Southeast Asia’s Top 20
Temples of Angkor (Cambodia)
One of the world’s most magnificent sights, the temples of Angkor are so much better than the superlatives. Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious building; Bayon, with its immense four-sided stone faces, is perhaps the world’s weirdest spiritual monument; and at Ta Prohm nature has run amok. Siem Reap, a buzzing destination with superb restaurants and bars, is the base from which to explore this collection of temples. Beyond the temples are cultural attractions galore, such as floating villages and cooking classes.
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Hoi An (Vietnam)
Vietnam’s most cosmopolitan and civilised town, this beautiful ancient port is bursting with gourmet restaurants, hip bars and cafes, quirky boutiques and expert tailors. Immerse yourself in history in the warren-like lanes of the Old Town, wander through the shops and tour the temples and pagodas. Dine like an emperor on a peasant’s budget – and even learn how to cook like the locals. Then hit glorious An Bang beach, wander along the riverside and bike the back roads. Yes, Hoi An has it all.
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Bagan (Myanmar)
More than 4000 Buddhist temples are scattered across the plains of Bagan, the site of the first Burmese kingdom and an architectural complement to the temples of Angkor. Dating from the 11th and 13th centuries, the vast majority have been renovated, as Bagan remains an active religious site and place of pilgrimage. Yes, there are tour buses and crowds at the most popular sunset-viewing spots, but they can be avoided. Pedal off on a bike and have your own adventure amid the not-so-ruined temples.
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Bangkok (Thailand)
This superstar city has it all, and in super-sized proportions: food, shopping, fun and then some. Bangkok may be a pressure cooker for new arrivals, but it will be a needed dose of civilisation after weeks of dusty back roads. Build in plenty of time to load up on souvenirs, refresh your wardrobe, get a much-kneaded massage, and recount tall tales over a cold bottle of beer. Don’t forget a sunset river-ferry ride, an evening noodle tour of Chinatown and one final round of temple spotting.
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Halong Bay (Vietnam)
More than 3000 limestone-peaked islands sheltered by shimmering seas make Halong Bay one of Vietnam’s top tourist draws as well as a Unesco World Heritage Site. An overnight cruise allows you to adore the scenery through the day’s dramatic changes of light: rise early for an ethereal misty morn, kayak into the tidal-carved grottoes and lagoons and track the pastel parade of the sinking sun. (If you’re still hankering for more karst action, move on to less touristy Lan Ha Bay.)
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Luang Prabang (Laos)
Hemmed in by the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, this ancient city boasts history, religious devotion and natural beauty. Once a royal capital, Luang Prabang is populated by temples and Buddhist monks, best seen on their morning call to alms. In between are forested river views and world-class French cuisine. Hire a bike and explore the backstreets, take a cooking workshop or encounter an elephant, or just ease back with a restful massage at one of many affordable spas. Prepare to stay a lot longer than planned.
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Bali (Indonesia)
Though Indonesia’s 17,000 islands offer myriad cultural and exploration adventures, the one island not to miss is Bali. The original backpackers’ haven, here you can surf epic breaks and then party till dawn and beyond. Bali has one of Southeast Asia’s richest cultures; artistic expression linked to their unique form of Hinduism fills locals' days and nights. Stay at one of the many cool, beachy dives on the coast down to Ulu Watu and you may find it hard to even contemplate moving on.
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Komodo & Flores (Indonesia)
Spot prehistoric dragons at Komodo National Park, dive some of Indonesia’s best spots and laze away days on deserted-island beaches, all while enjoying the charms and fun of Labuanbajo, the ever-more-popular waterfront town at the west end of the volcano-studded island of Flores. It's enjoying a surging popularity as the next Indo ‘it’ spot and offers stunning vistas and ancient cultures. Hop around nearby islands to laze on beaches of varying hues.
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George Town (Malaysia)
Once abandoned by locals and seemingly forgotten by tourists, George Town has managed to cling to its reign as one of the region’s hottest destinations. The 2008 Unesco World Heritage declaration sparked a frenzy of cultural preservation that continues to this day, and the city’s charismatic shophouses have been turned into house museums, charming boutique hotels and chic cafes. Aggressive drivers aside, it’s also one of the most rewarding cities in Southeast Asia to explore on foot – and also home to some of Malaysia’s best food.
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Chiang Mai (Thailand)
Bestowed with endless charm, Chiang Mai is a cultural and artistic magnet for Thais and tourists alike. The old city is framed by a time-preserving moat and chock-a-block with antique teak temples displaying northern Thailand’s distinctive art and architecture. It is one of Asia's most liveable places, where visitors come to study language, massage, meditation or just chat with a monk. Guarding the city is Doi Suthep, a sacred peak bejewelled with a sacred temple; beyond the city limits are high-altitude valleys, hill-tribe treks and mountain vistas.
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Si Phan Don (Laos)
The Mekong River sheds its characteristic muddy hue for a more tropical turquoise blue as it eddies around 4000 islands, known collectively as Si Phan Don. This is Laos at its most quintessential: a sleepy, riverside idyll. The villages host a whole lot of hammock-hanging as well as meandering cycling trips and late-night carousing. Kayakers and tubers take to the water, giving this hang-out haven a bit of a pulse – and the rare Irrawaddy dolphins make seasonal appearances.
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Timor-Leste
Often (unfairly) excluded on a typical Southeast Asian itinerary, the region’s newest nation offers some of its greatest untapped adventures. After learning about Timor-Leste's harrowing history in Dili’s museums, use the capital as a base for dive trips to the delicate, untouched reefs fringing the north coast, and 4WD excursions to the districts for magical mountain climbs, traditional village visits, and excellent snorkelling off sacred Jaco Island. Cap off your trip with a night on sleepy Atauro Island to get a feel for the Southeast Asia of the 1960s.
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Inle Lake (Myanmar)
Surrounded by an enormous carpet of greenery, Inle Lake is so awe-inspiring and large that everybody comes away with a different experience. If you’re counting days, you’ll most likely be hitting the hot spots: water-bound temples, shore-bound markets and floating gardens. If you have more time, consider day hikes or exploring the more remote corners of the lake. The cool weather, friendly folks and that placid pool of ink-like water are bound to find a permanent place in your memory.
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Singapore
The small city-state of Singapore excels in the art of multi-culti cuisine served in the ever-approachable hawker centres. Over the generations, descendants from China, Malaysia, Indonesia and India joined together their cooking pots, importing, creating and tweaking dishes from their homelands. In between meals visit Gardens by the Bay, a plant conservatory without the Victorian-era stuffiness, or the Baba House, a restored (and surprisingly crowd-free) Straits-Chinese home that provides a free history and culture lesson. If a few hours have passed, it's time for another tasty meal.
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Palawan (Philippines)
Rugged and remote, Palawan has sky-rocketed in popularity as travel magazines rush to add it to their lists of world's best islands. The crown jewel is the Bacuit Archipelago near El Nido, a surreal seascape of brooding limestone cliffs where you can kayak among sea turtles. Further south, the heavenly beaches of Port Barton and Sabang beckon. To the north, make the eerie descent to the sunken Japanese ships in Coron Bay. Overnight island-hopping trips around Coron or El Nido shouldn't be missed.
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Malaysian Borneo
Still part of Malaysia but with a character all of their own, the Bornean states of Sabah and Sarawak will fulfil your wildest jungle dreams. From visiting longhouse communities in Sarawak to scaling Sabah’s mighty Mt Kinabalu, diving Sipadan’s majestic reefs and spotting ginger orangutans swinging between treetops – your ultimate adventure awaits. An astonishing array of cultures, religions and languages thrive here, not to mention cuisines; fuel up on fresh-catch seafood in cosmopolitan Kuching (Sarawak) and grows-on-you Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) between jungle jaunts.
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Ifugao Rice Terraces (Philippines)
These incredible terraces were hand-hewn centuries ago by the Ifugao tribe in the remote Cordillera of the northern Philippines: the result was arable land where there had been only vertical impediments. Considered by Filipinos as one of the wonders of the world, the Ifugao rice terraces ring the towns of Banaue and Batad, but adventurous travellers will find terraces ribbing most of the spiny Cordillera. Trekking these emerald staircases – and sleeping among them in idyllic Batad – is an experience not to be missed.
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Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
The Cambodian capital is a chaotic yet charming city that has thrown off past shadows to embrace a brighter future. Boasting one of the most beautiful riverfronts in the region, Phnom Penh is in the midst of a boom, with hip hostels, cool cafes and buzzing bars ready to welcome urban explorers. Experience emotional extremes at the inspiring National Museum and the sobering Tuol Sleng Museum, showcasing the best and worst of Cambodian history. Once called the 'Pearl of Asia', Phnom Penh is fast regaining its shine.
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Gili Islands (Indonesia)
One of Indonesia’s greatest joys is hopping on a fast boat from busy Bali and arriving on one of the irresistible Gili Islands. Think sugar-white sand; warm, turquoise waters; and wonderful beach resorts and bungalows just begging you to extend your stay. Not to mention the coral reefs, teeming with sharks, rays and turtles. Savour the dining and nightlife on Gili Trawangan, the perfect balance of Gili Air and the pint-sized charms of Gili Meno. Or simply lie back and do nothing at all.
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Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (Vietnam)
With jagged hills shrouded in verdant rainforest and mountain rivers coursing through impressive ravines, above-ground Phong Nha-Ke Bang region is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular national parks. Head underground for more proof that this should be a vital part of any Vietnamese itinerary – a fortunate selection of travellers can experience the cathedral-like chambers of Hang Son Doong, the world’s largest cave. More accessible are the ziplining and kayaking thrills of Hang Toi (Dark Cave), and the ethereal beauty of aptly-named Paradise Cave.
