Best Off-the-Beaten Path Destinations in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia has been a long-time favorite of adventure travelers and backpackers, known for delicious cuisine, affordable prices, easy air connections and idyllic beaches. While destinations like Bali, Angkor and Bangkok, most often find themselves on travel itineraries, there are several other great options in Southeast Asia.

While Bali is beautiful, it is no longer the quiet, unspoiled destination it once was. Instead, visit the Gili Islands, located on the northwest coast of Lombok in Indonesia. These islands are so small they don’t allow cars, which contributes to its untouched charm. Discover pristine beaches, incredible snorkeling and scuba diving, an array of sea creatures and a peaceful, almost sleepy, environment. Frequent boat services are available to hop between islands.

Bagan, Myanmar © Noppakun | Dreamstime

Angkor is well known for its stunning temples, absolutely worth a visit, but high numbers of tourists are to be expected. For more than 2,000 equally beautiful and historic temples, visit Bagan, a lesser-known destination in Myanmar. Bagan is a bit more difficult to visit, but this only adds to the travel experience. Watch the sunrise over the temples by yourself, or enjoy a quiet bike ride over dirt roads and through the quaint, peaceful villages.

Bangkok offers culture and excitement you won’t find anywhere else in the world, but like any popular destination, the capital city of Thailand can get crowded. For something different, visit Phnom Penh in Cambodia, a budding culinary destination home to friendly welcoming locals. The city’s colonial buildings are transforming into world-class restaurants, lively bars, coffee shops and boutique hotels, but as it has not yet become a tourist destination, it is not overrun with visitors.

Royal Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia © Minghaiyang | Dreamstime

Ha Long Bay visitors come for premier kayaking, cliff jumping and hiking, but the number of tourists has become borderline out of hand. Instead, visit the Malaysian rainforest of Taman Negara, one of the oldest rainforests in existence. It’s home to an impressively long suspension bridge called the canopy walk, great hiking, night treks, fishing and rafting.

If you’re an animal lover, visit Borneo instead of popular elephant-tourism destination Chiang Mai. Borneo, an island spanning three countries, is home to the endangered orangutan population as well as other amazing wildlife, including several species of birds, proboscis monkeys, owls and lizards.