The Thailand - Cambodia - Vietnam - Laos’s tour has become a classic for all travellers who wish to discover this wonderful region of the globe that is Southeast Asia.
In general, this tour consists of visiting the capitals of these countries (Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Vientiane and Hanoi), stopping on one or two Thai beaches to attend full moon parties and taking an elephant ride in Chang Mai before returning to Singapore. Nothing wrong with that, quite the contrary, all the backpackers who have had the chance to live these experiences will tell you that they had a great time! That said, we wanted to share with you other incredible places and things to do and see in Southeast Asia, such as admiring the sunrise over Angkor Wat (photo opposite).
Desert and wild beaches, ancient monuments, good places to go out and celebrate or splendid places to go scuba diving... Here is our personal guide to the best of Southeast Asia!
Yangon, Burma
Known for its wooded avenues and late 19th century architecture, Yangon (formerly Rangoon) is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. But it is also a place that is not well known to the tourist masses, making it an ideal destination for all travellers who enjoy their tranquility and get off the beaten track.
Former capital of Burma (since 2005, the new capital of Burma is... Naypyidaw. But if we are sure that you knew it!), Yangon is rich in the different cultures that have followed one another throughout the city's history. As proof, the different architectures that bear witness to this History, such as the colonial buildings (evidence of the British colonial heritage) or the splendid Shwedagon Pagoda, a Buddhist place of worship, undoubtedly the most beautiful place in the city. The interior is breathtaking, adorned with gold and thousands of precious stones.
Other must-see places are the Zoological Gardens, Kandawgyi National Park and Bogyonke Aung San Market. The same goes for the local cuisine that you will have to try at all costs, combining the best of British, Chinese and Indian cuisine, creating some of the most subtle flavours in Southeast Asia.
Koh Tao, Thailand
Koh Tao is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand, and is certainly the most beautiful and least known of the three islands in Andaman Bay.
The island has the same advantages as the most famous islands of Phangan and Koh Samui (fine sandy beaches, palm trees and turquoise water) but none of their faults (hordes of tourists, discount souvenir shops and expensive Western pubs).
While tourist buses go to Koh Phangan for full moon parties and drink alcohol much more than reason, those of you who go to Koh Tao will be able to enjoy relaxation and tranquillity, and also some of the best scuba diving spots in the world.
Well, very well, apart from scuba diving, beaches and breath-taking landscapes, there is not much to do, but the heavenly and relaxing atmosphere that reigns on the island make it the ideal place for all those who dream of absolute rest, especially if you find yourself in the middle of a journey through South East Asia: Koh Tao is the perfect place to take a breath a little before leaving! And if you plan to travel longer in Thailand, discover quickly which are the most beautiful cities and regions to discover in Thailand...