Traveling around Asia is a dream for many people around the world, especially for people in the west. As a citizen of the western world, traveling to Asia is like being transported into a different reality. A place with very different cultures and customs, Asia is a place of beauty and exotic locations filled with historical wonders.
There are many places that one could visit in Asia, but it is important to slow down and choose just a few areas in order to take in all the wonders that this part of the world has to offer. Southeast Asia is a name that refers to a sub-region of Asia that is bordered on both sides by ocean. To the West, you have the Indian Ocean, while to the East there’s the Pacific Ocean. With that said, here are a few places that should be on anybody’s list of locations to visit.
Bagan
Bagan is considered an archeological paradise. It is one of those hidden gems that lies off the travelled path. The site is home to around 2000 temples of different shapes. It is believed that the structures where raised between the 9th and 13th century and the site receives around one million tourists per year. This is a wonderful location that people traveling around Southeast Asia should not miss.
You can travel around the area of Bagan with a bicycle or hire a tuk-tuk, which is a good idea because the archeological site covers an area of 65 square kilometers. After an earthquake in 1975, the structures suffered a bit and there was a plan to restore some of the damaged structures.
Macau
Macau is a place is Asia where the West meets the East and form a beautiful mixture of cultures. The city is known to be the gaming capital of Asia. There is a large variety of amazing casinos to be found here, including the iconic Casino Lisboa, which also represents a symbol of the spirit of Macau. With its lotus shaped form, the structure is truly a sight to behold and also used as a guiding landmark for Macau’s citizens.
When it comes to visiting Macau, most people go there with the purpose of gambling and visiting the many beautiful casinos found there. However, besides the many casinos, there are also many other places of interest in the city. An example could be the ruins of St. Paul, a structure built in the 17th century and was eventually destroyed by fire. What remains is only the facade of the former structure which acts as a kind of altar to the city.
Since the spirit of Macau is all about gambling, people have the option of trying out few casino games found on Gametwist Online Casino, while at the same time visiting other places of interest around the city. This online casino can offer you the same experience as the one would have in one of the casinos found in Macau, but you have the option of choosing where to play them. After that, you can say that you have participated in the gambling spirit of Macau.
Halong Bay
The number one tourist destination in Vietnam. Halong Bay has received a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. It is truly a unique place in the world and it is also known as the Bay of Descending Dragons. Dragons play an important role in Vietnamese culture. There is a story that a dragon and her offspring defended the vietnamese from invaders. The dragon sprayed fire with emeralds or jades and after many years they formed the eroded towers surrounding the area.
The rocky formations are covered by forests and there are many activities that one could partake in. Rock climbing is one of them, as well as taking a cruise around the Bay. The best time to visit Halong Bay and Vietnam in general is between March to May or September to November, which are times when one could avoid the extreme heat. Winter can also be cloudy and cool and may not make such a great experience.
Singapore
Singapore can be seen as a melting pot of cultures and different demographics as well as a large variety of different architecture. It can be seen as the number one travel destination in Asia. In 2018 this island nation has been voted as one of the safest cities in the world with a very low crime rate. Among the beautiful urban area, there is also a large variety of beautiful greenery present in the city.
A wonderful attraction of the city would be the Garden by the Bay opposite from the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Most people visit the garden to see the Supertree Grove. The trees have a high that ranges between 25 and 50 meters. Between two of the largest Supertrees there is a walkway where people can take in a panoramic view of the garden.
Final Word
Southeast Asia is truly one of the most amazing places on Earth that people can visit. Aside from the destinations mentioned above, you can be sure that there are many more places that are as beautiful and interesting. For a person who was born in the west, visiting just one of the places mentioned can truly be a life changing experience.
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