5 Top Airports in Asia you must visit

Asia is commonly known as the budget or backpacking destination of the world. However, for those who have travelled in the region, even occasionally, it should come as no surprise that some of the transportation features and hubs available here are among the best in the world. Take Asian Airports for instance. Not only do they handle the world's largest passenger and cargo traffic, but some of them have been topping the list of best airports in the world for quite a few years now!

This list of the top 5 Asian Airports is collated from the The Skytrax annual rankings. These are based on the impressions of over 13 million flyers from 106 countries. More than 550 airports were included in the survey, which covers 39 service and performance parameters, including facility comfort, location of bathrooms, and the language skills of the airport staff. Not only do our Asian airports score high on all the essentials, they also have some pretty interesting additions of their own that will make visiting them a worthwhile experience. Without further ado, here goes the list:

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# 5 - Central Japan International Airport

The Chubu Centrair International Airport is a D-shaped international airport that resides on a manmade island. Domestic flights are handled on the northern side of the airport, while international flights are handled on the southern side. It serves as a hub for all Japan Airlines and ANA. Among the noteworthy features of this airport is the 1,000-foot-long sky deck where passengers can watch ships sail into Nagoya Port. There's also a traditional Japanese bathhouse where you can have a relaxing soak while watching the sunset over the bay. But there's something about this airport that will warm the heart of the Green Brigade as well. The Centrair airport is built with a number of environmental protection measures. The artificial island itself was shaped like the rounded letter "D" so that sea currents inside the bay will flow freely. Its shores were partially constructed with natural rocks and sloped to aid sea life forms to set up colonies. During the construction a species of little tern occasionally came, so a part of the island was selected and set aside to aid nesting!

By Ken'ichi at English Wikipedia

# 4 - Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong

Hong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is located on the artificial island of Chek Lap Kok, which resulted in the colloquial name of Chek Lap Kok Airport. It is an important regional trans-shipment center and serves as a gateway to China. HKIA is an important contributor to Hong Kong's economy, with approximately 65,000 employees.

That doesn't mean it offers its visitors any less! Visitors and travelers ccan choose to play 9 or 18 holes of golf at the GreenLive AIR or at GreenLive AIR indoor golf simulator. They can also choose to watch the latest movies in multiple languages at the state-of-the-art IMAX Theatre (2D and 3D enabled!) And at the i-Sports section they can indluge in various sports like soccer, basketball, golf, boxing, skiing, car racing, shooting thanks to some awesome sports simulators.

By 梓設計 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

# 3 - Tokyo Haneda International Airport

Haneda, which is the fourth-busiest airport in the world is also known for its service efficiency, cleanliness and shopping options. But there are several typically cool features that you aren't likely to find in any other airport in the world. Consider these, Terminal 2 has a permanent art exhibition featured in a lounge-like setting with plush seating. Aviation-themed panels and model airplanes are on display in the TIAT Sky Road, a corridor that links Tokyo Pop Town, Festival Plaza and the observation decks on 5F. You can also try your hand at piloting an aircraft in a real flight simulator! You can pray at the airport's own Shinto Japanese shrine in Terminal 1.

T1 is also home to Juveniland Tokyo where you can experience what playtime was like before video games were invented! You can actually play with some of the antique and vintage toys on display. For those with pets that need pampering (small dogs, cats and other pets) there is a Pet Hotel in T1. Finally the Haneda Airport also has its own memorial stamp. It is a cool little reminder of your journey that you can receive as a souvenir rubber-stamped paper, or have them stamp your own paper or item. Which other airport can offer such an eclectic collection of things to see, do and experience?

By Ken Eckert - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

# 2 - Incheon Airport, Seoul

Seoul's Incheon Airport has consistently been not just Asia's, but the World's number 2 Airport! Located on an island just outside the South Korean Capital, this airport's accolades include being the world's cleanest airport as well as the best international transit airport. Apart from a  plethora of dining and shopping options, the Incheon airport boasts of an indoor golf course, spas, private sleeping rooms, an ice skating rink, a casino, several indoor gardens as well as a Korean Culture Museum! A number of cultural performances also enthrall travelers on a regular basis.

Coming to efficiency, airport authorities claim that average departure and arrival takes 19 minutes and 12 minutes respectively, as compared to worldwide average of 60 minutes and 45 minutes respectively, ranking it among of the fastest airports in the world for customs processing. Incheon International Airport also claims that it has only a 0.0001% baggage mishandling rate! That's efficiency for you!

 

By David., Public Domain

# 1 - Singapore Changi Airport

It is no surprise to find Singapore's famed Changi Airport at the number 1 position. After all, it has been here for the past three years in a row! Not only is Changi Airport Asia's best airport, it is also the Best Airport in the World! No mean feat considering the size of the island nation! Since the days of Terminal 1, visitors and transit passengers have constantly praised this airport for its architecture, convenience, facilities and luxurious amenities. The airport continues to raise the bar for all airports worldwide.

Sample this: Terminal 1 hosts the World-famous Kinetic Sculpture called Kinetic Rain, a Cactus Garden with over 40 varieties of cacti and succulents on display, a Swimming Pool with a Jacuzzi as well as a Waterlily garden. Raising the bar further is Terminal 2 with a light & sound enabled Enchanted Garden, an entertainment deck filled with XBox 360s and Kinect stations to movie theatres, an Orchid Garden with a colorful collection of rare orchids and a sunflower garden with 500 bright yellow flowers bring cheer to weary and expectant travelers!

Not to be outdone, T3 hosts a Butterfly Garden that is home to over 1,000 butterflies, Installation art like "Daisy" by Christian Moeller, The world's tallest indoor airport slide and a wine and spirits duplex store for a heightened, spirit-shopping experience. Truly, this airport is an experience in itself and worth visiting for that reason alone!

So there you have it - a definitive list of the best airports in Asia. We can surely take pride in the fact that our home continent has some of the best airports in not just the region, but the world as well! Even airports in the more developed parts of the world have a long way to go in order to catch up.