If you’re an adventurous traveler and want to get out of the hotel gym, try out these five thrill-seeking activities in Asia.
- Muy Thai at Luktupfah in Bangkok, Thailand
What better place to experience the national sport of Thailand than its homeland? Set in the outskirts of Bangkok, Luktupfah offers Muy Thai and Muy Boran (the ancient version of the sport) for beginners and pros alike. The school is accredited by Thailand’s Ministry of Education and offers daily classes.
The experiences with the school are a range of customizable experiences from single drop-in class to monthly training with accommodation. Daily prices are approximately $40 and a month long stay is about $900. Other perks of the school are arranged paid tours to popular tourist spots in Bangkok.
2. Harana Surf School in Siargao, Philippines
Drop in to a surf school in the surfing capital of the Philippines, Siargao. Harana Surf School has some of the best surfers born and raised in Siargao Island to teach you everything you need to know to become confident at surfing.
Classes start out on land before you hit the water to give you a concise understanding of the thrilling sport and help you get comfortable. Peak season for advanced surfers is September to November and for people starting out, the gentler waves can be found from April to July. A one day course costs about $42 and a 5 day course costs about $185.
3. Rooftop Skateboarding HNLA Skygarden in Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo made Olympics history debuting skateboarding as a sport at their 2021 Summer Olympics. They are also notorious for their strict ban on street skating so the only place skateboarders can go to are at often fee-based skateparks. This rooftop skatepark in particular made our list for its stunning views of Tokyo below that should be a bucket list location for any skater.
HNLA Skygarden features a mini half pipe, stair sets with rails, quarter pipes and manny pads. Entrance fees cost about $3 an hour or $6 for 3 hours. The park also offers lessons for anyone regardless of skill level by local pro skaters. Check out their Instagram for their skate school schedule @hlnaskatepark.
4. Kung Fu Training in a Shaolin Temple in Henan, China
For a true test of your mind and body, try training at a Shaolin temple for a month on a mountain in China’s third largest province. Shaolin Kung Fu is one of China’s oldest organized martial arts with one of the earliest depictions of it dating back to 728 AD.
The headmaster of the temple is Shifu Shi Yankai, a 34th generation Shaolin monk. In addition to combat skills, you will learn and reflect on Buddhist principles, which are heavily integrated with Shaolin Kung Fu. The daily schedule requires discipline with your day starting at 5am and training ending at 9pm. Training and accommodation will cost you $2000 a month with the flexibility to pay $100 per day if you prefer a shorter term stay. Enrollment occurs between April 1 to November 30.
Image source: BC Family Tour
5. Cave Exploration and Zipline Dark Cave Tour in Phong Nha, Vietnam
This beautiful and picturesque experience is a 9 hour day trip to the caves and river of Phong Nha. This experience combines both thrills and unforgettable views, guaranteeing an experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else.
The trip starts out with a ride to Dark Cave where you then descend via a 400 m long double zipline over Chay River. Upon landing, you’re then given a headlamp and the chance to explore the Dark Cave. Your next destination is Phong Nha Cave for lunch and a dragon boat ride along the Son River. The experience costs $58 per person.
