With a rich cultural heritage dating back centuries, along with some of the most delectable cuisine, The Far East is the hottest new destination, which will give you the memories of a lifetime. Teeming with blue beaches, lush rice paddies, magnificent rivers and architecturally stunning temples and monuments, a vibrant world awaits your next big adventure.
Myanmar
Kicking off with Myanmar, which is known as the ‘This Land Of Gold’, this country has some of the best hospitality, which will make you feel welcomed. The lure of the biggest city, Yangoon (previously called Rangoon), will take you back to the olden days, which still has hints of colonial history. Its most famous temple is the Shwedagon Pagoda, which has a shimmering gold facade and is considered the most coveted Buddhist pilgrim site.
Take a short flight to the Bagan region, where you can explore an array of 2,200 pagodas and temples, including Ananda Temple, Shwezigon Pagoda and Sulamani Temple. A hot air balloon ride is the best way to witness the grandness of these structures as the sky fills with technicolors. A trip to the city of Mandalay, which is known for its jade trade, where you can visit Mandalay Royal Palace, Mandalay Hill, and the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which houses the world’s largest book.
Cambodia
Making the way to Cambodia, you will be instantly hit by the relaxing atmosphere and the quaint countryside of Siem Reap. You can take a cycle and enjoy the soft breeze as you set out to see the majestic wonder of the Angor Wat Temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site that has more than 72 such structures. Built as a Hindu Temple, which was later considered to be a Buddhist temple, you can explore its grandness being located in a dense forest. The other attraction is the Ta Prohm, which was featured in the Tomb Raider movie, that is left in its pristine form. The Virachey National Park is also a fantastic location to witness flora and fauna in its purest form, which includes elephants, sun bears, tigers, and clouded leopards. Also, to fully do justice to the Khmer architecture, Tonle Sap Lake has many floating villages that are a must-visit.
Laos
Say hello to the beautiful city of Luang Prabang, which is a UNESCO-listed city for its exquisite architectural gems like temples, palaces and more. Wat Xieng Thong is its heritage site, and you can also experience the alms-giving ceremony in the morning. The city also has a hill in the middle, which offers breathtaking views of the majestic Mekong River. The country is also home to many gushing waterfalls, amongst which one of the most popular is the Kuang Si Waterfalls, which is embedded with turquoise water where swarms of butterflies flutter along.
A two-hour drive from the capital, Vientiane, Vang Vieng feels like a harmonious wonderland where tranquil waters, rice paddy fields, green pastures, limestone mountains and cave give it a surreal look. You can grab your straw hat and click dozens of photos while enjoying the delicious local cuisine.
Vietnam
Stepping into the ‘Land of the Dragon’, Vietnam is a modern and fast-paced country that is bustling with hawkers, motorbikes and the smell of egg coffee. You can first go to Hanoi, which is the capital, and explore its Old Quarter, which is a shopping paradise and a gastronomical haven. Hoan Kiem Lake, which has the famous Ngoc Son Temple on an islet, is situated in this area, which is great for leisurely strolls. Halong Bay, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, is a two-hour drive that houses many limestone karsts and caves. You can enjoy the views by cruising through its calm waters or by kayaking.
Ho Chi Minh City has a sprawling nightlife, which at night shows its dramatically lit buildings and famous street food. You can visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Saigon Opera House, Central Post Office and the Reunification Palace. Also, the Cu Chi Tunnels will truly demonstrate the willpower and ingenuity of the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War by using these extensive tunnel systems.
