Top attractions in Sukhothai, Thailand

Many travelers think of Thailand as either a shopping haven or a beach bum’s dream, but not looking beyond this is a shame. A mere hour away from Bangkok lies Sukhothai, a place that exudes raw, untainted charm, coupled with the warm hospitability that the Thais are well-known for. This is the place to explore the alternate beauty of Thailand and soak in its history and culture.

If you are looking for a slower pace of life and a change of scenery, Sukhothai is the place to consider for your next Southeast Asian vacation. Here are five places to visit in the province of Sukhothai.

Sukhothai Old City

This UNESCO World Heritage site stands as a testament to Thailand's storied and colorful past. Nearly 200 temples were excavated and partly reconstructed here, providing visitors with a chance to get a unique look at what Thailand's early capital might have been like.

In the city's heyday, three earthen walls and two moats surrounded the old center. Twenty-one wats and four ponds were uncovered during excavations. This was the cradle of Thai culture, and archaeologists have found the remnants of artistic and religious works that would define a society for centuries. Foreign visitors will find here an information center detailing Sukhothai activities and self-guided tours, plus display boards in English outside every building.

Ramkhamhaeng National Museum

Located in the Sukhothai Historical Park area, this museum is one of the regional museums of the Fine Arts Department, which was built in 1960. It houses a wide range of artefacts, from ancient remnants, art objects and antiques that were excavated from the ruins discovered in Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai Historical Parks. These exhibits present a vivid display of lifestyle, customs, traditions, cultural habits, beliefs and art styles that reflect the daily life of people during the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods.

Wat Sorasak

The 24 exquisitely carved elephants that still guard the decaying chedi of Wat Sorasak are the real highlight of the park. Wat Sorasak was constructed in 1412, toward the end of the Sukhothai Empire. The niches are occupied by statues depicting Buddha sitting in a “western” position, with legs hanging down.

Si Satchanalai Historical Park

A visit to Sukhothai will only be complete with a visit to the historical site of the ancient Si Satchanalai City, which was the second largest city after Sukhothai during its glory days. The 45-square-metre park is home to remaining structures of what used to be palaces, temples and homes. The main attractions are Wat Phra Si Mahathat, Wat Chang Lom and Wat Chedi Jet Taew, all of which feature authentic Sukhothai architectural style.

Wat Si Chum

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Visitors to Wat Si Chum will be especially impressed by the mondhop, a huge, windowless cuboid construction that stands on a high pedestal. Built in the 14th century, the temple is easily recognizable because of its 15-meter-tall silver seated Buddha leaning against a brick wall in the open.

A narrow enclosed staircase on one of the southern walls leads to the roof and to beautiful open views of the park. The enclosed stair passage was once home to engraved slates featuring different images of Buddha. Ruins of another temple and a brick building that contains a seated Buddha can also be found in the area.

See more: 6 beautiful destinations outside Bangkok, Thailand

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Top 5 luxury villas in Vietnam

Vietnam is rapidly becoming one of the most preferred tourist destinations among the visitors of the region. Introduction of villas that include posh hotels, luxury spas, resorts, world-class restaurants, and comfort increased the popularity of this place as a tropical holiday destination. You do not have to work hard to find a suitable villa for you, here are some of the best villas in Vietnam for you.

Six Senses Con Dao Ocean Villa

Set in the corner of the beach, this enormous four – bedroom villa is one of its kind of villas in Vietnam. Boasting of stunning panoramic ocean views and spacious rooms, the villa is perfect for a relaxing vacation with friends or family. Offering all the latest technologies and facilities the staff and management ensure a stay that is completely filled with luxury and comfort.

However, the best part is the private infinity-edge pool with a terrace which is already stuffed with sun loungers. With the opening of Vietnam economically and its growing popularity among the tourists, a lot of measures have been taken to provide a more satisfying and comfortable stay to its visitors. Apart from all the facilities of comfort and scenic beauty the services like satellite TV, DVD, complimentary Wi-Fi, Bose sound system and iPod docking station ensure that you remain connected with your social life. This villa is truly one of the most remarkable luxury pool villas in Vietnam.

Pandora Boutique Villa

With garden views, Pandora Boutique Villa is situated in Da Nang and has a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, bar, garden, year-round outdoor pool and children's playground. The villa features both WiFi and private parking free of charge.

The units come with parquet floors and feature a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge, a dining area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and a private bathroom with bidet and a hairdryer. For added convenience, the property can provide towels and bed linen for an extra charge.

Amonai Mountain Pool Villa

Amonai Mountain Pool Villa comes under the top Vietnam villas with private pool. The specialty of this villa is that it combines the traditional Vietnam influence along with the natural atmosphere which enhances the experience of the tourists’ manifold. The best part of the private swimming pool is that the come along with a mesmerizing view of the mountains in the backdrop. Therefore, letting the guests enjoy the water as well as admire the expansive view as far as the eye can see. It serves as the perfect viewing spot especially at the times of sunrise and sunset.

Moreover, keeping in mind your luxurious and comfortable stay the villa features a large living room, free Wi-Fi, a stand-alone bathtub which is perfect for relaxing and enjoying and a personal espresso machine and bar with a variety of beverages. The other resort facilities also include a beach club, restaurant and bars, a spa, a gym, and two tennis courts. This luxury pool villa in Vietnam is the perfect place to spend a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation.

Greenwood Villa Saigon

With garden views, Greenwood-villa Saigon has accommodation with a kitchen situated away from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City. Free WiFi is offered throughout the property.

Featuring a balcony, particular units are air conditioned and feature a dining area and a seating area with a flat-screen TV. There is a private bathroom with bath and free toiletries in each unit, along with a hairdryer.

Furama Villas Da Nang

Furama Villas Da Nang is a home to 69 classically styled villas featuring private swimming pools, spacious living areas with large flat-screen television, airy bedrooms and much more. The reason this villa deserves brownie points is due to its direct access to the beachfront and for the surrounding area which provides a glimpse of the rich and fascinating Vietnam history. The villa also offers many other facilities including several dining outlets, bars, gym, spa, and a kid’s club.

Apart from a free Wi-Fi, scheduled shuttle service to Hoi An town, most of all the villa ensures a safe stay for its guests. All of these facilities are provided keeping in mind the guest’s comfort and security. With the ancient Hoi An Town, fascinating Marble Mountain and the imperial city of Hue, all in close proximity cuts the stress of travel and traffic. Having all the facilities that one would expect from a high, end resort, Furama Villas Da Nang is one of the most gorgeously designed luxury beachfront villas in Vietnam which combines privacy with the easy availability of world-class facilities.

See more: Top 10 luxury hotels and resorts in Vietnam

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Explore the most beautiful caves in Malaysia

Malaysia is a vast convergence of cultures, activities, races and food but there is something else about this humble Southeast Asian nation that many might not know about. Something a little under the surface: its caves. A sprawling collection of mysterious cave formations containing intriguing structures and wildlife can be found throughout the country. 

If you are an adventurous spirit with a knack for cave exploration, here is a list of some of the caves in Malaysia that are open to the public.

Batu Caves

Batu Caves is the focal point of the annual Hindu festival of Thaipusam, which attracts thousands of devotees and visitors. Usually held at the end of January, the procession begins on the evening before the Thaipusam Festival at the Sri Mariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur city centre.

The procession more often than not, arrives at Batu Caves in the wee hours of the morning the next day; the entire celebration commences then and is a colourful event that lasts a total of eight hours. In the past the festival has attracted more than one million pilgrims, making it one of the largest gatherings in the world.

Gua Nasib Bagus

Situated in Gunung Mulu National Park, this cave has the largest natural underground chamber. Lubang Nasib Bagus is more than 600m long, 400m wide and 100 m high. The entrance fee is RM10 per person and is definitely worth the money for you will be able to splash in the cave stream.

The clean, clear and icy cold cave stream is sure to give your senses a major boost and leave you wanting for more. This keeps getting better and better. A cave where you can splash in before continuing your journey sounds like the perfect weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Perak Cave

The Perak Cave is located in Ipoh and is a 6km drive along Jalan Kuala Kangsar to the north. It is also a religious landmark with the Perak Tong Cave Temple housed within its vicinity. It is known for the colourful murals as well as the Chinese calligraphy painted by Chong Yin Chat that adorn its walls. Various depictions of characters and events from Chinese mythology and Buddhist scripture can also be found in this fascinating attraction.

Deer Cave

Also set in the Gunung Mulu National Park of Sarawak, the Deer Cave stands out from the other caves due to its magnificent cave passage, commonly known as the largest in the world. There are a number of things that make this Garden of Eden so unique, including the aptly named Adam and Eve showers that shoot out 30m columns of water and the hundreds of thousands of bats that stream from its mouth every evening between5pm to 6.30pm. On top of all this, a quirky little Abraham Lincoln silhouette can be found hidden among the rocks.

Gua Gomantong

While Sabah is known all over the world for its Gunung Kinabalu, less is known about Gua Gomantong. Gua Gomantong is in Sandakan at the outskirts of Lower Kinabatangan. Gua Gomantong consists of two cave complexes namely, Simud Hitam which translates into Black Cave and Simud Putih which translates into White Cave. Local swallows are known to build the much prized nests here. The bird nest is said to restore youth and promote health when drunk in the form of soup. Gua Gomantong is the house of the best nests in the world. Some of the nests found here has price as high as RM7000 per kilo.

Swiftlets, bats, serpent eagles, bat hawks, and kingfishers are some of the inhabitants of this cave. With the entrance fee of RM5.00 this cave offers way more than what you pay for. At dusk, around 2 million bats fly out of the mouth of the cave while swiftlets fly into the cave. This spectacular changing of shifts is captivating and is definitely worth it!

See more: The best markets in Malaysia you need to know

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