Top destinations in Southeast Asia

Spanning 11 countries, thousands of islands and hundreds of traditional cultures and unique natural wonders, the region of Southeast Asia could take a lifetime to fully travel.

Yogyakarta, Indonesia

A delight to wander around, Yogyakarta is the artistic and cultural heart of the island of Java – the rich Javanese heritage shines forth wherever you look. One of the oldest cities in Indonesia, there are lots of historical sites to visit; it is still ruled by a sultan, whose elegant, walled palace dominates the center of town. A great place to live, Yogyakarta’s delightful street art, fantastic art galleries and museums, as well as its sumptuous dining options, make it lovely to visit. With the spectacular temple complex at Borobudur and Prambanan nearby, Yogyakarta is a great base from which you can explore the surrounding region.

Chiang Rai, Thailand

The most famous of Chiang Rai attractions is the iconic Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple) which was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat. Another famous work from Chalermchai is Chiang Rai’s golden clock tower set prominently in a roundabout in the center of town. Unveiled in 2008 as a tribute to the King of Thailand, the clock tower comes alive every hour as one would expect an ornate clock tower to do.

Penang, Malaysia

Penang has long been known globally as one of the most popular tourist destinations ever. From mouth-watering street food and hawker fare to iconic locations such as the Kek Lok Si Temple and the hip and trendy street murals in Georgetown, the city is more or less the poster boy of Malaysian tourism. Steeped in history and adorned with modern skyscrapers, Penang is a cultural cauldron of tradition and modernity. Definitely a world-class holiday destination and a must-visit for any self-respecting traveler in Malaysia.

See more: Penang, the Pearl of the Orient

Hue, Vietnam

Vietnam’s ancient capital city lies on the central coast between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh along the Perfume River, and originally held the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty until it fell in 1945. The rich history of Vietnam is held in the very spirit of this coastal town, and to experience the intricacies of Vietnamese culture here is like a textbook come to life. The Imperial Citadel is the central structure in Hue, with sacred pagodas extending for kilometres outside the main complex. Then there are the royal tombs and iconic Forbidden City – but without the crowds of its Chinese counterpart. Finally, don’t leave without sampling the local speciality, Banh Khaoi pancakes, which pair well with the area’s namesake microbrew.

Kampot, Cambodia

This southern region of Cambodia was once heavily influenced by French occupation, still evident today by the dilapidated colonial mansions that dot the countryside. The town itself is built around its namesake river and framed by the Elephant mountain range, with aging roadways extending into the countryside and its salt fields, rice paddies, and water buffalo. Nearby Kep is famous for its world-class pepper plantations and crab market – and the two synthesize in a winning combination. Visitors can buy crab from fishermen literally as its fished from the water, and have it cooked up in the signature peppery taste Kep is known for. This coastline is also home to the Irrawaddy dolphin, a rare species that can thrive in either salt or freshwater environments, and more closely resemble a beluga or orca than a typical dolphin.

See more: Explore Kampot, Cambodia’s hidden gem

Bagan, Myanmar

While the ancient Khmer ruins are undeniably beautiful, the towering Buddhist monuments of Bagan retain a rare magic unsullied by droves of tour groups. Some 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas, and monasteries sweep across a 42 square kilometre desert-like plain encircled by the misty Bago Yoma mountain range in the distance. Each of the structures was built nearly a century ago – between the years 1057 and 1287, at which point the kingdom fell to invading Mongols – and have been since restored and protected by Unesco. Today, the best way to experience this step back in time is by renting a bicycle or one of Bagan's signature electric bicycles to tour the enormous grounds at your own pace, joined only by passing tourists on their own routes, groundskeepers and local villagers going about their day, and the occasional monk.

Source Internet