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The geopark was a major factor in Hong Kong’s fifth-place ranking. Photo: Shutterstock

Forget The Peak ... Hong Kong’s natural charm makes it one of Asia’s best destinations, Lonely Planet reveals

Other top travel spots in region include Hokkaido and Shanghai

Hong Kong is one of this year’s top Asian destinations, says the king of global travel guides.

The Lonely Planet’s 2016 Best in Asia index eschews familiar tourist sights like The Peak and the Big Buddha statue on Lantau in favour of the city’s “natural heritage”, which earned it a fifth-place ranking.

“This skyward-bound metropolis always beguiles with a blend of culture, cuisine and consumerism, but now Hong Kong is focusing on its natural heritage – specifically, the Unesco-designated geopark,” the Lonely Planet said.

Lai Chi Wo village has received renewed interest in the past year. Photo: May Tse

Also recognised was the semi-deserted 400-year old Lai Chi Wo village, which has received renewed interest thanks to a government plan last year to conserve the traditional values of rural areas. The move attracted hikers and a resumed ferry service to the remote enclave deep within Plover Cove Country Park.

Hokkaido was praised for its ‘year-round charms’. Photo: JNTO

It was Hokkaido, however, that topped the list of Asian locations, as the host of next year’s Asian Winter Games. Travel to Japan’s northernmost island is expected to become easier with a major sports event on the horizon.

The guide praised Hokkaido’s “year-round charms”, and the “wild, mountainous landscape that begs” exploration on foot, bike or motorcycle.

Shanghai’s new Disneyland is a massive tourist draw. Photo: Xinhua

Shanghai, dubbed “the centre of the universe”, ranked second, with the newly-opened Disneyland resort and the mainland’s tallest skyscraper, Shanghai Tower, named as must-see attractions.

Jeonju in South Korea and Vietnam’s Con Dao Islands took third and fourth place respectively.

Hong Kong was followed by Ipoh in Malaysia, Pemuteran in Indonesia, Thailand’s Trang Islands, Meghalaya in India and Taiwan’s Taitung, which occupied the sixth to 10th spots.

Lonely Planet’s Best in Asia 2016

1. Hokkaido, Japan

2. Shanghai, China

3. Jeonju, South Korea

4. Con Dao Islands, Vietnam

5. Hong Kong, China

6. Ipoh, Malaysia

7. Pemuteran, Indonesia

8. Trang Islands, Thailand

9. Meghalaya, India

10. Taitung, Taiwan

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