5 alternative Southeast Asian destinations that aren’t Thailand

Already done Bangkok, or don’t believe the hype? Then Singapore will certainly live up to your expectations.

Thailand is the quintessential Southeast Asian destination, with no shortage of cities, beach destinations and islands galore. But before Coronavirus shut down travel, the Thai authorities had been performing closures of their own in order to preserve some of their natural attractions from the problems arising from overtourism.

So, I’ve put together a list of some other Southeast Asian destinations that are well worth visiting when things get back up and running.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The stairs leading up to the Batu Caves are a sight to behold.

Kuala Lumpur is perfect for those looking for an authentic foodie experience that won’t break the bank. A reflection of its diverse population, the city’s street food offers a mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine. Visit Bukit Bintang – an area of KL famed for its food and nightlife spots – to try oyster omelettes and banana leaf curries.

Although the city is known for landmarks such as the Petronas Twin Towers, the world’s largest twin skyscrapers, Kuala Lumpur also boasts natural attractions such as the Batu Caves which are over 400 million years old. The labyrinth of limestone caverns features temples and Hindu shrines, attracting thousands of worshippers during annual Hindu festival, Thaipusam, whilst a 2018 refurbishment saw it get rainbow stairs, making it an Instagram hotspot.

Mandalay, Myanmar

See landscapes like this in Mandalay.

Formerly the capital of Myanmar and founded at the foot of the hill from which it gets its name, Mandalay retains some of the crown jewels from its royal past. You’ll be able to visit the Royal Palace, which the Burmese Royal Family called home over a century ago, explore the 19th-century teak wood Shwenandaw Monastery or gaze at the amazing gold-and-white Maha Myat Pagoda.

You can also have the quintessential Burmese experience in Mandalay by going on a hot air balloon ride to catch the sunrise or sunset over the beautiful Myanmar countryside.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Angkor Wat temple complex is one of Cambodia’s most popular attractions.

Siem Reap is best known for its jaw-dropping temples. Angkor Wat is the headline act and its most popular – a UNESCO World Heritage temple complex including Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat temple and Ta Prohm, which was used as a filming location for Angelina Jolie’s Tomb Raider. Angkor Wat is so popular that it also features on the Cambodian flag.

The Flag of Cambodia proudly displays Angkor Wat.

Away from the magnificent ruins there’s plenty going on including local food tours where you can sample delicacies such as deep-fried tarantula, visit the War Museum, which has a unique collection of landmines and tanks from the Khmer Rouge and Vietnamese occupation in the 1970s and traditional aspara dance shows, which uses Khmer dance to convey their story.

Cebu, Philippines

Catch Filipino sunsets like this in Cebu.

If you’re looking for that picture-perfect coastline, look no further than Cebu in the Philippines. For the island’s best white-sand beaches take a day trip to nearby islands Malapascua, and Bantayan – both of which are also great for diving and water-based activities, such as cliff jumping and cave swimming.

For those wanting a bit more action and urbanisation, head to the Philippines’ second biggest city – Cebu City – which has sights including Magellan’s Cross, a religious relic brought by Spanish explorers in 1521 to mark the start of Christianity in the Philippines, and Sky Experience Adventure, a rooftop theme park with a rollercoaster, zip line and buffet restaurant with stunning views.

Singapore

One of my favourite things in Singapore was to walk around the F1 circuit.

The ultimate stopover destination, the city-state of Singapore is a place where you can just as easily spend three nights or two weeks.

This Bangkok alternative, much like the Thai capital, is a major airline hub and sits on an island just over the water from Malaysia, and what is amazing is that the country manages to balance its steel-and-glass skyscrapers with plenty of greenery, adopting an eco-friendly approach to big city life.

This is most prominent at Gardens by the Bay nature park, a colourful, futuristic green space with illuminated “supertrees,” which are connected by skywalks for a great view of the surrounding area. Gardens by the Bay sits at the feet of Marina Bay Sands, the famous luxury hotel which boasts the world’s highest infinity pool (although you have to be a guest to swim there).

In addition, Singapore has many other attractions including Sentosa, where you’ll find boundless fun including beaches and Universal Studios Singapore. Then there’s the Singapore Flyer observation wheel, which offers up some of the best views of the city, the National Museum, where you can learn more about Singapore’s fascinating history, and even Changi Airport which, in itself, is an attraction.

Do you have any other suggestions for Southeast Asian destinations which are great alternatives to popular Thailand? Let me know in the comments!