Places to Go in Southeast Asia: 5 Must-See Picks

If you're thinking of visiting Southeast Asia but aren't sure where to start, it can be tempting to follow the crowd. Whether the crowd is small or large, there are places you can go where you and your family or friends will really enjoy hitting that one beach. Here are a few of those vacation spots to add to your list.

1. Tubbataha Reef, Philippines. One of the top Philippine tourist attractions for divers and nature-lovers, this World Heritage Site boasts a stunningly high number of marine species. One of its islets even serves as a nesting site for birds and turtles.

Try to catch a glimpse of he hammerhead and white-tip reef sharks there, among other marine animals.

2. Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia. Another World Heritage Site, the 20th most prominent mountain in the world towers more than 4,000 meters above sea level. You don't need any special training in mountain climbing to try and scale the peak. The thinning air as you reach the top might slow you down some, though.

Asia's 3rd highest mountain boasts a biological diversity greater than that of Europe and North America combined, where plant life is concerned. Furry critters include three kinds of deer, the Oriental Small-Clawed Otter, and the Bornean ferret-badger.

3. Bagan, Myanmar. The sheer number of temples found here can make you think that they just popped up out of the ground. This counterpart to the Angkor Wat provides just as breathtaking a view, especially when viewed from the air via hot air balloon ride.

This is sure to be the highlight of activities while you're in the area, for kids and adults alike. Make sure to ride that hot air balloon at dawn or at dusk; it's hard to beat the hazy, gentle sunlight washing over these majestic stone structures surrounded by verdant nature.

4. Angkor Wat, Cambodia. What trip to Southeast Asia would be complete without a visit to this renowned archaeological site? It's part of the Angkor Archaeological Park, the sheer size of which leaves plenty of room for the hordes of visitors to explore.

5. Vigan City, Philippines. If you're on a Philippine vacation, be sure to stop by this beautifully well-preserved Spanish colonial town. It's best to explore the city on foot, with it's cobblestone streets and European architecture.

A Quick Guide To Bukidnon’s Coolest Tourist Attractions

Tucked right in the middle of Mindanao, the province of Bukidnon is a mountainous region blessed with natural attractions. It’s Mindanao’s food basket! Here, you’ll find just about any type of fresh produce from pineapples to strawberries, tomatoes, sugar cane, bananas and more.  Even though it’s landlocked and the beaches are so far away, it doesn’t mean that you’ll run out of things to do here.  Let me give you a short list of the top must-visit and must-experience tourist attractions in scenic and lovely Bukidnon.

The Monastery of Transfiguration In Malaybalay

On a hill in Barangay San Jose in Malaybalay City, you’ll be surprised to a stylish, well-designed monastery run by a bunch of pleasant Benedictine Monks. The Monastery of Transfiguration is designed by National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin, world-famous architect who designed the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila, and other notable landmarks and Philippine tourist attractions.

This lovely monastery is also well-known for making its own tasty coffee variant called “The Monk’s Blend”. The place is just perfect for those who’d like to experience peace and tranquility. But every second Sunday of the month, visitors can enjoy a truly tasty and delectable buffet breakfast with the monks!  Another place worth visiting (especially if you love flowers) is the Carmelite Sister’s Monastery, which is within the vicinity.

Del Monte Pineapple Plantation

If you want to get the feel of being in a really large farm or plantation, then you should visit the Del Monte pineapple plantation in Camp Philips, Manolo Fortich. Inside the camp, visitors can have their photo taken at a large pineapple welcome sign, tour the production facilities, buy take-home items at the Souvenir Shop, and feast on succulent steaks at the Del Monte Golf Club House!

For just 300 Pesos, you’ll get a set lunch of steaks with gravy, soup, salad and mashed potatoes with fresh pineapple juice and fruit cocktail. You definitely won’t find steaks as fresh, tasty and cheap as the ones here in Camp Philips.

The Kaamulan Festival

If you want to experience an authentic tribal festival, then the Kaamulan Festival in Malaybalay City is one of the many local attractions that you shouldn’t miss. The festival showcases the region’s diverse cultural traditions, and celebrates the bountiful harvests of the province’s different tribes. The street dancing activity is an eye-opening education in tribal traditions, because you’ll see the participants perform different rituals and dances, with each of them dressed in colorful woven costumes, ethnic head gear, trinkets and necklaces. 

Lake Apo

The province is blessed with breathtaking mountains, rivers and lakes, and one of the top tourist-drawers is Lake Apo in Valencia City. The 24-hectare lake is filled with cool emerald-like waters, and the nearby surroundings are replete with greenery and vegetation, while the scenic hills and mountains provide a picture-perfect backdrop.

Apart from swimming and relaxing in the floating cottages, visitors could also do kayaking,  use the canoes and pedal boats, as well as hop on a banana boat.  If you’re looking for place to stay here, you could rent the rest house owned by Dr. Alfonso, the guy who developed the lake for tourists to enjoy. The rest house is powered by eco-friendly solar panels, and can comfortably accommodate to as much as 25 people.

Dahilayan Adventure Park

For avid thrill seekers, the Dahilayan Adventure and Forest Park should be on your list of top places to visit. Here, you’ll have your fill of exciting and adrenaline-pumping rides, from the 840-meter zipline which is dubbed as Asia’s longest, to the 21-station treetop adventure and obstacle courses. You could also ride the Zorb and do bungee jumping.

Visitors can also stay overnight in the resort’s well-appointed rooms, as well as dine in the various restaurants that dot the area. The park is considered one of Bukidnon’s (and the country’s) top tourist attractions.