20 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Those who have followed our trajectory a little will already know that Southeast Asia is one of our places in the world. We started our backpacking adventures there, and after a first crush, we decided to undertake a 9-month trip throughout the subcontinent. 9 months that allowed us to learn a lot and discover wonderful sites. In this post we will tell you which are, for us, the best 20 things to see and do in Southeast Asia (no order of importance).

* There are 20 sites that we recommend for those who go to Asia for the first time. They do not have to be the most authentic or the least crowded, they are not even too original places, but we believe they are the places you can not miss.

1. Contemplate the sunrise over the temples of Bagan (Myanmar) is probably the most magical moment we live in those 9 months of travel. We went in 2011 and we were SO-LOS, although we assume that today it will be time to share it with some more tourists.

2. Six were the days we were trapped in the Inle Lake. We do not know if they were the breakfasts of the Aquarios Inn, if the relaxed life of the locals who invited us to lower our pulsations or the desire not to leave that country that hooked us from the beginning. But Inle Lake was forever in our traveling heart.

3. We know that Bangkok it creates in the traveler a feeling of rejection and attraction almost equally. But believe us, the capital of Thailand has many things to offer. It is usually one of the gateways to Asia, if it is yours, give it a try. Its temples, its street ambience and of course the food, every time it is cooler. We have lost count of the times we pass here, and we always want to come back!

4. Although if we talk about Thailand, our weakness is undoubtedly Chiang Mai, the most important city in the north of the country, its gastronomic and cultural capital. It is a friendly, tourist city but with its own personality that attracts thousands of students and artists. It has a lot of cool temples (here we tell you which are the best) and has become in recent years the mecca of digital nomads (the floors are beautiful and cheap, there are many markets, coffee shops and we even have our favorite cinema). Come on, it's our house in Asia.

5. We jump with our list to Laos, from the most authentic and rural countries of Asia. We do not want to return to not get a disappointment, and that is that things in the SEA change very quickly. Specifically we keep a great memory of the small town ofMuang Ngoi Neua, of its river, of its sunsets, of the afternoons in the hammock, of the 2 hours of electricity, of its dirt streets and of the chicken and cheese sandwiches that a majestic lady prepared for us. It may not be the same, but surely if you explore a bit you will find your particular Muang Ngoi Neua.

6. We continue in Laos and take you to its most famous city (which by the way is not the capital): Luang Prabang. It is considered by many to be the prettiest city in Southeast Asia, we do not reach that much, but its little hole in this list is guaranteed. A city full of temples, beautiful streets and local markets awaits you. And if you have time we recommend you approach Kuang Si waterfalls (its water is an unreal blue!). Luang Prabang should be in your plans!

7. On the border with southern Laos is Cambodia, and although we did not have high expectations, it turned out to be one of the countries with which we connect more quickly. Its cheerful and smiling people contrast with the recent terrible and bloody history of Pol Pot. To learn more about this episode, a visit to the capital Phnom Phen It is essential. Although it is not a particularly beautiful or pleasant city, there are places where you can get to know the crudest of its past, such as S-21, a former school used as a center for prisoners and extermination during the Khmer Rouge.

8. The most beautiful part of Cambodia is to the northwest, in Siem Reap, where the largest and most incredible ancient city on earth stood: Angkor. Take your time to explore it, from dawn until the intense heat defeats you. Here we tell you our first visit.

9. We still don't need to take planes and jump to Vietnam, the little Asian dragon (with the permission of the Great Dragon, China). Honestly, it was not a country that treated us quite well, but we cannot deny its power of wonder. It has truly incredible places, which will leave you with your mouth open. TheHalong Bay It is the most, go out on the deck of a ship and see sunrise among hundreds of mountains that are born from the sea itself ... is worthy of the list! Of course, before hiring a cruise, read on the internet opinions of other travelers: scams are the order of the day.

10. Another super nice place in Vietnam is Hoi an, a small city where colored lanterns have invaded its decadent streets. Kick up to wear the soles and stick together with their typical dishes. And don't forget to celebrate the trip with the fresh and cheap bia hoi (the draft beer that only costs a handful of cents).

11. We pass to Malaysia, one of our weaknesses in Asia. If you are traveling several months across the continent it will be impossible for you to haggle to your capitalKuala Lumpur, because it is the hub of the largest Asian airline: AirAsia. So some scale you will have to eat here. Take the opportunity to spend a few days, although at first glance it does not seem worthwhile, we are sure that it will surprise you. It is a place of coexistence between different cultures, where Indians, Chinese and Malays merge with other minority ethnicities. And there are your Petronas Towers! There are more things to see and do in Kuala Lumpur than you can imagine. And the food, uff, the Malaysian food is the most. Here you have some restaurants to eat in Kuala Lumpur (good and cheap).

12. After so much jungle of steel the body will ask for nature ... and what better than jump from island to island on the east coast of Malaysia. The Perenthian, Kapas, Redang or the Tioman are just some of their paradisiacal islands. Choose one (or all XD) and go for it (s)! But watch out for the season, because between November and May they are usually under the monsoon season.

13. We ended up with Malaysia traveling north, up toGeorgetown. We rediscovered this small city not long ago and we loved it, especially for its urban art flow. If you like street art this is one of your places in Asia. And after a day of walking and photos, nothing better than putting on your boots in one of its stylish restaurants, Georgetown is considered the gastronomic capital of Malaysia, with that we tell you everything!

14. Indonesia is one of the most visited countries in Asia, and at the same time more unknown: there are more than 17,000 islands! Although before venturing to know them all, for now we are left withBali. The island of the gods seems to us a charming place, which boasts a fascinating culture and where the exuberant nature is mixed with unique and picturesque temples. Of course, unless you do not want to surf, do not think of Bali as a beach destination ... there are thousands of better beaches in the rest of the country such as ...

15.… the Gili Islands, which unfortunately were recently hit (like Lombok) by a great earthquake. Gradually everything is returning to normal, so if you plan to travel there do not give up: local people need a push and they are a real wonder, you'll see.

16. Of these more than 17,000 islands, the one that houses the capital Jakarta is Java. But let us tell you that it was one of the most chaotic cities and that we suffered the most on the trip. However, in the center of the island there is a magical place. Is aboutYogyakarta, one of the main cultural cities of Indonesia. Unmissable are visits to two of the most beautiful temples in all of Asia: Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, and Prambaran, a Hindu temple that has nothing to envy to those of Angkor. By the way, in Yogyakarta they eat the best satay in the country hehe (yes, always thinking about food).

17. Did you know that in Sumatra Can you do trekkings to see orangutans in freedom? They usually last 2 days and is one of the most special ways of being in contact with nature and with this incredible animal that, unfortunately, is getting closer to extinction due to deforestation for palm plantations (yes, the palm oil tree).

18. Perhaps you have already realized that we are two incurable urbanites (that of the jungles of Sumatra was just a slip). But if you still have doubts, wait for our next must in Asia: Singapore. It is the metropolis par excellence of Southeast Asia, but it is more pleasant than you can imagine. It has neighborhoods of different colors and environments such as Chinatown or Little India, and a more modern financial area that is perhaps the one that usually impacts the visitor. Absolutely unmissable the Gardens by the Bay, some very, very peculiar gardens 😉 and we don't want to give spoilers.

19. We spent 3 weeks in the Philippines and left with the feeling that we had a world to discover. We don't know the place we recommend, but our friends Claudia and Jairo, all experts in the country, made us fall in love at a distance from Malapascua. So if you only had the time to see a site ... don't hesitate!

20. And we finish this list and this trip through Asia in the thailand islands. Are they touristy? Many of them do, but there are excellent options that are still "to discover", so it depends on your preferences. We, for example, went to Koh Mook and Koh Kradang and there were almost no people. A few days before we were in Ao Nang and my mother! That looked like Benidorm XD. We like Koh Lipe a lot and although it is touristy, it does not give you the feeling of overwhelm that Phi Phi can give you, for example. If you want to learn to dive, Koh Tao is your destination. That said: find out a little and choose the island that best suits you.

We are aware that we leave out of this list so many (too many) places that we love such as Sukkothai, Koh Rong, Ho Chi Minh and the Mekong Delta, Melaka, Komodo and much more ... but these 20 sites are a good start for those looking for things what to see and do in Southeast AsiaDon't you think

* Photocredit: Shutterstock