7 places everyone should visit in Southeast Asia in 2022
Southeast Asia is one of six regions on this continent and is composed of eleven countries. Each country has its own natural beauties and cultural heritage, and a lot to offer to tourists all around the world. From high mountains to sandy beaches, there is a lot to choose from if you are planning to visit this part of the globe.
There are hundreds of cultural attractions, that were influenced mainly by Chinese, Indian and Islamic cultures, but the Archipelago holds strong Western influence, too. The Indonesian Archipelago is the biggest in the world and consists of more than 13,000 islands.
Southeast Asia is a big region and spans 5 time zones, so to help you out, we made a shortlist to help you plan your next trip to this diverse area full of surprises.
Plan Your Trip Right
Before you decide where to go and what to visit, there are a few things that you should consider. Before packing your bags and buying the first ticket to Thailand or Singapore, you should check these four things.
1. Tourist Visa
Most countries of Southeast Asia allow free entry and you can buy a visa upon arrival. You should check if the country you are traveling to makes it possible to apply for a visa online, to ease up the process at the local airport.
2. Covid Restrictions
Traveling during a pandemic can be stressful, as everything can change in a week. Try to get refundable everything – especially plane tickets and accommodation, and stay on top of the number of Covid cases in that country.
3. Vaccinations
Although the Covid vaccine is the most talked about at the moment, there are other necessary vaccines for Southeast Asia visitors. Required vaccines for the entrance to most of the countries in this region are vaccines against Hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, tetanus, diphtheria, and polio, as well as an MMR vaccine.
Some of these vaccines you probably already got when you were younger, but experts advise a booster dose just before traveling. Get vaccinated a month before departure and enjoy the trip without the risk of getting a disease.
4. Currency
Last but not least, knowing how to spend your money once you get there can relieve anxiety and optimize your stay in this beautiful region of Asia. Find out what currency is used locally, do they have a culture of accepting cards, and do they take dollars. Let’s say, you are traveling to Vietnam, you should check out something like a “Vietnamese dong guide” and find out about the value of the currency and the best place to exchange it.
Sapa, Vietnam
The mountains of North Vietnam hide a unique gem of diversity in a valley around the city of Sapa. This area is famous for more than a dozen minorities all living in dotted villages and keeping their culture alive for centuries. If this seems like your cup of tea, then you will enjoy rural tourism and staying with the locals who will not spare you the work and the knowledge.
Sapa is also the best place in Vietnam for hiking and trekking, as the beautiful scenery keeps motivating you to go forward and the rest stops are unbelievable. You can sit in one of the coffee shops and drink your beverage while looking at the clouds around and below you.
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
If you are a fan of cultural tourism Brunei is the country of your choice. Exploring different ethnicities, religions, and cultures can be very awarding and Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is known to be the most beautiful Islamic worship in this part of the world.
Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital of Brunei and while you stay there, take a day tour to Ulu Temburong National Park. Enjoy the wild nature and exciting rainforest, experience the canopy walk, and feel the adrenaline rush in your body.
Jaco Island, Timor Leste
This unoccupied, sacred island in the country of East Timor will leave you feeling like you just entered a wallpaper picture. Although it is not permitted to spend the night on land, you can visit it during the day and swim in the idyllic blue water.
The customs of the locals of Timor Leste hold Jaco Island to be the holy land and therefore it stays deserted. Don’t worry, this island is not very far away from the mainland as there is an only a shallow and short canal between the two.
Pulau Ubin, Singapore
When you imagine Singapore, you probably think of skyscrapers, not-at-all-subtle architecture, urban and lavish living. But, what if you can escape all that glamour just by a quick boat ride to Pulau Ubin Island?
This is a paradise for those who love coming back to the basics, as it is almost an intact land that reminds you of what Singapore was like. If you enjoy hiking and exploring Pulau Ubin should be one of the stops during your trip.
Mount Popa, Myanmar (Burma)
Mount Popa in Myanmar is a five thousand feet dormant volcano that represents a spiritual experience for visitors. It is considered to be a place of nats – groups of spirits from folk religions of Southeast Asia, and therefore it has been called Burma’s Mount Olympus. It is customary to proceed with the pilgrimage barefoot, once you reach the monastery.
Believers come to the shrine during the full moon rituals, but there is an increasing number of non-religious people who just want to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of this place.
Phuket, Thailand
If you didn’t come to Thailand for Bangkok’s nightlife and Hangover-like experience, you are probably planning an escapade around the beaches of the many islands away from the mainland. Phuket is a good base, from where you can go to Phi Phi, Phang Nga, or any other famous island.
If you like scuba diving, try visiting Similian Islands for the immaculate visibility and never before seen colorful coral reefs. This place has been ranked as one of the best dive sites in the world. After a day of island exploring, immerse yourself in the local culture and visit one of Phuket’s night markets where you can try domestic cuisine.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
If you need some urbanistic experience, something more modern and less rural, Kuala Lumpur should be your pick. It has something for everyone, so you can customize your endeavor however you like.
It can be cheap to stay there if you’d like to, but you can also find luxurious accommodation, spas, and restaurants. Make sure that you visit the tallest twins in the world – Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers. 88-floors tall and with more than 75 elevators it is an attraction from the bottom to the top.
The Twins are connected via the bridge which is an attraction on its own. This serves many purposes, such as structural support and an escape exit in case of an emergency.
Infamous, but Fun Fact
Southeast Asia is infamous for its production of drugs, mostly opiates, and is known as the Golden triangle. This name is specifically coined for the area where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet and where there is high criminal activity.
The good thing is that there is a low crime rate against tourists in this part of Asia, while the country of Brunei has been announced as the safest country in this region. Of course, this does not mean that you should not be careful, especially in crowded and touristic areas, but that goes wherever you are traveling.
So, pick a destination and get prepared for the adventure of a lifetime.
