Not
just a melting pot of cultures, religions, history and food, Southeast
Asia offers many picturesque spots that your eyes will thank you for.
Whether it's enjoying a sunset from a mountain top or just taking in the
bucolic sights of Mother Nature's hand-sculpted terrains, you'll attest
that these 8 suggestions offer some pretty unique charms that take your
breath away.
Myanmar
has become a hotspot for the intrepid traveller and opens up plenty of
opportunities to lap up many of its natural scenic wonders. If you're
heading there, a must-see place is Inle Lake renowned for its vast body
of water where one can spot fishing communities and homes built on
stilts.
Not only is the lake famous for its photogenic quality,
you can hire guides to visit fish farms and shop at handicraft stores.
Inle Lake's picturesque charm comes from watching leg-rowing fisherman
haul their catch during sunset. Find cheap flights to the capital
Naypyidaw and best time to travel there is between November and February.
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Be mesmerised by the scenic Inle Lake in Myanmar
2. Tiger's Nest Monastery, Bhutan
Perched
some 3,000 metres above sea level and build in 1692, Bhutan's Taktsang
monastery, or more popularly known as Tiger's Nest, is a must-see when
you come to this nation steeped in Buddhist history. Getting there is
not for the faint-hearted as one has to traipse through a hilly, rocky
and undulating path to reach the peak.
Do hire guides to reach the
apex successfully, and you'll be rewarded by 360-views of sylvan
mountain tops. Spring time from March to May is the best time to visit
Bhutan and Drukair Royal Airlines of Bhutan flies there
direct.
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Take in the lofty, airy views of Tiger's Nest in Bhutan
3. Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Recognised as one of the tallest peaks in Southeast Asia,
Mount Kinabalu is
a trekker's dream come true. Getting to the summit takes about two days
to accomplish. There is a 4-km climb to Laban Rata lodge where you can
rest and replenish on sustenance. The next day is a 2-km climb to Low's
Peak.
The trek may be arduous but with lush rainforest terrain,
there's always something new at every corner to keep you distracted.
About a kilometer away from the peak, the terrain changes to rock, stone
and pebbles complemented by vegetation normally found in cooler climes.
To catch the sunrise on the second day, it's advisable to depart at 2am
but remember to bring extra clothing as the mercury will drop to 2
degrees Celsius.
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The scenic misty peaks of Mt. Kinabalu also offer spots for picturesque photos
4. Palawan Island, Luzon, Philippines
Recently coined by
Huffington Post as "The Most Beautiful Island In the World" while
Conde Nast Traveler'sReader
Choice Awards named it "The Top Island in the World", Palawan island is
quite the magnificent sight. With its beautiful azure waters infused
with emerald hues, it's also hard to refute such claims.
Dotting
the waters are jungled-filled islands, each with a distinctive hill
rising above the ocean. Just by half-hour domestic flight from
Manila airport,
once you soar above Palawan's oceanic landscape, you'll feel like
you've reached Shangri-la. Whether it's island-hopping or sea kayaking,
fun-filled times are never in short supply.
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The beaches of Palawan have powdery white sand!
5. Penang National Park, Malaysia
Penang
is truly a foodie paradise but many people are flocking there for other
reasons, one being its attractive natural environment. Located just
west of mainland Malaysia, a
flight from Singapore is slightly over an hour.
With
plenty of diverse lifestyle choices and entertainment options, Penang
also has its idyllic charms. Aside from its UNESCO-designated George
Town, the Penang National Park located on the North-Western side of the
island rewards one with rich rainforests, a diverse ecosystem and some
1,381 hectares of wetlands to indulge trekking fanatics and
eco-photographers.
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Unique flora and fauna found at Penang National Park makes for picture perfect memories too
6. Tanah Lot Temple, Bali, Indonesia
Bali is
never in short supply of mysticism and wonder. A two-hour flight out of
Singapore is all it takes to enjoy a short vacation. And of course,
visiting its picturesque sea temple on the west coast of Bali, Tanah
Lot, promises many Kodak moments. A simple traipse during low-tide
rewards a sight to behold too – a Hindu shrine ensconced among lush
trees perched on a rock is postcard-worthy from any angle. Framed by
crashing waves, Tanah Lot Temple brims with a dab of fable and mysticism
that makes it a must-see when visiting Bali!
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Tanah Lot in Bali offers scenic views of splendid structures amidst crashing waves
Angkor Wat became even more famous, thanks to the
Tomb Raider movie
starring Angelina Jolie. Founded in the 12th Century, it is also the
7th Wonder of the World. This Khmer temple's architecture will seize the
gaze of any first-time visitor. At the centre of this city, within a
moat, is a towering stupa that provides sylvan views of its 3.6km,
vine-covered outer wall. Just 5.5km north of
Siem Reap, the Angkor Archaeological Park is a must-see for travellers with a penchant for history and artefacts.
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Angkor Wat's lush views are both captivating and mysterious
8. Halong Bay, Hanoi, Vietnam
Halong
Bay, which means "Bay of Descending Dragons", is a unique karst
topography carved out by Mother Nature. The UNESCO World Heritage site
offers views of vertical formations which are rich in dense vegetation. A
boat cruise meandering through any of the 1,969 islets is both tranquil
and insightful. Avoid the monsoons from June to September and from
January to March, but visit the high seasons to enjoy sunny skies that
won’t put a damper on your exploration plans of the natural outlying
islets. After a three-hour fight to
Hanoi from
Singapore, take a five-hour road trip via mini bus to the port; it
costs around USD 6 (SGD 7.50) and can be arranged upon arrival.
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Halong Bay in Vietnam promises oceanic vistas
All
these places will astound you in a multi-sensory way. Whichever
activity you decide to experience at these destinations, you'll agree
that many good memories await.