Are you looking for some action-packed travel adventures or maybe just a relaxing trip with a wonderful view? Well come along and let us take a look at the various bustling cities, majestic historical temples, and the most beautiful beaches that Southeast Asia has to offer. They surely got it all!
The incredible diversity of the countries found in the southeastern region of Asia is the main reason why it is one of the favorite spots in the world for many travelers. But what should you do first when traveling across this beautiful tropical paradise? Southeast Asia just has so much to offer. Should you go on some dauntless treks across thick jungles, learn the rich culture and history of each country by visiting historical sites, or just chill and hang out around the pristine beaches that scatter across the region?
Still can’t decide where to go? Here’s a list of diverse and fascinating places with some valuable information coupled with the must-see attractions to help you decide which one is the perfect destination for your next adventure.
Singapore
First on the list is the modern and cosmopolitan island city-state famously known as Singapore, deemed by a lot of tourists as the “Instant Asia” due to the various cultures brought to it by immigrants from all parts of Asia. This very reason is why it is one of the best places you should visit when traveling around Southeast Asia.
In Singapore, you can see the commercial and urban landscapes seamlessly mixed with stunning and unexpected natural attractions. One of which is The Marina Bay Sands Hotel & Casino, one of the best attractions in the heart of this city-state’s vibrant city district since it is not only a hotel and a casino, but it also includes a luxurious mall, an innovative art-science museum, a diverse restaurant with multiple celebrity chefs, and the awe-inspiring wonder called Gardens by the Bay.
Sentosa Island is another destination that you will surely love to visit. It is an entertainment complex that houses everything from tropical landscapes, exciting attractions, and not one but multiple pristine beaches. It is also home to the famous Universal Studios Singapore where you can experience endless fun through adrenaline-pumping rides, interactive shows and a wide variety of exciting attractions based on the blockbuster movies and television series you know and love so well.
Those who love nature will surely be fascinated with the wealth of tropical flora and fauna that can be found on a journey at Sentosa Nature Discovery. For a trip under the sea you should definitely drop by the S.E.A. Aquarium, home to a multitude of marine life and creatures from the deep, is one of the largest oceanariums not only in Southeast Asia but on the planet.
Last but not the least, a landmark in Singapore that is something you can never miss because it surely is, for most, your entryway into this beautiful country. If you guessed the famous Singapore Changi Airport then you are correct! This airport is named as the best airport in the world. A world class icon and destination all in itself, a nature-themed mixed-use entertainment and retail complex interconnecting three busy airport terminals, home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, a massive butterfly garden, and a lot of different attractions that you can definitely stay here for days and you’ll never get bored.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Next is the cultural, financial, and economic heart of Malaysia, its capital, Kuala Lumpur. Walking through the city, you will be greeted by magnificent skyscrapers and a mix of architecture and styles from different cultures thriving, melting and coexisting with each other just like the people of the city.
Kuala Lumpur is home to one of tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Towers, an architectural marvel and structural feat that features postmodern Islamic architecture and the city’s symbol. It is made of steel and glass and stands approximately 452 meters tall, consisting of 88 floors (with 5 being underground). It also houses a massive shopping center, a theater and an underwater aquarium.
Kuala Lumpur also has a lot of open spaces, parks, gardens, and natural landscapes making it a lush sustainable green city. It is also home to the verdant and peaceful major urban park known as Lake Gardens, which contains the world’s largest walk-in aviary bird park and a butterfly park.
If you are in search for something more natural from the urban landscape of Kuala Lumpur, you should definitely visit the nearby 400 million-year-old limestone forming Batu Caves, which contains a series of cave and cave temples that run through the limestone mountains and is filled with incredible Hindu shrines to the gods.
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Are you a lover of Asian history and culture? If you want to get a glimpse of what ancient Southeast Asia once was then Siam Reap, Cambodia is definitely one of the best destinations for you.
Here you can explore Cambodia’s famous ancient stone city. Visiting Siam Reap feels like going back to the times when the Khmer Empire flourished, somewhere around the ninth to the fifteenth centuries, since this region was once the site of the empire’s successive capitals. The ruins, collectively known as the Angkor Archaeological Park, include the glorious Angkor Wat temple, which is located 20 minutes north of the city center.
The Angkor Wat temple is one of the wonders left behind by the now extinct civilization that once thrived in the region. This is also the largest religious monument and one of the top World Heritage sites. The center of the Khmer empire that once ruled most of Southeast Asia. The amazing temples and buildings that the empire has built were then reclaimed by the jungle and eventually converted into Buddhist temples which are still in use up to this day. The ruins of this 12th-century temple complex covers a space of over 162 hectares. There are a number of other temples, also built in Khmer style, in the area, including Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and Pre Rup.
A place full of history and heritage, Cambodia is definitely one of the best Southeast Asian countries to visit.
Palawan, Philippines
Last on my short list (even though there are a lot of amazing places to visit in Southeast Asia but these are my top suggestions) is an archipelagic province of the Philippines that is located in the western region of the country. Palawan is truly one of the highlights of the Philippines.
Known for its beautiful islands, white sand beaches, gentle turquoise waters, lush jungles, wonderful caves, dive sites, and unspoiled nature, Palawan has been named one of the most beautiful islands in the world so many times, hence it’s hard to ignore its beauty. This is the perfect destination to sit back and relax for days while you drink all your problems away while staring at the setting sun. It also offers the best diving spots for avid divers.
There are two UNESCO World Heritage sites that you can explore while visiting Palawan. Which I must say is definitely worth the visit. First is the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a famous tourist spot where you can see and witness limestone karsts, diverse species, and tropical rainforest, is one of the world’s longest underground rivers and is also a part of the “New 7 Wonders of Nature.” Second is the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, a unique example of an atoll reef, which a very high density of marine species call home.
If you are looking for an adventure through beautiful islands and beaches, Palawan is one of the best destinations that you can visit in Southeast Asia. Since it is renowned all over the globe as having one of the best and pristine beaches in the world, this is also ideal for nature lovers and for those looking for an island vacation.
Now it’s time for you to pack your bags and explore these amazing destinations to discover more hidden gems and be surprised while traveling across the region.
If you want more suggestions on where you can spend your next holiday, you can check out recommendations at spingenie.ca for an unforgettable journey.
