Malaysia: Cultural & Heritage Tourism
The sites listed here allow visitors to relive the cultural ferment brought on by centuries of trade and colonization within the sultanates and territories that now make up Malaysia. 1.1. Bandar Hilir, Melaka Fought over by European powers in past centuries, Melaka’s historical quarter still bears reminders of Malaysia’s colonial past. 1.1.1. Porta de Santiago […]
Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Cambodia and Thailand
Many countries in which agriculture still is an important sector of the economy celebrate festivals related to the growing and harvesting sequence of their main staple, such as rice in (South East) Asia. Although those festivals may be characterized as traditional, with histories going back centuries, undoubtedly they too play an actual role in the […]
Indonesia: Cultural & Heritage Tourism
Indonesia’s cultural treasures date as far back as the dawn of humankind, reaching full flower with the Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms in Java, whose traces we can still see today. 1.1. Borobudur Temple The world’s biggest Buddhist monument rises some 40-plus meters above a hill on central Java, a multi-terraced mandala covered with over 2,600 […]
3 Questions To Ask Before Volunteering In Southeast Asia
When a major disaster hits the news, everybody wants to visit the affected area and help. And there’s nothing wrong with that per se: it’s difficult to sit in your comfortable living room and do nothing when horrific images of suffering and destruction flicker on the TV. But visiting Southeast Asia to help when disaster […]
Thailand: Community-Based Tourism
Thai communities will welcome you with open arms, once you visit their far-flung villages to see local sights like tea plantations, raging rivers and fruit farms. 1.1. Mae Kampong Village, Chiang Mai Province A visit to Baan Mae Kampong in Northern Thailand takes travelers to a cool, forested settlement over 1,300 meters above sea level. […]
Brunei Darussalam: Cultural & Heritage Tourism
Both Islam and Malay heritage intertwined provide the basis for Brunei’s culture; see both up close in the country’s museums and mosques. 1.1. Urban Heritage Tourism The collections in Brunei’s museums reveal the nation’s long and storied past, as told through regalia, traditional instruments, and Malay technology. 1.1.1. Brunei Museum The Brunei Museum contains five […]
Living Local: 5 Unforgettable Homestay Experiences in Southeast Asia
In parts of Southeast Asia, you’ll find few hotels but plenty of homestays, where locals open their own homes for travelers to stay in. Guests at these homestays experience the “local” lifestyle and culture intimately; the accommodations tend to be basic (no air conditioning; squat toilets located far from the rooms; sometimes no electricity) but […]
3 Top Cultural & Spiritual Activities in Southeast Asia
Take it slow in Southeast Asia, and you’ll be amazed at the cultural and spiritual activities around you that you’ll suddenly have time to enjoy. The region’s well-developed local cultures reward visitors who take the time to learn their ins and outs: invest in Southeast Asia’s cooking classes, wellness retreats and art workshops, and by […]
Eight Southeast Asia Cities with History
When tourists experience the delicious food and the gentle culture of Southeast Asia’s cities, they unconsciously plug into Southeast Asia’s history. The region’s cuisine and culture are, after all, the results of thousands of years of cultures growing and intermingling across borders, absorbing outside influences and remaking them into something totally unique to Southeast Asia. […]
Cruises in Southeast Asia for Seniors
The nations of Southeast Asia have always looked to the sea. Historically part of maritime empires, the islands and coastlines that make up the best part of the region have long cultivated cities and cultures that respected oceangoing trade, and welcomed the visitors that came with it. A growing number of cruise companies now do […]