Here are five destinations we'd recommend in Southeast asia.
Spanning over an area of 4.5 million sq.kilometres, housing 11 countries, over 1000+ islands, 100+ places with unique cultures, and diverse natural wonders, the region of Southeast Asia could take a lifetime to fully explore. These 5 destinations are must-explore places to start with if you have never explored Southeast Asia before and each of these destinations offer something to every traveler.
1. KOH SAMUI AND PALAWAN BEACH, THAILAND
About: Thailand has always been a popular destination for its enchanting scenic beauty, especially Koh Samui, among sun worshippers and snorkelers as a popular beach destination of Southeast Asia.
Koh Samui now houses one of the most high-end resorts, spas, and some of the most beautiful palm-fringed white beaches in Thailand.
Palawan beach also attracts a bulk of the travellers going to Thailand for its well developed, clean ambiance and adventurous activities like sailing, scuba diving, and swimming.
While most visitors flock to Koh Samui for the beach, there's much more to explore and do there. Explore the hidden lakes of Ang Thong Marine National Park, Big Buddha shrine at the hilltop, the Na Muang waterfalls, thick tropical forests of Thailand, Chaweng and Lamai beaches, Bali, and other beautiful places.
Attractions:
Palawan Beach
Ang Thong Marine National Park
Bali
Lamai Beach
Water adventures like snorkelling, surfing, etc.
2. BORACAY ISLAND, PHILIPPINES
About: The Boracay islands are a tiny island across the water from Panay Island, but it is one of the largest islands in Philippines. Despite covering only 10 square kilometers of area, Boracay islands are a very popular beach destination in Southeast Asia and attract more than a thousand visitors each year. The beach is special because of the four-kilometer-long coastline and white sand beach that wash right into the turquoise waters.
Boracay is also popular for various water sports and experiences like parasailing, kiteboarding, scuba diving, surfing, snorkeling, swimming, and cliff diving.
Attractions:
White sand beach
Water sports - snorkelling, swimming, cliff diving, surfing, kiteboarding, parasailing.
3. KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
About: Malaysia's capital city Kuala Lumpur, the city of contrasts is another beautiful destination in Southeast Asia that boast of rich cultures, magnificent skyscrapers, old Chinese shophouses, and three of the world's largest shopping malls. Kuala Lumpur is also a great destination having colonial architecture with Malay Islamic details.
KL houses Petronas, the tallest twin buildings in the world, an architectural marvel built of steel and glass. This tower is a huge tourist spot surrounded by a large urban park and attracts flocks of tourists each year. KL also houses a theater, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, and an underwater aquarium among other important tourist spots.
KL astonishes every traveler with its beautiful layout, greenery in the city, parks, gardens, and open spaces anywhere you go. The 92-hectare Lake Gardens is also a treat to the eyes, which is an important urban center that houses a butterfly park, the world's largest bird park, and an orchid garden. The three forest reserves within the capital city of KL are perfect for trekking and exploring wild and rare fauna.
The limestone Batu Caves, Cameron Highlands' tea plantations, and the Portuguese inhabited colorful town of Malacca are an excellent one-day itinerary to do in Kuala Lumpur.
Attractions:
Petronas
Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
Underwater aquarium
Caneron Highlands' plantations
Lake Gardens
Facts:
Petronas - the tallest twin building in the world, is just made of steel and glass.
4. BANGKOK, THAILAND
Thailand's capital Bangkok, besides being the main gateway for reaching other important destinations within the country, is a metro city that has a lot to offer to every traveler.
Located at the banks of the beautiful Chao Phraya River, this city full of stunning skyscrapers houses numerous amazing Buddhist temples, cafés and parks. Bangkok is an excellent pick for every type of traveller for its Multi-faceted sights, be it shopping opportunities, cultural explorations, adventure seeking, or for a city lover.
Bangkok is filled with excellent tourist spots and enchanting experiences such as Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Khaosan Road, Chatuchak Weekend Market, MBK Centre, Jim Thompson House Museum, Chao Pharaya Dinner Cruise, and much more.
If you ever visit Bangkok, for a different experience, do not forget to ride a classic tuk-tuk taxi, cruise on Chao Pharaya, and jump on a water bus.
Attractions:
Grand Palace
Wat Arun
Khaosan Road
Chatuchak Weekend Market
MBK Centre
Jim Thompson House Museum
Chao Pharaya River Dinner Cruise
5. SINGAPORE
Singapore is a unique island country and a very unique and popular cosmopolitan city, a place that boasts of an amazing skyscraper show, shopping centers, and stunning natural wonders.
The Marina Bay Sands, in front of the Merlion Statue makes an excellent example of an integrated resort, as it not only houses a hotel, but is also a museum and exhibition Center. It bags the best roof views of the city and the waterfront from the infinity pool set on their terrace.
Another popular destination where tourists flock is Sentosa Island which is an entertainment complex including everything you can think of. Starting from a beach, a coastal fort, a Butterfly Park, Insect Kingdom, it even houses Southeast Asia's first 4D theater in a Universal Studios Singapore theme park.
Even the main airport of Singapore contains the largest number of tourist spots not present in any other airport in the world. It is an attraction all in itself and contains the world's tallest indoor waterfall, a five-storey tall indoor garden, a haze maze, and a massive butterfly garden along with many other wonderful creations.
A trip to Southeast Asia is deemed to be best if it includes Singapore in the list but if you are starting to realize your travel dream, Thailand will provide you with the best natural and man-made views even in a short budget.
Attractions:
Sentosa Island
Merlion Park
Universal Studios 4D Theme Park
Butterfly Park
Marina Bay WWaterfront
Facts:
Singapore's largest airport, Changi is also a popular tourist spot apart from being an airport.
CONCLUSION
As we know this global pandemic has taken a toll on everyone's mental health, keeping them shut behind doors for months. In such a situation, it is not wise to step into the world for leisure activities but travel is definitely going to be the most lucrative activity after the storm subsides. Thus, here are 5 top destinations you can start with by adding them in your bucket list after the world becomes safely accessible again.
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