BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Welcome to the Ultimate Destination Guide For Backpacking Southeast Asia. Here you will find information about all the best places to visit in Southeast Asia as well as what activities each location offers. This will help you create your itinerary for your own Southeast Asia backpacking trip. Or, even better, you could make no plans and just go for it!

 

 

Thailand is a magical country. There is so much to see and do here that you could probably spend your entire trip exploring this country very easily. I will give you a snapshot into some of the best must see places.

Best Places to Visit in Thailand

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a lovely town in northern Thailand. It was absolutely one of my favorite places on my entire trip around Southeast Asia. I explored the temples around the area and was also able to go on some really fun excursions. One of my favorite was the Maerim Elephant Sanctuary. We were able to feed the elephants a bunch of bananas and even wash them in a small pond! Chiang Mai also has some great zip-lining adventures and delicious cooking classes.

Speaking of cooking, the food was AMAZING. There was huge night markets in the town center every day that had some of the best and cheapest eats I have ever had. Chiang Mai also has a fun little night life with some cool bars and clubs. It’s really the best of the best. I would live there for sure.

 

Ayuttahya

I did not stop here because of lack of time, but I hear that it is definitely worth a day or two. The town is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are some really amazing ruined cities and old temples waiting to be explored. The next time I am in Thailand I am definitely stopping here.

 

Pai

There is not enough words of praise that I could give Pai. I can’t exactly describe the sensation of being there, but I think it was the best week of my entire life. I’ve heard from many people that they were planning on going for only a few days, yet stayed for weeks!

If there was one word I could use to describe Pai, it would be magical. It truly is magical- quaint, still, vibrant life in the northern part of Thailand. It took about a 4 hour car ride to arrive from Chiang Mai, but it was well worth the winding roads (you can book the transport through your hostel).

I did so much in Pai. I saw an enormous Buddha statue, wandered around the night market for hours eating, went to a fire dancing show, witnessed the most INTENSE game of giant Jenga, road bicycles down a steep dirt hiking trail, rented motorbikes and drove them out to waterfalls and gorges made from earthquakes, played drinking games with the locals, drank a happy shake in the middle of a field, had the craziest experience from said happy shake, ate approximately 3,407 toasties from 7/11, made the coolest bunch of friends, and FELL IN LOVE.

Yup, that’s right. I totally fell in love. With a boy. It was the magic of Pai, I swear to god.

No quality of pictures will ever do Pai justice. However, here are a few of the ones I took while there.

 

Chiang Rai

I did not stop here because I spent so long in Pai and ran out of time. I’ve seen and heard about the spectacular white temples in Chiang Rai, however, and I really wish I had more time to visit!

If you do have the time, I definitely believe Chiang Rai is worth a stop. It sits in the most northern part of Thailand and is accessible from either Chiang Mai or Pai.

 

Bangkok

From my experience, people either love or hate Bangkok. Let’s just say I didn’t exactly love it, but I also didn’t try very hard. Bangkok was my last stop before flying home and I was so exhausted that I really didn’t have much energy to walk around the city in the daunting heat.

However, if you do make an effort, there are some cool things to do such as visiting Wat Pho to see the Reclining Buddha statue, checking out the Grand Palace, and exploring the nightlife scene (Khao San Road is popular for tourists).

There is also plenty of shopping you can do. I picked up some cool souvenirs here for my family.

 

Koh Phi Phi

Now we are heading to the southern part of Thailand, where islands and beaches dominate the itineraries. Koh Phi Phi is a magical little island oasis. It’s very small and easy to walk across, but has some of the most spectacular views.

Koh Phi Phi offers some of the best island experiences that you can find in Thailand. You can hike up to beautiful vantage points, kayak around the rocks and cliff ledges to hidden beaches, scuba dive in the reefs, and party on the beach. Even though it’s a small island, you will likely never be bored.

 

 

Koh Phangan

My favorite island nestled in the lower part of Thailand was by far Koh Phangan. I spent a lot of time here because there is just so much to do.

My favorite things include renting a motorbike, driving around the island, visiting waterfalls, jumping off the boat pier (not sure if you’re allowed to do that but we did), swinging by the beach, watching the sunset (the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen), going to the food markets (the fruit smoothies!!!!), and hiking! Literally, you will never get bored. I also had the very best massaman curry on this island. I dream about it all the time.

Lastly, there is the Full Moon Party. Let me just say that I did not go on purpose. It was complete chance I was there at the right time and decided to go. Many people have said it is overrated, but I honestly had the BEST time. There were multiple DJs set up on the beach and everyone painted themselves and just danced. Obviously, everything is what you make it to be and I had the best time.

 

Krabi

I did not spend much time in Krabi. It was a bit more expensive than the other islands and I was running out of money. However, I really enjoyed taking a boat to Railay Beach, which you can do from Krabi. Railay Beach has beautiful white sand and stunning limestone cliffs. Swimming here feels like swimming in another world.

There’s definitely a lot more you can do in Krabi but I only spent a couple days here as it was one of the last stops on my trip before flying back home.

All the following pictures were taken at Railay Beach.

 

 

Kicking it over to Vietnam, we enter a whole new beautiful little world. I didn’t spend as much time as I would have liked in Vietnam, so I asked some friends of mine who did to give me their opinions on some of the places they visited. I hope to one day return to Vietnam and spend at least 1-2 months in the whole country.

 

Best Places to Visit in Vietnam

Hanoi

Hanoi is a wonderful little city in Northern Vietnam. The Old Quarter is especially amazing- it’s cheap and it has such a good backpacker vibe. I definitely recommend staying in this area. It’s the best hub to meet other backpackers and immerse yourself in all the great food and cheap drinks.

Each street in the Old Quarter represent something- there’s lock street where there are dozens of lock stores, a flower street, a light street, and so on. Roaming the streets with a little buzz is all you really want and need.

Some of the places I visited include: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoa Lo Prison (where they kept US prisoners of war during the Vietnam War), Hoan Kiem Lake, Bach Ma Temple, and the Temple of Literature. Also don’t forget to try some egg coffee and pho noodles!

Hanoi is also a great place to launch a trip to Halong Bay. You can go for just the day or book an overnight cruise- it’s up to you!

 

Halong Bay

I decided to book a day tour to Halong Bay from Hanoi. I booked it through a tourist shop I wandered into while exploring Hanoi- they are everywhere and hard to miss. It cost me about $50 (40 euros).

The tour picks you up early in the morning at your hostel and drives you to the bay. You load into a boat and sail around for the day, stopping various times to explore some islands. They also let you kayak around for a bit.

It was a truly magical experience and I definitely recommend adding this to your itinerary!

 

 

Cat Ba

Many people miss this island because they take the boat tour out of Hanoi and don’t stay on the islands themselves. For those of you interested in a more immersive experience, this is definitely for you.

Cat Ba is an amazing place. On the island you can rent a motorcycle, explore the plankton beaches, and eat allllll the amazing food-

(Here’s a totally random review left on a restaurant there – “It all began with a series of disappointing dishes all over Cat Ba and then we got to Yummy. If I had to choose between Yummy and sex I would chose Yummy even if I had just eaten at a 5 Michelin star buffet.”

DO NOTE: Food places after Yummy just got better and better).

You can also attend some live concerts on rooftop bars with 30% tourists and 70% locals (Or as no one calls it, The Golden Foreigner Ratio – TGFR for short) and so much more!

 

Hoi An

Hoi An is a place I could definitely see myself living. Backpackers flock to the streets to let off some steam by eating a bunch of amazing Vietnamese food and drinking cheap booze.

There’s also a ton of shopping to do ranging from high quality leather products (for super cheap) to tailoring your own dresses/suits at the highest quality and affordable prices.

There’s dozens of bars, nearby beaches, a tranquil river, and Banh-Mi stands literally everywhere (it’s a sort of Vietnamese sandwich, very yummy). It’s basically heaven.

These are the only two pics I have of Hoi An and neither really capture its spirit.

Ha Jiang (The Loop)

The Loop is a pretty well known road that circles around the Ha Jiang province in Northern Vietnam. I have not done The Loop but some of my friends have.

When I asked a friend who complete The Loop they said this:

Don’t go, it’s not worth your life.

Just kidding.

But honestly, unless you’re an experienced rider, you may want to get someone else to drive you (~50 people die per season).

Driving is a bit crazy in Vietnam, and by a bit crazy, I mean I saw some pretty horrendous motorbike accidents (and maybe a dead body but it was hard to tell).

However, if you are experienced and feel capable of this feat, then I have heard that the drive is definitely worth it. The trips takes about 2-5 days depending on your style of travel and winds through various canyons and mountains that make for the most spectacular of views.

The ride also reaches to the China/Vietnam border. There’s an urban legend that if you accidentally cross the wall-less border, you might be shot (wooo exciting!). It’s a long and tiring journey but it’s definitely one worth taking.

A picture my friend took on The Loop:

 

 

Cambodia is a stunning country filled with uniquely beautiful temples, lively green scenery, and a whole lot of history. Here are some of the best places to stop while you are there.

 

Best Places to Visit in Cambodia

Siem Reap

Siem Reap was another one of my favorite places I traveled through over the course of my entire trip. Within the town lies awesome markets, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and plenty of opportunities to meet some new people and make some friends.

Lying around the borders of the town is one of Cambodia’s most famous attractions, Angkor Wat.

When I visited the temples, I bought a 2 day pass and rented a driver for the day to bring me from one temple to another. I rode in a carriage that he pulled with his scooter and we drove around the magnificent scenery together. This is the best way to see the temples, in my opinion. However, some more adventurous and physically inclined individuals may choose to rent a bicycles and travel the distances themselves.

I also had the chance to ride in a hot air balloon at sunrise. We threw candy to little children and flew over beautiful temples. It was so fun!

 

Battambang

Battambang is a town not far from Siem Reap. While I did not visit here during my visit to Cambodia, some of my friends did.

One of them said the following:

My sole suggestion is volunteering at AKD school in Battambang and teaching English. The hosts are amazing, the students are out-of-this-world kind of adorable, ranging from first grade to seniors in high school. I’ve made some amazing friends that also volunteered there and had countless of unforgettable experiences. It is truly a way to immerse yourself and get to know the true Cambodia.

If you are interested in volunteering, this definitely seems like a great place to go.

 

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia and has a lot to offer. While I did not visit during my time in Cambodia, I have heard many things about it.

One of the most well known things to do in this area is visit the Killing Fields. The Killing Fields are a number of sites where over a million Cambodia citizens were murdered by the Khmer Rouge Regime following the Cambodia Civil War in the 70s. This is not exactly a fun experience, and will be very somber and heartbreaking. It is memorialization of all those who have suffered and died and is a reminder of the horrifying consequences of war.

Other than that, there are a number of opportunities for more jovial experiences in Phnom Penh.

You can visit the Royal Palace, enjoy the street food, check out the night life scene, and explore various markets.

 

 

 

Malaysia is a super intriguing country and very unique to itself. It mixes a blend of Indian, Chinese, and European cultural influences, which you can detect in the architecture, food, and overall vibe of the country. There is a whole lot of fun to be had here, and I recommend adding Malaysia to your Southeast Asia bucket list, even if you only visit a couple of places like me.

Best Place to Visit in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is a a pretty obvious place to stop if you choose to travel around Malaysia. It’s a large, modern city, but also offers a whole lot more than just the Petrona Towers (those were still cool though).

I met a ton of people at my hostel in Kuala Lumpur. The night life was super fun and we all wandered through the city during the day, exploring the street art and different sides of the city.

One of the highlights of the city is the Batu Caves. You’ll have to take a car to get there, but it’s really cheap if you carpool. The rainbow stairs leading to the cave were absolutely magnificent and I saw a bunch of adorable baby monkeys!

 

Penang

Penang is known as the food capital of Malaysia. It is the birthplace of Malaysian street food and is known as having some of the best in the world. I support this statement.

Other than amazing food, I had so much fun in Penang. I spent an entire day exploring the street art, another thing that it is known for.

There is a viewpoint at the top of Penang Hill that was so stunning. I ran into a friend from school here- we were both randomly in Penang at the same exact time.

I also visited the Kek Lok Si Temple, which was so beautiful. A Buddhist monk taught my friend and I how to pray here.

A surprise for me in Penang was the absurd amount of fun I had at the Penang Ghost Museum. When I saw that on Google Maps, I was intrigued and had to check it out. It was well worth the visit (the pic below with the ceiling hands is from here).

There was so much more to do in Penang that I didn’t get the chance to, like going to the beach and exploring Penang National Park. Overall, I had so much fun in this town and definitely recommend adding it to your itinerary.

 

 

 

 

Indonesia is a stunning array of islands spread out across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It boasts the most beautiful beaches and temples as well as some of the best adventures like scuba diving and volcano trekking. There is a little something for everyone in Indonesia.

Best Places to Visit in Indonesia

Bali

Bali is the most well know island in Indonesia, and there’s good reason for this. It’s very tourist friendly and has a multitude of activities. You can chill on the various beaches, walk through the jungles, site see some crazy monkeys, go temple hopping, learn how to surf, go scuba diving, or hike up a volcano before sunrise.

I ended up spending two weeks in Bali because it was around Christmas time and I just wanted to chill and make some friends. Although part of me wishes I ventured around different Indonesian islands a bit more, Bali has so much to offer.

If you decide to travel through Indonesia, Bali is a must-stop destination. Don’t be like me however- go explore some other Indonesia islands like Java or Raja Ampat.

However, here are some of the best places to visit in Bali:

 

Seminyak, Bali and Denpasar, Bali

Denpasar is located at the southern tip of Bali and Seminyak is a bit higher to the left. While Denpasar is the main hub of the island, Seminyak is a bit more resort-y and known for its beaches and cafes- I recommend staying more towards this area.

I stayed for about one week in Seminyak and had the best time. There were so many cute cafes and coffees shops I tried out that were absolutely incredible.

The beaches in Seminyak were beautiful and the sunsets even more so.

Lots of people take surf lessons in this area. The waves are apparently pretty damn good!

On Christmas Eve and Christmas some friends I made at my hostel and I went out to some nightclubs in the area (mainly Denpasar). I cannot exaggerate how much fun I had at some of these places. I wish I knew the names of the clubs, but we went to so many and the memories are blurry at best.

You definitely don’t need to dedicate an entire week to this area- I often found myself with nothing much to do. But the doing nothing was really good for me and reset my expectations of travel. I realized I shouldn’t plan so much and really just need to go with the flow.

 

Ubud, Bali

Ubud was a heavenly oasis. It’s located more towards central Bali and boasts beautiful green jungles and incredible temples.

I recommend booking a temple tour at one of the tourism shops they have scattered around the area. A driver will take you and multiple others to various temples over the course of a day. It’s a really cheap and easy way of seeing a lot, especially if you don’t want to drive yourself. My tour took us to the Pura Gunung Kawi temples, the Tirta Empul Water Temple, a coffee plantation where we could taste test a bunch (my dream come true), and also the beautiful rice fields.

I also recommend taking yourself on the Campuhan Ridge Walk. It was so green and fresh! I walked for hours in the hot sun and felt revived afterwards.

Another fun thing I did was the Mount Batur Sunrise Trek. The tour can be booked at any location. They will pick you up super early and you will hike the mountain basically in the dark, reaching the top just in time for the sunrise.

When I went, it was unfortunately so foggy that you couldn’t see much. I also tore the stitches on my knee open (oops!) But it was such a cool experience nonetheless and you get a pretty spectacular view of Mount Agung, Bali’s volcano in the distance.

 

Nusa Penida

The Penida Islands are just off Bali- you have to take a boat to get there. However, visiting is definitely worth the effort as it offers some of the most stunning views I have ever seen. There are three islands referred to as “The Maldives of Bali”- Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan.

I chose to go to Nusa Penida because I heard about the amazing scuba diving opportunities.

My time on the island was ruined a bit by a motorbike accident and a trip to the hospital. I had to get nine stitches and was not able to scuba dive because of the pressure. However sad this was, it is forever a great story to tell.

That being said, if you want to rent a motorbike, be careful. The roads are fine for a bit, but when you get to the back part of the island they turn to rugged dirt roads. This is what got me, combined with some slippery rain (and also zero experience driving a motorbike haha).

If you are down for some amazing scuba, snorkeling, hiking, and swimming, this is definitely a place you will want to go!

 

 

Questions and Answers

 

How Long Should I Spend Backpacking Southeast Asia?

This is completely up to you. Spend as much time as you possibly have. When I went over a school holiday, I only had two months. I felt very rushed to make it everywhere and ended up not exploring any one country in depth.

You can spend weeks to months to years exploring Southeast Asia. It is stunning and full of amazing experiences and new friends from all over the world.

If you only have a couple weeks, then pick one or two countries. If you have a month or two, pick a few countries. Any longer, then just see where the wind takes you. Travel at your own pace and enjoy the simple nature of just being and existing in these beautiful places.

 

How Much Does it Cost to Backpack Southeast Asia?

This also depends on what you want to do and where you want to go. Some countries (like Cambodia) are so cheap that it’s unbelievable. One hostel I stayed at was $2 a night in Siem Reap. However, other places can be more. For instances, Thai islands can have pricier accommodation due to high tourism. I think I paid $12 a night at one hostel I stayed at there.

It does not take a fortune to backpack Southeast Asia. If you are on a very tight budget, you can avoid expensive excursions and not eat at pricey restaurants. You can stay at the cheapest hostels and survive easily on street food. You can live like the locals.

I would say that a good estimate for the entire region is about $1,000 a month (approx 800 euros). This gives you $250 per week, which is plenty! Imagine having this much money in a country like Cambodia where your living expenses are super low. You can survive and thrive.

 

How Do I Decide Where To Go?

Once again, up to you my friends! Think about what you enjoy most. Is it temples and history? Go see Cambodia or Northern Thailand. Do you love beaches? Go check out Indonesia and the Thai Islands! Like a little of everything? Then mix it up and hit a few different places.

The beauty of travel in this region is that you can go wherever the wind takes you. I was not planning on going to Vietnam but decided last second to book a super cheap flight. Best decision ever!

 

Other Countries That I Did Not Include:

The countries I mentioned are just ones that I have been to already. There are far more places in Southeast Asia that you should definitely explore!

These include Myanmar, Laos, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, and Timor-Leste. You can also very easily hop over to Nepal and India, or the opposite direction to Japan, South Korea, or China. Keep in mind some of these places may be a bit more expensive than the Southeast Asia budget.

 

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