10 of the most beautiful places to visit in Southeast Asia

by samsuri kamal

credit to http://college.usatoday.com/2015/11/08/10-of-the-most-beautiful-places-to-visit-in-south-east-asia/

The combination of vivid cultures, tempting cuisine, white sandy beaches and steamy jungles make South East Asia to a perfect travel destination. If you are thinking of taking your first trip to this region, here are 10 of the most beautiful places you should visit.

(Photo: The College Tourist)

LUANG PRABANG, LAOS

French colonial buildings, Buddhist temples and extensive natural beauty make this little town an unforgettably beautiful destination.

Take a cooking class, rent a bicycle, read a book by the Mekong River or have a coffee in one of the local bakeries. There so many reasons to fall in love with this place! One thing you shouldn’t miss is the ancient Buddhist tradition of Tak Bat, the morning alms round. Each day at dawn, hundreds of barefoot monks in orange robes walk through the streets to collect food from the local people.

(Photo: The College Tourist)

HALONG BAY, VIETNAM

With its exceptional scenic beauty and outstanding geological values Halong Bay is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places in South East Asia. The bay features thousands of giant limestone karst islands in various sizes and shapes.

In 2011 the magnificent landmark of Vietnam was declared as one of the “New Seven Natural Wonders of The World.”

KO PHRA THONG, THAILAND

Gilded temples, white sandy beaches, and hospitable people – these are just a few of the many delights Thailand has to offer. It’s no wonder that the land of smiles attracts countless tourists. Nevertheless, you can still find untouched nature and some “off-the beaten path” paradise islands. One of those is Ko Phra Thong, the Golden Buddha island. With over 15 km of largely uninhabited white sandy beaches, the island is the ideal destination for those seeking a quiet and relaxing holiday.

ANGKOR, CAMBODIA

With more than two million visitors a year, Angkor is the most famous tourist site in Cambodia. The whole area stretches out over 400 square kilometers and has more than a thousand temples. The biggest and most popular one is Angkor Wat. It’s also said to be the largest religious monument in the world. Get up early to see the sun rise over Angkor Wat. It’s something that you will remember for the rest of your life!

HANOI, VIETNAM

Hanoi is everything you’d expect from the capital of Vietnam: it’s noisy, crowded, busy and motorbike-clogged but still the city has its own charm. Visitors may see locals taking tai-chi lessons in beautiful parks or street vendors carrying fresh fruits and flowers in their baskets.

The best place to experience Hanoi is in the Old Quarter, a tangled maze of streets. Each street is named after the merchandise they sell. See this mini city guide to Hanoi here.

(Photo: The College Tourist)

BORNEO RAINFOREST, MALAYSIA/INDONESIA/BRUNAI

Borneo, the third largest island in the world is an incredibly biodiverse area and is said to have the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Asia.

Borneo’s tropical rainforests are home to over 15,000 plants as well as a number of birds and mammals like the endangered orangutans or the proboscis monkeys.

(Photo: The College Tourist)

BANGKOK, THAILAND

That the “City of Angels” is one of the greatest places on earth was once again confirmed when Bangkok was voted World’s Best City by readers of the Travel + Leisure magazine. The Thai capital is home to a number of must-see sites including the Grand Palace and the Wat Phra Kaew, an architectural wonder of gleaming gold and mosaic-encrusted pillars. If you are in Bangkok during a weekend, be sure to drop by the Chatuchak weekend market, Asia`s largest outdoor bazaar. It`s not only a shopping paradise but also a great place to mingle with locals and immerse yourself in everyday Thai life.

SMALL VILLAGE, LAOS

If you are interested in visiting a remote ethnic minority village and experience their daily life, you should definitely travel to Laos. Despite its small population, Laos has an official count of over 47 ethnicities. In many villages, people still maintain the traditions and practices of their ancestors.

(Photo: The College Tourist)

SINGAPORE

Being a melting pot of different cultures, Singapore has been dubbed as a country where “East meets West”.

Embark on a journey through Singapore`s Little India or China Town to experience the multi-cultural aspects of Singapore. If you prefer the modern Singapore, stroll through Singapore’s central business district and the Orchard road, the main shopping street of Singapore.

Singaporeans are obsessed with good food. Therefore a trip to a hawker center is an absolute must when visiting Singapore. In these open-air food courts, you can find a selection of local dishes as well as flavors from across the world.

(Photo: The College Tourist)

Hoi An, Vietnam 

Unlike Vietnam’s bustling cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Hoi An has a tranquility and timelessness that attracts visitors from all over the world. The charming little town is packed with picturesque wooden houses, pagodas, street-side cafes and hundreds of tailor shops.