So, you’re planning a trip through Southeast Asia and are looking for some amazing bucket list experiences? Then this post will surely inspire you!
With countries like Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand, Southeast Asia is one of the most popular parts of the world to go backpacking. There are so many amazing bucket list experiences here, from exploring ancient temples to swimming in majestic waterfalls and trekking through lush jungles.
I spent a couple of months travelling all over Southeast Asia and collected the best things to do in this post. So without further ado, here are the best bucket list experiences in Southeast Asia.
1. Explore the Ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia
The ruins of Angkor Wat are undoubtedly one of the most famous landmarks in Asia. This is the largest religious structure in the world, and it’s pretty impressive!
Angkor Wat was built by Khmer King Suryavarman II in the 12th century, and it was dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. A century later, however, it was taken over by Buddhist monks and became a Buddhist site.
After the complex was abandoned in the 16th century, nature slowly started taking over the site and although much has been cleared, you will still find plenty of temples with trees growing on them today.
I visited Angkor Wat during my trip to Cambodia and Vietnam, and it’s one of my favourite places in Southeast Asia. This is one of those impressive sites that makes you feel as if you’re walking on a movie set (I admit that Tomb Raider, which was shot here, might have something to do with it).
2. Ride the Ha Giang Loop in North Vietnam
The Ha Giang Loop, a scenic motorcycle route near the Chinese border, is one of the most beautiful regions in Vietnam, and it was the highlight of my trip. With its mountainous landscapes, serpentine roads and small villages, this region is amazing.
It takes three to five days to complete this loop, and there are plenty of things to see and do along the way. Some popular stops on the road are Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Du Gia, but there are many other possibilities too.
No matter what itinerary you choose, the Ha Giang Loop is a great adventure that will take you along some of Vietnam’s most mesmerising scenery.
It’s also good to know that you can either do this loop independently, with an easy rider or with a guide.
3. Climb an active Volcano
If you’re an avid hiker, one of the things that you cannot miss on your Southeast Asia bucket list is to climb an active volcano (or more).
Indonesia and the Philippines are home to some of the best active volcanoes to climb in Asia. Take Mount Bromo in Java, Mount Batur in Bali, Mount Sibayak in Sumatra and the Mayon Volcano in the Philippines, for example.
By hiking up an active volcano, you will not only find fuming craters, but the views of the surroundings will be mesmerising too. This was one of my favourite activities during my trip to Sumatra and one I can’t wait to repeat.
4. Visit the Temples of Bagan in Myanmar
Myanmar is one of my favourite destinations in Southeast Asia, and Bagan is a place that you cannot miss when you’re here.
This ancient city was the capital of the Pagan Empire between the 9th and 13th centuries, and over 10,000 Buddhist temples were constructed here. Although many of these were destroyed, more than 2,200 of them remain today.
I spent three days exploring these temples by e-bike when I was in Bagan, and it was one of my most memorable travel experiences.
If you’re visiting Myanmar between October and early April, you can also go ballooning over the temples. Bagan is one of the best places in the world to do this!
5. Eat Street Food in Bangkok, Thailand
This one is for the foodies! With an abundance of dishes to choose from and plenty of markets to explore, Bangkok is the place to be to indulge in street food.
Head to Yaowarat (Chinatown), Victory Monument or the Nang Loeng Market to find the best street food in town. Here, you will find plenty of stalls serving unique dishes.
Make sure to try Pad Thai, Thai boat noodles, steamed dumplings and papaya salad while you’re here. You can also try deep-fried insects if you want to have the full experience.
6. See the Orangutangs in Borneo or Sumatra
Borneo and Sumatra are the only places in the world where you will find orangutans. So a list featuring the best bucket list experiences in Southeast Asia wouldn’t be complete without including spotting these fascinating animals.
An important thing to keep in mind if you want to see orangutans is to go to a place where you can spot them ethically. I won’t dive into the subject in this post, but you can find quite some information about this online.
Seeing orangutans in the wild is an unforgettable experience that you will remember for a lifetime. So, make sure to go to Borneo or Sumatra if you’d like to see these creatures.
7. Admire the Trees at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
Gardens by the Bay is a famous nature park located in the central region of Singapore and best known for its so-called supertrees. These tree-like structures act as vertical gardens and generate solar power at the same time.
Apart from the supertrees, Gardens by the Bay also offers other spectacular landmarks. The park also features an indoor cloud forest and flower dome, and outdoor gardens and lakes.
This being said, Singapore is one of Southeast Asia’s more expensive destinations, so this is not the best place to head if you’re on a tight budget.
8. Go on a Yoga Retreat
If you’re into yoga, you will be happy to hear that yoga retreats are a thing in Southeast Asia (even though it’s true that this is one of the things India is famous for). Head to Bali (there are plenty of yoga studios in Canggu, for example), Thailand, the Philippines or Vietnam for affordable yoga retreats where you can immerse yourself in this practice.
Retreats usually last two to seven days, although you will find longer ones too, and these are great for disconnecting, meeting like-minded people and, of course, deepening your yoga practice.
9. Visit the Uninhabited Jaco Island in Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste is one of these off-the-beaten-track travel destinations that doesn’t attract many tourists. This tropical country comprises a handful of islands, including Jaco Island, which is uninhabited.
Located on the easternmost point of the island of Timor in the Pacific, Jaco Island is known for its pristine beaches and lush forests. This is a great place to add to your Southeast Asian itinerary if you want to get off the beaten path.
As this island is uninhabited, it’s not allowed to stay overnight. The indigenous people consider Jaco Island sacred, but it can easily be reached with the help of local fishermen who can take you there for the day.
10. Cruise Halong Bay in Vietnam
Not only is Vietnam one of the cheapest countries in Asia, but it’s also home to some of this region’s most spectacular landmarks – one of these is Halong Bay.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Southeast Asia’s most popular destinations, and it’s easy to understand why. With its emerald green waters and beautiful rock formations, the place is stunning.
It’s possible to take a cruise here or to swim. These are experiences that you will remember for a lifetime, and it’s one of those things that cannot miss from any Vietnam itinerary.
11. Learn About the Cambodian Genocide
If you’re the type of traveller who likes to learn more about a country’s history, Cambodia has a lot to offer.
This country’s history is pretty turbulent, and there are many places where you can learn more about the Cambodian Genocide, which took place between 1975 and 1979. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the Choeung Ek Killing Fields and the National Museum of Cambodia are a few examples.
Before visiting Cambodia, I knew very little about its history, so I’m glad I was able to learn something new when I was there (and I’m shocked this was never taught in history class when I went to school in Belgium).
12. Go Jungle Trekking
Southeast Asia is covered by many lush green jungles, and one of the best things to do here is to go trekking. Head to Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand or Laos for the best jungle treks.
I went jungle trekking in the Sumatran rainforest a couple of years ago and had an amazing time. We ran into plenty of monkeys while we were there, and the surroundings were incredibly beautiful.
This is one of those bucket list experiences that you will remember for a lifetime. Jungle treks are a great way to enjoy nature and disconnect for a while.
13. See Elephants the Ethical Way
While it’s believed that Sri Lanka, in South Asia, has the highest density of elephants in Asia, you will also find these animals in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo and Cambodia. So, one of the things that cannot miss from a Southeast Asia bucket list is to spot them in the wild!
Make sure to head to an ethical place to spot elephants, though, as sadly, these animals are often exploited for tourism. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but elephant-riding or elephant-bathing aren’t ethical activities.
There are quite a few ethical elephant sanctuaries in Southeast Asia, though, and it’s also possible to spot them in the wild in national parks.
14. See the Rice Terraces in Bali, Indonesia
One of the things Bali is famous for is its stunning rice terraces. There are plenty of places to see these on this island, but the most famous ones are in Tegallalang, Jatiluwih, Sidemen and Rendang.
It’s good to know that the best time to see the rice fields in Bali is between April and November, as this is when they’re at their greenest.
So, if you’re including Indonesia in your Southeast Asian trip, visiting Bali’s rice fields is a thing worth adding to your bucket list!
15. Attend a Cultural Festival
Attending cultural festivals is one of the things I love doing when I’m travelling! I visited plenty of summer festivals in India, but I’ve also been to quite some Southeast Asian cultural festivals.
It all depends on when you’re visiting this region, but some of the most famous festivals are Songkran in Thailand, Holi in Malaysia, Thingyan in Myanmar, Boun Bang Fai in Laos and Chaul Chnam Thmey in Cambodia.
If you’re asking me, attending festivals is one of the best cultural experiences you can have. This is a great way to learn more about local traditions and immerse yourself in a country’s culture.
16. Go Island Hopping in the Philippines
It’s no secret that the Philippines is one of the best destinations to go island hopping. After all, this country comprises 7,641 incredibly beautiful islands.
From off-the-beaten-path islands like Balabac to popular ones like Boracay, choice is abundant here. If you’re a beach lover, this is one of those countries that you will love.
Apart from visiting beaches, the Philippines is also a good place to go hiking, explore villages and learn more about the local culture.
All in all, island hopping in the Philippines is one of the best things to do during a trip to Southeast Asia.
17. Learn How to Dive or Go Snorkeling
With coastal countries like Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia, there’s no shortage of amazing places to go snorkelling and diving in Southeast Asia. From wreck diving in Coron Bay in the Philippines to exploring Raja Ampat’s incredible biodiversity in Indonesia, this part of the world is home to some of the best scuba diving spots.
So, whether you’re a total beginner or an experienced diver, diving is one of the best Southeast Asian bucket list experiences out there.
Note that if you’re like me and diving isn’t really your thing, snorkelling is totally worth it as well here.
18. Visit Train Street in Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi’s famous train street is one of the highlights of a visit to this Vietnamese city and you might already have seen posts about it on Instagram!
In this narrow street located in Hanoi‘s old town, a train passes a couple of times a day and this is quite a sight. The street is steeped with cosy cafes, local shops and homestays, and the best thing to do here is to order a drink while waiting for the passing train.
If you’re a history buff, it’s interesting to know that the railway tracks were built by the French when they occupied Hanoi in the late 19th century. It was used to transport goods and people, and the buildings that surround it were only built decades later, when the city expanded.
19. Take a Scenic Train Ride
Speaking of trains, one of the best things to do in Southeast Asia is to travel by train and watch the scenery along the way. There are plenty of great train journeys throughout this part of the world, and countries like Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand are perfect for train travel.
Apart from having a great experience and enjoying beautiful views, the affordability of travelling by train is another advantage of train travel.
One of my favourite memories in Southeast Asia is taking the train from Mandalay to Hsipaw in Myanmar. This is a 12-hour journey that passes the famous Gokteik Viaduct. I also loved taking the Kandy to Ella train in Sri Lanka (which is in South Asia).
20. Learn About the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
HCMC is, without a doubt, the best city to learn more about the Vietnam War. With places like the War Remnant Museums, the Cu Chi Tunnels, Hao Lo Prison and the Khe Sanh Combat Base, it offers an abundance of sites where you can learn more about this dark part of history.
This city’s War Remnant Museum is one of the most interesting museums I’ve ever visited. It taught me a lot about the Vietnam War, and it’s a place that you cannot miss if you’re a history buff.
21. Visit Floating Markets
One of the best things to do in Southeast Asia is to visit a floating market. Some of the most famous ones are the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Thailand, the Cai Rang Floating Market in Vietnam, the Banjarmasin Floating Market in Indonesia and the Inle Lake Floating Market in Myanmar.
Here, vendors sell anything from fruits and vegetables to local farm produce. You will see how locals store up these goods, and you can do some shopping for yourself if you want to.
I had an amazing time visiting the Cai Rang Floating Market in Vietnam and the Inle Lake Floating Market in Myanmar, and would love to visit more of these markets in the future!
22. Explore the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Located right outside of Kuala Lumpur, the Batu Caves consist of a complex of Hindu temples, and the entrance alone is pretty impressive. It’s adorned with an enormous golden statue of Murugan, the Hindu god of war, and a rainbow staircase.
The Batu Caves are one of the largest Hindu temples outside of India. It was built in the 19th century, and it’s visited by over a million pilgrims every single year. This is one of those unique places that you cannot miss when you’re in Malaysia.
It’s good to know that these caves can easily be reached from Kuala Lumpur by metro.
23. See the White Temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand
The Rong Khun Temple, better known as the White Temple, in Chiang Rai, is one of Thailand’s most spectacular landmarks. This beautiful piece of architecture was built in 1997, and it’s dedicated to Lord Buddha’s teachings.
Monks perform prayers and rituals here daily, and the complex is incredibly photogenic. Its white colour symbolises purity and makes it a place unlike any other.
So, make sure to add Chiang Mai’s White Temple to your Southeast Asia bucket list if you like visiting temples. It’s a unique place full of interesting details.
24. Take a Cooking Class
Southeast Asia is famous for its delicious cuisine, think of Thai, Vietnamese or Indonesian food, for example. With dishes like pho, pad Thai and nasi goreng, this region’s food is famous all over the world.
Joining a cooking class is one of the best Southeast Asian travel experiences if you’d like to learn how to make delicious Asian food. You will find plenty of these here, and this is a great way to get to know new people at the same time.
The nice thing about cooking classes is that you will learn some new recipes that you can try out at home. These will remind you of your trip every time you make them.
25. Swim in Waterfalls
One of the best experiences in Southeast Asia is to swim in waterfalls. There are loads of these in this part of the world, and it’s possible to swim in many of them.
Some of the most famous Southeast Asian waterfalls to swim in are Banyumala Twin Waterfalls in Bali, Kuang Si Falls in Laos and Erawan Falls in Thailand, but there are many more.
✍ Read: 73 BEST Waterfall Quotes and Captions
26. Take Pictures of the Fishermen at Inle Lake, Myanmar
Inle Lake is one of my favourite cultural destinations in Asia. This is Myanmar’s second-largest lake, and it’s famous for its beautiful scenery, floating villages and leg-rowing fishermen.
These fishermen are part of the Inta tribe, which translates to “lake people” in Burmese. This is the main tribe that lives around Inle Lake. What makes them unique is their leg-rowing tradition, which is believed to have been introduced in the 12th century. To move the boat, the fishermen will wrap their legs around an oar and push in a circular direction.
This is quite a spectacular sight and makes for amazing photo opportunities, especially if you’re visiting them during sunset.
27. See the Lanterns in Hoi An, Vietnam
Located in Central Vietnam, the small city of Hoi An is many people’s favourite destination in this country. Here, thousands of colourful lanterns light up the old town every evening. It’s believed that they bring good fortune, wealth and happiness.
Hoi An is an incredibly charming city, and it becomes even more picturesque once the lanterns light up. Although it’s true that it’s pretty touristy, it’s more than worth visiting, if you’re asking me.
Apart from traditional lanterns lighting up the streets, you will also see that people release smaller lanterns on the river to make a wish. This is a beautiful sight not to be missed.
28. Explore Borobudur in Indonesia
Borobudur is an enormous Buddhist temple located in central Java. It dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries and features hundreds of Buddha statues and decorative sculptures.
As this is the world’s biggest Buddhist monument, exploring Borobudur is one of the things that cannot be missed from any Southeast Asian bucket list. It’s good to know that the best time to visit it is during sunrise, when the light will be magnificent.
What makes this place even more beautiful is that it’s surrounded by nature, so you will have an amazing view from the top.
29. See the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Located in Kuala Lumpur, the Petronas Towers are the tallest twin towers in the world. They were built between 1993 and 1998, and are 451,9 m (1,483 ft) high. It’s interesting to know that before Taipei 101 was built in 2004, this was the tallest building in the world.
If you’re into modern architecture, you will love visiting the Petronas Towers. This is one of the best places to visit in Kuala Lumpur, and they’re pretty impressive!
30. Admire the Golden Rock in Myanmar
Myanmar’s Golden Rock, also known as Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, is one of the country’s most sacred sites. According to the story, this rock is perched on top of a strand of the Buddha’s hair and Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world visit this place to add gold leaf to the rock.
One of the things that makes Kyaiktiyo Pagoda so unique is that it’s perched on top of a rock and looks as if it’s defying gravity. On top of that, the whole experience of visiting Golden Rock is pretty interesting. You will have to take an open truck that’s packed with locals and then hike to the top of the mountain barefoot with hundreds of pilgrims. It’s good to know that this is not a difficult hike, though it takes about 20 minutes.
All in all, visiting Golden Rock is an incredible experience that you will love if you’re a cultural traveller. It was one of my favourite places in Myanmar and one I would love to visit again.
31. Visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok
Bangkok’s Grand Palace is one of the most beautiful palaces in Asia. It was built at the order of King Rama in 1782 and served as the royal family’s residence until 1925.
This is one of those places that you cannot miss when you’re visiting Bangkok. Apart from its beautiful architecture, the Grand Palace is also home to the famous Emerald Buddha Temple, which is one of the most sacred sites in Thailand.
Expect to find quite some tourists here, though, as this is one of the most famous places in the country.
32. Admire Colonial Architecture
Southeast Asian cities like Jakarta (Indonesia), Yangon (Myanmar), Manila (the Philippines), Hanoi (Vietnam) and Taiping (Malaysia) are full of ancient colonial buildings.
While it’s true that the colonial era had a lot of negative aspects, local authorities now embrace the buildings it left behind because they attract tourists.
So, for history buffs and architecture lovers, one of the best things to do in Southeast Asia is to explore its cities and look for colonial buildings.
33. Go Trekking in Sapa, Vietnam
Located in the northwestern region of Vietnam, Sapa is famous for its lush rice terraces, small villages and majestic mountains. This is one of the best places to go trekking in Southeast Asia and something worth checking off your bucket list.
What’s great about trekking in Sapa is that you can stay in homestays with local tribes. This region is home to the Hmong, Red Dao and Giay tribes and staying with them will give you an insight into what life is like here.
Note that the best time to visit Sapa is in September and October. I was there in December, and it was super cold and rainy.
34. Go to the Full Moon Party in Thailand
If you like partying, going to the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan Island in Thailand should be on top of your bucket list. This party is argued to be one of the best beach parties in the world, and it’s one of the biggest parties in Asia.
The Full Moon Party is held every month on the night of, before or after the full moon. If you want to enjoy an enormous party, however, the best time to go is during peak season, which is in July, August, December and April.
I haven’t been here myself because I’m not much of a party-goer, but I’ve heard it’s quite the event!
35. Take a Boat Ride on the Mekong Delta in Vietnam
Last but not least, taking a boat ride on the Mekong Delta in the south of Vietnam is another amazing activity in Southeast Asia. The Mekong Delta is one of the largest deltas in the world, and it’s also known as the “rice bowl of Vietnam” because of the fertility of the region.
What’s nice about cruising this river is that you will stop by villages along the way, too. This will give you the chance to see what life is like in the region and interact with locals.
When I went on a tour of the Mekong Delta, we ended up being invited to a wedding reception in one of the small villages!
Read more about Asia:
🎎 18 Best Cultural Destinations in Asia
⛩ 36 Famous Asian Landmarks
💰 23 Cheapest Countries in Asia
🏛 16 Beautiful Palaces in Asia
❄️ 33 Best Asian Winter Destinations
☀️ 37 Best Spring Destinations in Asia
🌸 25 Best Summer Destinations in Asia
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2 comments
This is the kind of list that makes you want to pack a bag immediately. There’s so much variety in such a compact region.
Hi Helene, Im so happy to hear that, thank you for the nice comment!