Thursday, November 20, 2014

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.

1 comment:

  1. Great picks! I hope I can travel to those places. I have already been in Peza zone, my next destination is El Nido, Palawan.

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