Discover which are the most impressive national parks in Asia and where they are located.

Asia is home to some of the world's most diverse and fascinating national parks. If you're interested in nature, adventure, and culture, these destinations offer unique experiences ranging from spotting a tiger in India to navigating an underground river in the Philippines.

Bandhavgarh National Park, India

Located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, in central India, Bandhavgarh is one of the country's most important tiger reserves. Covering an area of 1,536 km², its landscape comprises broad valleys, grasslands, sal forests, mixed forests, and dense bamboo thickets.

The park is divided into three zones: Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli, with Tala being the main area for tiger sightings. In addition to this iconic feline, the park protects 36 other mammal species. Its existence is crucial to the tiger conservation efforts led by India's National Tiger Conservation Authority.

Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

In the far south of Sri Lanka, you'll find Yala, a 978.8 km² park renowned for its incredible diversity of ecosystems. Here you can explore dry monsoon forests, thorny scrublands, freshwater and marine wetlands, grasslands, marshes, and even sandy beaches.

The terrain is composed primarily of metamorphic rock with reddish-brown and gray soils. The region is semi-arid, so most of the rainfall occurs during the northeast monsoon season. It is an ideal destination for observing a wide variety of wildlife in a unique and ever-changing environment.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, Philippines

This national park, located on Palawan Island, protects one of the world's most spectacular underground river systems. Covering 22,202 hectares, its main attraction is the Cabayugan River, which flows 8.2 km underground through St. Paul's Cave, the second longest underground river cave in the world.

Inside the cave, you'll find stalactites, stalagmites, large chambers, and even an interior waterfall, as the river has a "second level." Above ground, the park is a biodiversity hotspot with eight different forest types and over 800 plant species, including limestone forests, mangroves, and coastal forests.

Cat Ba National Park, Vietnam

Located on the largest island in the Cat Ba archipelago, this park covers 263 km², including 90 km² of coastal waters. Its landscape is dominated by steep limestone hills that reach heights of up to 600 meters, with narrow valleys covered in dense vegetation of primary and secondary forests and mangroves.

The biodiversity of Cat Ba is astounding: it is home to 1,500 plant species, 118 of which are trees. A unique feature is that 160 of these plants have medicinal properties. It is a perfect destination for hiking and exploring vibrant, life-filled nature.

Erawan National Park, Thailand

Part of the Tenasserim mountain range in western Thailand, this 550 km² park was established in 1975. It is famous for its impressive Erawan waterfalls, its four caves (Mi, Phartat, Rua and Wang Bahdan) and Khao Nom Nang hill, whose profile resembles that of a reclining woman.

The park offers a combination of adventure and Thai folklore, allowing you to explore caves, swim in the pools of its waterfalls and learn about the local culture through the legends surrounding its natural formations.

Nikko National Park, Japan

Just 125 km north of Tokyo, Nikko is a 1,147.53 km² national park that combines stunning natural beauty with a rich cultural heritage. Its landscapes include rivers, lakes, waterfalls, mountains, forests, and plateaus.

What makes Nikko unique is the presence of historic Buddhist shrines and temples scattered throughout the park, a collection that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's the ideal destination for a two-day trip from Tokyo, where you can experience the serenity of Japanese nature and the grandeur of its history in one place.

Each of these parks represents a vital commitment to nature conservation and, in many cases, to preserving local culture. Planning a visit to any of them is not only an adventure, but also a way to support these efforts and connect with the most authentic side of Asia.