TripKarao

An international travel guide for Beautiful South East Asia

Aleen Tariq

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Planning a trip undeniably comes along with the feeling of excitement for the trip yet to be experienced. Contrarily, apprehensions also stick up to the mind, while thinking about an impeccably planned and perfectly experienced trip. Planning a memorable trip, especially an international one, demands your major investment in doing homework for the worth-visiting locations you plan to visit, the financial budget requirements to be fulfilled along with the visa process, and the calculation of sufficient time to be spared for the trip in the most suitable time of the year. Doing so pays off in big ways by making you experience a life-time memorable trip but the undeniable fact about it is that it is the most time-consuming contribution while planning a trip and can be a reason- you postponing when going on a trip. Isn’t it so? But not anymore, as TripKarao, the most reliable travel companion, has come up with a reliable and detailed international travel guide that provides all the relevant information ‘you’ would be needing for an amazing international trip. 

South East Asia

The countries that fall in the Southeast Asia region have so much going for them, it’s almost impossible to keep them off anybody’s bucket list. From the white soft beaches to major cities to the rich history and culture and the must-try food, this part of the world has something for everybody. While some destinations—such as Thailand’s beaches and islands and the majestic Angkor Wat in Cambodia—are known everywhere, some places in Southeast Asia remain more elusive and off the main tourist radar. This gives visitors a chance to mix things up—to go with the crowds to see the most popular spots, but also make time to discover new and different corners of Southeast Asia.  It is a group of diverse countries between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, featuring indigenous cultures influenced by Indian, Chinese, and Western cultures. The region includes the most populous Muslim country in the world, very prominent Buddhist countries, and quite a significant Christian, Hindu, and Animist communities. It has long been a favorite corner of the world for globe-tramping backpackers, known for its perfect beaches, tasty cuisine, low prices, and good air connections. The countries of Southeast Asia represent a totally different culture for Western travelers. Instead of cathedrals, they’ll find temples. Instead of cold temperatures and snow in the winter, for the most part, they’ll be bathed in a tropical climate. They may find simple accommodations in remote fishing villages but also luxurious five-star hotels in the bigger cities and on the more popular islands.

Located in northwestern Cambodia, the city is best known for being the gateway to the Angkor region—but Siem Reap has much to offer on its own. A mix of Chinese and colonial architecture gives the city a unique vibe, where countryside residents and old motorbikes blend with a vibrant café culture and a modern club scene. Siem Reap is home to two important museums: The Cambodia Landmine Museum and Relief Center, which offers a chance to learn more about landmines and their ongoing impact on Cambodia and other Asian countries, and the War Museum, which covers the involvement of Cambodia in several wars. There are also a number of massive markets in the city, including Psah Chas, which caters to both locals and tourists with a variety of souvenirs, fresh food, and more. Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, lies less than six kilometers north of Siem Reap. The ruins of this 12th-century temple complex cover a space of over 162 hectares, with hundreds of structures built using sandstone blocks. There are a number of other temples, also built in Khmer style, in the area, including Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and Pre Rup.

Ha Long Bay consists of a group of islands and limestone karsts that have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many of the islands are actually tall monolithic cliffs that cannot be walked on, covered in green, lush jungle. Some of these are hollow and house beautiful caves—Dau Go Cave (Wooden Stake Cave) is a good example, a massive cave with three main chambers, multicolored stalagmites, and rock paintings. Many of the islands also have their own enclosed lakes. Of the almost 2,000 islands here, less than 40 have permanent residents, often in the form of small communities that live in floating houses and fishing villages. Ha Long Bay’s largest island, Cat Ba, is the most common overnight stop for tourists coming to Ha Long Bay for cruises and tours. Kayaking the turquoise green waters of the bay is a popular activity here, as well as cruising the bay in traditional junk boats.

While Koh Samui has always been a beloved destination for sun worshippers and snorkelers, the crowd the island attracts has changed over the years. Once a favorite of backpackers, Koh Samui has undergone a remarkable transformation—it now boasts high-end resorts, posh spas, and some of the whitest palm-fringed beaches in Thailand. Chaweng and Lamai beaches attract the bulk of travelers and are well-developed, clean, and full of activities, including opportunities to sail, scuba dive, and swim. While most visitors come here for the beach, there’s much more to see and do in Koh Samui. Take time to explore the mangroves and hidden lakes of Ang Thong Marine National Park; the 12-meter-tall golden Buddha at the hilltop Big Buddha shrine; and the Na Muang waterfalls, reached after a trek uphill through thick tropical forest.

The tiny island of Boracay is just across the water from Panay Island, one of the Philippines’ largest islands. Despite being only 10 square kilometers in size, Boracay attracts thousands of visitors a year, who come here for the four-kilometer-long beach and its powdery white sands that wash right into the turquoise waters and the sailboats rocking away on the waves. In addition to scuba diving and snorkeling, Boracay is well-known for its parasailing, kiteboarding, and swimming—and, perhaps more unexpectedly, its cliff diving. Diving boards ranging from three to 15 meters high over the water are placed on certain parts of the island, with lifeguards waiting and watching as divers fly up in the air over the mirror-like waters below.

Yangon was the capital of Myanmar (or Burma) until 2006 when the military government moved it somewhere else. Since the country was under military dictatorship for so long, the city suffered a lot of issues and still boasts a lot of buildings in decay and with inadequate infrastructure. Still, Yangon is full of beautiful architecture in the form of colonial-era buildings centered around the 2,600-year-old Sule Pagoda. It is the gilded Shwedagon Pagoda (also known as the Golden Pagoda) that dominates the skyline of the city, however—the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in the country believed to contain relics of the last four Buddhas. Visitors should make time to visit the Bogyoke Aung San Market, where stalls sell everything from antiques and local handicrafts to Burmese jade, local delicacies, and even natural medicine products. Another great must-do is the Yangon Circular Train, which runs on a 46-kilometer-long loop around Yangon, offering a unique insight into the real daily life of Burmese people.

Malaysia’s capital is a city of contrasts: the cultural and financial heart of the nation, with magnificent skyscrapers and three of the world’s largest shopping centers—but also a great example of colonial architecture, Malay Islamic details, and old Chinese shophouses. Walking through the city is a great way to appreciate the eclectic look of this relatively new Asian capital and see the different cultures and styles melting into each other. KL is home to the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas—architectural marvels of steel and glass that stand 452 meters tall. The towers are surrounded by a large urban park and are home to a massive shopping center with over 350 stores, a theater housing the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, and even an underwater aquarium. KL is a very green city, with many parks, gardens, and open spaces everywhere you go. The 92-hectare Lake Gardens is a major urban park that contains a butterfly park, the world’s largest aviary bird park, and an orchid garden. You’ll also find three forest reserves within the city, perfect for trekking and catching sight of rare fauna.

Thailand’s capital has lots going for it—not only is this the main gateway for all major destinations within the country, but this cosmopolitan city also has much to offer on its own. Sitting right on the Chao Phraya River and full of stunning skyscrapers that share the sidewalk with major Buddhist temples and popular cafés and hangouts, Bangkok’s multi-faceted sights will please a wide range of visitors —those looking for excitement and shopping opportunities, as well as those wanting to dive into cultural and historical landmarks. Even tourists who are only here briefly on their way to the islands should make time to visit the Grand Palace, a former royal residence converted into a museum. For those with more time in the capital city, the royal Vimanmek Mansion (the largest teak building in the world) and the Jim Thompson House, a museum dedicated to the American businessman who revolutionized the local silk industry, are also worth a visit.

Singapore is a unique spot in Southeast Asia. This island-city state is modern and cosmopolitan, a place where multi-story shopping centers mix with stunning and unexpected natural attractions. The Marina Bay Sands, an integrated resort, is a good example of that—it offers not only a hotel, but also a museum, art-science exhibits, and the best-terraced views over the city and bay from the infinity pool set on its roof. Sentosa Island is another example, an entertainment complex that includes everything from a two-kilometer-long beach and a restored coastal fort to Southeast Asia’s first 4D theater, a Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, and even a Universal Studios Singapore theme park. Singapore’s airport has been named the best in the world, and it’s an attraction all in itself, home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, a five-story tall indoor garden, a mirror and haze maze, and a massive butterfly garden with over 1,000 species flying free in tropical greenery.

This northern city in Laos is surrounded by a number of villages that together form the UNESCO Town Of Luang Prabang World Heritage Site. Recognized for its mix of rural, French colonial, and religious architecture and heritage, the city is one of Laos’ most visited and certainly most beautiful. Luang Prabang sits at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers and is home to many temples—including Wat Chom Si shrine, located at the top of Mount Phou Si and overlooking the town. Alms ceremonies (where monks take to the streets to ask for food) are so common here that in the early morning, the entire town is covered in streams of orange as the monks make their way through the streets. Just outside the city, the Bear Rescue Centre (which specializes in helping sun bears rescued from poachers) and the multi-tiered Kuang Si Falls are both worth a visit. If you’re up for some trekking, head out to the Pak Ou Caves, famous for their hundreds of miniature Buddha sculptures

Palawan has been named one of the most beautiful islands in the world.So many times, it’s hard to ignore its beauty. Technically speaking, Palawan remains under-developed—which means fewer high-end hotels but also slow, sustainable growth to protect the virgin forests, green jungle mountains, and wonderful wildlife. Palawan is surrounded by quiet turquoise waters that are ideal for snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking. Lots of smaller islands dot the ocean around Palawan, and you can spend an entire day island-hopping and still not see all the amazing beauty the area has to offer. Miniloc Island, a rustic escape northwest of Palawan, is home to a number of lagoons and soft sandy beaches you can reach on your own or via a motorized water taxi. For those who prefer underwater adventures, the waters around Palawan hold six shipwrecks of coral-encrusted Japanese ships sunk during WWII. Divers can slip in and out of the engine rooms, bomb holes, and portholes, swimming with fish and turtles—some of the wrecks are as deep as 42 meters.

When said “Bali”, people think of soft white beaches, corals, and snorkeling—and while it’s true that Bali has plenty of beautiful destinations on the sand (including the Nusa Penida beach, with cliffs that resemble the head of the T-Rex), that’s not all you can see here. In fact, the lush, green, terraced rice fields in the province of Ubud are just as stunning. Bali’s farmers have been setting rice paddies on terraces for centuries to deal with the hilly terrain of the area—and these areas make for stunning landscapes. For a donation entry fee that equals pennies, visitors can walk the terraces here for hours, as the green fields extend far beyond what the eye can see. Those who arrive early in the morning will have the place almost to themselves, the soft sound of the rice fields swishing in the wind. Visitors to Ubud can also check out the Ubud Monkey Forest; a macaque sanctuary; the traditional royal palace Puri Saren Agung; and the gardens of Pura Taman Saraswati, a water temple famous for its lotus pond and volcanic tuff sculptures of deities.

Komodo Island is more than “just one” of the over 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia. This rugged island of just under 400 square kilometers is home to the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo dragon. In fact, the population of Komodo dragons here is double the population of permanent human inhabitants, making for a unique sight as you walk through the island’s volcanic hills and forests. Komodo Island is also home to a wide variety of wet ecosystems, including mangrove forests and coral reefs, both of which attract lots of travelers looking to explore, dive, or kayak around the island. The main attraction here, however, is Pantai Merah, one of only seven pink-sand beaches in the world. The cotton-candy sands are the result of an interesting natural phenomenon—when microorganisms, called foraminifera, that live in the coral die, their bright red shells are washed out on the beach and mix in with the white sand, creating the beautiful hue that attracts so many visitors

Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is located on the Mekong River near the border with Thailand. A former French holding, it is a graceful city that is now the country’s economic center. Visitors to Vientiane won’t want to miss the Pha That Luong, a Buddhist stupa that dates back to 1586. Buddhist temples and sites abound, but travelers also will want to walk through the Mekong Riverside Park.

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