<strong>10. Komodo National Park, Indonesia: </strong>New flight connections have made Indonesia's Komodo National Park more accessible than ever. It's where you'll find the Komodo Dragon, the largest lizard in the world. Lonely Planet placed it at No. 10 on its list of best places to go in Asia for 2018. Click through the gallery to see the rest:
10. Komodo National Park, Indonesia: New flight connections have made Indonesia's Komodo National Park more accessible than ever. It's where you'll find the Komodo Dragon, the largest lizard in the world. Lonely Planet placed it at No. 10 on its list of best places to go in Asia for 2018. Click through the gallery to see the rest:
Anna Kucherova/Shutterstock
<strong>9. Sichuan province, China: </strong>Historic Buddhist sites, fiery food and adorable pandas are just a few of the reasons Lonely Planet added China's Sichuan province to its 2018 Best in Asia list.
9. Sichuan province, China: Historic Buddhist sites, fiery food and adorable pandas are just a few of the reasons Lonely Planet added China's Sichuan province to its 2018 Best in Asia list.
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<strong>8. Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka:</strong> "This surf town on Sri Lanka's east coast has managed to retain its cool as holidaymakers swarm the rest of the country's ancient citadels and hiker-strewn hill stations," says Lonely Planet of its number eight pick.
8. Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka: "This surf town on Sri Lanka's east coast has managed to retain its cool as holidaymakers swarm the rest of the country's ancient citadels and hiker-strewn hill stations," says Lonely Planet of its number eight pick.
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<strong>7. Lumbini, Nepal: </strong>"For decades, Lumbini was somewhere travelers flashed through en route from India to Nepal, unaware they had passed within yards of the birthplace of the historical Buddha," says Lonely Planet. <br />"Today, Lumbini is on the ascendancy. A new international airport is under construction offering a safer route into Nepal."
7. Lumbini, Nepal: "For decades, Lumbini was somewhere travelers flashed through en route from India to Nepal, unaware they had passed within yards of the birthplace of the historical Buddha," says Lonely Planet.
"Today, Lumbini is on the ascendancy. A new international airport is under construction offering a safer route into Nepal."
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<strong>6. Chiang Mai, Thailand: </strong>Perhaps the most famous destination on this year's Lonely Planet list, Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai continues to earn fans.<strong> </strong>"A young, creative population has taken up residency in Chiang Mai, bringing an exciting buzz," says the guidebook publisher.
6. Chiang Mai, Thailand: Perhaps the most famous destination on this year's Lonely Planet list, Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai continues to earn fans. "A young, creative population has taken up residency in Chiang Mai, bringing an exciting buzz," says the guidebook publisher.
Kseniia Ivanova/EyeEm/Getty Images
<strong>5. Nagasaki, Japan: </strong>Though Nagasaki is synonymous with the atomic bombing of August 1945, its identity transcends one violent act, says Lonely Planet. "Visit a new foreign-trade museum housed in Japan's oldest church, or pass the verdant harbor towards the hiking routes that snake through the surrounding volcanic hills," advises the guidebook publisher.
5. Nagasaki, Japan: Though Nagasaki is synonymous with the atomic bombing of August 1945, its identity transcends one violent act, says Lonely Planet. "Visit a new foreign-trade museum housed in Japan's oldest church, or pass the verdant harbor towards the hiking routes that snake through the surrounding volcanic hills," advises the guidebook publisher.
SeanPavonePhoto/iStockphoto/Getty Images
<strong>4. Western Ghats, India:</strong> "These rugged hills are UNESCO-listed as one of the top spots for biodiversity in the world, protecting the neelakurinji flower, which blooms only once every 12 years and will be painting the hills in purple livery from August to October 2018." says Lonely Planet.
4. Western Ghats, India: "These rugged hills are UNESCO-listed as one of the top spots for biodiversity in the world, protecting the neelakurinji flower, which blooms only once every 12 years and will be painting the hills in purple livery from August to October 2018." says Lonely Planet.
Nate Hovee/Shutterstock
<strong>3. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam:</strong> "The southern supercity of Ho Chi Minh City somehow keeps getting cooler," says Lonely Planet of its number three pick.
3. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: "The southern supercity of Ho Chi Minh City somehow keeps getting cooler," says Lonely Planet of its number three pick.
Dung Pham/500px
<strong>2. Uzbekistan: </strong>Lonely Planet applauds this Central Asia nation for its visa-free and e-visa schemes, new air routes and extensions to its shiny high-speed rail line, "making access to its arsenal of jeweled architecture and ancient cities easier than ever."
2. Uzbekistan: Lonely Planet applauds this Central Asia nation for its visa-free and e-visa schemes, new air routes and extensions to its shiny high-speed rail line, "making access to its arsenal of jeweled architecture and ancient cities easier than ever."
Andrii Lutsyk/Shutterstock
<strong>1. Busan, South Korea:</strong> Move over, Seoul. It's Busan's time to shine. "A stunning confluence of scenery, culture and cuisine, Busan packs an eclectic offering of activities to suit all travelers," says Lonely Planet of the city topping its 2018 Best in Asia list.
1. Busan, South Korea: Move over, Seoul. It's Busan's time to shine. "A stunning confluence of scenery, culture and cuisine, Busan packs an eclectic offering of activities to suit all travelers," says Lonely Planet of the city topping its 2018 Best in Asia list.
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Best places to go in Asia for 2018
CNN  — 

Often referred to as South Korea’s “second city,” coastal Busan has taken a giant step out of Seoul’s shadow.

Lonely Planet just named it the number one destination on its 2018 Best in Asia list.

Busan, about a 2.5-hour journey from Seoul, is the country’s second largest city and a popular summer destination famous for delicious seafood and picturesque beaches.

Best things to do in Busan, from beaches to temples

“A stunning confluence of scenery, culture and cuisine, Busan packs an eclectic offering of activities to suit all travelers: hike hills to Buddhist temples, settle into sizzling hot springs and feast on seafood at the country’s largest fish market,” reads Lonely Planet’s top 10 list.

“Poised to steal the spotlight, Busan is East Asia’s Culture City for 2018 and will be at its most vibrant with colorful events showcasing the country’s cultural heritage, from street art festivals to traditional dance shows.”

Lonely Planet’s annual Best in Asia list, now in its third year, features the travel guidebook publisher’s top 10 recommended destinations to visit in the year ahead.

“Asia is such a vast and diverse continent for anyone dreaming of an escape,” says Lonely Planet Asia-Pacific media spokesperson Chris Zeiher in a statement.

“Our experts have combed through thousands of recommendations to pick the best destinations to visit over the next 12 months.”

Coming in behind Busan is Uzbekistan – cited for its mosaic-clad mosques and Silk Road lore. Third place goes to Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, which it calls “a supercity that somehow keeps getting cooler.”

Uzbekistan's historic treasures are now more accessible than ever.
Uzbekistan's historic treasures are now more accessible than ever.
Andrii Lutsyk/Shutterstock

A mix of up-and-comers and old favorites

Much of the list highlights destinations that aren’t considered travel hotspots. For instance, Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay – a surf town on the east coast – is applauded for managing to “retain its cool as holidaymakers swarm the rest of the country’s ancient citadels and hiker-strewn hill stations.”

Or India’s Western Ghats, which offers “an atmospheric mirror to Shimla and Darjeeling, with added jungle appeal.”

How to explore Sri Lanka's coast in style

But there are some more-than-familiar inclusions, too, such as Chiang Mai. Long one of Thailand’s most popular destinations, this northern city has added a few new attractions in recent years that make it worth a repeat visit. Among these are the newly opened, award-winning MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum.

Other places were lauded for their improved infrastructure. For example, Indonesia’s Komodo National Park, number 10 on this year’s list, is more accessible than ever thanks to new flight connections.

“Aside from laying eyes on the illustrious Komodo dragon, visitors to this cerulean-silhouetted archipelago can hike to hallowed viewpoints on Padar, sample laid-back beachside living on Kanawa and dive with a mind-boggling array of marine life in the reefs,” says Lonely Planet.

For more on the 10 Lonely Planet picks, click through the above gallery.

Lonely Planet’s Best in Asia 2018

1. Busan, South Korea

2. Uzbekistan

3. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

4. Western Ghats, India

5. Nagasaki, Japan

6. Chiang Mai, Thailand

7. Lumbini, Nepal

8. Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka

9. Sìchuan Province, China

10. Komodo National Park, Indonesia