Longitude: 80.2° E
When to go: December to February
Founded by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century, the fortified old town of Galle on Sri Lanka’s coast was later expanded by the Dutch, and then later still by the British. As a result, the town is filled with distinctively European architecture. Many southeast Asian influences are still incorporated, creating an east-meets-west fusion. Today, visitors will find a neighborhood brimming with trendy restaurants and boutique shops. These are all housed within cheerfully painted colonial buildings, with their terracotta roof tiles and plant-filled verandahs. Down at the shoreline you can also find brightly colored fishing boats. After Sri Lanka was devastated by the tsunami in 2004, people and organizations from around the world funded replacement boats for the fishermen of Galle, and many of these boats now sport the name of their sponsors.
Longitude: 80.6° E
When to go: December to April
Often touted as the most scenic train ride in the world, the express train from Kandy to Ella is known for its epic views of sprawling tea plantations and lushly forested mountains. But the most colourful part of the experience is the train itself. New trains, introduced in 2012, have striking sky-blue exteriors that create a perfect contrast to the soft green valleys. Top tip—the right-hand side of the train has the best views from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, while the left-hand side is slightly better from then on.
Longitude: 80.6° E
When to go: All year
Five caves make up the Dambulla Cave Temple in Sri Lanka, the walls of which are completely covered in murals. The oldest dates back more than two thousand years. There are 150 paintings and sculptures of the Buddha dotted about the caves, as well as statues of kings and the Hindu gods Vishnu and Ganesha.
Longitude: 82.9° E
When to go: October to March (November for Divali)
Varanasi has many claims to fame. The oldest city in India, and the holiest city in the world for Hindus, it lies on the banks of the sacred River Ganges. It is up there with the most historic and cultural cities in the world and it’s also one of the most colorful. The banks of the river are lined with stone-step ghats—famous for the cremations and puja ceremonies that take place on them daily. The ghats are flanked by a jumble of brightly painted buildings, and the chaos of city life plays out all along the Ganges. Every evening, the Ganga Aarti ceremony sees Hindu priests leading a ritual to thank the Mother Ganges. Candles are lit in offering and placed onto the river in floating dishes, filling the night with twinkling orange flames. Visitors should take a boat tour to best appreciate the spectacle. Varanasi isn’t only a significant place for Hindus, as Buddhists also consider the city a sacred spot. The nearby village of Sarnath, lying northeast of Varanasi near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers, is where the religion’s founder, Gautama Buddha, taught his disciples.
Longitude: 86.9° E
When to go: February to May and September to December
You’d be forgiven for assuming that trekking to Everest base camp would be a fairly monochrome affair. This spectacular landscape is dominated, after all, by pristine white snow and jagged slate-colored mountains. But high in the Himalayas, Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags flutter on the breeze, their joyful hues representing the five elements. Blue is for sky, white for air, red for fire, green for water, and yellow for earth. Displayed together, the five colors represent balance. Buddhists believe that when the wind blows the flags, it carries the mantras and blessings printed on them out into the world. A common misconception is that the prayers are meant for the gods; in fact, these are prayers designed to spread goodwill and positive energy throughout the land. Tibetan legend holds that the first prayer flags were used by Gautama Buddha, on whose teachings Buddhism is founded. God-like deities called devas would carry flags with the prayers of Gautama Buddha written on them into battle. Today, the flags are hung across the Himalayas—and beyond—with the belief that the prayers on them will spread positivity far and wide.
Longitude: 85.3° E
When to go: October to November and March to April
Nepal’s sprawling capital city is known for its eclecticism and colorful temples. But in recent years a new phenomenon has added to the vibrancy of the city’s winding streets: street art. There are brightly painted murals to discover all over Kathmandu and the neighboring city of Patan, with one of the best spots in the residential Kupondole district, on the south bank of the river that divides the two cities. Many of the paintings feature elements from local culture, from religious iconography, to people in traditional clothing, to Nepalese wildlife. The art started to arrive courtesy of a year-long project in 2012, called Kolor Kathmandu, which brought together Nepalese and international artists to paint seventy-five murals across the city. This sparked a huge rise in the popularity of street art in Nepal’s capital, as artists and university students began to take advantage of the lack of laws against public painting.
Longitude: 85.3° E
When to go: February or March (dates change each year)
Losar Festival is Tibetan New Year, and is celebrated throughout the Himalayas, with temples and stupas bedecked in colorful prayer flags. In Kathmandu, the best place to witness the spectacle is the Boudhanath Stupa. Colorful and extravagant dances are performed to celebrate the new year, with the mask dance being one of the most incredible.
Longitude: 90.1° E
When to go: All year
High in the mountains of Bhutan, on a hilltop overlooking the Phobjika valley, lies the historic Buddhist Gangteng monastery, where monks have practiced their religion in simple maroon robes since 1613. The monastery is a beautiful structure centered around a hall with eight wooden pillars. Black cranes come to the valley to roost, and it is said they always circle the monastery three times when they arrive and again when they leave.
Longitude: 83.9° E
When to go: March to May and September to October
Home to the popular tourist city of Pokhara, Phewa Lake is often calm enough to reflect the surrounding snowcapped mountains of the Himalayas. Ubiquitous upon the lake’s glittering emerald surface are wooden boats painted in bold colors, which can be rented by tourists seeking the peace and quiet of the lake.
Longitude: 85.9° E
When to go: All year (although the summertime monsoons are best avoided)
One of the most important religious cities in Nepal, Janakpur is considered the birthplace of the Hindu goddess Sita. An enormous white temple dedicated to the goddess dominates the city skyline, covered with brightly painted detailing both inside and out. During important festivals, such as Vivah Panchami in November, the temple is decked out with garish colored lights.
Longitude: 86.2° E
When to go: May to September
An otherworldly phenomenon can be found in the mountainous Altai region in southern Siberia. At the heart of the bright turquoise Geyzernoye Lake, or Blue Geyser Lake, lies a swirling pool that would look more at home on another planet. The hypnotic effect is caused by the thermal springs that feed the lake. The force of the geyser eruptions pushes blue sludge up from the bottom, creating several gray-blue circles across the surface. These swirling circles are constantly changing shape and size. The same thermal activity that causes the misty whorls also means that Blue Geyser Lake never freezes, even in the below-zero temperatures that are common in the region during wintertime. The mountains around Altai are famed for their foreboding and rugged beauty, and for their abundant wildlife, most famously the beautiful and elusive snow leopard, nicknamed “ghost of the mountains” (although the chances of actually spotting one of these super rare creatures are incredibly slim).
Longitude: 91.8° E
When to go: All year, but November to March for mild, dry weather
One of the most popular tourist attractions in the coastal city of Chittagong is also one of the most colorful. The unique architecture of Chandanpura Mosque involves multiple tiers, domes, and minarets, all painted in bright colors. There are turquoise domes and red-and-gold fences around the balconied walkways. Most distinctive is a bulbous dome painted in circus-like yellow, red, and cyan stripes.
Longitude: 96.1° E
When to go: All year
Dominating the skyline of Yangon, Shwedagon Zedi Daw, or the Shwedagon Pagoda, is one of the most famous pagodas in the world. There’s no missing it: at an impressive 326 ft/100 m tall, the gilded stupa sits on a hilltop overlooking the city. Dazzlingly golden in color, it is studded with more than seven thousand diamonds and rubies, and its pinnacle is topped with an enormous 72-carat diamond.
Longitude: 96.0° E
When to go: November to February
Spanning the width of the Tuang Tha Man Lake in Myanmar, at 0.75 mi/1.2 km the wooden structure of U Bein Bridge is extremely long and narrow. Built around 1850, it’s believed to be the oldest teakwood bridge in the world, and was built from the remains of the old royal palace of Inwa. The remarkable length of the bridge has led to it becoming a popular tourist attraction. At sunset, with the rickety, uneven posts silhouetted against the orange sky and the golden light reflected on the surface of the lake, U Bein Bridge is a dazzling sight.
Longitude: 98.1° E
When to go: November to February
With its deep green pools and rust-colored rocks, Dark Horse Falls is one of the most popular destinations in Myanmar’s Shan State. In the wild setting of Lashio’s verdant green forests, the multitiered cliffs of the waterfalls form a natural playground. Many travelers head here to leap from the cliffs into the emerald pools below, which range from a few feet up, to dizzying heights of more than 50 ft/15 m. Lashio is fairly off the beaten path in Myanmar, right up near the border with China, so the region is perfect for travelers in search of adventure.
Longitude: 94.8° E
When to go: November to February, at sunrise
There are few places quite as mystical as Bagan at sunrise as the orange roofs of its temples and pagodas poke through the green jungle into the soft mist above. This ancient site is home to the remains of over 2,200 temples, pagodas, and stupas, dating from the ninth to the thirteenth centuries. It is the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples in the world. Myanmar’s frequent earthquakes have damaged, or even completely destroyed, many of the pagodas over the years, but restoration work is ongoing and it is possible to imagine the city at the height of its rule. The temples are scattered across the green plains, half lost among lush vegetation.
Longitude: 100.1° E
When to go: June to September for the best weather, late afternoon for the best colors
Imagine a giant hand reached down from the sky and painted a rainbow onto the side of a mountain. That’s exactly what you get at the Zhangye Danxia National Geological Park in Gansu Province. Lying within the arid landscapes of the Gobi Desert, the distinctive rock formations are often nicknamed the Rainbow Mountains or Painted Mountains. Although the effect looks almost manmade, the unusually striped rocks are actually layers of sandstone and siltstone that were deposited long before the Himalayas were formed. Originally, the horizontal layers, formed from different minerals, were flat and hidden below the earth’s surface, but fifty-five million years ago, the tectonic plates below China collided, pushing the flat sandstone up to form mountains and revealing the hidden layers. The result is a mountain that looks as if it’s been neatly painted with a rainbow of rust-red shades.
Longitude: 99.1° E
When to go: September to December
At the heart of Erawan National Park, the seven tiers of the Erawan Falls are famed for the unreal hues and unique shapes of their limestone pools. Named for Erawan, the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology, the pools of each tier can be accessed by a series of hiking trails and footbridges.
Longitude: 99.6° E
When to go: March to October
Ang Thong Marine Park near Koh Samui gained notoriety among backpackers as the setting for Alex Garland’s novel The Beach, and it’s easy to imagine a secret island utopia perched on the dreamy shores of the archipelago. Centuries of erosion have created wondrous shapes from the limestone, including an inland saltwater lagoon on Koh Mae, Emerald Lake.
Longitude: 100.4° E
When to go: All year, but best in November and December
As opulent as it is historic, the Grand Palace of Bangkok was established in 1782. The huge complex of palaces, government offices, and temples grew organically over two hundred years, as each new king added and rebuilt sections. There’s an eclectic mix of styles and a distinct lack of symmetry, which adds to the charm.
Longitude: 100.5° E
When to go: All year
Cotton candy walls, rainbow-striped cakes, and a menagerie of stuffed unicorn toys . . . welcome to Bangkok’s Unicorn Café. Even the food is unwaveringly cutesy and colorful, running the gamut from rainbow waffles to bubblegum-pink spaghetti noodles. It’s everything your inner child ever dreamed of—if your inner child is a five-year-old girl obsessed with unicorns and glitter.
Longitude: 103.0° E
When to go: December to February
Every winter, Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake in Udon Thani becomes the Red Lotus Sea. The inland freshwater lake is covered in lotus plants. When they bloom, the lake’s surface is carpeted with cheerful magenta flowers in every direction. Arrive early for the best view of the spectacle, as the flowers tend to close up a little toward the heat of midday. Local folklore holds that the lake is part of a deadly swamp that was created by Phaya Nak, ruler of the deeps, after his son was killed and eaten while disguised as a squirrel. Phaya Nak vowed that no one who had eaten his son’s flesh—which had miraculously turned into eight thousand cartloads of meat—would remain alive and created this deadly swamp.
Longitude: 101.0° E
When to go: November to early April
Set deep in the mountains of Northern Thailand, Wat Pha Sorn Kaew, the Temple on a Glass Cliff, is straight out of a fairy tale. Surrounded by massive green mountains, this modern temple pops against its background, creating a colorful oasis in the serene jungle. Decorated with over five million pieces of tiles, gems, stones, and ceramic, every corner of this paradise is covered in glittering mosaics. Stained glass gazebos sit in the garden overlooking five seated Buddha statues that stand tall, watching over the entire town of Khao Kho in the Phetchabun region. The incredibly detailed arches and idols can be found all over the complex. The pagoda, inspired by the shape of a lotus flower, is set over five levels and has a large glass structure hanging through the center, connecting each floor. Even the ground and staircases are covered in intricate mosaics and are pieces of art in their own right.
Longitude: 98.7° E
When to go: November to April
With its nighttime bioluminescence, turquoise seas, and jungle-topped limestone stacks, Koh Phi Phi is a heaven-on-earth setting of colorful tropical scenes. Add to that a scattering of painted wooden boats decked out with flower garlands and streaming banners, and this quickly becomes one of the most colorful spots in Thailand.
Longitude: 98.9° E
When to go: November to early April
On a mountainside just west of the Old City of Chiang Mai, the temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep towers over the northern city of Thailand. The impressive golden temple was built in the late 1300s and according to local legend, it was created to hold a piece of bone from the Buddha’s shoulder.
Longitude: 100.4° E
When to go: November to early April
One of the largest temple complexes in all of Bangkok, Wat Pho is home to detailed murals covering walkways, tiled pagodas, and its most famous inhabitant, the giant Reclining Buddha. At just over 150 ft/45 m, the Reclining Buddha, covered in gold leaf, is quite something to behold.
Longitude: 100.5° E
When to go: November to April
A bird’s-eye view of the vibrant basketball court in the Klong Toey area in Bangkok is the best way to see the artistic project created by Sunkist. Vivid geometric shapes in bold primary and neon shades cover the ground, creating an epic backdrop for local children staying active.
Longitude: 100.5° E
When to go: All year, Thursdays to Sundays
Most of Bangkok’s markets are colorful, atmospheric affairs. Up there with the best is the incredible Rod Fai, or Train Market, in Ratchada, a weekend night bazaar famed for its brightly colored canopies. These are especially striking when viewed from above as they are lit from underneath, so head to one of the second-story bars surrounding the market to truly appreciate the kaleidoscope of colors. This vibrant market was built as a more accessible version of the original Rot Fai Market in Srinakarin, way out in the suburbs of Bangkok. Bringing the same buzzing night bazaar atmosphere, the new branch is right by the Cultural Centre MRT Underground Station and is far easier to reach, although it is a little smaller than the original market. That said, the compact size makes shopping a much easier experience. Within the bustle of Rot Fai, you’ll find everything from souvenirs to street food, as well as bunting-clad food trucks and quirky, upcycled décor. Ratchada Train Market is the perfect combination of traditional and modern-day culture.
Longitude: 101.6° E
When to go: All year
Beautifully intricate with detail and color, the Batu Caves temple complex is a work of art, but the 272 stairs leading up to the caves received a rainbow paint job in 2018 and now steal the show. The explosion of color generated some controversy, but overwhelming love for the new look won out.
Longitude: 102.7° E
When to go: March to November
Once a little-known backpacker paradise, the Perhentian Islands remain much quieter than some of the better-known islands of Southeast Asia, loved for their turquoise waters and colorful coral reefs. The name Perhentian means “stopping place,” because of the island’s original use as a staging point for traders en route to Bangkok.
Longitude: 101.6° E
When to go: All year, but May to July and December to February for the best weather
One of the most iconic landmarks in Kuala Lumpur is the impressive Istana Negara, the National Palace. The striking cream building, with its lemon-colored trim and twenty-two dazzling yellow domes, was built in 2011 to replace the old palace and is still the official residence of the Malaysian monarch. This means it’s not actually open to the public, but you can catch a glimpse through the majestic entrance gate.
Longitude: 102.2° E
When to go: All year
Once a colonial stronghold, Malacca still bears the traces of British, Dutch, and Portuguese influences. Nowhere more so than in the aptly nicknamed Red Square, constructed by the Dutch in the 1600s and painted a uniform shade of terracotta. The Stadthuys is believed to be the oldest surviving Dutch building in the East.
Longitude: 100.3° E
When to go: December to March
In 2012, 3D murals popped up all over George Town, Penang. The Malaysian city commissioned Ernest Zacharevic to create murals that use props such as bicycles, swings, and motorcycles to bring them to life. Since 2008, when the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, quirky pieces of art have been marking the walls.
Longitude: 101.3° E
When to go: February to April for the lowest rainfall
The rolling green hills of the Cameron Highlands are one of Malaysia’s most popular tourist destinations, famed for their serene, verdant slopes and abundant wildlife. They were named after British explorer William Cameron, who mapped out the region in 1885. During the 1930s, the area was developed as a tourist resort for British colonialists seeking the cooler climate of the highlands, and many of the hotels today bear traces of the colonial style. With more than seven hundred species of plants growing in the region, this is the perfect area to enjoy nature and spot wildlife. An interesting splash of color comes from the deep red rafflesia plant, which is endemic to the region and produces the largest flower on Earth.
Longitude: 101.6° E
When to go: All year
Constructed from rose-tinted granite and topped with a patterned pink dome, Putra Mosque can hold up to fifteen thousand worshippers. Built in 1997, the mosque incorporates design elements of Malaysian, Persian, and Arabic Islam, taking influence from mosques around the world, including the Sheikh Omar mosque in Baghdad and the King Hassan mosque in Casablanca, Morocco.
Longitude: 103.8° E
When to go: April to November
High in the Minshan mountains, Huanglong is a lush valley hiding a fairy-tale landscape of bright blue pools. The valley is one of the most beautiful in Sichuan Province, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dotted throughout the valley are terraces of travertine limestone, which create small circular pools. Calcite deposits lend these ponds vivid blue, green, or turquoise shades, varying from pool to pool. There are dozens to see; some of the more spectacular even have their own names such as Flamboyant Pond, Multicolor Pond, and Mirror Pond.
Longitude: 102.7° E
When to go: November to early March
Developed over the past 1,300 years by the indigenous Hani people, the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces are a shining example of what can be achieved when humans work in partnership with nature. The Honghe Hani Rice Terraces span 41,000 ac/165 km2 with the core area concentrated in Yuangyang County. The terraces include a highly complex irrigation system to grow rice in the limited space of the mountainsides surrounding the Hong River. They trace around the contours of the mountains, creating a striped pattern of sweeping layers. In some places you’ll find as many as three thousand rice terraces lacing the slopes of the mountains, each one containing a small bed of rice plants. Not only is the region famous as an example of the ingenuity and creativity of the local farmers, but also for the stunning rainbow display as the flooded terraces change color depending on the time of day. Most impressive is sunrise and sunset, when the valleys glow with the reflection of the golden light.
Longitude: 102.4° E
When to go: October to March
With its river tubing and madcap backpacker parties, Vang Vieng has a bad-boy reputation among southeast Asian destinations. But escape into the mountain landscape and you’ll find a series of idyllic aquamarine pools. Known as the Blue Lagoons, some are as busy as the town, with tourists playing on rope swings, but many more are divinely quiet. Adventuring in search of a glorious blue lagoon all to yourself is part of the fun.
Longitude: 101.9° E
When to go: November to late April
Cascading down three sculpted limestone tiered pools is the Kuang Si Falls in Northern Laos. Located just outside Luang Prabang, this jungle oasis could be confused with a dramatic painting. The mindblowingly beautiful pale turquoise water tumbles down 164 ft/50 m, dropping into shallow pools that make relaxing swimming holes. Surrounded by a lush jungle the color of chartreuse and sage, the falls are popular among both locals and tourists.
Longitude: 102.1° E
When to go: Daily at sunrise
Every morning at sunrise, the Buddhist monks of Luang Prabang walk in silent, meditative procession through the streets for a ceremony known as Tak Bat—collecting alms from local residents. Hundreds of monks walk in single file, their saffron robes creating a dazzling spectacle. The ritual dates back six hundred years and is an integral part of Lao Buddhism. To avoid turning this beautiful ceremony into a garish tourist attraction, keep a respectful distance if you’re not giving alms yourself.
Longitude: 102.6° E
When to go: October to April
Towering and golden, the stupa of Wat Pha That Luang is the most significant national monument in Laos. Supposedly, this is the site of the first Buddhist temple in Laos, established in the third century by missionaries from the Mauryan Empire in India. Legend has it that the stupa was constructed to enclose a piece of the Buddha’s breastbone. The stupa’s three tiers are merely painted golden, while the pinnacle itself is real gold, glinting in the sunshine.
Longitude: 102.1° E
When to go: November to March
Nestled on a peninsula between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, and skirted by dense green jungle, the Old Quarter of Luang Prabang is one of the most idyllic urban areas in Laos. Dazzling gold Buddhist temples vie for space with the faded grandeur of French colonialist architecture, many of them painted in shades of creamy yellow, which look amazing at sunset. The true beauty is found in the details, though. Up close, colorful floral tiles line the stairs and entryways of many buildings in the Old Quarter, while sparkling mosaics cover the temples beneath flared red rooftops. Between them all, lush vegetation towers over the buildings as though the forest is determined to reclaim the city.
Longitude: 103.8° E
When to go: March to September
Hipsters, foodies, and street-art lovers will adore this area of Singapore, which brims with a mix of Malay and Arab cultures. Kampong Glam was founded before Singapore, so think of it as the cultural and historic heart of the country. It became known as the pride of the east after merchants converged in the area to trade. Around Haji Lane you’ll find Middle Eastern cafés covered in ceramic tiles next to bars specializing in craft beer; quirky boutiques such as Crayon and Mondays Off; ice cream parlor Lickety; and the domed Sultan Mosque. The walls of the area itself are vibrant too, with colorful murals at every turn. Some of the best are tucked down the alleyways that link Arab Street and Haji Lane. To see Kampong Glam at its liveliest, visit during Ramadan and join in the iftar (breaking of fast) or explore the Muslim quarter’s vibrant night markets. For one of the tastiest meals, head to the restaurants on Kanndahar Street and tuck into a nasi padang—steamed rice with tasty side dishes.
Longitude: 103.8° E
When to go: March to September
Singapore’s Chinatown is buzzing with energy. Old temples and traditional medicine shops sit cheek by jowl with cafés, restaurants, and funky modern shops. Lanterns are strung across streets and the whole area shouts with lucky splashes of red throughout. While the area began life as a Chinese enclave, it is now multiethnic and nowhere more so than among the tastes and aromas of the street food on Smith Street.
Longitude: 103.8° E
When to go: March to September
Little India is a true feast for the senses. From stalls selling fresh flower garlands, to Tekka Market with its delicious curried scents of roti and pratha, to the beautiful pastel-colored Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and sari shops galore, it’s the most colorful of Singapore’s multicultural neighborhoods. In the 1840s it was a popular area with Europeans, and later with Indian traders. One must-see in the area is The House of Tan Teng Niah, a rainbow-colored, two-story villa dating back to 1900. It’s one of the only remaining Chinese structures in Little India that was built during the colonization of Singapore.
Longitude: 103.9° E
When to go: All year, but June to August are the driest months
Singapore has long been a melting pot of different world cultures and influences. One of the more predominant ethnic groups found in the city-state is Peranakan, the descendants of Chinese settlers. Throughout the district of Joo Chiat you can spot distinctive Peranakan architecture: brightly painted two-story terraced shophouses with ornate façades and intricate motifs. The pastel shades of the houses along Koon Seng Road are particularly good examples, but the whole area is rich with Peranakan culture. Here you’ll find shops bursting with colorful sarongs and beaded slippers, trendy cafés designed for the social media generation, and old world coffeeshops serving up katong laksa as they have done for decades.
Longitude:103.8° E
When to go: All year
Singapore seems determined to leave no building without some form of glamour. Even the historic police station on Hill Street, once gray and blockish, has not escaped a colorful facelift. The station’s 927 windows have been painted the colors of the rainbow, in orderly rows of three. The resulting bands of color turn the exterior from a drab office building into a vibrant part of Singapore’s heritage. The makeover came after an $82 million restoration project in 1997, when the building became the headquarters of the Ministry of Information and Arts.
Longitude: 103.8° E
When to go: January to May
Rising out of the lavishly green Gardens by the Bay are futuristic structures that take sustainability to the next level. The Flower Dome and Cloud Dome stand without any pillars and house the world’s largest indoor waterfall. But the real showstoppers at the Singapore site are the Supertrees. Towering over the grounds, the nine to sixteen story-tall vertical gardens are beautiful, but they also collect rainwater and generate solar power. At night, they light up in every color on the spectrum for an epic light and sound show.
Longitude: 103.9° E
When to go: All year, but June to August are the driest months
Just a short boat ride from Singapore, Pulau Ubin feels very much like stepping back in time, as you swap skyscrapers for lush mangrove forests and wetlands. Particularly striking are the vivid blue lakes that have formed in Ubin’s former granite quarries. The island is home to an abundance of wildlife, including playful otters and, on occasion, crocodiles.
Longitude: 103.8° E
When to go: All year
While much of Singapore seems to be increasingly modern, with towering skyscrapers and fascinating architecture, there are still plenty of historical areas in the city. Clarke Quay is an historic quay along the riverside in central Singapore. The original terraced shophouses and warehouses, such as The Cannery, have been lovingly restored, painted in a rainbow of funky pastels, and turned into nightclubs and restaurants. From the water, the contrast between Singapore’s historic riverside buildings and the towering skyscrapers behind is even more apparent.
Longitude: 103.8° E
When to go: All year
Singapore seems determined to become the most colorful city in the world. Take the Alkaff Bridge for example, which was built in 1997 to resemble a traditional local boat known as a tongkang. In 2007, it was given a vibrant facelift by Filipino artist Pacita Abad, who coated the bridge in fifty-five different colors and myriad swirling shapes, leading to its new name, the “Bridge of Art.”
Longitude: 103.8° E
When to go: All year
One of the most iconic sights in Asia, Angkor Wat was built in the twelfth century. It’s actually one of several hundred ancient buildings across Angkor National Park. Sunrise is always a vibrant spectacle, thanks to the pools in front of the temple, which capture a perfect reflection of the spires silhouetted against the pink and golden sky.
Longitude: 103.8° E
When to go: January to May
Spread lavishly along a hillside in the Botanical Gardens, Singapore’s National Orchid Garden is home to colorful blooms all year round, thanks to the tropical climate. As well as an abundance of fabulous orchids—including Singapore’s national flower, the Miss Joaquim orchid—visitors can enjoy several attractions and floral tunnels.
Longitude: 104.0° E
When to go: November to April for best birdlife
Pulsing from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, the Tonle Sap River is the lifeblood of Cambodia. During monsoon season, the river’s flow reverses, flooding the lake at its source. To combat this, the brightly painted wooden houses of the lake’s villages are built on stilts above the water, while some actually float on bamboo rafts and barrels.
Longitude: 103.8° E
When to go: All year
Siem Reap is better known for the crumbling brown temples that litter the Angkor Archaeological Park. But the pagoda of Wat Preah Prom Rath in the city center is much more colorful. The gardens of this Buddhist monastery are dotted with garishly painted sculptures telling stories of the Buddha and monks who have lived here. Throughout the gardens benches invite you to sit and contemplate the artworks. Few places are quite as still and serene in the midst of a bustling city.
Longitude: 104.9° E
When to go: October and November (dates change annually)
Cambodia’s annual Water Festival, Bon Om Tuk, is a celebration of the Harvest Moon and the reversal of the Tonle Sap river’s current that dates back to the twelfth century. Today, the biggest celebrations take place in Phnom Penh. The water is filled with painted wooden boats; their teams—who come from villages across Cambodia—dress in matching bright colors.
Longitude: 104.9° E
When to go: November to May (dry season) for the most pleasant weather
Set within neatly manicured gardens behind distinctive yellow walls, the Royal Palace complex in Phnom Penh offers a peaceful respite from the city’s chaos. It was built in 1866 when King Norodom relocated Cambodia’s capital to Phnom Penh. His palace, filled with marble, precious stones, and ornate detailing, has left behind a seriously extravagant legacy.
Longitude: 103.9° E
When to go: All year
Jiuzhaigou Valley Nature Reserve in the Sichuan Province is famous for its amazing views, waterfalls, and lakes—and the most famous of all is the incredible Five Flower Lake. Fed by an underwater hot spring, the water of this magical lake never freezes, even when everywhere else in the valley has. The lake’s color depends on the water levels and mineral concentrations, but varies from sapphire blue to deep emerald green.
Longitude: 104.9° E
When to go: Mid-November to early May
Constructed in 1937, the Central Market in Phnom Penh features a striking art deco design. At its center is an enormous golden dome, from which four hallways branch out like splayed arms. Inside the dome is the section of the market reserved for gold and jewelry vendors, clustered beneath the towering, flower-like yellow ceiling.
Longitude: 104.3° E
When to go: Mid-February to early April
Every spring, the countryside of Luoping in Yunnan becomes an endless sea of vivid yellow. Fields of canola—also known as rapeseed—stretch as far as the eye can see. Hills and mountains dotted throughout the region form small islands in the ocean of color, while in some of the valleys the crop lies in layered terraces, creating unique, looping patterns. Luoping’s annual yellow spectacle is best viewed from above to fully appreciate the sheer size of it, so the mountains provide perfect viewing spots.
Longitude: 103.2° E
When to go: November to May
Once a jungle-clad wilderness with a scattering of fishing villages, the island of Koh Rong has evolved into a tourist hotspot off the coast of Cambodia. Lining both sides of a sea-green river, the colorfully painted wooden boats and stilted houses of Prek Svay are a genuine floating village, surrounded by dense jungle.
Longitude: 108.1° E
When to go: February and March
Lake Baikal is best known as a summer holiday destination. But during the winter months, the lake becomes a winter wonderland Queen Elsa would be proud of. Baikal is the deepest lake in the world and it’s also considered one of the cleanest. During winter, giant shards of turquoise ice cover the lake’s surface. These startlingly transparent icicles erupt from the lake in fascinating formations, looking almost manmade. Elsewhere, frozen bubbles of methane gas float above the inky blue depths, while crisscrossing white-blue lines form where the ice has frozen in layers. The result is a fairy-tale land of ice and snow that must be seen to be believed.
Longitude: 105.6° E
When to go: October to December
Every year, Christmas Island, northwest of Perth, experiences a natural phenomenon: forty million red crabs migrate from the forest to the coast to spawn. The migration can last up to eighteen days, and with the crabs moving in mass waves, can look like an eerie red wave flowing across the land.
Longitude: 106.9° E
When to go: Avoid weekends when it’s very busy
Despite its alternative name translating as “Black Market,” there is nothing illegal about Naran Tuul and nothing very black. Color is everywhere, from the reams of bright, patterned fabrics to the lino flooring and the aisles of bright orange, wooden furniture—a traditional color in Mongolian yurts.
Longitude: 108.2° E
When to go: February to May
Da Nang has been nicknamed the City of Bridges, thanks to the numerous crossings traversing the Han River. Many of them are elaborate architectural feats, but none are quite as striking as the Dragon Bridge. Looping over and under the bridge in huge arches is a gigantic yellow-gold dragon, with pointed scales lining its back. At 2,185 ft/666 m, it’s the largest steel dragon bridge in the world—although it’s hard to imagine there’s much competition for that title! After dark, the towering archways are spectacularly lit, and on weekends and holidays the Dragon even spouts fire.
Longitude: 103.8° E
When to go: March to May for hiking. June to August is when the rice terraces are greenest.
In the mountains of northwestern Vietnam, the region around Sa Pa is one of the most popular trekking spots in the country. The region is famed for its rice terraces, which form snaking, staircase-like patterns around the valleys. Built to maximize farming space in the mountains, the effect is a mesmerizing pattern of undulating green.
Longitude: 108.2° E
When to go: All year. Best at sunset
Who knew Vietnam had a desert region? In the southeast, the fishing village of Mui Ne is surrounded by rolling sand dunes. The rich, amber hues of the Red Dunes are particularly striking, especially around sunset. They were formed by the strong winds of the coast, which carried sand inland and whipped it into towering cones.
Longitude: 108.3° E
When to go: February to August
Known for its intricate silk lanterns, a walk through the city of Hoi An feels like walking in a wonderland. Brightly colored lanterns are strung across the pedestrian-only streets and bob from the trees. The whimsical atmosphere is reminiscent of a fairy tale, and the bold yellow homes that line the roads and bougainvillea growing up the walls make it brim with color. Symbolizing harmony and balance, and attracting warmth, peace, and luck to a household, the lanterns were first created in the late sixteenth century when the silk trade brought the material to Hoi An. Originally, only traditional red lanterns were made. Now, a rainbow of lanterns in shapes such as diamonds, lotus, and balloons are created from bamboo and silk. On the fourteenth of each lunar month, a night of lantern festivities takes place in the city center, and the craftsmanship is put on display. Candy-colored lanterns line the streets and lantern boats are sent down the river. The town comes to life and lights up. Stall upon stall sell replicas of the picture-perfect lanterns so tourists can take a little slice of the dreamland home with them.
Longitude: 105.8° E
When to go: All year
On Hanoi’s Long Bien Bridge, a series of nineteen trompe l’œil murals fill the stone archways, bringing to life colorful scenes from Hanoi’s past. The project was a collaboration between Hanoi People’s Committee and the Korea Foundation, to celebrate twenty-five years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and South Korea.
Longitude: 107.1° E
When to go: March to May and September to November
One of the most famous tourist destinations in Vietnam, Halong Bay is a stunning landscape of naturally vibrant colors. The emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin are filled with a garden of islands. Around two thousand towering limestone karsts and islands are dotted throughout the bay, each one topped with a fuzz of deep green forest.
Longitude: 105.9° E
When to go: May to June
Often nicknamed the “inland Halong Bay,” Ninh Binh is a small city surrounded by a unique landscape. Filled with lush rice paddies, the rolling countryside of the Red River Delta is dotted with towering limestone karsts similar to the ones found in Halong Bay. Jutting from the greenery of the otherwise flat landscape, these stacks resemble huge green islands. At Tam Coc, visitors can glide through emerald waters and rocky grottoes on a wooden boat—get ready to be wowed by the craft’s captain who rows with their feet—or climb the five hundred steps to the stone dragon of Hang Mua temple for spectacular views of the karst-dotted landscape.
Longitude: 107.5° E
When to go: February to April
The walled and imposing Imperial City in Hue was once the capital of Vietnam. Abandoned during French colonial rule, the citadel fell into disrepair, and was almost lost during the Vietnam War, when a violent battle wiped out all but ten of the 160 buildings. Today, only an echo of the site’s former grandeur remains, but ongoing restoration projects are bringing back the former glory of the Imperial City. From the decadent carmine-and-gold throne room, to the weather-beaten primary colors of the Gate of the Splendor Pavilion, to the tranquil greens of the manicured gardens, colorful pockets of the Imperial City’s original majesty still exist within the grounds.
Longitude: 106.1° E
When to go: All year. Try to make the noon service
About three hours from Ho Chi Minh City lies the fascinating Cao Dai Temple. The temple’s bright yellow exterior, tiered red roofing and sky-blue trim is nothing compared with the interior. A baby-blue ceiling painted with puffy clouds arches over an explosion of colourful carvings and various religious motifs. Caodaism is a relatively new religion, founded here in 1926, and it combines elements of Buddhism, Taoism and Catholicism. Hence the chaotic—and at times kitschy—collision of styles and iconography found in the temple.
Longitude: 108.4° E
When to go: December to March
Da Lat has a lot of nicknames: La Petit Paris, the City of Eternal Spring, and City in the Fog, to name a few. It’s also known as the City of a Thousand Flowers, and a quick trip to the Da Lat Flower Park reveals why. The park’s sprawling gardens are bursting with hundreds of species of colorful flowers, many of which blossom all year round. This being Vietnam, there’s plenty of kitsch topiary and bizarre embellishments to explore. Think flower-studded teddy bears and horse-drawn carriages decked in colorful garlands. But there’s also an impressive collection of flowers from around the world, including hydrangeas, fuchsias, and orchids.
Longitude: 108.2° E
When to go: All year
Close to the Red Dunes of Mui Ne lies the quaintly named Fairy Stream. Another surreal landscape that seems completely at odds with the rest of Vietnam, the Fairy Stream looks like the Grand Canyon in miniature. Winding its way between rust-red cliffs and through bamboo forests, the stream is an ankle-deep creek colored vivid orange by the clay and limestone of the surrounding landscape. The name comes from bizarre limestone formations that line the stream, swirled by wind and erosion into shapes that could easily be mistaken for the villages of tiny magical creatures.
Longitude: 114.2° E
When to go: April to October
Kawah Ijen is one of a string of volcanoes on the island of Java, but this towering Indonesian volcano boasts a surprisingly colorful attraction at its summit. By day, the crater lake at Kawah Ijen’s summit is a vivid turquoise pool of water. At the edge of the lake, an active vent pours forth bright yellow clouds of sulfur. But the most exciting phenomenon occurs at night, when dazzling neon blue rivers of fire can be seen streaming down the mountain. This is caused by sulfuric gases emerging from cracks in the volcano at high pressures and temperatures of up to 1,112°F/600°C. When the gas hits the air, it ignites, sending blue flames up into the night sky, before condensing into liquid sulfur and flowing down the slopes, still burning bright blue.
Longitude: 118.7° E
When to go: February to April
Mountainous Boheydulang is a tiny island in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park off Borneo’s northeastern coast. Formed from the remnants of an ancient volcano, the hills of the island offer the perfect vantage point to appreciate the dazzling aquamarine waters of the marine park.
Longitude: 115.3° E
When to go: June to September
North of the rainforest town of Ubud are the island’s most iconic rice paddies. The lush green rice fields look as if the green has been dialed up to eleven. You can enter the fields free of charge, but to continue to different sections, you’ll pay small fees.
Longitude: 119.5° E
When to go: April to December (although it’s best to avoid the July to August high season)
Komodo Island is known for more than just dragons. On the southeastern corner of the island you can visit one of its most unusual natural attractions: Pink Beach. Pentai Merah, as it’s called locally, is a magical landscape of pink sand, and is one of just a handful of such beaches in the world. Contrasting with the turquoise water of the sea, the color is amazing. But there’s a scientific explanation for the pink sand. The rosy hues are caused by the red pigment in the shells of foraminifera, minuscule marine creatures that live on the nearby coral reefs. Most visitors to Pink Beach come as part of a tour of the Komodo National Park, the only place in the world where the magnificent Komodo dragons live in the wild.
Longitude: 106.7° E
When to go: Dry season runs from April to October
Dieng Plateau in Central Java is known for an array of natural beauties. Among them is the incredible color-changing lake, Telaga Warna. The high sulfur content means that when the sun hits the water, it reflects in various colors. At times it can be bright turquoise, at others dark green, yellow, or even purple.
Longitude: 110.4° E
When to go: All year, but best from June to September
In early 2017, the village of Kampung Pelangi won a grant from the local government to undertake a massive redecoration project in an attempt to attract more tourists. The local community pulled together to paint every wall and roof in bright rainbow stripes. Even the mayor pitched in.
Longitude: 106.4° E
When to go: April to October. Middle of the day
The Kaolin Lakes of the Bangka and Belitung Islands aren’t actually lakes at all. Kaolinite is a bright white clay found in abundance at spots across the two islands, and the surreal landscapes were created by mining activity. The abandoned mines have filled with water, creating pools that are a vivid aqua color thanks to the white minerals.
Longitude: 112.6° E
When to go: All year
Once a run-down slum with little prospects for the residents, Jodipan was revitalized into a rainbow village by a group of students from Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang that thought a unique paint job would transform the neighborhood. And they were right—tourists noticed and now pay to view the vibrant community, creating an economy for the locals.
Longitude: 116.4° E
When to go: April to October. Trails are closed from early January to April
Mount Rinjani, Indonesia’s second-highest volcano, has long been a favorite trekking challenge among the hordes of backpackers flocking to Lombok island. At 12,224 ft/3,726 m above sea level, the views from the top are breathtaking. But the real attraction is Rinjani’s crescent-shaped crater lake, which curls around the tip of an active volcanic cone. The lake’s water is a rich sea-blue, earning it the name Segara Anak, meaning “child of the sea.” Both the lake and the volcano are considered sacred by Indonesians, and many make pilgrimages to honor the spirit of the mountain. One of these, Pekelan, involves pilgrims throwing offerings of gold and jewelry into the lake, before continuing the climb to the summit.
Longitude: 106.8° E
When to go: April to September to avoid the rainy season
For many years Indonesia was a Dutch colony, and while much of its legacy is tied up in political tensions between the two nations, one stylish Dutch import are the classic sit-up-and-beg bicycles still found throughout the country. Lining one side of the historic Fatahillah Square in Jakarta Old Town is a bike hire business which rents out these old bikes, repainted and reupholstered, paired with similarly brightly colored old-fashioned bike helmets and sunhats. For those who would rather not pedal, you can hire a “driver” to pedal you round while you enjoy the tour from a padded rear seat.
Longitude: 114.1° E
When to go: March to June, September to November
One of the most vibrant cities in the world, Hong Kong is littered with multicolored locations. Over the years, rainbow-colored apartment complexes have sprung up all over the city. Clusters of brightly colored buildings such as the Blue House, which is listed as a Grade I historic building and made up of blue, orange, and yellow houses, showcase the history of architecture of Hong Kong. Surrounded by a myriad of candy-colored buildings, it’s hard to miss. But the real winner of the title of “Colorful Hong Kong” goes to the Choi Hung Estate, which translates as rainbow from the Cantonese. Built in 1962, it houses over eighteen thousand people. The façade of the apartment complex is covered in hues of pastel purple, blue, green, and orange. Below the color-shaded exterior, on the roof of the car park, is a vibrant basketball court that adds even more personality to the spot.
Longitude: 114.2° E
When to go: March to June, September to November
The juxtaposition of the large Buddhist temple complex of Chi Lin Nunnery is captivating against huge skyscrapers in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Designed in the traditional Tang Dynasty style, the complex, golden pagoda and red bridge are constructed entirely of cypress wood, without the use of nails.
Longitude: 115.0° E
When to go: April to September
Beautiful beaches, friendly locals, and tasty food are the reasons people flock to the Indonesian island of Bali. But one thing they all remember on leaving, are the insanely beautiful sunsets. Nearly every night the skies turn the color of sweet candy from Seminyak to Uluwatu to Ubud to the Gili Islands and everywhere in between.
Longitude: 114.2° E
When to go: All year
Western Australia has a few fabulous pink lakes. Hutt Lagoon is one of them, and it’s notable for the range of colors the water turns. The color is created by a special type of algae and can range from bubblegum pink to red and purple. To see it at its most impressive, pick a day with clear skies and arrive around midday.
Longitude: 115.4° E
When to go: June to September
An early-morning hike up active volcano Mount Batur may be physically and mentally challenging, but you’ll be rewarded by an incredible sunrise. Glistening gold rays burst from the silhouette of Mount Agung, while low mist hangs over a shimmery Lake Batur. Peckish? Tuck into boiled eggs cooked in the volcanic steam.
Longitude: 114.1° E
When to go: September and October
A sea of pink, magenta, and yellow wildflowers covers the rolling hills of Kalbarri National Park in Australia. Add to this deep red gorges, greenish-blue water, and views of plummeting sandstone cliff faces, all of which can be viewed through Nature’s Window—a massive red rock frame—and it’s a color-lover’s dream.
Longitude: 115.7° E
When to go: September to November,
Red and green should never be seen, unless they’re in lighthouse form, of course. The North Mole and South Mole lighthouses in Perth are the last remaining of their type. The 50-ft/15-m-high towers are made of cast iron and painted red and green with stand-out bright white windows and doors. The brightly colored pair have provided safe access to ships coming in to Perth’s Fremantle Harbour for more than a hundred years and are a well-known landmark to sailors visiting the port. They’re also popular for recreational fishing and bird-watching and can easily be reached on foot.
