Top 20 Best Travel Destinations in Southeast Asia
The Southeast Asia region is a collection of countries situated between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with indigenous civilizations affected by Indian, ... read more...Chinese, and Western influences. The region is home to the world's most crowded Muslim country, well-known Buddhist countries, and large Christian, Hindu, and Animist groups. TOPLIST will introduce to you Top Best Travel Destinations in Southeast Asia now!
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Travelers will not want to miss Angkor Wat in northern Cambodia when they want to visit archeological monuments. It is home to some of the most important cultural relics on the planet. The enormous Angkor Wat temple, the Bayon temple with many of massive stone faces, and Ta Prohm, a Buddhist temple ruin encircled by towering trees, are just a few examples.
From the ninth until the fourteenth century, Angkor was the Khmer capital, and its art impacted Southeast Asian art. Honesty to say, TOPLIST believes that Angkor Wat is one of the most wonderful places for you to visit in Southeast Asia.
Nation: Cambodia
Best time to visit: November to March
Number of tourists annually: 2.6 million
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Bali, a popular place to visit in Southeast Asia from Indonesia, lives up to its image as the archetypal tropical paradise. The verdant rice terraces give a magnificent backdrop to Bali's colorful and deeply spiritual Hindu culture, while the waters around it are recognized for their great marine diversity and coral reefs.
Bali has long been a famous tourist destination in Southeast Asia, with destinations such as Kuta, Ubud, and others. Regardless of the season, this location maintains the appearance of a tropical paradise, providing the greatest elegance and comfort to its visitors amid nature.
Nation: Indonesia
Best time to visit: April to October
Number of tourists annually: about 6.3 million
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Halong Bay, near the Chinese border in northern Vietnam, is a stunning natural wonder. Halong Bay is around 1,500 square kilometers in size and is lined with 1,600 limestone islands and islets. In 1994, UNESCO designated this exceptional area as a World Heritage Site. For many visitors, this location appears to be straight out of a movie.
The fact is that Halong Bay is a strange beauty that has been portrayed in a slew of films, and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including typical eco-systems like mangrove forests, tropical forests, and coral reefs. Thousands of plants and creatures of various sorts, such as shrimp, fish, and squid, are also found here.
Nation: Vietnam
Best time to visit: March to May and October to December
Number of tourists annually: 6 million -
The capital of Laos - Vientiane, is situated on the Mekong River, close to the Thai border. It is a beautiful city that was once a French possession and is now the country's economic heart. The Pha That Luang, a Buddhist stupa dating from 1586, is a must-see for visitors to Vientiane.
There are many Buddhist temples and attractions to see, but visitors should also take a stroll along the Mekong Riverside Park. Besides, Vientiane is also one of the best places to enjoy Laos nightlife.
Nation: Laos
Best time to visit: November to February
Number of tourists annually: 2 million -
Bagan is another wonderful and astonishing travel destination in Myanmar to visit if you're looking for a spot to visit in Southeast Asia. Bagan, on the banks of the Ayeyarwady River, is home to one of the most extensive collections of Buddhist temples, pagodas, and stupas in the world. One of the most important reasons is that Bagan was once the capital of the First Burmese Empire.
With an overwhelming amount of Myanmar temples in the region, this is a wonderfully captivating site for travelers. This is, without a doubt, one of Southeast Asia's top travel destinations.
Nation: Myanmar
Best time to visit: November to February
Number of tourists annually: about 600.000 -
Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, combines the charm of the ancient world with a fast-paced lifestyle as the city modernizes. In the mornings, tourists may see people practicing tai-chi in the park while skateboarders zoom by. The Old Quarter, in the heart of Hanoi, is an open-air museum of medieval Asian and French colonial architecture that has largely been preserved.
The list of attractions includes ancient temples and art museums, as well as museums dedicated to the Vietnamese revolution and military history. Some spots that you need to remember are Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, One Pillar Pagoda, and so on.
Nation: Vietnam
Best time to visit: September to November and March to April
Number of tourists annually: 2.9 million -
Borobudur is the world's largest and most famous Buddhist temple, located 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Yogyakarta on the island of Java, Indonesia. The kingdom of Sailendra constructed the Borobudur over a period of 75 years from the 8th to 9th century, using an estimated 2 million pieces of stone.
The beautiful architecture and fascinating temple trivia will enchant you. If you want to enjoy the history and architecture, Java is one of the best islands to visit in Southeast Asia.
Nation: Java, Indonesia
Best time to visit: April to October
Number of tourists annually: 5 million
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Luang Prabang is located in northcentral Laos, near the junction of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. The former royal capital is known for its Buddhist monasteries and temples, with monks collecting alms on morning walks through the city.
Tourists come to the old town to buy, see temples, and take in the ambiance. Several waterfalls, as well as the famous Pak Ou Caves, are nearby this travel destination. In addition, there are plenty of activities to do in Luang Prabang, such as temple hopping, watching the sunset at Mount Phousi,… that you can try when visiting this place.
Nation: Laos
Best time to visit: November to January and October to April
Number of tourists annually: 600.000 -
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and is a dynamic city. It is the country's most crowded city, with a skyline dotted with creatively constructed skyscrapers, including the world's highest twin towers, the Petronas Twin Towers. Kuala Lumpur also has an exceptional Islamic Arts Museum, as well as the Bukit Bintang pedestrian bridge and tunnel, connecting the downtown area, and the world's largest walk-in aviary.
Tourists can enjoy a family holiday here, and if you're looking for a little adventure, a journey to the breathtaking Batu Caves is a good option for you. In Kuala Lumpur, there are several day trips for couples looking for a relaxing getaway.
Nation: Malaysia
Best time to visit: May to July and December to February
Number of tourists annually: 13.8 million
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Singapore is a city-state on the Malay Peninsula's southern end, approximately 137 kilometers (85 miles) above the equator. With 75% of the population being Chinese, they are the most populous ethnic group. In addition, residents speak a variety of languages, including Mandarin, English, Malay, and Tamil. The exquisite Raffles Hotel, gardens and nature paths, the Buddha Tooth Relic Museum, and the city zoo are just a few of Singapore's main attractions.
With this well-developed, technologically prospering metropolis, we believe this is one of Southeast Asia's most popular tourist destinations. You can always count on this spot for an exceptional experience, whether it's a family vacation or a romantic break with your loved one.
Nation: Singapore
Best time to visit: February to May
Number of tourists annually: 19.1 million -
Phuket, Thailand's largest island and most popular tourist destination outside of Bangkok, is known for its beautiful beaches and superb diving. Patong Beach is the most popular beach, with restaurants, resorts, shops, hotels, restaurants, and a busy nightlife.
With countless alternatives ranging from massage tents on the beach to world-class spa resorts in stunning locations, Phuket is also a place for ultimate relaxation. The top things to do in Phuket are relishing local food, diving, hopping, enjoying water sports, and so on.
Nation: Thailand
Best time to visit: December to March
Number of tourists annually: 9.89 million -
The capital of the Philippines, Boracay is a small island about 320 kilometers (200 miles) south of Manila, the Philippines' capital. It is most known for its magnificent beaches, which have been dubbed "one of the greatest beaches in Southeast Asia" by several travel journals.
Yapak Beach noted for its white shells, and White Beach, known for its spectacular sunsets, are two of the best beaches in this area. Wiley's Rock, which includes a monument of the Virgin Mary atop a volcanic structure, is another popular sight that you should visit when coming to Boracay.
Nation: the Philippines
Best time to visit: November to May
Number of tourists annually: 2 million -
Yangon, previously known as Rangoon, is the largest city in Myanmar and the former capital of Burma with a population of about 5 million people. Yangon, which was once a little fishing village, was governed by the British and now possesses the most colonial buildings of any Southeast Asian metropolis.
The Shwedagon Pagoda, a historic Buddhist monument surrounded by parks, a war cemetery, and Musmeah Yeshua, the city's lone synagogue, are some top tourist attractions of the city. If you're ever unsure whether to go or not, Yangon is considered one of Asia's safest cities to visit.
Nation: Myanmar
Best time to visit: November to February
Number of tourists annually: 1 million -
Hoi An, located near the mouth of the Thu Bon River on the central coast of Vietnam, is a lovely town recognized for its wonderful atmosphere. The town, also known as Fai-Fo, has a well-preserved Southeast Asian trading port, which is used to be until the river silted up.
Beautiful old buildings, traditional wooden cottages, and hundreds of tailor shops offering everything from apparel to souvenirs line the narrow, winding alleyways of the old harbor. Another advice for you is that if you're thinking about spending the new year in Vietnam, make sure to include this destination on your itinerary.
Nation: Vietnam
Best time to visit: February to June
Number of tourists annually: 3.22 million -
In the Titiwangsa Mountains of Malaysia, there is a national park named Taman Negara. Those who believe Malaysia is all about modern landscapes should visit this location to sample the country's natural wealth. For eco-tourists and those who want to experience a tropical jungle in a close and personal way, it's one of the best spots to visit in Southeast Asia.
Walking through the jungle, occasionally on rope bridges through the woodlands; hiking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, fishing, and camping are all popular sports. To participate in all of the park's activities, visitors will require a lot of energy.
Nation: Malaysia
Best time to visit: February to September
Number of tourists annually: about 84.000 -
Palawan is a Philippine island province that extends between the South China and Sulu seas from Mindoro to Borneo. The provincial capital, Puerto Princesa, is located near massive karst formations with an underground river.
The Coron Reefs on Busuanga Island is one of the top diving destinations in the world, attracting divers looking to investigate World War II Japanese shipwrecks. El Nido, a village wedged between towering limestone karst cliffs and the lovely Bacuit Bay, is another famous tourist destination. We are sure that it is one of Southeast Asia's most stunning tourist destinations, where you can enjoy it for days.
Nation: the Philippines
Best time to visit: October to mid-June
Number of tourists annually: 1 million -
The second largest lake of Myanmar, Inle Lake, is located in the southeast of the country. The Intha people live in small communities around the lake and on the lake itself in floating cottages, creating a wonderful panorama. Locals grow fruits and vegetables on floating gardens in addition to fishing.
The large lake is navigated by commuter and tourist motorboats, as well as flat-bottomed skiffs propelled by the unique Intha technique of leg-rowing, in which one leg is wrapped around the paddle and drives the blade through the water in a snake-like motion.
Nation: Myanmar
Best time to visit: June to October
Number of tourists annually: 200.000 -
Thailand is gaining prominence as one of the top Southeast Asia destinations for water adventures and island hopping, based on recent tourist statistics. In northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is one of the country's most culturally significant cities, having been founded in the 13th century. It's situated among the tallest mountains on the Ping River, Thailand.
More than 300 Buddhist temples may be found in the area, as well as a night market known for its handicrafts. It's a good site to visit if you're interested in attending one of the area's Thai festivals.
Nation: Thailand
Best time to visit: December to May
Number of tourists annually: 4 million -
Sapa is a peaceful town in Vietnam's rural northwest that serves as a base for walking in the nearby highlands, touring rice terraces, and visiting traditional communities and hill tribes.
There are attractive French colonial sites worth visiting in Sapa itself, and the numerous ethnic tribes in the vicinity frequently congregate at the town market to sell their products, which make good souvenirs. Don’t forget to experience some activities in this wonderful travel destination, such as hiking, exploring the local villages, visiting Fairy Cave, finding your way to Silver Waterfalls.
Nation: Vietnam
Best time to visit: March to May and September to November
Number of tourists annually: 1.2 million
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Vang Vieng, a scenic town north of Vientiane (Laos), famed for its limestone karst formations, is a popular tourist destination. The town is situated on the Nam Song River and is surrounded by karst hills, making it incredibly picturesque.
Backpackers flock to this village of 25,000 people to tube and kayak down the river. Hiking, cave exploration, and rock climbing in the hills are additional popular activities for visitors. Besides that, textiles are a popular item to buy when visiting this travel destination.
Nation: Laos
Best time to visit: November to March
Number of tourists annually: 1 million