Southeast Asia, stretching between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean has long been a favourite corner of the world. It is well-known for its beaches, tasty restaurant, and good air connections. Southasia generally includes the following countries: Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Brunei, Timor-Leste. Here is the list of top ten places to visit in Southeast Asia.
Places to Visit in Southeast Asia
1. Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is known for its rich culture of Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. The city is located on the bank of the Red River and is one of the most ancient cities in the world. It is a majestic city that encompasses a vast array of architectures, flourishing arts panoramic scenes of more than two dozen lakes and thousands of French colonial-era buildings. It is a popular tourist destination and sometimes dubbed as the “Paris of the East” for its French influences. It is one of the most popular and best places to visit in Southeast Asia.
2. Bali, Indonesia
Bali is an Indonesian island known for its beautiful volcanic mountains, forests, iconic rice paddies, beaches and coral reefs. The island is home to numerous religious sites such as cliffside Uluwatu Temple. It also hosts many fantastic resort towns including, Seminyak, Sanur, and Nusa Dua and many more. Bali is an Indonesian paradise that feels like fantasy and provides the best experience of historical and cultural influences in the Indonesian archipelago.
Also read: Top 10 Places to visit in Cambodia
3. Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, is a large city known for its ornate shrines and vibrant street life. Bangkok is among the top tourist destinations in the world. In fact, it is the world’s most visited city and was named as “World’s Best City” for four consecutive years by Travel + Leisure magazine. The city is full of exquisitely decorated Buddhist temples such as Rattanakosin in the royal district, opulent Grand Palace and its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple. With other tourist attractions including, several museums, its major historical and cultural scenes of Khaosan Road and Patpong the city is also famous for its dynamic and lovely nightlife.
Related: 10 Beautiful Islands In Thailand To Visit
4. Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
An integral part of Singapore’s City in a Garden is Gardens by the Bay. spanning an area of 101 hectares of land, this splendorous place is located at the heart of Singapore’s new downtown – Marina Bay. It Comprises of three beautiful waterfront gardens – Bay South, Bay East, and Bay Central, that showcases a wide variety of horticulture and garden artistry to offers breathtaking waterfront views. This multi-award winning horticulture Gardens by the Bay in Singapore is a classic tourist attraction and a place of one of Singapore’s top attractions in a floral wonderland.
Related: Top 10 Most Beautiful Gardens In The World
5. Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia
Standing majestically at 13,435 feet high, Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain range of Sabah, Malaysia. Mount Kinabalu is the most dramatic feature and also the 20th most prominent mountain in the world. It is protected as Kinabalu Park and was also designated as the World Heritage Site. Mount Kinabalu is well-known worldwide for its tremendous botanical and biological species with plants of Himalayan, Australasian, and Indo-Malayan origin that features 5,000 to 6,000 species of plants, 326 species of birds, and more than 100 mammalian species. The venue also hosts many fantastic hiking trails, one of them starts from the Timpohon Gate which is located near the Kinabalu Park Headquarters.
Also Read: 10 Beautiful Terrace Fields Of The World
6. Ifugao Rice Terraces, Philippines
This ancient landscape illustrates the best example of sustainable agriculture with traditional techniques. The mountains of Ifugao province in the Philippines have been cultivated for more than 2000 years forming an endless series of terraced fields that climb thousands of feet. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995, it is the first-ever property to be included in the cultural landscape category of the World Heritage List. The Ifugao Rice Terraces, epitomize the remarkable ability of human culture to adapt to new social and climate pressures that enhances the natures’ beauty as well. There are five clusters inscribed as a part of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, namely, Batad, Bangaan, Hungduan, Mayoyao Central and Nagacadan.
Image Souce: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Banaue_Rice_Terrace_Close_Up_(2).JPG
7. Temples at Bagan, Myanmar
Bagan in Burma(Myanmar) is one of the most significant beautiful world heritage sites of South East Asia. It encompasses more than thousands of temples that are spread across the plains of Bagan. Also, about 2,200 majestic ancient monuments in this beautiful place make Bagan as one of the densest concentrations of temples and pagodas in the world that attracts millions of visitors every year.
8. Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang, the ancient capital city of Luang Prabang Province in northern Laos, is a delightful mix of exquisite temples and French colonial buildings that hosts many great places for enjoying such as, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops. It is also known for its many Buddhist temples, including the gilded Wat Xieng Thong, and Wat Mai, and many more. Luang Prabang which means “ the city of the Golden Buddha”, has Phra Bang, an 83cm statue which is believed to be the source of the city’s protection since the 14th century. The city is also known for its unique and remarkably well preserved architectural structures including most from the French colonial influences.
9. Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia
Angkor, located in the northern province of Siem Reap, Cambodia, is one of the most important archaeological sites of Southeast Asia. Stretching over 400 square kilometers, Angkor Archaeological Park houses the magnificent remains of the Khmer Empire. The site also features many ancient temples, the most famous are the Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, and the Bayon Temple. Angkor Archaeological Park was also declared as the UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.
Related: 10 Largest Hindu Temples In the World
10. Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Brunei
One of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia, Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is a majestic mosque located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital city of the Sultanate of Brunei. It is often considered one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia Pacific. It is a major historical site, and a famous tourist attraction of Brunei, named after Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei. This elegant structure at Bandar Seri Begawan, Negara, Brunei, Darussalam, has marble minarets and golden domes, a courtyard and is surrounded by a large number of trees and floral gardens. The most recognizable feature of the mosque is the main dome, which is covered with pure gold. The mosque stands 52 meters high and can be seen from virtually anywhere in Bandar Seri Begawan.
These are the ten best places to visit in Southeast Asia. Do post your comments.
