Passages of Love in Southeast Asia

Vientiane is one of the most laid-back capital cities in Southeast Asia. Unlike the bustling streets and concrete jungles of other capital cities like Bangkok and Hanoi, Vientiane feels more like a small quiet town than a capital city. Since it appears relatively untouched by modernisation, with distinctly low-rise architecture and modest urbanization, numerous tree-lined boulevards, the city receives far fewer tourists than its neighboring counterparts. Situated in the bend of the Mekong River, close to the Thai border, Vientiane was virtually destroyed by the Siamese army in the 1820s after an unsuccessful rebellion. When Laos was incorporated into French Indochina (the Indochinese Union) in 1893, the French colonists redesigned Vientiane; hence the French influences around every corner, such as with tree-lined streets, wide boulevards and quaint cafes ideal for people watching. Despite the city having less famous sights to see, Vientiane is best appreciated for its laidback atmosphere, French colonial architecture and smattering of revered Buddhist temples.

Luang Prabang is a small but vibrant town in the heart of northern Laos. It is adorably picturesque with glittering temples, a mix of traditional Lao wooden houses and hints of European architecture, colorful markets and quaint streets famous for the daily sunrise alms giving ritual where food is offered to the monks. Luang Prabang’s picture postcard image includes French-style cafés, bakeries, restaurants and former French villas with green shutters, the town is a fascinating legacy to when Laos was part of French Indochina. This town is one of the most favorite destinations in Laos, this place has a lot to offer, from dozens of temples, stunning waterfalls, French colonial architecture, bustling night markets to river cruises. On the outskirts are vibrant rice fields and traditional local villages. Luang Prabang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, and it is also the birthplace of numerous Laotian rituals.

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.

As the largest island in all of Thailand, Phuket has everything to offer within its coastline. From gorgeous beaches, delicious food, amazing natural parks, to access to some of the Andaman Sea’s most breathtakingly beautiful islands. Enjoying tropical weather all year round, the waters of Phuket come to life, brimming with marine habitats from November to February. Activities like snorkelling and scuba diving can be done at popular and scenic locations such as Phi Phi Islands and Similan Islands, which make for day trips by speedboat. Phuket is also the jumping-off point for visiting many islands surrounding such as James Bond Island, Koh Yao Islands... Home to a melting pot of Chinese, European and Thai culture due to its location on ancient trading routes, Phuket town heavily retains its diverse characteristics via its cuisine, cooking styles, architecture and historical museums and buildings. Explore the beautiful streets of Phuket Old Town with colourful townhouses, street paintings and murals in Sino-Portuguese style. Many old houses have been turned into cafes and museums. This area also has Thai temples and Chinese shrines embody how various religions and cultures coexist.

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.

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.

Kota Kinabalu is a small city located in Malaysian part of Borneo. Its coastal location and mountain backdrop give it one of the most spectacular settings of any city in the country. As a growing tourist destination, Kota Kinabalu offers wide array of beautiful attractions over the city, powdery-white sand beaches, tropical rain forests, historical sites, amazing landscapes and its main jewel, the Mount Kinabalu. Surrounded by a wild and rugged national park of the same name, Mount Kinabalu stretches dramatically towards the heavens from amid the enormous Crocker Range that dominates Borneo’s skyline. Standing at 4,095 meters, the Malay Archipelago’s highest mountain is very popular with both hikers and rock climbers. It is said to be one of the easiest mountains in the world to summit, as no climbing equipment or special skills are required. Mount Kinabalu is also one of the most biodiverse places on Earth with thousands of fauna and flora species, including orchids and the carnivorous pitcher plant; more than 300 species of bird and over 100 mammal species. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 2000 for its outstanding universal values. Located 3km away from Kota Kinabalu, the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a state park situated in Gaya Bay, home to five stunning islands namely Gaya Island, Sapi Island, Manukan Island, Mamutik Island, and Sulug Island. Each island is unique in its own way; all offer excellent diving, snorkeling, and sunbathing opportunities. Besides exploring its underwater wonders, one can go on a hike through the dense jungle that blankets the islands, or relax and lounge on one of its many gorgeous sandy beaches.