Southeast Asia has been a popular tourist destination for many years and continues to overflow with every type of traveller. Here are 10 stunning destinations you should not be missed!
- Luang Prabang, Laos
The ancient town of Luang Prabang situated in northern Laos was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Considered by many travellers and writers as being the heart of Laotian culture, the tiny town is encircled by mountains and is 700 metres above sea level at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers.
Top Attraction: Kuang Si Waterfall is the biggest waterfall in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals. There are trails allowing you to climb up to the top where you can see the stream feeding into the falls and enjoy some more natural pools. Remember to bring the correct footwear as the trails can get slippery and are certainly not recommended for children or the frail.
- Bohol, Philippines
Bohol is a province of the Philippines, in the country’s Central Visayas region. It comprises Bohol Island and numerous smaller surrounding islands. Bohol is known for coral reefs and unusual geological formations, notably the Chocolate Hills. On the main island, near the town of Carmen, these 1,200 or so symmetrical mounds turn cocoa-brown in the dry season, contrasting with the surrounding jungle's greenery.
Top Attraction: You can find the Chocolate Hills in the town of Carmen on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. One of the country's most popular tourist attractions, these hills are scattered over a 50 square kilometre area. Though this hilly patch of earth sounds like the perfect setting for Willy Wonka's summer home, the hills are made of regular ol' dirt and grass. In the dry season, the hills uniformly take on the chocolate brown colour that earned them their name. Â
- Penang, Malaysia
Penang is a state in northwest Malaysia comprising mainland Seberang Perai and Penang Island. On the island, the state capital of Georgetown is home to landmarks such as colonial Fort Cornwallis, the ornate Chinese clan house Khoo Kongsi and the Kapitan Keling Mosque, all testaments to centuries of foreign influence. To the west, a funicular ascends Penang Hill, with its trails, flower gardens and panoramic views.
Top Attraction: Penang is consistently ranked as one of the best food paradises in the world and it would take a brave soul to argue against that. From hawker food staples like Char Koay Teow to delicious broths like Penang Laksa, and even to scrumptious after meal delights like Rojak, Penang has it all. There are many food courts and hawker centres across the entire island, but a good place to start would be along Gurney Drive. Be warned as it could get really crowded on certain days and seats would be at a premium.
- Koh Samui, Thailand
Ko Samui, Thailand’s second largest island, lies in the Gulf of Thailand off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus. It's known for its palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves and dense, mountainous rainforest, plus luxury resorts and posh spas. The landmark 12m-tall golden Big Buddha statue at Wat Phra Yai Temple is located on a tiny island connected to Koh Samui by a causeway.
Top Attraction: The Big Buddha is the most popular landmark in Koh Samui. In fact, while you are landing, you can catch a glimpse of it from the flight. Its beauty though is best appreciated up close. It's just not imposing to look at, its location on a small hill gives a panoramic view of the scenic surroundings. The best time to visit the Big Buddha is before sunrise or sunset.
- Bali, Indonesia
Bali is an island and province of Indonesia with the biggest Hindu population. The province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. Bali is part of the Coral Triangle, the area with the highest biodiversity of marine species. In this area alone, over 500 reef-building coral species can be found. For comparison, this is about 7 times as many as in the entire Caribbean.
Top Attraction: Beyond its sparkling blue gradient of the ocean and white smooth sand, Pandawa Beach is a cultural landmark, a place that hosts splendid figures of the five heroic Pandawa characters from the Mahabharata epic, and as a venue for cultural performances including the iconic Kecak or fire dance. Tourists can also enjoy a fun day canoeing on its clear blue waters.
- Sa Pa, Vietnam
Sa Pa is a town in the Hoà ng Liên Son Mountains of northwestern Vietnam. A popular trekking base, it overlooks the terraced rice fields of the Muong Hoa Valley and is near the 3,143m-tall Phang Xi Pang peak, which is climbable via a steep, multi-day guided walk. Hill tribes, such as the Hmong, Tay and Dao, make up much of the town's local population.
Tourist Attraction: The Guinness Book of World Records has awarded two Guinness certification for the Fansipan Sapa, including a three-wire cable car station and the difference between the world’s largest arrivals (1,410 m) cable cars and the world’s longest three-wire (6292.5 m).
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand. In early–December 2017, Chiang Mai was awarded the UNESCO title of Creative City. Chiang Mai was one of two tourist destinations in Thailand on TripAdvisor's 2014 list of "25 Best Destinations in the World", where it stands at number 24. Chiang Mai's historic importance is derived from its close proximity to the Ping River and major trading routes.
Top Attraction: If you're wondering where to get your street grub on during the weekend, fear not. Chiang Mai has a market for every occasion. The Sunday Walking Street is a must for eating and shopping in Chiang Mai. The main market thoroughfare is Rachadamnoen Road, where you'll find vendors selling handcrafted lamps, dolls, soaps, jewellery, clothes, Christmas ornaments, local handicrafts, and just about every other keepsake you can imagine. Also make sure to be patient, as the throngs can make it slow going when it comes to browsing.
- Bagan, Myanmar
Bagan is an ancient city in central Myanmar (formerly Burma), southwest of Mandalay. Standing on the eastern banks of the Ayeyarwady River, it’s known for the Bagan Archaeological Area, where more than 2,000 Buddhist monuments tower over green plains. Holy sites around Old Bagan include ornate Ananda Temple, built in 1091 and topped with a golden stupa. Nearby is the vast 12th-century Dhammayangyi Temple
Top Attractions: As incredible as the sunrise is over the Bagan Archaeological Zone, the sunset is seemingly even more incredible, and visitors do not have to get up at an ungodly hour to capture a photograph of it. Head to any one of the religious structures at around 5:30 p.m. in order to watch as the sun falls over the rustic, red-brown temples and stupas that dot the desolate plains of Bagan.
- Siem Reap, Cambodia
Siem Reap, a resort town in northwestern Cambodia, is the gateway to the ruins of Angkor, the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9th–15th centuries. Angkor’s vast complex of intricate stone buildings includes preserved Angkor Wat, the main temple, which is pictured on Cambodia’s flag. Giant, mysterious faces are carved into the Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom.
Top Attraction: Despite so many other things to do in Siem Reap, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat is still the primary draw for tourists. Constructed in the 12th century by the Khmer people working under Jayavarman II, the temples of Angkor Wat must be seen to be believed. The scale of Angkor Wat is overwhelming; while a one-day pass is enough to reveal the highlights, you can buy a three - or even a seven-day pass to explore the Angkor temples in microscopic detail.
- Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Raja Ampat, or the Four Kings, is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays, and shoals surrounding the four main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo, and the smaller island of Kofiau. The Raja Ampat archipelago is the part of Coral Triangle which contains the richest marine biodiversity on earth. Most of the archipelago is in the Southern Hemisphere, with a few small islands northwest of Waigeo such as Sajang Island in the Northern Hemisphere. Some of the islands are the northernmost parts of the Australian continent.
Top Attractions: Small islands scattered in clear blue ocean is what most likely comes to mind when avid travelers hear the name Raja Ampat. Pianemo Island has a viewing deck on a hilltop, granting unrestricted views over the sea and islands. Although the scenery is enough reason to visit Pianemo Island, cliff jumping into the turquoise lagoon between the small islands and swimming in its crystal clear water are other awesome activities you can enjoy here. Â