For anyone planning to travel to this part of the world, here is a list of 10 places to visit in Southeast Asia, catering for all travellers.
This part of the world has been one of the must-visit destinations for many years, and this list highlights some of the best places for travellers.
The countries in Southeast Asia consist of Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. These places are seeing a massive increase in tourism in recent years.
Am a Malaysianlly have travelled to many of these countries for work and leisure and have found each of these places to offer its own uniqueness and identity.
Therefore, I have decided to share some of these fantastic places with anyone wanting to explore Southeast Asia.
Am a Malaysianlly have travelled to many of these countries for work and leisure and have found each of these places to offer its own uniqueness and identity.
Therefore, I have decided to share some of these fantastic places with anyone wanting to explore Southeast Asia.
10 Places to Visit in Southeast Asia
1. Indonesia - Flores, East Nusa Tenggara.
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| One of the Tri-Color Lakes at Mount Kelimutu, Flores. |
Forget Bali and Lombok, as Flores is a new Indonesian raw and stunning destination.
Imagine an island just developing for tourism; that is what travellers seek nowadays versus over-commercialized destinations. Even getting to Flores is an exciting journey; imagine what else is there for you.
Imagine an island just developing for tourism; that is what travellers seek nowadays versus over-commercialized destinations. Even getting to Flores is an exciting journey; imagine what else is there for you.
Most people who have visited Floresaded to Komodo Island to see the majestic Komodo Dragons. But exploring further in Flores is a whole new world altogether.
More information can be seen in Indonesia Tourism or my previous article on Things To Do in Flores, highlighting some of the best places here.
2. Brunei - Ulu Temburong National Park
More information can be seen in Indonesia Tourism or my previous article on Things To Do in Flores, highlighting some of the best places here.
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| The incredible Sky Walk at Ulu Temburong in Brunei. |
The Kingdom of Brunei offers Eco lovers one of the best national parks to explore, the Ulu Temburong National Park.
Located some two hours from Bandar Seri Begawan, or BSB as the locals call it, the national park's journey is a unique adventure where you need to travel by boat, van, longboat, etc. trek.
Located some two hours from Bandar Seri Begawan, or BSB as the locals call it, the national park's journey is a unique adventure where you need to travel by boat, van, longboat, etc. trek.
There is only one nature resort, Ulu Ulu Resort (www.uluuluresort.com), in the park, and the main highlight is no other than the Ulu Temburong Canopy Walk, which stands 50 meters tall and about 350 meters long.
Nature lovers, jungle trekkers, and bird watchers are the primary clientele. Explore the pristine rainforest, jungle treks, boat rides and an escape from modernization here.
3. Malaysia - Bario Highlands, Sarawak
Nature lovers, jungle trekkers, and bird watchers are the primary clientele. Explore the pristine rainforest, jungle treks, boat rides and an escape from modernization here.
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| View of the Bario Highlands in Sarawak. |
Forget Penang Island, Kuala Lumpur or any other commercial destination in Malaysia if you want to experience something truly original and different in Malaysia.
The Bario Highlands in Sarawak is my recommendation for places to visit in Malaysia and anytime you like.
The main reason is that this remote highland village, located some 1000 meters high, is home to the ethnic highland people of Sarawak Borneo.
The Bario Highlands in Sarawak is my recommendation for places to visit in Malaysia and anytime you like.
The main reason is that this remote highland village, located some 1000 meters high, is home to the ethnic highland people of Sarawak Borneo.
There are no modern developments like convenience stores, banks, hotels, pharmacies or anything seen in most places. Everything here is as it was back in the day.
The journey here is another adventure where you have to fly a small turbo propeller plane to get here, and you are back to basics.
Explore traditional highland longhouses, do jungle trekking, visit paddy fields, take long picturesque walks and mingle with the local highland people are your main itineraries here.
Bario is definitely off Malaysia's beaten path and is highly recommended for pure travellers. You can also read about my journey to the Bario Highlands.
4. Singapore - Haji Lane
The journey here is another adventure where you have to fly a small turbo propeller plane to get here, and you are back to basics.
Explore traditional highland longhouses, do jungle trekking, visit paddy fields, take long picturesque walks and mingle with the local highland people are your main itineraries here.
Bario is definitely off Malaysia's beaten path and is highly recommended for pure travellers. You can also read about my journey to the Bario Highlands.
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| The vibrant colours of Haji Lane in Singapore. Photo by www.clxreese.wordpress.com. |
This is the most exciting and hipster place in Singapore. Younger generation travellers visit this place more than any other popular tourist destination on the island, mainly to take photographs and chill out.
This place is also one of the most Instagrammable places due to the vivid colours found along Haji Lane.
There are numerous hipster and lifestyle cafes, trendy boutiques, and many opportunities to chill out and relax in Singapore.
Haji Lane is also located in Kampung Glam, which caters to many younger-generation social media travellers.
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| Ombak Sunset Sea Swings in Gili Trawangan. |
If there is one island you should visit besides Bali, Gili Trawangan is the place to go. Known as a backpacker paradise once, the chain of islands east of Lombok is now a Millennial traveller's favourite place.
Social media is to blame as Gili Trawangan was one of the famous places where visitors came to line up and take photos of the renowned sea swings of Ombak Sunset.
Yes, the Ombak Sunset sea swings are the original, with many other beach resorts following and creating their own sea swings.
Gili Trawangan is part of the Gili Islands, with Gili Air and Gili Meno being popular choices. There are no vehicles or motorbikes on all three islands except for horse carriages and bicycle rentals.
You can now imagine how beautiful this island is; to get here, you only need to travel from Lombok via boat or ferry. From my earlier article, find out what else you can do in Gili Trawangan.
6. Thailand - Koh Lipe Island
Yes, the Ombak Sunset sea swings are the original, with many other beach resorts following and creating their own sea swings.
Gili Trawangan is part of the Gili Islands, with Gili Air and Gili Meno being popular choices. There are no vehicles or motorbikes on all three islands except for horse carriages and bicycle rentals.
You can now imagine how beautiful this island is; to get here, you only need to travel from Lombok via boat or ferry. From my earlier article, find out what else you can do in Gili Trawangan.
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| Koh Lipe's pristine beaches. |
With so many unique islands all over Thailand, I recommend Koh Lipe Island as a must-visit destination in Southern Thailand.
The main reason behind this is that no vehicles are allowed on the island, and everyone simply walks around.
The island is part of the Tarutao National Park and is one of the perfect beach escapes. Other smaller island provides trekking, hiking, snorkelling and just exploring.
Ko Lipe is the main island where everyone stays, and Lipe Walking street is the island's star.
Koh Lipe is only accessible via boats from either Pak Barra town or Langkawi Island. There are many basic accommodations to luxury boutique resorts found all over the island.
You can generally walk from one end to the other in 30 minutes. Learn how to go to Koh Lipe from my previous article.
7. Cambodia - Bayon, Siem Reap
The main reason behind this is that no vehicles are allowed on the island, and everyone simply walks around.
The island is part of the Tarutao National Park and is one of the perfect beach escapes. Other smaller island provides trekking, hiking, snorkelling and just exploring.
Ko Lipe is the main island where everyone stays, and Lipe Walking street is the island's star.
Koh Lipe is only accessible via boats from either Pak Barra town or Langkawi Island. There are many basic accommodations to luxury boutique resorts found all over the island.
You can generally walk from one end to the other in 30 minutes. Learn how to go to Koh Lipe from my previous article.
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| The incredible Bayon Temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia. |
Well, Cambodia has always been on the radar of every traveller; Siem Reap attracts the bulk of visitors.
Many who visit the majestic Angkor Wat, located just outside Siem Reap, will know that this world-class tourist attraction is the epitome of temples.
But beyond Angkor lies the unique Bayon, the ultra-rich Khmer temple where extra-large heads of smiling faces dominate the temple grounds.
Bayon and its surroundings are definitely a must-visit for those in temples, Buddhism, and historical cultures.
And if you are a first-time traveller, Siem Reap is hands down one of the Southeast Asia places to visit in 2018.
The trick to visiting Siem Reap is doing it on a weekday and trying to avoid weekends as it can get overcrowded with all kinds of tourists.
8. Laos - Luang Prabang
Many who visit the majestic Angkor Wat, located just outside Siem Reap, will know that this world-class tourist attraction is the epitome of temples.
But beyond Angkor lies the unique Bayon, the ultra-rich Khmer temple where extra-large heads of smiling faces dominate the temple grounds.
Bayon and its surroundings are definitely a must-visit for those in temples, Buddhism, and historical cultures.
And if you are a first-time traveller, Siem Reap is hands down one of the Southeast Asia places to visit in 2018.
The trick to visiting Siem Reap is doing it on a weekday and trying to avoid weekends as it can get overcrowded with all kinds of tourists.
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| One of the beautiful temples in Luang Prabang, Laos. Photo by https://www.zicasso.com/. |
There is no doubt that Luang Prabang is the best place to visit in Laos as this UNESCO World Heritage Site has amazed the world since 2008.
Until this very day, things are still as they were with no modern development, and if you love monks, almsgiving and traditional Lao culture, this is the place to visit in Laos for 2018.
Until this very day, things are still as they were with no modern development, and if you love monks, almsgiving and traditional Lao culture, this is the place to visit in Laos for 2018.
Tourism in Luang Prabang caters to all walks of life, and some of the tours are quite Eco-friendly, where you visit traditional Lao villages, caves, river trips, and even elephant riding.
You will enjoy exploring the Buddhist temples and stupas around the main town area.
A must-visit is the Luang Prabang Night Market, where local Hmong people gather on a nightly basis to sell unique traditional crafts, fabrics, art, and silverware.
For culture hunters, Luang Prabang is one of those must-visit places, especially if you love non-commercialized tourism destinations.
9. Vietnam - Hanoi
You will enjoy exploring the Buddhist temples and stupas around the main town area.
A must-visit is the Luang Prabang Night Market, where local Hmong people gather on a nightly basis to sell unique traditional crafts, fabrics, art, and silverware.
For culture hunters, Luang Prabang is one of those must-visit places, especially if you love non-commercialized tourism destinations.
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| Hanoi's amazing Old Quarter. Photo by http://www.vietnam-guide.com. |
Most travellers would recommend Sa Pa, Hoi An, Danang, and Da Lat as places to visit, but this time around, for 2018, I am recommending first-timers to Vietnam to visit Hanoi.
Over-rated? For a first-timer, Hanoi, which is 1007 years old, holds a rich history and unique culinary experience that will impress any traveller.
Explore off-the-beaten-path places, streets, and lanes around Hanoi and savour some unique Vietnamese foods from local hawkers and restaurants.
Plus, coffee aficionados or coffee travellers would love Hanoi Coffee, especially tasting that world-famous Weasel Coffee in Hanoi.
Over-rated? For a first-timer, Hanoi, which is 1007 years old, holds a rich history and unique culinary experience that will impress any traveller.
Explore off-the-beaten-path places, streets, and lanes around Hanoi and savour some unique Vietnamese foods from local hawkers and restaurants.
Plus, coffee aficionados or coffee travellers would love Hanoi Coffee, especially tasting that world-famous Weasel Coffee in Hanoi.
The Hanoi Old Quarter should be noticed as it is here that you can explore freely to see the traditional businesses and also experience Hanoi's old town area.
A must-do for any traveller is to experience the Hanoi Beer Corner, where you sit outside a corner shop on six-inch stools and drink beer.
Hanoi is diverse, with fashion and bags sold mainly around the main city areas for shoppers. And for something world-class, take an overnight trip to the world-famous Halong Bay.
10. Myanmar - Bagan
A must-do for any traveller is to experience the Hanoi Beer Corner, where you sit outside a corner shop on six-inch stools and drink beer.
Hanoi is diverse, with fashion and bags sold mainly around the main city areas for shoppers. And for something world-class, take an overnight trip to the world-famous Halong Bay.
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| Magnificent Bagan in Myanmar. Photo by https://asiatourist.co. |
Since opening up to tourism not too long ago, Myanmar has been on many travellers' wishlists. Apart from the capital, Bagan is the place to visit in Myanmar due to the incredible scenic beauty that will mesmerize anyone who loves traditional cultures and landscapes.
When you see Myanmar's photos, most of the time, it is pictures of Bagan featured;; hence this is the best place to explore when you visit this part of Indochina.
This is one place I am yet to visit, but I have put it down based on travellers' recommendations and a schoolmate of mine currently working in Myanmar.
Hopefully, in 2018, I will find the opportunity to explore Myanmar or Burma.
When you see Myanmar's photos, most of the time, it is pictures of Bagan featured;; hence this is the best place to explore when you visit this part of Indochina.
This is one place I am yet to visit, but I have put it down based on travellers' recommendations and a schoolmate of mine currently working in Myanmar.
Hopefully, in 2018, I will find the opportunity to explore Myanmar or Burma.
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| The unique Manggarai people of Flores. |
The above list of 10 places to visit in Southeast Asia was compiled purely by me. The opinions and recommendations are my own and not endorsed by anyone or any tourism board.
I have personally been to most of these places in my field of travel work and have experienced them; therefore, they are written based on a general approach towards all kinds of travellers.
To see more photos of my travels, you can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter under Malaysia Asia.
With social travel growing tremendously, more people are embracing these platforms to learn and share travel information.
If you have any questions, feedback or comments, please leave them below, and I will get back to you.
Of all the places listed above, I have one last bucket list to visit Bagan in Myanmar to complete my 10 Places to Visit in Southeast Asia.
Of all the places listed above, I have one last bucket list to visit Bagan in Myanmar to complete my 10 Places to Visit in Southeast Asia.