second-largest city, and with over 3,000 years of history, it's also the oldest. It is home to Central Asia's largest outdoor market and is also the gateway to the Ferghana Valley, prime Silk Road country and an area of outstanding natural beauty where you can enjoy trekking and horseback riding and imbibe the timeless Silk Road vibe.

8. Wellawaya, Sri Lanka

For a taste of rural Sri Lanka away from the usual tourist haunts, there are few more enticing destinations than Wellawaya in Uva province. This is an unhurried part of the country that exudes a laidback bucolic charm. Here, you can enjoy rewarding treks, visit sites of archaeological significance or just enjoy the beautiful setting and the slow pace of local village life. It's also well-placed for trips to the nearby Udawalawe National Park where you stand a good chance of seeing wild elephants - and if you're very lucky, rare Sri Lankan Leopards.

Much of Asia might now be a well-established tourist destination, for backpackers and luxury holidaymakers alike. But a continent that covers such a vast area still hides many secrets, and there remains so much for the curious and adventurous traveller to find. Do tell us your discoveries from your trip to Asia!