Asian cities join UNESCO’s elite list

11 Nov 2025

Several Asian cities have recently been added to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network – a global initiative that celebrates urban centres placing creativity at the core of their development.

This designation recognises the unique cultural, artistic and creative contributions each city brings to the world. The newly designated cities and their creative specialisations are:

	Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam \| Film Ho Chi Minh City has become a hub for Vietnamese cinema, producing acclaimed films, supporting independent filmmakers and hosting international film festivals that showcase local and regional talent.
	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia \| Design Kuala Lumpur has earned recognition for its innovative urban design, blending modern architecture with traditional cultural elements and fostering creative industries that enhance public spaces and urban life.
	Malang, Indonesia \| Media Arts Malang has developed a vibrant media arts sector, including digital art, animation and interactive storytelling, nurturing young creatives and contributing to Indonesia’s growing digital cultural landscape.
	Nan, Thailand \| Crafts and Folk Art Nan preserves centuries-old Thai craftsmanship, from weaving and silverwork to traditional painting, supporting artisans and promoting local folk arts as a vital element of cultural identity.
	Ponorogo, Indonesia \| Crafts and Folk Art Ponorogo is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional puppetry, batik and other crafts, keeping local artistic practices alive while inspiring new generations of artisans.
	Quanzhou, China \| Gastronomy Quanzhou’s culinary culture reflects centuries of trade and multicultural influences, offering a diverse gastronomic heritage that preserves traditional recipes while innovating contemporary Chinese cuisine.
	Songkhla, Thailand \| Gastronomy Songkhla has a strong food culture rooted in local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, making it a destination for authentic Thai culinary experiences and culinary tourism.
	Wuxi, China \| Music Wuxi is renowned for its musical heritage, from traditional operas and folk performances to contemporary orchestras, fostering music education and international cultural exchanges.

Asian Trails can arrange bespoke tours to experience the creativity and heritage of these UNESCO cities, providing clients with authentic, engaging and memorable journeys. For more information, or to design a tailor-made experience, contact Asian Trails.

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Thailand

INCLUSIONS

A full day tour with a professional English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request and may be subject to supplementary charges
Transportation by car / mini-van with professional driver.
All entrance and donation fees for visits as mentioned in the description.
All applicable taxes and service charges
Lunch at a local restaurant is included (food only)

EXCLUSIONS

Tours, inclusions of any kind and other services that are not outlined in the tour description
Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours, unless otherwise stated
Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement.
Compulsory Christmas, country-specific festival and/or New Year dinner at included hotels
Single supplement charges for single travelers, where applicable
Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
Supplements for transfers for customers arriving or departing from any airport or resorts located outside the general pick-up and drop-off locations
Hotel expenses of a personal nature, should an overnight be included: this includes mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the program
Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)

GOOD TO KNOW

This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply.
Transfers are only operated within the downtown Chiang Mai areas and restricted to main hotels only.
Regions outside the central business district such as Mae Rim, Hang Dong, Doi Saket, Mae Taeng and Chiang Mai International Airport are excluded and supplementary charges apply.
We regret that are unable to provide pick-up and drop-off transfer services from and to apartment complexes, local guest houses or private apartments. We advise you kindly to head on your own arrangement to the nearest hotel inside the downtown Chiang Mai area.
We will do all possible to comply with any dietary requirements during this excursion; it may not always be possible to confirm your wishes in advance based on the choice of local restaurant.
Due to the nature of this tour, we regret to inform you that this excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Guests are advised that some walking is required during this excursion; we always ensure that we take the most comfortable ways from the entrance of the sight to the sight itself.
The road up and down Doi Angkhang is not suitable for large coaches; for group travel, note that the group needs to be split up into mini-vans. We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation.
For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour.
Due to the absence of ATM machines and credit cards payment portals, we highly recommend to bring sufficient cash with you. Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power.
We reserve the right to make necessary changes to the excursion in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the safety of our guests.
It is recommendable to bring a jacket / sweater with you as temperatures on Doi Angkhang are often much cooler than around Chiang Mai.
It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package.
Any changes in accommodation outside 48 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 48 hours may be on request.

	Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam \| Film Ho Chi Minh City has become a hub for Vietnamese cinema, producing acclaimed films, supporting independent filmmakers and hosting international film festivals that showcase local and regional talent.
	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia \| Design Kuala Lumpur has earned recognition for its innovative urban design, blending modern architecture with traditional cultural elements and fostering creative industries that enhance public spaces and urban life.
	Malang, Indonesia \| Media Arts Malang has developed a vibrant media arts sector, including digital art, animation and interactive storytelling, nurturing young creatives and contributing to Indonesia’s growing digital cultural landscape.
	Nan, Thailand \| Crafts and Folk Art Nan preserves centuries-old Thai craftsmanship, from weaving and silverwork to traditional painting, supporting artisans and promoting local folk arts as a vital element of cultural identity.
	Ponorogo, Indonesia \| Crafts and Folk Art Ponorogo is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional puppetry, batik and other crafts, keeping local artistic practices alive while inspiring new generations of artisans.
	Quanzhou, China \| Gastronomy Quanzhou’s culinary culture reflects centuries of trade and multicultural influences, offering a diverse gastronomic heritage that preserves traditional recipes while innovating contemporary Chinese cuisine.
	Songkhla, Thailand \| Gastronomy Songkhla has a strong food culture rooted in local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, making it a destination for authentic Thai culinary experiences and culinary tourism.
	Wuxi, China \| Music Wuxi is renowned for its musical heritage, from traditional operas and folk performances to contemporary orchestras, fostering music education and international cultural exchanges.