Southeast Asia is the PERFECT travel destination – it’s cheap, safe and absolutely beautiful. Plus, it’s always flip-flop weather!

There’s no place I love more than Asia. (I spent five summers running photo trips for high school students in India and Southeast Asia.) Every year, I would travel on my own for a few months and explore nearby countries. It’s the most common place I get asked about for travel advice so I thought it was time to write a guide!

Here is my list of the top six places to visit in Southeast Asia:

 

1. Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang is one of my favorite cities in the world and a traveler’s dream. The World Heritage site is surrounded by lush mountains and sliced in half by the mighty Mekong River deep in the heart of Laos. The former French colony opened for tourism in 1989 making it one of Southeast Asia’s best-kept secrets. The former royal capital of Luang Prabang is known for well-preserved golden temples and the daily morning procession of monks who walk the streets collecting alms from locals. The center of town is lined with delicious French restaurants, cafes and bakeries like JOMA, which specializes in local fair-trade coffee. Don’t miss the local street market one block over – fresh crepes, fish and local stir-fries are available every morning for cheap. (Street crepes are the BEST!) Be sure to hike the impressive Tat Kuang Si Waterfall and take a boat trip down the Mekong to visit the Buddha-filled Pak Ou Caves.

IMPORTANT TIP: If you go to the alms ceremony, be respectful to the monks! Take photos from a distance and not directly in their faces.  Dress conservatively, and do not stand higher than the monks. (You’ll notice most locals are seated.) Avoid giving the monks food because there’s been a huge issue with on-site street vendors selling foreigners old food that makes the monks sick. Let the locals give food.

HOW TO GET TO LUANG PRABANG: I always take the bus from Vientiane, the capital of Laos by the Thai border. It’s a grueling (9-13 hour) journey through curvy mountain roads. (ALWAYS get the VIP bus.) You can fly from Bangkok and other major cities on local airlines, which can be a bit sketchy. Lao Airlines had a bad reputation for a long time so I’ve always avoided them. The other two options are usually propeller planes like Bangkok Airways or Vietnam Airlines. (I hate flying so I always take the bus because those particular airlines scare me.)

WHEN TO GO: I prefer the rainy season which lasts roughly from April to October, which usually means brief showers daily. (I’ve always been in August.) March is the hottest month. November to January are the coolest months and most crowded.

2. Sukhothai Historical Park, Thailand

My favorite place in Thailand is Sukhothai Historical Park, the site of the 13th and 14th century capital of Siam. Within the old city walls of the UNESCO World Heritage site, there are 21 sets of gorgeous ruins and another 70 in a five-kilometer radius, which are best visited by bike or motorbike. (I always rent a bike by the park entrance for less than $1 USD.)

The size of the park makes it easy to escape the crowds. The ruins are more centralized and much less crowded than Ayutthaya, whose sites are spread across the town and surrounded by pushy street vendors. My favorite ruins are Wat Si Chum featuring a famous giant Buddha statue above; Wat Mahathat, the largest ruin and former royal palace, and the Khmer style temple, Wat Si Sawai, that is reminiscent of Angkor Wat.

HOW TO GET TO SUKHOTHAI: The park is a few hours north of Bangkok and the perfect stop en route to Chiang Mai. Catch a bus from Bangkok’s northern bus station, Mo Chit. The closet train station is Phitsanulok, an hour away. The park is 12 km from the new town of Sukhothai and easily accessible by tuk tuk or a songtaew (pickup truck style bus). The entrance fee for foreigners is 100 Baht ($2.80 USD) for each zone or 350 Baht ($10 USD) for all five zones.

WHEN TO GO: Avoid March and April when it’s steaming hot. November to Feburary are the best weather months. June to October are the rainy season. (I’ve always gone during these months.) It cools down between October and January.

3. Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is one of those places like Machu Picchu that you must visit once in your life. The scenery is postcard perfect: limestone pillars and tiny islands scattered through the Gulf of Tonkin’s emerald waters. It is the number one attraction in Vietnam. The best way to experience the bay is to do a multiple-day cruise on a houseboat to explore the islands, swim and eat year weight in fresh seafood! There are short boat trips and overnight cruises for every budget. I recommend spending a night or two on a houseboat!

How to Get Ha Long Bay: Boats depart from the less-appealing port town of Halong City. It’s four hours north of Hanoi by car or bus.

When to go: Avoid February to April when it’s cool and drizzly. Peak season is June to mid-August, which also corresponds with tropical storm season. (I went in July.) November is best for blue skies and calm seas.

4. Bagan, Myanmar (Burma)

(Please note that Myanmar is currently not safe for tourists. This was written when it was safe and open for travel.)

Bagan is the Angkor Wat of Burma. The ancient city lies in a valley dotted with over 2200 temples and pagodas dating back to 11th and 13th century when it was the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan, which later became current day Myanmar. The 26-square kilometer area is home to three towns – Nyuang U, Old Bagan and New Bagan, which are only a few miles apart. All accommodation is centered in these areas. You can rent bikes, taxis and horse drawn carriages to see all the sites. (I did all three while I was there.) Be sure to get up at sunrise every morning to shoot the skyline. It’s unbelievable! Hot air balloon rides are available in the dry season at sunrise.

HOW TO GET TO BAGAN: Nyuang U is accessible by overly air conditioned buses from across Burma. You can always fly on domestic airlines from across Burma. (The airlines are even sketchier than the ones that fly into Luang Prabang. My general rule of thumb: Always avoid government owned airlines in Asia because they tend to not be very safe.)

WHEN TO GO: The heat is horrible from March to May. The rainy season lasts from June to October, which means it rains a little each day but not enough to spoil a trip and hotel prices drop. (I went in August.) November to February is peak season. This is the only time of year when the hot air balloons fly so keep that in mind. (I’m honestly planning to go back so I can photograph the skyline with the hot air balloons.)

5. Singapore

Singapore is the New York City of Southeast Asia, filled with sleek skyscrapers, world-class museums and culinary delights. My friend Trevor (who I met in Burma) lived here so I always went to visit him at the end of every summer. It was my reprieve from my travels – I could drink the tap water!

The only way to fully understand Singapore’s kaleidoscope of cultures (Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western) is to explore the museums. My favorites are The National Museum of Singapore and the Peranakan Museum, which focuses on the history and contemporary culture of the locally born Chinese. Other highlights include famous “Supertree” grove of vertical gardens at the Gardens by the Bay and the view from rooftop bar of Marina Bay Sands resort.

Despite its sleek and sophisticated exterior, the heart of the city is the countless food stalls that serve up tasty treats like traditional kaya (coconut jam) toast, fresh squeezed orange juice for super cheap and Hainanese chicken rice.

TIP: Leave your chewing gum at home. It’s illegal because too many vandals were jamming the train doors with it and disrupting service so it was banned.

HOW TO GET TO SINGAPORE: You can fly to Singapore from just about anywhere. It’s has one of the nicest airports in the world. (Trust me, you WANT a layover here.) It’s easily accessible by bus from peninsular Malaysia and by ferry from parts of Indonesia.

WHEN TO GO: Monsoon season lasts from November to January. June to September is when the rain clears off and temperatures spike a bit. Overall, it’s usually 81-87 °F year-round. (I always visit between August and October.)

6. George Town, Malaysia

Like Singapore, George Town (the capital of the island state of Penang) is a mixture of three cultures and various types of architecture. Ranging from Chinese shop houses to British colonial buildings. It’s also the street art capital of Southeast Asia. Pick up a map at local hotels or the tourism association to guide you through the labyrinth of streets for both 3D artwork and murals like the one decorating the shop where Penang native and famous shoemaker Jimmy Choo first apprenticed. Be sure to eat the crispy chicken with plum sauce for dinner at Tek Sen! Other highlights include the house musuems including the famous Blue Mansion boutique hotel.

HOW TO GET TO GEORGE TOWN: It’s easily accessible by plane from across Southeast Asia. There is train service from Kuala Lumpur (KL) and buses from all over Malaysia. (I took the bus from KL, which was comfy and nice.)

WHEN TO GO: The weather doesn’t fluctuate much here. Holidays like Chinese New Year will be crowded. November and December are when temperatures drop a little.

 

Southeast Asia FAQ

How much does it cost?

Aside from Singapore, the rest of Southeast Asia is fairly cheap. You can eat street meals for a few dollars. Accommodation ranges from $6-15 USD for hostels and budget hotels. All buses are always less than $20 USD. My budget in Asia is always $30/day or less including all expenses. Burma is a bit more expensive than the rest of Southeast Asia. (Hotels can start at $25/USD.) Singapore is like NYC so expect to pay up. Little India has cheap accommodation and hawker centers offer low cost yet delicious meals. Keep an eye out for happy hour for drink specials!

Do I need a visa?

For many nationalities, visas are available upon arrival in all countries except Burma and Vietnam which require them in advance. Both can be obtained before your trip or within Southeast Asia. (I got both of those visas in Thailand.) If you are going to be in Thailand for a while (months), then look into extended visa options. For more visa info for Americans for all countries, visit travel.state.gov.

How can I teaching English or work in Southeast Asia?

There are plenty of options to teaching English along with other opportunities. Check out my Working Abroad Guide for more details!

What about safety?

Aside from Japan and Iceland, Southeast Asia is one of the safest places I’ve been. (And, I’ve been to 46 countries.) Forget the scary movies you’ve seen, The New York Times reports that motorized vehicle accidents are the leading cause of unnatural deaths for Americans abroad.

Here are a few tips to stay safe:

• Check travel warnings before booking flights for potential military, political or weather concerns. (Americans should check travel.state.gov for warnings and sign up for the STEP Smart Traveler Program, which provides free email updates.)
• Read recent travel guides.  These are a good resource for reported safety incidents and high theft areas.
• Dress Conservatively: Aside from Bangkok, the beaches and Singapore, the dress code is fairly conservative across Southeast Asia. Out of respect, avoid skimpy tank tops or short shorts at any time outside of these areas. Cover all shoulders and knees before visiting temples or palaces.
• Talk to the locals & other travelers. Tell them about your plans and ask about any potential safety concerns especially if you are traveling solo.

For more details, check out my Travel Safety 101 post.

 

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COMING UP:

Photo Guide to Thailand

I’ll continue my Asia Travel Guide Series with a detailed guide to the best places to visit in Thailand. I’ll also touch base on logistics. What do you want to know about traveling in Thailand? Email me, and I’ll be sure to answer your question in my post!