Asia is full of stunning landscapes, glittering coastlines, dramatic mountains and forests, and futuristic cityscapes. One of the best ways to appreciate the views is by cable car. Explore nine of the best with Wise Traveller.
Ba Na Hills Cable Car, Da Nang, Vietnam
It holds multiple Guinness World Records, including the longest non-stop single-wire cable car (5,771.6 m) and greatest height difference between terminals (1,368.9 m). The 25-minute ride takes you through forested mountains, above the clouds, reaching a resort complex. Attractions include the Golden Bridge, a French-style village, gardens, and pagodas.
Tips: Go early morning to avoid fog clouding your view, and on weekdays to avoid crowds.
Price: A round-trip cable car ticket for adults is 950,000 VND and 750,000 VND for children.
Ngong Ping 360, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Around 5.7 km long and about 25 minutes each way, this ride offers extensive panoramas of the sea, airport, mountains, and valleys. There's also a "Crystal Cabin" option with a glass floor and sides for a more immersive experience. At the top of Ngong Ping, explore the local village, visit Tian Tan Buddha, Po Lin Monastery and discover nature trails.
Tips: Go early and take layers, as high up it can get cooler and windier.
Singapore Cable Car, Singapore
Since 1974, the Singapore Cable Car has been the nation's first and only cableway linking Faber Peak on mainland Singapore to the island resort of Sentosa. The 5km network offers 360-degree vistas of the harbour, Singapore skyline, sea, Sentosa's resorts and beaches. The Mount Faber line is 1,650 m in length and takes about 15 minutes.
Tips: Sunset times can be lovely. Check which cabins are operating, as some have glass floors.
VinPearl Cable Car, Nha Trang, Vietnam
Operating since 2007, it was the world's longest sea-crossing cable car, transporting visitors from Nha Trang to VinWonders Nha Trang (previously Vinpearl Island), offering unparalleled views of the city and the pristine bay. Spanning an impressive 3.3km across the sea and taking 12 minutes, it offers a direct connection to the VinWonders amusement park complex.
Hours of operation: 8:30am-10pm (11pm in peak season).
Yeosu Maritime Cable Car, South Korea
Yeosu Maritime Cable Car is Korea's first maritime cable car connecting the mainland at Jasan Park with Dolsan Island. The 25-minute ride has already carried more than 10 million people in six years. It passes over the sea, offering coastal scenery, islands and marine vista views.
Tips: Choose a "crystal cabin" with transparent floors for uninterrupted ocean views.
Yên Tử Mountain Aerial Tramway, Quảng Ninh, Vietnam
The sacred Yên Tử mountain area boasts a rich spiritual and natural heritage, featuring temples and pagodas. The aerial tramway has a couple of lines connecting different pagodas/historical points and can substitute part of the climb. It gives an elevated view of forested slopes, mist, valleys, and ancient temples. Two main lines, Hoàng Long (1.2 km) and Bạch Long (900 m), run for different segments of the mountain. One-way or round-trip options are about 200,000-280,000 VND, depending on the route.
Tips: Best time is on clear days and early morning to enjoy cooler air and better visibility.
Awana SkyWay, Malaysia
Awana Skyway, stretching 2.8km, offers a breathtaking journey to the mountaintop resort of Genting Highlands as it connects Awana Station to the SkyAvenue lifestyle mall and Resorts World Genting. The ride takes about 10 minutes, but passengers are treated to sweeping panoramas of the Titiwangsa mountain range, lush rainforests, and mist rolling across the hills.
There's a stopover at Chin Swee Temple, which you can use on the same ticket.
Tips: Early morning is best, as fog and rain may obscure views.
Hon Thơm/Phú Quốc, Vietnam
The Phú Quốc Sea Cable Car, or more commonly known as Hon Thom Cable Car, is the world's longest three-wire over-sea cable car, stretching about 8km. It connects An Thoi on Phú Quốc island to Hon Thom Island, offering breathtaking views of the turquoise waters and islands of the An Thoi archipelago during the 15-minute journey.
Ticket price: Varies depending on age/package
Tips: Clear sunny days for visibility and calm seas. Avoid midday as haze may reduce clarity.
Langkawi Cable Car, Malaysia
Offering an incredibly steep and thrilling ride with stunning views of the rainforest, sea, and islands, culminating at the Sky Bridge and Eagle's Nest Skywalk, Langkawi Cable Car is a highly recommended "must-do" for its spectacular scenery and unique engineering.
Andy Probert is an independent journalist who writes about global travel news, airlines, airports, and business. His work has appeared globally on the BBC, and in many national newspapers and magazines.
