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Best Places to Visit in Southeast Asia!

From the white soft beaches and major cities to the rich history and culture, this part of the world has something for everybody.

While some destinations such as Thailand’s beaches and islands and the majestic Angkor Wat in Cambodia are known everywhere, some places in Southeast Asia remain more elusive and off the primary tourist radar.

Whatever you are looking for, here is a list of the Best places to visit in Southeast Asia.

Brunei

Brunei is a small country that will fill you with wonders. It is one of the eleven countries in Southeast Asia and also among the best places to visit in Asia. Famous for oil and pangolin, Brunei will surprise you with an abundance of landscapes.

It is the best place to escape to if you hate crowds because tourism in the region is still flourishing. If you are looking for places to visit in Asia in September, this could be it.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysia’s capital is a city of all, the cultural and financial heart of the nation, with skyscrapers and three of the world’s largest shopping centers. Walking through the city is a great way to appreciate the look of this new Asian capital and see the different cultures and styles melting into each other.

KL is home to the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Towers, an architectural marvel of steel and glass that stand 452 meters tall. Kuala Lumpur is a very green city, with many parks, gardens, and open spaces everywhere you go. The 92-hectare Lake Gardens is a major urban park that contains a butterfly park, the world’s largest aviary bird park, and an orchid garden.

Luang Prabang, Laos

This city in Laos is surrounded by a number of villages that together form the UNESCO Town Of Luang Prabang World Heritage Site. Recognized for its mix of rural, French colonial, religious architecture, and heritage, the city is one of Laos’ most visited and certainly most beautiful.

Luang Prabang sits at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers and is home to many temples, including Wat Chom Si shrine. Just outside the city, the Bear Rescue Centre and the multi-tiered Kuang Si Falls are both worth a visit. If you’re up for some trekking, head out to the Pak Ou Caves, famous for their hundreds of miniature Buddha sculptures.

Palawan Island, Philippines

Palawan has been named the most beautiful island in the world so many times, that it’s hard to ignore its beauty. Technically, Palawan remains under-developed–which means fewer high-end hotels but also slow, sustainable growth to protect the virgin forests, green jungle mountains, and wonderful wildlife.

Palawan is surrounded by turquoise waters that are ideal for snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking. Lots of smaller islands dot the ocean around Palawan, and you can spend an entire day island-hopping and still not see all the amazing beauty the area has to offer.

Bali, Indonesia

Home to places like Ubud, Seminyak, and more, Bali has always been a popular place to visit in Southeast Asia. Irrespective of what time of the year it is, this place continues to look like a tropical paradise, offering luxury and comfort to its travelers in the lap of nature.

Temple near water in Bali

So, if you ever plan on having a blissful beach vacation, head to this place. It is in the leagues of its own when talking about must-visit places in Southeast Asia.

Bagan, Myanmar

The ancient city of Bagan was once the capital of the first kingdom of Myanmar. One of the most famous temples in Bagan is the Ananda Temple, a Buddhist temple built in a unique fusion of Mon and Indian styles.

Just outside the Bagan Archeological Zone sits the sleepy village of Myinkaba, famous for the ancient art of lacquerware.

Visitors can stop by workshops to see items being painted by hand, and then grab some souvenirs at the many shops around.

For the most famous sunset-viewing spot in town, head to the Shwesandaw Paya pagoda. Here, you can climb part of the building to catch the 360-degree views over the hills and other temples around.

Singapore

Singapore is a unique city-state in Southeast Asia. This city-state is modern and cosmopolitan, a place where shopping centers mix with stunning and unexpected natural attractions.

The Marina Bay Sands, an integrated resort, is a great example of a place not only offering a hotel, but also a museum, art-science exhibits, and the best-terraced views over the city and bay from the infinity pool set on their roof.

People swimming at Marina bay rooftop pool in Singapore

Singapore’s airport is an attraction of its own, it has been named the best in the world, home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, a five-story tall indoor garden, a mirror and haze maze, and a massive butterfly garden with over 1,000 species flying free in tropical greenery. Singapore needs to be on your Bucket List if you are visiting Asia.

Boracay, Philippines

Beach in Boracay island in Philippines

Boracay Island is a small island in the Philippines, located around 320 km away from the country’s capital, Manila.

Famed for its beaches and attractions like Wiley’s Rock, this place is set to give you an experience of a lifetime and a holiday as unique as you may have dreamt of.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay consists of a group of islands that have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many of the islands are actually monolithic cliffs that cannot be walked on, covered in green, lush jungle. Of the almost 2,000 islands here, less than 40 have permanent residents, often small communities that live in floating houses and fishing villages.

Boats at Ha Long Bay Vietnam

Ha Long Bay’s largest island, Cat Ba, is the most common overnight stop for tourists coming to Ha Long Bay. Kayaking the turquoise-green waters of the bay is a popular activity here, as well as cruising the bay in traditional junk boats.

Phuket, Thailand

If a vacation for you means relaxing at the beach, then Phuket should be your top pick. It is one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia with beautiful beaches and stunning shores.

Thailand is one of the most beautiful countries to visit in Southeast Asia. This island takes credit as one of the reasons why Thailand is so amazing. You could even plan your bachelor party in Phuket.

Hello! I’m Sara, a Croatian native. I’ve traveled all over the world and have knocked out some amazing cities and countries off my bucket list.

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