Want your days and nights perfumed with obsession? Or to get stuck somewhere that makes you want to stay a little longer every time you think of leaving? Then take your adventures away from Europe. Let’s leave France, Spain, Italy and Greece behind for a moment & look toward a different region, a part of the world full of screaming colours, daydream-evoking hotspots and natural grandeur. Don’t get me wrong; I’m a sucker for all of the countries I just mentioned, and they definitely have their own version of visit-worthy attractions, but over time, I think it’s better to expand your horizons and roam into the not-so-ordinary. Translation, make sure you book a trip to the Far East.
It’s not every day you get to see something as eye-arresting as the countries of the Far East, which is why I’ve taken the liberty of setting up a list of the best places to see and things to do in the region. Now, I know for a fact that some travellers like to think that the Far East is overrated or just “not for them”, but hey, isn’t travelling all about breaking out of your comfort zone? Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a long-lasting favourite in one of the places I’ve mentioned below. So, keep reading.
Suggested Read: A Splendorous holiday in the Far East
Phuket
If it’s one thing Phuket does right, it’s being vibrant! Well, actually, no, I can think of two other countries on this list that do it better. But you get the point, we love Phuket and you should too! Why? Because:
- Blissful beaches – The dramatic scenery of Phuket’s beaches are unparalleled. It legit looks like something out of a different world, don’t trust me? Fine. Maybe you should see for yourself by booking a beach holiday with us.
I find the beaches of Phuket to be the go-to place for just about any kind of traveller – whether you’re wandering on a budget, a lover of all things luxurious or the parent of two (usually) wonderful kids, it’s definitely for everyone. However, the best part is that each of Phuket’s beaches is different. From the mellow yet deep-blue tones of Surin to the neon-light filled coast of Patong, every beach is an experience that is not like the other, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
- The Absorbing nightlife – Booze, booze and oh, look, more booze. Yeah, that’s not what your nightlife scene is going to be like in Phuket. I mean, it could be if you wanted it to be, but I wouldn’t recommend it because of the hangover that comes along with it. Phuket’s nightlife rams into your atmosphere with all-out nightclub action, quiet little bars for some quality alone time and lively late-night concerts and beach parties, meaning it’s incredibly varied.
I don’t necessarily think that there’s a specific place in Phuket that launches a reverberating nightlife scene, mainly because that’s what the entire island does in itself. But I will say that Bangla road, in particular, has what every party-lover looks for! Why? Because this is where you’ll find nightlife at the top of its game. As soon as the sun goes down, neon lights, upbeat music and lively chatter begin to carpet the road as locals and tourists alike swarm the many go-go bars and nightclubs that are located in the street. But is it all about taking shots & dancing? Well, technically, yes. Bangla Road has a reputation for being the most outrageously fun party hub in Asia, and I think it does deserve it but the food from street vendors deserves your time too. Solo travellers easily have the best experience and yeah, you might get the usual “I’m not that drunk!?” kind of a person but other than that it’s completely safe, with violence being a complete no-show. Trust me, all in all, this is one stop you don’t want to miss.
- Taste-bud striking flavours – Isn’t this what really matters? I mean, I’m not sure about the rest of you, but when I go to a new country, I don’t immediately jump on the whole culturally curious, Dora the explorer persona. No, I’m more likely to satisfy my soul by eating something that makes me forget all of my worries (temporarily). In hindsight, I can see that it’s not the healthiest idea, but hey, you’re on holiday, so unhealthy choices are allowed. Right?
Phuket’s cuisine is influenced by a jumble of international flavours – you get hints of Chinese, Malaysian and even a little bit of Europe in their food. This influential influx then led to Phuket developing a unique blend of flavour. A flavour you’ll find to be the signature touch on their dishes – regardless of eating in high-scale restaurants or a street food stall. From hearty noodles with seafood in it to an icy dessert that looks like a brightly coloured cloud, I guess you could say Phuket really does have it all in terms of a ubiquitous flavour palate.
Bangkok
Bangkok…where do we begin with Bangkok? Mm, well, for starters, I think I speak for everyone when I say that you really haven’t eaten street food until you’ve tried the street version of Bangkok’s dishes. I also think the capital is the epitome of street life, but coming away from that for a second, I think Bangkok is bewilderingly beautiful at any time of the day. It has an active culture, a plethora of vividly wild & wow-evoking attractions and plus, it’s a full-on paradise for foodies like I’ve mentioned before, making it the full package.
Here are 3 of the places I believe you should visit in Bangkok!
Suggested Read: The 5 Best Dishes to Eat in Bangkok
The Grand Palace
With majestic spires and walls that stop you in your tracks, the Grand Palace definitely lives up to its name. Plus, they say the walls keep priceless relics hidden from the eyes of the public. I don’t know about you, but knowing that just makes this place ten times more interesting.
Chao Phraya River
You want to know what’s better than exploring this magnificent waterway? It’s that you also get to see some of the most noteworthy attractions that are on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. From Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) to Wat Arun, you’ll be able to kill three birds with one stone.
The Damneon Saduak Floating Market
This savvy tourist spot just so happens to be one of the oldest established floating markets in Bangkok. But what makes the crowd go wild isn’t exactly the history that follows the attraction, but it’s rather what they see on the market. It’s vast, lively, full of boats selling food and fruits, and it’s colourful – exactly how people imagine a floating market would look like, with the opportunity to capture the perfect photo to show off once back home.
Kuala Lumpur
Did you really think I’d leave Kuala Lumpur out of a list that talks about some of the best places to visit in the Far East? Because no, I’m not. Anyways, some things that instantly spring up in my mind when I think of this city include the historical tapestry it weaves, the sizzling street food (I know, I’ve been mentioning that a lot) and the shopping malls. As much as I’d like to be one of those people who are like “why visit a mall when you can go hiking instead??” I’m more of a “why go hiking when there’s a glitzy air-conditioned shopping mall the size of mammoth right in front of you?” type. Don’t get me wrong, I like hiking, just not in Malaysia. But hey, I guess that’s just me.
Here are the three best places that I find to be worthy of a visit.
The Batu Caves
Yes, yes, I know, I know, you can’t get any more basic than visiting the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, but trust me, even though it’s one of those generic tourist attractions, the experience is worth visiting. The hollow limestone tower has been around for almost 400 million years, do you even realise how long that is? Plus, the caverns and crags were formed in the prehistoric era, you know? The one with dinosaurs. But history aside, I think the view alone is enough to leave you with a fly-catching gape. Therefore, you should visit it or at least try to…please?
Petronas Twin Towers
Fact: according to research conducted by a group of scientists, visiting the Petronas Twin Towers has a 90% chance of making your holiday in Kuala Lumpur better. Want to test that theory?
The Petronas Twin Towers are one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world, it’s a grand spectacle for many and a pain in the gluteus maximus for people with a fear of heights.
Thean Hou Temple
Now, why in the world would you not want to visit one of the oldest and largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia? The Thean Hou Temple dates back all the way to 1894, and it definitely is one of those sacred spaces that you just have to visit at all cost. The architecture is nothing short of stunning and the views…well, let’s just say I don’t have to say much given that the temple sits on top of a large hill.
Kuala Lumpur’s Shopping Malls
We also have an honorary mention for Kuala Lumpur, and honestly, it’s just any shopping mall you can find. Trust me, you won’t notice time fly when you’re inside one of these cosmopolitan buildings. Plus, the air-conditioning and the designer bargains don’t hurt either. Pavilion KL, Suria KLCC and Publika are all capable of impressing the pickiest shopper. So, be sure to make time for these stops on your trip. You won’t regret it.
Bali
They don’t call Bali the island of the gods for nothing. Like damn, can you blame all those travellers for visiting the country? Who wouldn’t want to visit? I would go in a heartbeat if my bank balance didn’t look the way it did. Anyways, your trip to Bali is much more than just a cliché fun-in-the-sun retreat. It’s about 10,000 temples, soul-stirring beaches, rip-roaring traditional dance performances, dramatic volcanoes and a family-friendly culture. Plus, the people are always so joyful…like to the point where it’s borderline confusing, but I guess that’s just me again.
So, once again, here are some of the places & things to do that I think would suit everyone’s itinerary.
Suggested Read: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Bali
Visit one of Bali’s Spa-aaah!
Time to untie those knots of tension you’ve been saving up for various reasons. Plus, if you’ve been to Bali and didn’t visit any of its world-renowned spas then did you even visit Bali in the first place? I’m not going to pinpoint any specific locations, because you’re bound to find a lot of them all across Bali. Plus, it’s all equally rejuvenating no matter where you lay down for a massage.
Mount Bator Volcano
Yes. The next must-visit for me is Mount Bator Volcano – I’m fairly sure you saw that coming, it’s not like this towering rock formation is underrated or anything, but many people just pretend to forget it exists because people say it’s “active”. One thing to understand about this volcano is that it won’t begin spewing lava at the middle of the day out of nowhere, meaning that it is entirely safe and has been that way for a very long time. So, make sure you make the trek, this other-worldly spectacle deserves a little love.
Tanah Lot Temple
If it’s one thing everybody knows about me but chooses to ignore because my interests are not worth their time, it’s that I love a place that has a good view of a perfect sunset. “It’s cheesy, people who pretend to like sunsets are so cheesy” yeah, yeah, I’ve heard that one before. But if you’re like me and happen to appreciate the sheer appeal and the radiating charm of a sunset, make a stop at Tanah Lot Temple. Why? Because the one thing that accentuates the temple’s beauty even more so is the golden burst of the sun bowing down after a magnificent show, exquisitely shading the temple before turning it into a silhouette that you won’t be able to tear your eyes away from. But words don’t do it justice, make sure you check it out for yourself.
Siem Reap
Listen, I might not be the biggest fan of Siem Reap, but I have to admit, the archaeological highlights are beyond intriguing. I guess more than anything, Siem Reap really does fit the ideal set list of a traveller who’s more of an explorer; which is dumb of me to say because almost every traveller loves to explore; they wouldn’t have left the couch if they didn’t want to. But no, I’m talking about the ones who travel to explore places that they believe might be more than what meets the eye.
The Dinosaur of Ta Prohm
Is it just a mere hoax or evidence that one or two dinosaurs might have survived and lived among humans? Not many know this, but hordes of travellers visit Cambodia to see this at the temples of Angkor. How about you?
Neak Pean
Just a peaceful 12th-century temple surrounded by water folks, nothing to see here.
Yeah no, that’s where you’re wrong.
Many believe that the water happens to have curative properties and that it’s not just your usual river. It may be devastatingly old, but the serene aura is still present to this day, and it enchants countless travellers to come see its surroundings.
Bayon Temple
For me, the Bayon’s most distinctive feature is the multitude of serene and smiling stone faces on the many towers which jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around its central peak. Which, at first, just creeped me out but then I saw how much everyone else appreciated the detailing of the carvings, and it helped the attraction grow on me. Overall, I think it’s beautiful and if you’ve got an interest in exploring temples, this should definitely be on your list of things to see!
If you just so happen to be intrigued by any of these places, feel free to call or send us an email. We do have an offer for these places right now and it’s getting a surprising amount of attention because of the price and due to the fact that these have been characterised as some of the best places in the Far East to visit during these times, which is also another reason we chose to highlight it in this article. So, I really hope you don’t miss out on our special deal if you’re planning to take your holiday to the Far East.
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