A Family Journey through Southeast Asia’s Jewel Route

Penang is a state on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Geographically, the state consists of Penang Island, and Seberang Perai, the mainland strip facing the island, which are separated by a small stretch of the Strait of Malacca. Penang is rich in culture and history, with a unique mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and British influences. Visitors will find Penang brimming with charming historic buildings, ornate religious sites, sandy beaches, kampungs surrounded by rice paddies, vast unbeaten jungles, all topped with a splash of bustling city life. The unique way in which cultures have melded in Penang may be best represented in the food. Frequently voted among Asia’s top locations to eat street food, the blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European culinary traditions makes for an unforgettable banquet of taste sensations. Once was a British colonial holding, Penang has an abundance of classical Victorian architecture, particularly in the capital city, Georgetown. History buffs and architecture lovers in particular will appreciate the colonial-era Penang City Hall, Fort Cornwallis and the Penang State Museum. Part of Penang’s charm is that within minutes of admiring colonial architecture you can be wandering among the colorful statues of the Burmese Buddhist Temple or admiring the peaceful geometric patterns of the Kapitan Keling Mosque. Don’t miss the superb Pinang Peranakan Mansion, where the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by the wealthy Chinese Straits families has been recreated with antique furnishings from all over the world. If you enjoy getting back to nature, take a hike in the Penang National Park. Visit the nearby Penang Butterfly Farm for a colorful adventure the entire family will enjoy. And don’t miss the tropical spice garden, one of Malaysia’s premier eco-tourism attractions with more 100 herbs and spices growing wild.

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, 30 km off the mainland coast of Kedah state. It is a famous destination in Malaysia due to its natural white sand beaches, lush jungle foliage, craggy mountain peaks and duty-free status, where alcohol is affordable. Well known due to its astounding nature on show, there are plenty of attractions in Langkawi with lots of idyllic beaches, sparkling waterfalls and wonderfully wild nature parks to explore. In the north of Langkawi island lies Kilim Geoforest Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in 2007, featuring diverse flora and fauna, striking limestone karsts, caves, lagoons and mangrove forests. This area is made up of three river estuaries that attract wildlife such as sea otters, brown-winged kingfishers, sea eagles and swimming macaques. The best way to explore the reserve’s canals and waterways is by kayak. A guided tour will take you along a maze of trails, through the mangrove jungles lining the water and into limestone caves, including the Bat Cave (Gua Kelawar) where you can view stalagmites and stalactites as well as hundreds of insectivorous bats. Home to condensed rainforests stretched out to the entire island, Langkawi offers wide range of trekking from easy to extreme levels to cater for adventurers' all kinds of need. Most of the trekking trails and hiking routes in the island follow the slopes leading to the two highest mountains Gunung Raya and Gunung Mat Cincang where hundred of years old giant tall trees, rare birds and stunning flowers can be found.

Kuala Lumpur is a diversity cultural melting pot, where jade-topped Chinese gates open out onto palm-lined squares, Indian restaurants serve banana leaf curries in marigold-scented alleyways, and old-fashioned Malay villages lie squeezed between the skyscrapers. Founded in 1857 under British rule as a tin mining outpost, Kuala Lumpur is fairly new as far as Malaysian cities go and does not have the rich history like Georgetown or Malacca. After a couple of decades of fluctuation, Kuala Lumpur began to prosper and was made capital of the Federated Malay States in 1896. Today, Kuala Lumpur is the capital of one of the economic powerhouses of Asia. Kuala Lumpurites come in all sorts. Malaysian and Chinese make up 80 percent of the population, and about 7 percent are Indians. Among the rest are offspring of intermarriages between races. Most Kuala Lumpurites speak at least two languages, one of which is Malay, or Bahasa Malaysia, the national language; some speak up to five – including Chinese and Indian dialects.

Perched on the banks of the Red River, Hanoi is Vietnam's capital and one of the world's most ancient cities. Its beauty lies in its liveliness of bustling streets where workshops and cafes spill out onto the streets and roadsides. As the intersection point where east meets west, Hanoi is a fascinating mix of old and new, Asian and European. With Chinese and French influences, an ancient culture, colonial architecture, broad tree-lined boulevards and beautiful lakes, the iconic architectural appearance of the Old Quarter and the elegance of the French Quarter, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature, etc... gives Vietnam’s capital city a unique charm of the ancient and modern. Hanoi is also home to one of Asia’s strong indigenous culinary traditions, with bustling wet markets and a rowdy street-food culture, as well as some five star international dining options. It is also very affordable by urban Asian standards, with the majority of hotels and restaurants offering plenty of value.

Halong Bay, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, is located 170km east of Hanoi. It is made up of three neighboring bays: Halong, Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long bays, although Halong Bay is undeniably the most famous and most well-known of the three. Widely considered a natural wonder of the world, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is breathtaking with thousands of majestic limestone, peaks and islets rising dramatically out of the sparkling emerald waters of the bay. The most common way to explore is by taking an overnight night cruise or day-trip which cruises among the limestone pillars and islets. Many also include an island drop off and cave explorations. Visiting floating villages in the area gives a chance to interact with the local community whose livelihoods depend on the waters. Another way to immerse oneself close up in the bay is by kayaking near and around the limestone pillars and some of the caves that are possible to enter by kayak.

Da Nang is the commercial and educational center of central Vietnam and the largest city in the region. It is also the tourism hub on the west coast blessed with beautiful sunsets against a backdrop of lush mountains. This port city on the South China Sea has large areas of soft, ivory-white sand and clear blue waters making it an ideal place for a beach vacation and outdoor activities such as surfing, snorkeling, kayaking and jet-skiing. Da Nang is in easy reach of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Hoi An ancient town, Hue and the My Son Sanctuary.

One of the oldest cities in Asia, Hoi An town is in central Vietnam and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 thanks to its 800 historic buildings. Today, its iconic yellow ochre facades, a quaint riverfront promenade, pedestrian-friendly streets, and hundreds of colorful lanterns that light up the town every evening are a magnet for local and international visitors. Due to extremely well-preserved heritage architecture, Hoi An has an irresistible charm. The Japanese merchant houses, congregation halls of the former Chinese communities and even the warehouses hold the memory of where and when traders from various communities across Asia gathered. Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most favorite destinations with something for every one. A quaint town perfect for strolling, shopping, and dining; awesome beaches and a perfect mix of countryside and villages which can be explored by bicycle or motorbike.

Buzzing, humid and energetic, Bangkok is the city where magnificent temples, historic markets, skyscrapers and rooftop bars create an intoxicating vibe that's hard to resist. The city is a mesmerizing blend of old and new, East and West, and dizzying contradictions. Historical sites next to vibrant nightlife areas, bustling markets near modern shopping malls, and street food vendors close to world-class restaurants. Hence, the city is still fascinating for its traditional culture. Saffron-robed monks weave among the morning rush hour to collect alms; communities dwell in stilt houses by the Chao Phraya River, eking out a living using centuries-old skills. A city tour in Bangkok often begins in Rattanakosin, drawn by the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. It's here the Chao Phraya River separates the city proper from its old capital Thonburi, a spot where quitet, narrow canals and floating markets illustrate why Bangkok was once called 'Venice of the East'. East of the canals is modern Bangkok, a hive of activity with countless businesses, markets and shopping malls handily connect by the BTS Skytrain. As a city that feels alive day and night, Bangkok is the destination for all, from foodies, shopaholics, culture seekers, history lovers, urban explorers, even party animals. That makes the well-known Southeast Asian gateway one of the world's most visited cities.

Fame as 'the rose of the North', Chiang Mai is an alluring city brimming with glittering temples, lush jungle, delicious streetfood and the bustle of lively markets. As the gateway to the mountains in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has grown far beyond the medieval city walls that once marked it as the ancient capital of Lanna Kingdom. Nevertheless, its temple-lined backstreets still conjure up the glory of the old empire and it is still possible to get a feel for Chiang Mai's Thai culture and traditions. Ancient shrines and traditional wooden houses jostle for space with boutique hotels, stylish restaurants and trendy bars of this northern town as well as its welcoming customs and laidback pace of life leads to a rising footfall of enthusiastic tourists with each year. Home to a vast number of national parks, lush tropical jungles, hidden waterfalls, stunning rivers, and animal sanctuaries, Chiang Mai is an unmissable stop-off point for many outdoor adventure-seeking travellers. From trekking to the villages of Thailand's hill tribes to other adrenaline activities including mountain biking, white-water rafting, rock climbing expeditions and zip-lining through the rainforest canopy that makes Chiang Mai a perfect getaway.

Singapore is a dynamic, multicultural city-state known for its stunning skyline, world-class attractions, and blend of modernity and tradition. Home to a population of Chinese, Malay, and Indian communities, the diversity of this destination is reflected in the culinary scene, festivals, and the coexistence of Hindu temples, mosques, Christian churches, and Buddhist temples in the same city. As a safe and friendly destination, Singapore is ideal for families with kids to experience a unique mix of “concrete jungle and real jungle” and plenty of interesting activities like educational tours, science centers, and zoos.