Pulau Langkawi
A brief walk from the main road up to Teluk Datai, the falls here – the island’s tallest – are worth a look, though beware of food-stealing monkeys. The…
Must-see attractions in Southeast Asia
Eastern Myanmar
Pointing dramatically towards the mountains on a ridge overlooking Nyaung Toung lake, the 60ft-high standing buddha statue known as Yat Taw Mu is the most…
Northern Laos
The most distinctive of the old Lao-French buildings is home to the two-room Tribal Museum, which boasts costume displays downstairs and six cases of…
Dalat
Built in 1938, the Linh Son Pagoda is a lovely ochre-coloured building that fuses French and Chinese architecture. The giant bell is said to be made of…
Bicol
This small museum, located on the 3rd floor of the campus of the University of Nueva Caceras, is ethnographic in focus, filled with crafts, tools and…
Tana Toraja
Ten kilometres south of Rantepao, off the Rantepao–Makale road, Tilanga is a quiet, natural cool-water swimming pool. You can swim, but don’t be surprised…
Hanoi
More commonly known as 'Chicken Street', Pho Ly Van Phuc is devoted to barbecued, grilled and roast chicken, usually dished up brushed with honey and…
Kanchanaburi Province
Karen women and men come to this prominent temple, near the main lodging zone, most days (no set hours) to weave cotton fabric. The building they work in,…
Banyak Islands
One of two inhabited islands in the Banyaks, connected to the mainland by frequent public boats. It has no attractions of its own, but has a mellow…
Hue
Around 8km past Beach Bar Hue, the remains of Phu Dien, a small Cham temple, lie in a hollow in the sand just off the beach. Protected by a glass…
Muzium Sejarah Daerah Kuala Selangor
Malaysia
Learn about Kuala Selangor's early settlement, fishing culture and trading history at the small museum near Bukit Malawati's lighthouse. It makes for a…
Khon Kaen
Right in the heart of the city, the adjacent Banglamphu and Bobae markets comprise Khon Kaen's largest and most diverse fresh food sources. It's open…
Luang Prabang
The modern Vietnamese–Lao temple of Wat Phabaht is fronted by a distinctive, if kitschy, array of spires. Behind is a shady Mekong-fronting terrace from…
Silpakorn University Art Centre
Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi
This gallery – located inside Thailand’s most prestigious arts school, Silpakorn University – showcases faculty and student exhibitions. There’s also an…
Northern Laos
By far Namtha's most striking landmark, this large golden stupa sits on a steep ridge directly northwest of town. It gleams majestically when viewed from…
East Java
The small town of Bangkalan hosts occasional bull races. If you’ve time to kill before a race, see the Museum Cakraningrat.
Northern Shan State
This pretty waterfall has been turned into a bit of a circus with the establishment of an amusement park below. Visitors can choose from bumper cars, a…
Nakhon Ratchasima Province
This minor ruin was the temple for a health centre built in the early 13th century by Jayavarman VII. It's aligned generally to the east, typical of Khmer…
Hoi An
Meaning the 'Treasure of the Law Temple', Phap Bao Pagoda has a colourful facade of ceramics and murals and an elaborate roof with snake-like dragons…
Ko Chang & Eastern Seaboard
The southern clock tower is a good place to get your bearings. Next to it is the main market; this is also a hub for local transport options. Note there…
Ko Chang & Eastern Seaboard
This small Thai-Chinese Buddhist temple is on Ko Loi, a small rocky island connected to the mainland by a road at the northern end of Si Racha’s…
Dalat
The gingerbread-style Dalat Cathedral was built between 1931 and 1942 for use by French residents and holidaymakers. The cross on the spire is topped by a…
Nyaungshwe
The independence monument – a white obelisk – is tucked away at one end of a sports field. Next to it is a gold statue of Sao Shwe Thaike, the last saopha…
Mandalay
This small statue depicts the ogress San Dha Mukhi offering up a severed breast to the Buddha. According to legend, her feat of self-mutilation impressed…
Chanthaburi
This popular shrine holds the lak meuang (pillar of the city), which people adorn with gold leaf. The pillar has both symbolic and spiritual significance…
Flores
Just off the Trans-Flores Hwy, 20km south of Maumere, a paved road descends 2km through coconut and banana groves to the south coast weaving and fishing…
North Maluku
On the 27th evening of Ramadan, Lailat-ul-Qadr celebrations see the sultan’s procession arrive to a mass of flaming torches at the Royal Mosque, which has…
Ubud Region
This sanctuary claims to have the most complete collection of reptiles in Southeast Asia. There are snakes and lizards galore. Try to time your visit with…
Songkhla Province
This small gallery is always good for a contemporary art exhibition and regularly presents works by local Thai artists, including work by students from…
Ko Lanta
Hat Khlong Dao was once an outstanding 2km stretch of white sand perfect for swimming, but the erosion has become so bad that at high tide there's no…
Pontianak
This small patch of Borneo jungle is a welcome relief from the urban jungle outside. It's a community project with an orchid garden and a boardwalk…
Leyte
These pleasant, easy-to-reach falls make for a refreshing dip. The path to the falls begins just west of the turnoff to Southern Leyte Dive Resort. From…
Hue
Founded in 1670, this hilltop pagoda is on the southern bank of the Perfume River and has a striking triple-gated entrance reached via a wide staircase…
Danang Region
Much of the central section of Danang Beach has been parceled off for luxury resort developments. The inland side of the coastal road has a scattering of…
Taunggyi
Smaller than its Catholic counterpart and in need of some repairs, this is the main church for Taunggyi's Anglican community. The church is locked outside…
Medan
Dating to 1884, Medan's oldest Hindu temple has a classic Dravidian style typical of South India, with a storied tower adorned with ornamental deity…
Nyaungshwe
This winery is open daily for tastings (K5000 for four wines). There's an attached restaurant with a menu of mostly Western dishes, as well as good views…
Yangon
This 1910 heritage building was once Rowe & Co department store, dubbed the 'Harrods of the East'. After independence it was used to house the Ministry of…
Bangkok University Art Gallery
Thanon Sukhumvit
This spacious, modern compound is part of the country’s most cutting-edge art school. Recent exhibitions have encompassed a variety of media by some of…
