The entire summer vacation, travellers were ruing the amount of overtourism and traffic that has become the lot of Indian hill stations. And since cities
have started to feel like pressure cookers, travellers are looking elsewhere. Rural tourism, once the domain of intrepid travellers looking for city breaks and beach holidays, is now having a big, green moment. With urban hubs bursting at the seams, a trip to the countryside is proving irresistible. Digital travel platform Agoda has put numbers to the trend, revealing its list of Asia’s top rural destinations, and Kerala’s very own Munnar has bagged a coveted spot in the top eight. Think misty hills, sprawling tea plantations, and silence that feels like a luxury in itself. The report analysed accommodation searches between February and August 2025 across eight Asian markets (all under 50,000 in population). Turns out, travellers are seeking highland sanctuaries that take them away from honking horns.
Most Popular Rural Travel Destinations In India
Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Cameron Highlands has been Malaysia’s go-to escape from the tropical heat for generations. Travellers can wander through strawberry farms, sip freshly brewed teas with valley views, or hike mossy forest trails that look straight out of a fairytale.
Khao Yai, Thailand
Home to Thailand’s first national park, Khao Yai is wild in the best sense of the word. Think thundering waterfalls, misty viewpoints, and the possibility of spotting elephants in their natural habitat. Just a few hours from Bangkok, it feels like a secret jungle kingdom where nature takes the lead.
Puncak, Indonesia
Perched in the highlands of West Java, Puncak is where Jakarta’s weekend travellers flee for cooler air and sweeping mountain views. Tea plantations blanket the hillsides, paragliders dot the skies, and local markets spill over with fresh produce.
Fujikawaguchiko, Japan
Few places frame Mount Fuji as poetically as Fujikawaguchiko. This lakeside town is made for slow strolls, steaming hot spring soaks, and seasonal delights: cherry blossoms in spring, crimson leaves in autumn, fireworks in summer. With Fuji towering in the background, even the simplest cup of tea feels beautiful.
Kenting, Taiwan
If the highlands are too chilly, Kenting offers rural escape with a beach twist. Taiwan’s southern gem is all about turquoise waters, coral reefs, and golden sand. Beyond the sunbathing, Kenting National Park offers hiking trails and viewpoints where the ocean meets the sky.Sapa, Vietnam
Sapa is a mix of shades of green and gold, thanks to its iconic terraced rice fields cascading down the mountainsides. Trekking trails wind through villages where locals welcome visitors with warmth and tradition. At sunrise, the Hoàng Liên Son peaks glow like a painting showcasing rural life at its most breathtaking.
Munnar, India
High in Kerala’s Western Ghats, Munnar feels like nature’s very own child. Rolling plantations, cool mist drifting over the hills, and winding trails through spice gardens make it a rural dreamscape. It’s the kind of place where time slows down and is best enjoyed with a steaming cup of chai and the sound of cicadas in the background.
Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea
Best known as the stage for the 2018 Winter Olympics, Pyeongchang-gun offers more than just snow. Yes, it’s a ski and snowboard paradise in winter, but come summer, its verdant valleys and Buddhist temples turn it into a pastoral retreat. A year-round destination, it’s proof that rural doesn’t mean seasonal.
Also Read: Tea Trails: A First Timer’s Travel Guide To Munnar
