Southeast Asia is a collection of 11 countries located in Southeast Asia. Although this is a newly emerging area in terms of tourism today, it is as unique and attractive to tourists as European countries. The countries located in Southeast Asia have a lot of interesting things for visitors, almost impossible to remove from anyone’s travel list. From clear blue beaches, and soft white sand to discovering the rich history and culture of big cities as well as diverse cuisines that cannot be found anywhere else. In today’s article, we will list the best places to discover Southeast Asia travel to find out new and different corners of this place.
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Some features of Southeast Asia travel
Southeast Asia is a region of Asia, consisting of countries located south of China, east of India and north of Australia, covering an area of 4,494,047 km² and including 11 countries: Vietnam, Cambodia, and East Asia. Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Brunei. The name “Southeast Asia” was given by political and military researchers of the Netherlands, Britain, and the United States from the early years of the outbreak of World War II. At that time, there were also differences in the spelling of Southeast Asian words in English. Some researchers such as Victor Purcell, and E.G.H. Dobby, used the word Southeast instead of South East or South-East, which has long been used.
Southeast Asian cultures have selective absorption, a harmonious combination between indigenous culture and imported culture, creating their own identities. Along with the economic development of the region, the progressive traditional cultural values of Southeast Asian countries are increasingly focused on and promoted, becoming an important driving force for the development of each country and of the region. Today, Southeast Asia travel is increasingly developing, bringing millions of visitors to visit each year.
The tropical climate of Southeast Asian nations has two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. There won’t be many rains throughout the dry season, and it will be hot—between 28 and 35 degrees Celsius. There will be a few more showers during the rainy season, but the weather will still be hot and muggy, and the rains often pass quite fast. Therefore, you can enjoy the intense sun in Southeast Asia at any time of year.
From verdant woods to scenic beaches, Southeast Asia is home to some of the most stunning and varied environments on earth. Outdoor excursions are available here. One of the most popular activities when visiting Southeast Asia is climbing the still active volcanoes in Bali, Sapa, or Ha Long Bay. Other popular activities include hiking through rice fields or boating around Ha Long Bay. You can also snorkel to witness coral, rays, turtles, dolphins, and schools of tropical fish if you enjoy marine life. Alternatively, you might unwind on the sand while seeing the stunning sunset and sunrise. Those stunning scenes will undoubtedly stay in your memory forever.
The people you make along the road are arguably the most memorable aspect of any adventure. And you will never encounter a person more generous and carefree than those in Southeast Asia. Although several Southeast Asian nations have recently faced hardships, you can always sense their optimism. The majority of people here like meeting foreigners who are curious about their nation and lead modest, happy lives.
Discover Southeast Asia travel
Grand Palace & Chiang Mai, Thailand
When arriving in Bangkok, your plan mainly involves having fun on the beach or discovering the specialties of the Golden Temple country such as Massaman curry and tom ka gai,… In addition to the above. In Bangkok, there are many interesting things for you to discover right away, but perhaps starting with the Grand Palace is the best choice.
The Grand Palace is also known as the Royal Palace of Thailand. This Thai tourist area is not only a place to live and work for the Thai royal family, but it also possesses beautiful architecture and has become one of the attractions that no one can ignore. The Spiers here is also inlaid with gold leaves, creating a durable yellow color over time and especially they shine in every sunlight of Bangkok city. Having served as the official residence of the kings of Siam – and, later, Thailand – since 1782, the Grand Palace is perhaps the most famous attraction in the bustling city of Bangkok. Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the walled complex consists of a series of pavilions, halls, wats, and other buildings interspersed with vast lawns, lavish gardens, and stately courtyards.
The Grand Palace is a major attraction in the city, it offers incredible value both in terms of historical significance as well as ingenious and unique architecture. The entire palace is like a maze with royal halls, temples, and ancient relics, the most important being Wat Phra Kaeo, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. A relic in this temple is said to be a piece of bone or hair from the enlightened Buddha himself. Spend a few hours exploring, and visiting the Grand Palace, you will gain quite a bit of Thai history knowledge. Not only that, if you want to walk to visit, next to the palace there are some other main landmarks of the city that are suitable for you.
The next tourist destination in Thailand is Chiang Mai. This is a city located in the North of Thailand and is considered the cultural capital of the country. Despite being a small city and less bustling than Bangkok, Chiang Mai still attracts visitors from all over the world for its simple lifestyle, nature, history, culture, restaurants, and hotels. affordable. Chiang Mai, once the location of the Lanna Kingdom, is packed with centuries-old temples, sanctuaries surrounded by the jungle, and mountains in every direction. Travelers frequently plan to spend the majority of their time in Thailand in Chiang Mai due to the lower prices there compared to the southern beaches and the fact that it is a good starting place for seeing the local areas. The mountain has several little hills all over it.
Don’t miss the chance to see Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, one of the most sacred locations in Thailand, which is perched atop a hill covered in gold and overlooks the entire city below. Visit right before dusk, when the monks begin their chants. Being at the temple during that time was especially magical. Travelers frequently depart from Chiang Mai to explore Mae Hong Son, one of Thailand’s most historic provinces, which is renowned for its smaller villages and prehistoric tribal settlements.
Singapore
Singapore is a unique destination that you should not miss when exploring Southeast Asia travel. Stunning and unexpected natural wonders coexist with multi-story commercial malls in this contemporary and global island city-state. For instance, the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort, which includes a hotel and a museum, provides the greatest views of the city and bay from the infinity pool as well as art and scientific displays. erected a pole on the roof. Singapore’s broad cultural influences from numerous nations, including China, India, and Malaysia, have resulted in an incredibly rich gastronomic scene as well. You will have the chance to sample a variety of delectable delicacies from numerous ethnic groups and numerous nations. All of the food served here has been prepared with very alluring flavors and colors. If you enjoy good meals, coming here won’t allow you to “save” money.
Start by touring the S.E.A Aquarium, the biggest aquarium ever built. There are 10 artificial ocean zones that imitate 49 different seas, giving you the impression that you are entering a wonderful aquatic environment. Numerous marine species as well as thousands of exquisite coral species can be found here. The water environment seems as gorgeous as anything straight out of a fairy tale when lit by the most advanced lighting system. You can interact with starfish directly with your hands at the S.E.A Aquarium, and you can even spend the night with fish in the dark ocean section.
Next is Universal Studios Singapore, the lion island nation’s most alluring theme park. You may easily take any public transportation to go to Universal Studios Singapore because it is situated in the Resorts World Sentosa neighborhood. You enter a simulation of the whole world of Universal’s blockbuster movies as soon as you open the door. Zones like Hollywood Zone, New York Zone, Sci-Fi City Zone, and Ancient Egypt Zone are among the many diverse games and programs based on well-known movies. Every region follows a standard architectural style, just like scary movie scenes. There are numerous unique programs, dressed-up animated characters, and intriguing adventure games. Each neighborhood has at least one restaurant, several of which are well-known chains like Mel’s Drive-In or Starbucks.
The ArtScience Museum should be the last stop on your itinerary while in Singapore. As the name of the museum suggests, when you visit you must admire the distinctive ArtScience Museum building that fuses science and art. It is not difficult to get to the museum because it is situated right next to the lovely Singapore River on a pathway next to the Marina Bay hotel. This is one of the busiest places in the tiny island country. The museum’s hand-shaped design conveys a warm welcome to tourists from all around the world. There are numerous art exhibits and a location to show off famous collections. Depending on when you go to the museum, you will have the opportunity to explore different works of art. One of the must-see experiences at the museum is to explore a futuristic world with fantasies beyond the ordinary. You will be living in a space filled with twinkling stars, satisfied with the top-notch art from the future or more precisely, the magical world only in fairy tales.
Da Nang, Vietnam
As a coastal city in central Vietnam, Da Nang is a very famous city both domestically and internationally. The city has many places to visit with one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet, Son Tra peninsula, top 5* hotels, delicious food, and especially the hospitality of the people. here. Tourists coming here should come to My Khe beach, once voted the most beautiful and charming beach on the planet by Forbes magazine in the US. Looking down from above, My Khe beach appears to be a large blue strip, and when you get there, the beauty is exploding brightly. My Khe beach is just about 3 kilometers from the city center of Da Nang. My Khe beach attracts many tourists with its wild beauty, fine white sand, and gentle waves in a very cool and fresh atmosphere. Coming to Da Nang, visitors should once come here to experience a sparkling early morning like, radiating from the horizon like a halo area and immersing in the cool water.
Ngu Hanh Son, a picturesque location also known as Non Nuoc mountain, which consists of 5 limestone mountains on the coastline sand, must also be mentioned. This location is well-known for the Non Nuoc artisan hamlet, which creates numerous well-known marble crafts both domestically and overseas. The historical artifacts that have survived demonstrate that the Cham people used to worship their gods in caves and temples here before the Vietnamese arrived. Vietnamese immigrants contributed to Buddhist culture and beliefs as well as the construction of new temples, shrines, and temples in this area, creating a very diverse and cohesive identity.
It would be a mistake to miss Ba Na Hill, which is quite far from the city center, about 40 km to the southwest, so the scenery is quite natural. The high elevation (1 487 km above sea level) and good weather in this region make it ideal for resort activities. Visitors will experience all four seasons in one day. The Da Nang Ba Na Hill tourist area is home to a variety of entertainment options. Because the road is beautiful but quite long, in addition to many dangerous windings, visitors should be careful if traveling by motorbike.
Do not ignore the bridges in Da Nang because they all have their own unique meaning and features. Moreover, the bridges are also symbols when referring to this beautiful coastal city. The Han River Swing Bridge is a source of pride and symbolism for the citizens of Da Nang. The bridge turns on the still river every night, its hues glistening. The Dragon Bridge is the next. With a sturdy dome structure and a particularly constructed bridge body using a mix of five steel pipes to embellish dragon scales, Dragon Bridge is regarded as the heaviest bridge in Vietnam. When the lighting system for the bridge is installed, which includes a total of 15,000 LED lamps, the bridge is also rather intricately constructed. The capacity to spray both water and fire is Dragon Bridge’s most alluring feature for visitors. The bridge, however, only offers water spray and fire performances on the weekends, Saturday evenings, and Sundays, or on significant holidays. Fire spraying time is 21 pm, then there will be water spray; in which the number of fire sprays is 9 times, each lasts 2 minutes, while water spray is only 3 times but has a longer time than 3 minutes/time.
The bridge of love is the final bridge we wish to discuss. This bridge is based on the well-known love bridges in France and other European nations. The bridge is situated close to the start of the Dragon bridge and the monument of a carp changing into a dragon on the side of Tran Hung Dao street. Public access to this website is free. There is enough room to take in the grandeur of the Han River banks from the Da Nang Love Bridge, which is shaped like an arc and measures roughly 70 meters long by 6 meters broad. Hundreds of crimson heart-shaped lanterns are lit up in the evening and take on a beautiful shine. According to legend, the love bridge is a place where many lovers can “lock” their love to show eternity and fidelity.
Banaue Rice Terraces, Philippines
Traveling to Southeast Asia, don’t miss the Bananue Rice Terraces in the Philippines. The Bananue Rice Terraces are a natural wonder on the high mountains of the Cordileral, north of the island of Luzon. The wonder of Bananue rice terraces was created by human hands 2,000 to 6,000 years ago in the Ifugao region. With spectacular natural scenery, especially in the season of ripe rice and rainy season, this place is truly revered as the “8th natural wonder” of the world and of course a tourist destination. most famous in the Philippines.
The Bananue rice terraces cover an area of 10,360 square kilometers and are situated at a height of 1,500 meters above sea level. They resemble a massive hanging garden on top of a mountain. In Southeast Asia, terrace farming is a distinctive form of agriculture. A special and magnificent character of the people who live here is the terraced fields situated between the mountains. Many travelers choose Bananue so they may experience what it’s like to backpack there, learn about history, and take in all of the unmatched natural beauty.
The terraces here are stacked, meandering, and soft along the high slope like stairs to the green clouds, in contrast to the straight fields with storks flying in the plains. If visitors can see the terraced fields in the ripe rice season, there is nothing more wonderful, a whole golden space as far as the eye can see creating spectacular scenery like a picture.
In the pouring water season, under the sun, each terraced field is covered with water, sparkling, reflecting people’s silhouettes, making the beauty more beautiful. It may be said that the Bananue rice terraces are one of the greatest technological achievements of humankind and an amazing architectural marvel unlike any other because they were mostly built by bare hands using simple tools made by the Ifugao people. Therefore, it was recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1995.
3 famous Island, Indonesia
Dubbed the famous “land of ten thousand islands” of Asia and the world, Indonesia is considered a perfect choice for many foreign tourists who have a passion for sea tourism. Nearly 18,000 large and small islands are scattered across the country, Indonesia captivates tourists because the islands are still pristine, and not much affected by humans. Let’s explore the 3 most famous islands in Indonesia.
Bali is regarded as a major omission for anyone visiting Indonesia. In Indonesia, the “country of ten thousand islands,” Bali is regarded as the most beautiful island, has the most high-end resorts and has the most breathtaking scenery. Due to its stunning and alluring scenery, Bali is a popular destination for vacations, honeymoons, and weddings. The ancient temples and palaces on this island, which are influenced by Indonesian architecture and culture, are in addition to its lovely, undeveloped beaches. Additionally, Bali’s possession of the serene beauty of the oldest Tegalalang rice terraces in Southeast Asia also makes an impression on visitors. Bali’s resorts and hotels are thoughtfully constructed to provide guests with a comprehensive resort environment.
Not just one of Indonesia’s more than 17,000 islands, Komodo Island is unique. The Komodo dragon is the largest lizard in the world, and it lives on this rough island of just under 400 square kilometers. As you stroll around the volcanic hills and woods of the island, you will notice that there are twice as many Komodo dragons as there are permanent residents of the area. In addition, Komodo Island is home to a number of wet ecosystems, such as mangroves and coral reefs, which both draw many tourists who wish to kayak, snorkel, or explore the island. The only pink sand beach in the world, Pantai Merah, is the main draw in this location. When tiny organisms called foraminifera that lives in corals die, their brilliant red shells are washed off the beach and combined with white sand, creating attractive colors that draw a lot of tourists. This is how cotton candy sands are created.
The Gili Islands are situated in Indonesia to the north of Bali. People are drawn to this location by the stunning, serene, and unspoiled beaches that nature has bestowed upon it. The top activities on Gili include scuba diving, swimming in the crystal-clear ocean, strolling along the fine white sand beaches, watching the sunset on the beach, and spending a day exploring the island’s pristine natural beauty and tranquil lifestyle. Three islands make up the Gili Islands. One of Asia’s most extraordinary island paradises, Gili Trangwangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno have no smoke or loud motor engines; instead, the sound is constant. the regularity of a bicycle’s cycle or a horse’s sound. These 3 small islands each have their own distinct beauty, but the most common thing that can “catch” visitors is the clear, cool water, colorful coral reefs, and diverse marine life.
To sum up, when it comes to choosing the best places to explore Southeast Asia travel, the list is long and the decision can be difficult. This article has partly helped you to solve that difficulty. We have compiled the most interesting and unique places to visit in 5 typical countries of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, and finally Indonesia. Hope our article is useful for you in your upcoming Southeast Asia travel. If you know of any interesting places in Southeast Asia that are not listed in this article, let us know by leaving a comment below. We will be back in many more articles.