tourism in south asia

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21 Undiscovered destinations in South Asia

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Explore 21 undiscovered destinations in South Asia: Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bhutan 

South Asia is one of the most populous regions on earth (largely because it includes India at 1.3 billion) and encompasses some of the oldest and most fascinating cultures. This post explores undiscovered destinations in Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. In a separate post, discover 22 stunning offbeat places to visit in India .

I’ve spent the last 14 years traveling in South Asia, it’s my favourite region on earth. Though there is a lot of tourism to this region, the numbers are far less than Southeast Asia and it can still, at times, feel a bit unspoiled and unexplored. Add to this a vast rage of geographies from the world’s highest mountains — the Himalayas — to the beaches of the Maldives, and some of the most ancient, undisturbed cultures on earth.

There are many good reasons to visit lesser known and undiscovered destinations in South Asia. It bolsters the local economy and encourages local entrepreneurs, especially women (when it’s well managed), it can involve the entire community, and it eases the burden on overly touristy areas. Plus, it gives tourists a more authentic cultural experience and an opportunity to transcend typical tourism and really get to know the local people and culture.

Please read on as 21 travel bloggers offer their best suggestions for getting off the beaten path in South Asia! And for added reading, check out my Guide to offbeat places in Phuket you must experience , the Best beaches in Southeast Asia, this post on this post on best destinations for families travelling in Asia,   this Guide to the best places to visit in Kathmandu and Best Offbeat Places to Visit in Bali to experience authentic culture.

Mrauk U, Myanmar

Hidden Kingdom worth the trek 

Myanmar is best known for the ancient temples of Bagan, but unfortunately, it’s popularity has led to it becoming rather overrun with tourists. These days Bagan feel a bit less authentic than a decade ago.

What most visitors don’t realize is there is another  amazing location in Myanmar  to get your temple fix. Located along the northeastern edge of Myanmar near Bangladesh, Mrauk U is so off-the-beaten-path you will actually be quite shocked when you encounter other tourists.

Mrauk U was the capital of the Arakan Kingdom for 350 years and was an important trading port on the Bay of Bengal. There you’ll find a vast plain of temples and pagodas dating from the 15th to 18th century. Plus you’ll be surrounded by cheerful, longyi wearing locals that still find the appearance of foreigners to be a pleasant surprise.  

But reaching Mrauk U is no easy feat. First, you’ll need to catch a flight to the port city of Sittwe and then ride a local ferry five hours up the Kaladan River.   

The government of Myanmar is currently in the process of having Mrauk U certified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site which will almost certainly lead to an increase in tourism in the near future.

We would recommend at least 2 days in Mrauk U, but don’t be surprised to find yourself slipping into the slower pace of life and lingering a bit longer in this little hidden gem of Myanmar.  

Nick and Val Wheatley are photographers, travel bloggers, adventure-seekers, and storytellers. After traveling the world for the last three years they have settled in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam where they write about their expat experience slurping noodles and dodging motorbikes. They blog at WanderingWheatleys .

READ: Street food of Vietnam and Guide to Myanmar .

Kalaw to inle lake trek.

Interaction with rural villagers makes trip unique

The  trek from Kalaw to Inle Lake  in Myanmar takes 2-3 days, and each night is spent in a tiny farming village in a local’s homestay. While most tourists go straight to Inle Lake by bus or train, trekking to Inle Lake is the off-beat alternative. 

Kalaw itself is a beautiful mountain village, and the perfect place to fuel up and get a great night’s sleep before starting the trek. There are a few trekking companies based in Kalaw that will provide a local guide for the trek to Inle Lake, however it is possible to trek unguided for a more intrepid experience.

Each day on the trek covers 10-15 kilometres, on relatively flat, dirt terrain. Locals from the many tiny villages in this area have been using the same trails to get around for decades. Scenery you’ll encounter include locals tending to their chilli fields and rice paddies, walking their water buffalo, and doing their part in day-to-day village life. There are no epic mountain views like other treks around the world, but the local kids who come running up to you asking for pictures so they can see what they look like in your camera, makes the trek a priceless off-beat experience.

The homestays on the trek are humble, and the best dorm-like accommodation was saved for guided tours. One night I slept in the spare room above the farmhouse, with a family of five in the room next to me, and could hear the cows snoring below me in the night! Although the homestay owners know minimal English, it’s always possible to communicate with a bit of charades and big smiles. Expect amazing home-cooked meals that are vegetarian-friendly, to shower outdoors using well water, and beautiful starscapes at night due to the remoteness of the villages. Trekking from Kalaw to Inle Lake and spending time in the local Myanmar villages is an experience you’ll always treasure.

Erika has been backpacking since she left the U.S. in October, 2017. You’ll find her searching for the best treks around the world, though she is currently based in the neon jungle of Tokyo, Japan. She blogs at ErikasAdventures .

Click here to get more ideas for a Myanmar itinerary .

Please read more posts in my series on off-beat and undiscovered places:

• 22 Stunning off-beat places to visit in India
• Responsible Tourism Guide to Thailand
• Responsible Tourism Guide to India
• Best places to visit in Goa, India
• Discovering the soul of Agra

Old Dhaka, Bangladesh

Spellbinding Dhaka is like Calcutta on speed

“Dhaka is like Calcutta on speed,” a friend warned us ahead of our visit to Bangladesh. Having visited India countless times, I’m no stranger to the subcontinent’s “craziness” and I found the streets of Old Dhaka spellbinding. It sounds like a travel cliche, but Old Dhaka truly is one of those places where it’s more about the experience and less about ticking off a list of ‘must-see’ sights. 

Sure, you should visit the 17th-century Lalbagh Fort, and Ahsan Manzil, the royal residence of the Dhaka Nawabs, known as the Pink Palace. But for me, the real Dhaka is found in the frenetic streets of the old city — a densely-packed part of the capital where pedestrians, cycle rickshaws, tuk-tuks  (or baby taxis as they are known in Bangladesh), bikes, and taxis all vie for space.

Walking through the narrow lanes, we were frequently besieged by people wanting to say hello, ask a few questions, or have their photo taken with us. It was the overwhelming friendliness of Bangladeshis that won us over, not just in Dhaka, but throughout the country. 

I never get bored of exploring local bazaars and one of my favourite parts of Old Dhaka is Bangshal Road where the artwork for Dhaka’s super-colourful rickshaws is produced. There is plenty more to discover but don’t forget to stop for  chai at a local tea stall. Another highlight is Old Dhaka’s chaotic port area, Sadarghat riverfront. There you can take a trip in a small rowing boat around the harbour on the Buriganga river — it’s particularly photogenic in the late afternoon light.

Many airlines fly into Bangladesh and as the country’s capital, most travellers will first arrive at Dhaka airport where, like us, you’ll be greeted with your first of many wide smiles. I remember thinking that if everyone in Bangladesh is as friendly as the immigration police, we were in for a fantastic trip. 

Full-time traveller and Asia addict Kirsty Bennetts travelled solo before sharing the last 20 years of travel with her husband, Mark. For the past 10 years, they’ve been chronicling their travel stories on Kathmandu & Beyond , a travel blog with a strong focus on photography and off the beaten path destinations and offbeat things to do in more established places. 

Sylhet, Bangladesh 

Serenity by boat

If you are looking for a place in South Asia that is off-beat you only have to visit Bangladesh. The whole country is so far from the beaten tourist path that I saw a total of three other tourists during my 10 days there.

There are many interesting places in Bangladesh, for example the old town in Dhaka, the Sunderbans , the biggest mangrove forest in the world, or Cox’s Bazar, the longest natural sea beach in the world — but I would like to introduce you to the beautiful nature found around the city of Sylhet, east side of the country.

The top place to visit from Sylhet is Ratargul Swamp Forest, a beautiful and serene place only accessible by boat. The scenery is like nothing I had seen before with twisting trees growing in the still waters and a variety of birds nesting and singing in the branches. Because the little boats are powered by muscle energy only it is very quiet and almost serene to be in this place so far away from civilization.

Other interesting places around Sylhet are Bisnakandi, a village at the border to India with a beautiful river flowing through, and the tea plantations just outside of the city — the biggest tea plantations in the world.

To get to Sylhet from Dhaka you can take a domestic flight, which is what I did. The flight is relatively cheap and takes only 45 minutes. You can also take a train, which of course is more of an adventure. The trains take between seven and eight hours if everything goes well.

There are also buses connecting Dhaka and Sylhet which take about five to six hours depending on traffic.

From Sylhet, your only option is to book a driver for the day. He will then take you to the places you want to visit. It is best to ask your hotel to organize a driver for you and to discuss with them the places that you want to visit since the drivers usually don’t speak any English.

Lena is the founder of Nagoya Foodie , a food and travel blog focused on Nagoya, Japan. She wants to invite travelers to Japan to go off-beat and get to know a less touristy place with the help of her in-depth knowledge.

Sonargaon, Bangladesh

Mar is a former strategy consultant and Googler turned luxury and out of the ordinary travel writer and content creator who has visited 110+ countries. She blogs at OnceinaLifetimeJourney .

Bandipur, Nepal

Relaxing in the cafes of Bandipur

Trust me when I say Bandipur in Nepal is the best place in the country to be after a multi-day trek in the Himalaya Mountain regions. Due to its remote location in the middle of the highway between Pokhara and Kathmandu , Bandipur is becoming a great getaway spot for backpackers and trekkers, who’re looking for a quiet and hassle-free place. This hilltop Newari town is surrounded by hills, and on a clear day, you can catch the magnificent view of the snowy mountain ranges. The local community there also made a rule on shop vendors. They’re not allowed to approach or push their sales on foreigners. So you need not to worry about saying “No, thank you,” while walking in the bazaar.

What I love about Bandipur is the quiet environment, and pleasant weather. Even though there are not many things to do there, I felt like I could literally spend a week there, just chilling outside the café reading books. And the things there are not expensive at all despite its status right now.

However, getting to Bandipur is a little tricky. First of all, you’ll have to buy a bus ticket which drops you at Dumre. Most of the buses traveling between Kathmandu and Pokhara can do that, you just have to ask. In Dumre, you’ll be approached by many Jeep drivers, asking whether you need transportation to Bandipur. If you don’t mind paying a little extra, go ahead with that. It’s Rs 500 to be exact. But if you’re tight on budget, follow your GPS and walk to the gateway to Bandipur, around 15 minutes. There, you can take the local bus, which cost Rs 60 to get up there.

Check out this post for everything you need to know for visiting Bandipur.

Yen blogs at Swingabroad. 

Panauti, Nepal

A refreshing getaway close to Kathmandu

Located less than a two hours drive from Kathmandu, the medieval town of Panauti, which dates from the 13th century, is an excellent option to get away from the mundane noise and discover a very friendly side of Nepal. With purer air then you find in the cities, welcoming people, it’s a very enriching experiences.

Thanks to an invitation, I was able to experience the hospitality of a young family from this town for two days and one night. Upon arriving the family took me and my partner to some of the most important landmarks of their town, such as the temple and the suspension bridge over the river, before seeing the sunset from a hill. Later, they taught us how to cook momos, one of the most typical dishes of Nepal. Finally, they left us a couple of sarees and took us to a nearby house where there was a small gathering of people from Panauti. We all ended up dancing to Nepalese tunes. What else could someone ask for?

If you want to live a similar experience, get in touch with the Panauti Community Homestay organization. And if you like the idea, check out  Annapurna Community Trek to Mohare Hill  too. You won’t be disappointed!

Inma and Jose blog at AWorldtoTravel . 

The Mohare Danda Trek, Nepal

Going up and down in Nepal

A little bit up,  a little bit down. Just a little bit over the hill, around that corner and past that town. This is, in its simplest form, a beautiful explanation of what it is like to experience trekking in Nepal. Not only are you walking a little bit up and a little bit down, so too will your emotions. The highs and the lows never cease to amaze me, when travelling through Nepal. The community eco-trek to the summit of Mohare Danda is no different. It’s all up, down and through the unique mountain towns

This trek is a mid-range altitude trek. There are some tough and long days of walking, but for a hiker with moderate fitness you won’t find yourself in too much strife. Really if you can put one foot in front of the other, and drink water, you’ll be perfectly fine on this trek. Some areas on the trek are very remote and others are areas are walking through orange groves and farm lands.

Along the trek you’ll stop in a variety of villages, each one offering community based accommodation and dining. Each community that you walk through offers a community dining hall.  These are the perfect place for momos, a hot masala chai or even some mushroom soup.

The wonder of this trek is how raw and untouched it is. During my trek we saw not one other hiker on the trails. Not during the village stays or the hours of walking along the trails. Yaks, buffalo, goats and friendly trail dogs were common. But not a single other foreigner.

Basic facts about the Mohare Danda trek : The Mohara Danda eco-community trek is approximately a three-hour drive from Pokhara.  Length of time is four nights, five days The longest day is approximately seven hours of trekking. The shortest, yet toughest day, is the first day. To reach the summit, 3,300 metres, takes three-four hours.

Jean is a coffee fuelled adventure traveller. Focusing on sustainable and ethical travels, ensuring that we leave the mountains and oceans for future generations to enjoy. She blogs at TravelingHoneybird .

Sri Lanka 

Tangalle, sri lanka.

Gorgeous beaches and old fishing port offer rustic charm on south coast

The southern coast of Sri Lanka is a popular destination. Places like Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, and Unawatuna get their fair share of visitors. For me, the crowds sometimes took away the charm of traveling along Sri Lanka’s southern coast, until I reached Tangalle.

This sleepy fishing town is famous in Sri Lanka for having the oldest fish port. It also has a number of picture perfect beaches and exciting day trip opportunities. Even though Tangalle is getting more popular among tourists ,you can still consider it one of the best off-the-beaten-path destinations in Sri Lanka.

What I personally liked most about Tangalle were the friendly people. From the fishermen that showed me their catch of the day to the family that treated me as a guest of honour in their newly opened restaurant. Everywhere I went I received a warm welcome and there was a laid-back atmosphere that made me feel at ease.

The beach in Tangalle is nice enough to relax for a few days, but there are also several interesting day trips you can make. The turtle hatcheries in nearby Rekawa, or ancient Buddhist temples, for example.

If you are looking for a place without the crowds, and that gives you a feel for authentic Sri Lankan culture, then Tangalle is the best place on Sri Lanka’s southern coast . From the capital Colombo it is only seven hours by bus. 

Ellis is cultural anthropologist from the Netherlands who has travelled for more than 20 years to over 50 countries along the ancient Silk Road. She blogs at BackpackAdventures .

Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka

Kiteboarding & surfing in wonderfully windy Kalpitiya 

Located on the northwest coast of Sri Lanka, Kalpitiya is a tiny fishing village known by few international tourists. Those who make the trek to this out-of-the-way spot usually do so because they know that this otherwise typical Sri Lankan village has something extraordinary about it: wind .

Thanks to its fortuitous location on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, Kalpitiya is perfectly positioned to receive strong, reliable wind throughout most months of the year. As a result, the world’s travelling kitesurf tribe flock to Kalpitiya’s blustery lagoons to make the most of what has come to be known as one of Asia’s premiere kiteboarding locations.

There are a dozen-odd kitesurfing centres scattered along the shores of the renowned lagoon, where visitors can avail of beginner kitesurfing lessons, advanced clinics, and equipment rental. In contrast to the stark offerings in Kalpitiya village, the kite clubs at the lagoon offer quite a lot of options for accommodation (everything from eco cabanas and glamping tents to luxury resorts). Many of them also host regular social events — like barbecues and beach parties — so the vibes at the lagoon are always high.

Considering how off-the-beaten-path Kalpitiya truly is, getting there takes a bit of time — and patience. The most straightforward way to reach the village is to fly into Colombo airport and from there take a private car/van — which you can book online in advance. There are also public buses and trains that go from Colombo to Kalpitiya, though many of them stop in Puttalam and require a change.

Half of the adventure travel blog Extreme Nomads , Grace is a freelance writer and content creator for the outdoor travel industry. She has spent the past few years living in China, Vietnam, and Thailand working as a blogger, TV presenter, and documentarist with a specialty in kiteboarding.

Kaudulla National Park

Majestic elephants in S ri Lanka

The central provinces in Sri Lanka are usually only a quick stop to see Sigiriya, better known as Lion Rock. However, once a year — typically in July and August — a spectacular natural phenomenon occurs in this region: the elephant gathering. This is the largest congregation of the endangered Asian elephant in the world, and you can see more than 100 of these graceful animals in the same place. They come from the surrounding areas to the only places that still have water during the height of the dry season. Seeing so many of these incredible animals at once is an unforgettable experience. You’ll see groups of adults with calves bathing in mud, feeding, drinking water, or simply playing.

The vast majority of tours head to Minneriya National Park, but Kaudulla offers the same spectacle, with a fraction of the crowds and a cheaper price tag. The tours will take you from Sigiriya and normally last four hours (including the time to get there and back). Unlike a lot of wildlife tours, spotting the elephants isn’t difficult, meaning you have at least two hours just taking in the scene. It’s not whether you’ll see elephants, but how many.

There are several operators in town, and you can choose to go with a group or book a private jeep for about $60 USD (no matter how many people are in the jeep). The jeeps have an open top which make for a particularly exciting experience.

If you’re visiting Sri Lanka in July or August, Kaudulla should definitely be part of your Sri Lanka itinerary .

Walk My World are Joe & Cat – two Brits who left London on a one way ticket in 2012 and have been adventuring ever since.

Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka

Catch a glimpse of wild leopards and sloth bears at Wilpattu

Going on wildlife safari in Sri Lanka is one of the best things to do in the country, but most people end up visiting Udawalawe or Yala National park. Few people seem to visit Wilpattu National Park , yet it is world-renowned for its thriving leopard population.

Wilpattu is one of the oldest national parks in Sri Lanka and the largest at an impressive size of 1,317 square kilometres. Another unique feature of Wilpattu National Park is the ‘willus,’ the natural lakes. These natural, sand-rimmed water basins fill with rainwater that attracts wildlife. There are nearly 60 lakes throughout Wilpattu. 

Inside the park, you can see most of the wildlife that Sri Lanka has to offer. Some of these include monkeys, deer, mongoose, storks, crocodiles, birds, hares, tortoises, elephants, and eagles. But the biggest highlights of the park are the wild leopards and sloth bears.

I loved visiting Wilpattu National Park not only for the diversity of wildlife, but because almost no one else was there. Some of the parks in Sri Lanka can be quite crowded and you almost feel bad for the animals being bombarded by jeeps. But in Wilpattu, you often have the animal viewings all to yourself.

Wilpattu National Park is located in the Northwest coast of Sri Lanka, 30 kilometres west of Anuradhapura or 180 kilometres north of Colombo. You can either take a day tour from Colombo/Anuradhapura or take the bus/train to Anuradhapura and a tuk-tuk to Wilpattu National Park from there.

Lora is an adventure travel blogger on a mission to visit every country in the world and find the best wildlife and nature that each one has to offer. She blogs at ExploreWithLora .

Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

Sacred site of Sri Lanka

Once the capital of various kingdoms that successively ruled Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa is now an archaeological park filled with ruins of bygone eras. Inside you will find stupas, tombs, temples and giant Buddha statues, and the whole complex has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

While Polonnaruwa was first built in 993 AD after Anuradhapura had been destroyed, most of what is visible today was built a couple of hundred years later, in the 12th century.

A main highlight of Polonnaruwa is the Sacred Quadrangle. This compact group of buildings surrounded by a wall is also known as the Royal Citadel. One of the most impressive buildings in the Quadrangle is Potgul Vehera. It’s a circular shrine where sacred Buddhist text were kept and where monks chanted blessings. Keep an eye out for the beautiful carvings here, including the makera (a mythical animal) and the moonstone at the entrance to the Royal Audience Hall.

Another place you should definitely visit in Polonnaruwa is Gal Vihara, otherwise known as the Rock Temple. This is where you’ll find the three giant Buddha statues. The first one is standing, the second is lying down, and the third is seated. They all have one thing in common, though — they are carved out of the same granite boulder.

Given the size of the archaeological site, renting a bicycle to explore it is highly recommended. Lots of businesses around town rent bicycles, and you may even be able to rent one from your homestay or guesthouse. You might also ask your homestay host to prepare a packed lunch of Sri Lankan food , as there’s not much food for sale inside the park beyond fruit and snacks.   Polonnaruwa is about three hours by bus from Kandy, or one hour from Dambulla. Most of the banks, shops and other facilities are in Kaduruwela, four kilometres east of Polonnaruwa.

Wendy is an intrepid traveler, vegan foodie and animal lover. She travels all over the world (111 countries and counting) uncovering vegan treasures to show you how you can be vegan anywhere. Wendy blogs at TheNomadicVegan .

Ahangama, Sri Lanka

Surfing and Yoga all part of life on the south coast

Ahangama, located on Sri Lanka’s South Coast, is a truly stunning surf town located between Galle and Mirissa. Although Sri Lanka is not always known for its daily huge swells, the south coast guarantees secret surf spots that only locals and those in the know are aware of – the best kind of surf beach! Ahangama is exactly that, with its wide and sweeping sandy beach, populated by surf shacks yet quiet enough to enjoy perfect peace. With a slightly larger swell than neighbouring Weligama, it’s the perfect beach for beginner to intermediate surfers. LA Point Surf Camp runs awesome week-long residential camps here, and they can organize individual surf lessons or board hire. 

If surfing isn’t exactly your thing, there’s a whole host of other amazing things to do in the area around Ahangama, my favourite being SUP Yoga. Enjoy a sunrise paddle board across the lagoon for a gentle stretching session, before meandering back through the stunning mangroves. You’ll feel totally secluded, a million miles from the stresses of every-day life – talk about the dream off-beat spot! After, head to nearby Weligama to enjoy one of the gorgeous health food cafes of Nomad or Ceylon Sliders.  

Annie blogs at Off Goes Annie, an adventure travel blog aimed at encouraging you to explore the world further than ever before, getting off-the-beaten-track to all the best bits! 

Pidurangala Rock, Sri Lanka

A hidden gem with an iconic view

Are you looking for an astounding offbeat destination in South Asia? Have you ever heard of  Pidurangala Rock in the central highlands of Sri Lanka?  Budget-minded adventure travelers stumble upon this hidden gem when they are looking for alternatives to the busy, crowded, and expensive Sigiriya Rock. Climbing Pidurangala Rock awards you an iconic view of Sigiriya from the air without using a drone.  Pidurangala cost only a couple of dollars to enter while it’s over $30 to visit Sigiriya. About a third of the way up, there is a thousand-year-old cave temple you can visit that’s included in the ticket price.

You can easily walk between Pidurangala Rock and Sigiriya Rock, and the town of Sigiriya. You’ll find an additional free temple complex just outside of Pidurangala along the way. It takes  two hours to hike to the summit and back, but you will want to allow extra time to visit sites along the trail. Highlights include the reclining Buddha statue, cave temples, and the views from the top. Cool mornings or late afternoon are the best time to visit. If you’re looking fora new perspective on the famous Lion Rock, you have to climb Pidurangala. 

Jenn and Ed Coleman blog at ColemanConcierge . 

Raw, off-beat and worth the trek

Jaffna is a city on the northern tip of Sri Lanka. It was not safely or easily accessible until recently due to a civil war that took place between 1983 and 2009. Despite being a Sri Lankan and visiting Sri Lanka a couple times a year, it was only in my 36th year that I visited Jaffna and discovered the things to do in my dad’s birth city.

As you can imagine, tourism is a new concept — making Jaffna an off-beat place in Sri Lanka that’s worth the trek. For accommodations, there are many guest houses, but not all of them are created equal (as I found out) so my advice is to stay at the Jetwing Jaffna if you enjoy your creature comforts. They also serve up a fantastic breakfast so you will be able to enjoy local Tamil cuisine and traditional Sinhalese dishes that should be on your list of things to eat in Sri Lanka .

Jaffna does show signs of the war that waged for 25 years, with many bombed-out or bullet riddled buildings, but we felt safe walking around at night. Over the course of two days you can visit the local markets, catch sunset at Jaffna Fort, and visit the local library. If you’re looking for beaches, Kankesanthurai Beach and Keerimalai Pond are within a 25-minute drive.

While Delft island is the most frequently visited island in Jaffna, the main attraction for me was Mannar Island. Located an hour from Jaffna, here you will find palm trees, colonial forts, wild donkeys, and fishing boats as you roam around the largely abandoned island. For those looking for a soulful experience, a visit to Nallur Kandaswamy Temple is highly recommended before you make the six hour journey back to Colombo. If you’re looking for a place that is raw and also features delicious local cuisine, Jaffna is for you.

Yashy Murphy is a girl about town who refused to let go of her pre-baby lifestyle. As parents, she and her husband have continued to travel the globe and to explore everything there is to eat, drink and do in Toronto with their two young, travel-seasoned kids. You can follow their adventures, and misadventures, on BabyandLife.com , 

Haputale, Sri Lanka

Cooling down with tea in authentic Haputale

Sri Lanka’s hillside town of Haputale is a true gem. Spend a day exploring the town, trying bites at local food carts and walking along the railroad tracks, where you’ll find locals commuting by foot. End the day with a local meal at one of the many cozy home stays in the area, for a more authentic dining experience!

Cozy up with a cup of tea and a beautiful view in the evening. Due to the higher elevation, you’ll find that the temperatures are a bit cooler in Haputale than in the surrounding areas. 

While spots such as Ella and Nuwara Eliya can be found on most Sri Lanka travel itineraries, the small town of Haputale is often skipped over. Offering similar tea plantation landscapes and climate as the famous nearby towns, Haputale itself is relatively free of crowds. A visit to Haputale offers a glimpse of the local lifestyle in Sri Lanka.

Additionally, the town serves as a great starting point for the famous tea plantation, Lipton’s Seat, which is located just 45 minutes down the road. This is especially convenient for those looking to visit the plantation for sunrise.  Haputale can be easily reached by train, as it is one of the stops located on the famous train ride between Kandy and Ella. 

Taylor Taverna of TavernaTravels is a travel specialist and content creator, leading international group trips for young travelers! 

Diyaluma Falls, Sri Lanka

A refreshing and secluded oasis

Diyaluma Falls is the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and is 220m high. This is the perfect day trip from Ella town, which you can reach on the famous Ella train from Kandy. The falls can be reached with or without a guide, but I would definitely recommend a guide. We paid 2000 Sri Lankan rupees for a guide between the four of us. This is about 10 Euro.

The hike to Diyaluma Falls is through lots a forest without a clear path in some sections. Once you reach the top of the falls, there are a few pools with cool fresh water to jump in! After these pools, the waterfall cascades down below. The best way to capture this in photo from above is with a drone. If you don’t have a drone, then it can be seen from below.

After you have had a dip in these pools, start walking even higher up the waterfall. Here you can do cliff jumping and slide down the waterfalls. We saw one person with their own rubber ring to slide down on.

It is such a beautiful and unique area full of natural beauty. You can easily spend a few hours here. I have seen a lot of waterfalls from down below, but it is amazing to climb right to the top and experience the view from here. I thought that as Sri Lanka is becoming more popular, that it would be busier here. However, even at midday when we were there, we were the only ones for quite a while. 

Hanna is a full time traveller and sun seeker. She has a particular interest in architecture and is always on the lookout for hidden gems. Hanna blogs at SolarPoweredBlonde.

Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka

Birdlife and political history part of small town’s attraction

Tissamaharama (fondly known as Tissa) is a quaint little town in the Hambantota district of Sri Lanka, which acts as a base for the nearby Yala and Bundala National Parks. Before going to Yala National Park Safari, we stopped for the night at Tissamaharama and quickly learned more about this beautiful town. The entire town revolves around a man-made reservoir called Tissa Wewa, which with its amazing birdlife, provides the scenic milieu to the town. An evening boat-ride on Tissa Wewa viewing blooming water lilies while enjoying the sunset is so refreshing after a whole day of the journey.

Tissamaharama (earlier known as Mahagama, ‘The Great Town’) was a sanctuary for the Sinhalese nationalists who fled to rally support against Dravidian invaders from Southern India, was founded in the 3rd century BC by a brother of the King Devanam Piya Tissa of Anuradhapura. It later flourished under King Kavantissa, father of the hero of the nation, King Dutugamunu of Ruhuna. Tissa is surrounded by a beautiful expanse of paddy fields amidst which stands the most impressive of Tissa’s dagobas (stupas). The town of Tissa has an earthly beauty; a sense of history from its cluster of snowy white dagobas and beautiful water reservoirs, making it distinct from the other towns of the southern coast.

If you are planning to visit Yala or Bundala National Park, I would suggest you to stay in Tissamaharama and enjoy the surroundings. So, you can reach Tissa, from Ella via Telulla or Kataragama or from the South Coast via Tangalle.

Anwesha Guha writes Going Places with Anwesha Guha .

Friendly Maldives has something for everyone

The Maldives is known as an expensive destination but the opening of its local islands to visitors in the last decade, it no longer is the case. Many of these islands like Maafushi are now popular because of its proximity to the capital Male. If all you want is to enjoy the beach, soak in the local culture and be one of the only tourists on the island, then consider Gaafaru. It’s a three-hour public ferry ride from Male on the Kaafu Atoll in the north.

Gaafaru’s first hotel didn’t open until 2016 and now there’s only three on the island. During my week there, there were at most six guests, which meant we had the bikini beach designated for tourists for ourselves. You can snorkel or kayak straight from the beach, with shipwrecks snorkelling and sandbank visit just a quick speed boat ride away. They even know the best places to spot dolphins and sea turtles, and I even found an octopus on a picnic island visit.

One of the best things to do on the island is to walk around and admire the colourful houses, rivalling Burano and Cinque Terre. When I take my walks around town, kids would come up and say hi to me, some even gave me shells as gifts. I was invited to the owner’s cousin’s house for a visit, joined the local music night, watched a football match, and enjoyed a rooftop coffee by the pier.

Nam Cheah is a Hong Kong-based bubble tea addict with a passion for travel, hikes, food, and puns. She blogs at LaughTravelEat .

Bhutan 

The rich history and beautiful views of Bhutan

Bhutan is a small Asian country known for the beauty of the landscapes, towns and culture. There are some beautiful places to visit in Bhutan , but a trip there would be incomplete without visiting Punakha. This town is situated at 1,200 metres above sea level and one of the warmest place in Bhutan. Punakha is in the valley of two main rivers Pho Chu and Mo Chu and that is why the land is very fertile. I saw paddy (rice) fields everywhere in Punakha.

While Punakha is a naturally beautiful place there are some unique monuments also. My favourite place is Punakha Dzong, which is situated on an island at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. It was built by the first Zhabdrung Rinpoche in 1637–38 and it was the seat of the Government of Bhutan until 1955. Punakha Dzong is made of carved wood, bricks, and metal. The paintings done on its interior walls are mesmerizing. The workmanship in the main hall of the Dzong is so beautiful that it leaves you speechless. Punakha Dzong is surrounded by jacaranda trees and when mauve flowers bloom in spring, they add to the beauty of the Dzong.

My other favourite place is the Punakha suspension bridge. This bridge is approximately 250 metres in length and used by villagers to cross the Mo Chu and Po Chu rivers. The bridge sways when you walk on it and for people like us, it’s an exciting feeling. Another interesting place in Punakha valley is the monastery Chimi Lhakh, situated on a hill and surrounded by paddy fields. There are some easy treks in Punakha valley. Some of these are winter treks and some are summer treks. Punakha is a perfect place to explore nature. Thimpu is 85 Km from Punakha and it takes about two-three hours hour by road. The nearest international airport is in Paro, which is 125 kilometres from Punakha.

Sapna is a travel blogger from India. She loves exploring monuments, local culture, and food during her travels. She blogs at MySimpleSojourn .

Tip: Monsoon is a great time to travel in Asia. Read about the 12 Best places to visit in monsoon in India and the 14 Best monsoon travel destinations around the globe .

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Professional travel writer Mariellen Ward is the founder of award-winning Breathedreamgo. Mariellen has a BA in Journalism and has been travel writing and blogging since 2005. She has won many awards, including a National Tourism Award from Incredible India Tourism, and writes for some of the world’s leading publications including BBC Travel and NatGeo Traveller India.

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Travel South Asia: India’s tourism connectivity with the region

• Download the Policy Brief

Riya Sinha and Riya Sinha Research Associate - Brookings India @_RiyaSinha Bhumika Sharma Bhumika Sharma Research Intern - Foreign Policy and Security Studies, Brookings India @bhumika_sha

July 23, 2020

• 16 min read

Content from the Brookings Institution India Center is now archived . After seven years of an impactful partnership, as of September 11, 2020, Brookings India is now the Centre for Social and Economic Progress , an independent public policy institution based in India.

Tourism is an important metric of a country’s soft power potential, marked by an increase in movement of people and enabling people-to-people connectivity. Over the last two decades, South Asia has emerged as an attractive tourist destination due to its natural and cultural diversity, and price competitiveness.[2] The region is home to tourism-based economies such as Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka that attract high spending per traveller.[3] In 2019, the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) ranked South Asia as “the most improved region since 2017.”[4] Within this, India has shown the greatest improvement in rank among the top 25% countries, from 40th in 2017 to 34th in 2019.

India accounts for a majority of South Asia’s travel and tourism gross domestic product (GDP) and has also been the preferred destination for tourists from within the region. In the last decade, India has witnessed an increase in the share of South Asian tourist arrivals. While geographic proximity and cultural affiliations are the underlying factors for high cross-border mobility, the market size and the tourists’ spending capacity have also played an important role. Additionally, tourist spill-overs from India to the rest of the region contribute significantly to the regional tourism economy.

This policy brief highlights tourism connectivity between India and its neighbours, capturing the tourism trends within South Asia. Given China’s increasing tourism imports and a growing presence in the region, the brief also offers a comparative analysis of reciprocal tourism trends between South Asia and China.

Methodology

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines tourism as “the activities of persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes.”[5] Along similar lines, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India, defines a foreign tourist as “a person visiting India on a foreign passport, staying at least twenty-four hours in the country, the purpose of whose journey can be classified under one of the following headings: (a) leisure (recreation, holiday, health, study, religion, and support), and; (b) business, family mission, meeting.”[6] The definition extends to transit passengers who stay overnight in India and are counted as tourists.

The data on inbound and outbound flows is from the Ministry of Tourism’s India Tourism Statistics Reports and the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) e-library. The inbound statistics used in Figures 1 and 2 are equivalent to outbound tourism data from each neighbouring country to India. Qualitative inputs were collected through informal interviews with officials from the Ministry of Tourism and the Bureau of Immigration in India to understand the data collection methodology and various steps taken to promote tourism.

It should be noted that the Ministry of Tourism changed its methodology in 2014, standardising it with the UNWTO methodology, and added Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to the Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) category, which together formed the “International Tourist Arrivals” (ITA).[7] For the purpose of analysis and standardisation of data with the preceding years, Figures 1, 2 and 5 only focus on the FTAs.  The mode of arrival data in Figure 4 is from the India Tourism Statistics reports, published annually between 2010 and 2019 by the Ministry of Tourism.

This policy brief covers tourism data between India and seven of its neighbouring countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, which are collectively referred to as ‘South Asia’ or N7.

Growing share of tourist arrivals from South Asia to India

While India declared tourism as an industry in 1982, it adopted the National Tourism Policy two decades later in 2002.[8] Supporting this, the Ministry of Tourism launched the “Incredible India” campaign in 2002 targeting increased tourist inflows. The impact of these developments is seen since 2003, when India started witnessing a linear growth in the total number of foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) (Figure 1). Despite this, India’s share of global tourist arrivals remains abysmally low at 1.2% (2018).[9]

However, India is growing as an attractive tourist destination for travellers from the South Asian region. Tourists from the neighbourhood account for roughly a third of the total FTAs (Figure 1) in India. In 2018, South Asia accounted for the highest percentage share of tourist arrivals (29%) among all the regions, followed by Western Europe (21%).[10]

From 2003 to 2013, the share of South Asian tourist arrivals dipped from 23.8% to 16.9%. This declining trend registered a shift in 2014, when the share increased for the first time in more than ten years, to 21.6%. Between 2003-2013, the cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) of total FTAs was 10%, which increased to 22% between 2013-17. Much of this shift is attributed to the rise in the number of Bangladeshi tourists.

How tweaking rules can have a big impact: The case of Bangladesh

A country-wise breakdown of FTAs in India (Figure 2) reveals that the top four South Asian countries for inbound foreign tourists are Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Afghanistan.

For years, Bangladesh has featured in India’s list of top ten tourist source countries due to its proximity and cultural linkages. However, figure 2 shows that there has been a sudden surge in the number of Bangladeshi tourist arrivals from 2014. Between 2003-2014, the growth of Bangladeshi tourist arrivals was 1%, whereas, in 2014, the arrival of Bangladeshi tourists to India increased by 80%. Since then, the number been growing at an average annual rate of 40%. In 2018, one in every four tourists from South Asia arriving in India was from Bangladesh.

A possible explanation for this upward trend could be the liberalisation of Revised Travel Arrangement (RTA) between India and Bangladesh in 2013 and 2018. The 2013 revision brought certain changes to the provisions of the 1972 Agreement on Passport and Visa System, to remove difficulties faced by the nationals of either country in obtaining a visa.[11] Some key revisions include extending the short-term visa on medical grounds for a year, allowing up to three accompanying attendants and similar extension facility, and relaxation in the issuance of multiple-entry permits. India and Bangladesh further liberalised the RTA in 2018, to include longer employment time, student visas and five-year multiple-entry permit for the elderly and freedom fighters. [12]

In 2013 and 2018, India liberalised the Revised Travel Arrangement with Bangladesh, resulting in an average 40% year-on-year growth of tourist arrivals.

Interviews with stakeholders revealed that as a result of ease of obtaining a visa, several informal cross-border movements have been converted to formal movements. This can be exemplified by tracking movement through the formal border-crossings such as the Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) or Land Customs Stations (LCS). For example, the total incoming and outgoing passenger movement from ICP Agartala increased by 51% in 2014-15 over the previous year, and movement through Petrapole has doubled in the last five years (2014-2019).[13] The increase in registered movements also reflects the efficiency of border infrastructure, including digitisation of immigration processes.

A detailed 2018 survey on ‘Study on Visits of Nationals of Bangladesh in India’ by the Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM), reveals the profile, purpose and expenditure pattern of tourists and visitors from Bangladesh.[14] It found that while a majority of the tourists visited India for religious and leisure purpose – 37% and 26% respectively – about 14% of Bangladeshi nationals visited India for medical treatment.

Owing to the cumbersome procedure or inability to obtain a medical visa, some of them were found to have entered India through regular tourist visas. Some Bangladeshi tourists were also repeat visitors to India, with about 24% visiting India six times or more for different purposes. Furthermore, the affordability of India is an important factor for Bangladeshi tourists. The survey shows that the majority of Bangladeshi tourists spend approximately INR 8,000 (approx. USD 115) on a 5-9 day visit to India, with many dependent on public buses for transportation within India.

In the last two years, India also focused on improving visa application processes, which could further explain the rise in Bangladeshi tourist arrivals. In 2018, India inaugurated a new integrated state-of-the-art Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Dhaka – its largest visa centre in the world. Additionally, the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh also announced the withdrawal of the appointment system for submission of visa applications.[15]

Visa barriers to regional tourism

India’s bilateral visa policies and the resultant degree of ease of access for tourists have an instrumental bearing on the number of FTAs. Within South Asia, agreements with Nepal and Bhutan exempt all nationals of these countries from requiring a visa to travel to India and vice-versa, with only minimal exceptions. Similarly, Maldivian nationals travelling to India for tourism do not need a prior visa if their period of stay in India is less than 90 days in the preceding six months.

We developed an openness index, tracking the ease of access to visas for nationals from South Asian countries seeking to travel to other countries in the region (Figure 3). The index shows that Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka have the most open tourist visa policies towards citizens of the other South Asian countries. India ranks fifth in travel openness towards South Asia, with only three countries (Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives), eligible for visa-free travel to India. By contrast, Sri Lanka offers visa-on-arrival or e-Travel Authorisation to all South Asian countries and maintains an open border with the Maldives.

Transportation matters: Mode of arrival

The mode of arrival data in figure 4 is derived from the record of all passports stamped by the Bureau of Immigration at recognised ports of entry. Qualitative inputs reveal that not all land border arrivals from Nepal are stamped, as seen in figure 3, where the majority of the reported arrivals from countries sharing a land border with India, such as Nepal and Bhutan, are via air. Informal crossings are also frequent, especially on the India-Nepal border. Furthermore, it is interesting to note that the number of road arrivals from Sri Lanka to India has been increasing. This is possibly due to religious tourism along the Buddhist circuit, with Sri Lankan citizens crossing overland into India after visiting Nepal.

Apart from serving as an indicator of the possible rise in the income profile of India’s inbound tourists from South Asia – with more tourists opting for air travel – the data may also reflect improvement of India’s infrastructural connectivity with its South Asian neighbours. In the last few years, there has been an increase in investments on cross-border connectivity infrastructure such as Integrated Check Posts (ICPs), airports and sea connectivity. In January 2020, for example, India and Nepal inaugurated the ICP at Jogbani-Biratnagar to facilitate trade and people’s movement. This is the second ICP on the India-Nepal border – the first one was built at Raxaul-Birgunj in 2018.[16]

Additionally, in 2018 India and Nepal agreed to open four new cross-border air routes connecting the provinces of Nepal directly to India and Bangladesh.[17] India and Sri Lanka also expanded flight connectivity with the resumption of flights to Jaffna from Chennai after more than four decades. Interestingly, to support such air connectivity, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, India, waived the “5/20” rule, requiring five years of experience and a minimum of 20 flights for an airline to operate international flights.[18] In March 2019, India and Bangladesh commenced a passenger cruise linking Kolkata and Dhaka as part of the Agreements for Enhancing Inland and Coastal Waterways Connectivity. [19]

Ni Hao! South Asia welcomes Chinese tourists

Tourism is a lucrative source of foreign exchange earnings. As per the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC), the sector contributed US$ 234 Billion or 6.6% to South Asia’s total GDP in 2019.[20] There was a 4.5% travel and tourism GDP growth vis-a-vis the 5% real GDP growth in the region. While foreign tourist arrivals to the region have increased over the years, there has also been a significant increase in the contribution of tourists from the two largest economies: India and China.

A comparison of Indian and Chinese tourist arrivals in four South Asian countries – Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka – reveals that while more Indian tourists visit South Asia, the last decade has witnessed an unprecedented rise in the number of Chinese tourists, approximately by 753% (Figure 5). In 2007, few Chinese tourists were visiting South Asia, concentrated mainly in the Maldives and Nepal (42% and 32%, respectively). In the same year, the number of Indian tourists was significantly more in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka (Figure 5).

A decade later, the 2018 figures reflect a rather different reality, with a phenomenal rise in the number of Chinese tourists to the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.  Between 2007 and 2018, Chinese tourist arrivals rose by 687% in the Maldives, and 462% in Nepal. Sri Lanka registered the highest growth in tourist arrivals from China, from just about ten thousand in 2007 to almost two hundred and sixty thousand in 2018 (a rise of 2486%).

According to the UNWTO and the Chinese Tourism Academy, China has been the world’s largest tourism source market since 2012. The number of outbound travel departures increased from 4.5 million in 2000 to 150 million in 2018, with an average annual double-digit growth of 16%.[21] However, it is reported that the market is still in its infancy. Since only 7% of Chinese citizens currently own a passport, the number of trips could surge to over 400 million by 2030.[22]

This enormous expansion of the Chinese outbound tourism market can be attributed to reasons such as increased air connectivity and a rising middle-class with growing disposable income. Between 1990 and 2016, the number of international air travellers has increased from just one to 52 million.[23] Furthermore, a profile segmentation of Chinese outbound tourists shows that women and millennials (aged between 15-34 years) dominate the market with respectively 53% and 55% of the total outbound tourist share. [24]

Between 2007 and 2018, the number of Chinese tourist arrivals has increased five-fold in Nepal, seven-fold in the Maldives, and twenty-five-fold in Sri Lanka.

Countries in South Asia reportedly gain more from tourism exports to China than India. This is reflected in the average per capita spending capacity of Chinese and Indian tourists in 2018, at approximately US$ 1850 and US$ 960, respectively.[25] In the same year, the total Chinese tourist expenditure amounted to US$ 277 billion, registering a 5% increase from the previous year. By comparison, India’s total international tourist expenditure was US$ 26 billion after a 9% year-on-year increase.[26]

China’s increasing investments in tourism and allied sectors in South Asia could have possibly led to the rise in Chinese tourist arrivals. For instance, in the Maldives, China has invested significantly in infrastructure, housing, hotels and airlines.[27] In 2011, the Sri Lankan government sold a strategically important site, the Colombo beachfront property, to a Hong-Kong based holding company for USD 125 million.[28] Nepal and China have established direct flights from Kathmandu to Beijing through Himalayan Airlines, a Nepal-China joint venture.[29] Furthermore, China’s Northwest Civil Aviation Construction Group, with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is constructing the new Gautam Buddha International Airport.[30] During his 2019 visit to Nepal, China’s President Xi Jinping noted that “Nepal is the first South Asian country to be designated an approved destination for Chinese tourists” and that there now are about sixty weekly flights connecting both countries.[31]

India has been the preferred short-haul destination for tourists from its neighbourhood. Tourists visit India not only for leisure and medical reasons, but also use the country for transit to other regions. Bilaterally, there have been improvements in visa policies, for example, the relaxation of the India-Bangladesh visa policy in 2013 and with the Maldives in 2019. However, there are still significant challenges towards promoting free and open intra-regional tourism such as visa-openness, gaps in cross-border infrastructure, etc. China, on the other hand, has been increasing its presence in the region, with a growth of 753% in the last decade (2007-2018). It has also made significant investments in South Asia’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unforeseen challenges to global tourism. With geography gaining significance and the importance of shorter distances becoming more pronounced, regional tourism is likely to grow. Governments must thus pivot to focus considerably more attention on regional tourism through investments in infrastructure and services, particularly digitisation to reduce human transactions. India, in particular, will have to leverage the wide range of cultural similarities with its neighbours such as the regional Buddhist trail and pilgrimage, etc. Such a push would also contribute locally through employment and revenue generation from foreign exchange earnings.

Policy Recommendations

Several steps can be taken to ensure a seamless flow of tourists in India and its neighbourhood:

• E-visa, with digital application and delivery: Technical modernisation, upgradation and other improvements are needed in the Indian visa application and delivery system for South Asian nationals. Currently, only China and Sri Lanka are eligible for an Indian e-visa. Considering the rising share of tourists from the neighbourhood in India, the e-visa facility should be extended to other countries in the region.
• Investing in digitisation in the tourism industry: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there is an increasing focus on digitisation of various services to revive the tourism sector. Contact-less transfers, hotel check-ins, site-visits etc. will be crucial for revival of the industry. This requires participation from both public and private sector stakeholders and significant investment in digitisation to enhance secure travel and ensure revenue from foreign exchange.
• Inter-ministerial coordination to enhance infrastructural connectivity: The Ministry of Tourism should actively work with other ministries such as the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Home Affairs to undertake infrastructure-related connectivity initiatives, for example by further expanding the UDAN Scheme to neighbouring countries and supporting digital immigration services at the Integrated Check Posts.[32] Apart from this, the government must play a role in facilitating tourism infrastructural development supported by multilaterals such as the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, etc.
• Tourism promotion through regional initiatives: India must take the lead in promoting intra-regional tourism through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral, Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) or the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal initiative (BBIN). Following the example of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), India could host regional tourism summits and facilitate inter-regional cooperation among tour operators, for example with the Federation of ASEAN Travel Associations (FATA). India should also work and cooperate bilaterally with other South Asian countries on joint tourism promotion and advertising campaigns, towards establishing the tourism industry as a regional value chain.
• Promoting religious tourism circuits: The historical and cultural linkages between South Asian nations offer the potential to develop tourism circuits within the region. There has been an interest towards developing a Buddhist circuit between India and Nepal, and a Ramayana circuit between India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. India’s regional governments will have to play a vital role in targeted outreach initiatives to promote their religious heritage to specific countries. [33]

Further Readings

Renton de Alwis, “Promoting tourism in South Asia,” in Sadiq Ahmed, Saman Kelegama & Ejaz Ghani (Eds.), Promoting economic cooperation in South Asia: Beyond SAFTA, (Washington, DC: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank, 2010), P. 259–276.

Annual Report 2017–18, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, http://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/annualreports/Annual%20Report2017-18.pdf

Golam Rasul and Prem Manandhar, “Prospects and Problems in Promoting Tourism in South Asia: A Regional Perspective,” (South Asia Economic Journal, October 1, 2009) Volume: 10 issue: 1, page(s): 187-207, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/139156140901000108?journalCode=saea  

“Guidelines for Success in the Chinese Outbound Tourism Market,” (Spain: UNWTO and China Tourism Academy, 2019), https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/pdf/10.18111/9789284421138

India South Asia

Rahul Tongia, Anurag Sehgal, Puneet Kamboj

Online Only

3:00 am - 4:40 am IST

Saneet Chakradeo

August 18, 2020

South Asia Travel

Traveling in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka

South Asia travel is exciting, extreme, mostly cheap, and unforgettable. A visit to the most populous — and frenetic — region on earth provides plenty of opportunity for adventure and lasting memories.

Hitting up the three most popular destinations ( India, Nepal , and Sri Lanka) for a South Asia “Grand Slam” on the same trip is entirely possible. Although any of the three can easily hold their own alone as a top destination, combining them makes for an enjoyable, diverse sample of South Asia.

Nepal offers up Kathmandu, Mount Everest , the birthplace of Buddha, and other travel treats. Sri Lanka provides an island experience, abundant flora and fauna, surfing, whale spotting, and as many beach cocktails in king coconuts as you can handle — useful for warming up after the Himalayas.

India is... well ...India!

From the highest mountains in the world to one of the most biodiverse islands in the world, traveling to South Asia is well worth the madness of being stuck on a plane so long. Despite some challenges, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have good tourist infrastructures. They’re also excellent choices for budget travelers on extended trips abroad. You certainly get a lot of cultural “bang” for the buck in each.

First: Make sure you’re in the right place. South Asia and Southeast Asia are two completely different subregions in Asia!

Choosing When to Travel to South Asia

To properly enjoy any time in the Himalayas — one of South Asia’s most inviting features — you’ll need to plan around the extreme weather in Nepal . Snow atop mountains is beautiful when viewed from afar, not when stuck in a remote outpost waiting weeks for roads or runways to clear. India and Sri Lanka can be added before or after a trip to the Himalayas.

For taking advantage of fair weather in the mountains, you’ll have to decide between Nepal’s two busy seasons: spring or fall.

The Best Time to Visit Nepal

Nepal’s rainy season begins in June and runs until sometime in September. Although the air may be cleaner, mud and leeches really cut into the fun. The autumn months, especially October, are the most popular in Nepal. During this busy time, you may have trouble finding accommodation in lodges on popular trails, especially if you decide to go trekking independently without a tou r.

Spring is a popular time to visit Nepal for viewing wildflowers, but as temperatures warm, mountain views are reduced by humidity. May is a good — and busy — month for trekking to Everest Base Camp to see climbers preparing for their life-and-death challenge.

The Best Time to Visit India

The Indian subcontinent is so large that you’ll find good weather somewhere no matter the time of year. Traveling to India will probably be the highlight of your travels in South Asia.

That being said, the monsoon season begins in June and runs until October. The rain can be heavy and disruptive, especially in some destinations such as Goa. The weeks leading up to monsoon season are unbearably hot, so taking a chance with shoulder seasons are best.

Destinations in the north may become inaccessible in November as snow begins to close mountain passes. If rain or cold pose too much of a challenge, you could always head to Rajasthan — India’s desert state — to see ancient forts and enjoy a camel safari in Jaisalmer .

Before solidifying dates for travel to South Asia, check to see how they mesh with the busiest holidays in India . You wouldn’t want to just narrowly miss one of these spectacular events. Dealing with the aftermath without getting to participate in the festival is no fun at all!

The Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka

Surprising for its size, Sri Lanka experiences two distinct monsoon seasons that divide the island. The best time for visiting the beautiful beaches in the south is from November to April. Whale spotting season begins in November. During dry season in the south, rain soaks the northern half of the island.

Regardless of the time of year, your only worry in Sri Lanka is rain. The island will be more than warm enough , particularly if you’ve just come from the Himalayas!

Getting to South Asia

Unsurprisingly, India is well connected with flights from North America, Europe, and other parts of Asia. There aren’t any direct flights between the United States and Sri Lanka, so beginning in India is a good plan unless you’ll be coming from a different part of Asia.

Great deals can be found for flights between India and Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur . One popular strategy is to grab a cheap flight to Southeast Asia (the cheapest flights often arrive in Bangkok), spend a few days acclimatizing in an “easy” environment and beating jetlag , enjoy some delicious Thai noodles, then fly onward to India to begin your South Asia travel adventure.

If you choose to begin in Nepal, know what to expect when landing in Kathmandu .

Moving Between India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka

Without a doubt, the most time efficient and least painful way to move between the three countries is by taking budget flights. Unfortunately, flying is also the surest way to miss out on some wild experiences that happen on the ground when least expected.

Terrain features, road conditions, and severe overcrowding make moving long distances by bus a little extra painful than usual. Trains are a better option than night buses, but they aren’t always available. Moving around India and Sri Lanka by train can be an enjoyable travel experience.

Although you can cross into Nepal from the northern border of India, you’ll have to deal with winding roads, high-elevation passes, and the whim of military officials who may want additional incentive (money) to allow you to pass. Simply put, flying is well worth the money spent unless your primary objective is the additional adventure.

Ferry service from India to Sri Lanka was terminated. You’ll find lots of cheap flights to Colombo from different points in India.

What About Other Places in South Asia?

This itinerary only covers India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka because visiting the three is popular and fairly straightforward. With additional trip time and planning, a foray into Bangladesh could be added. South Asia is actually made up of eight nations.

The Maldives , popular with honeymooners , are a little inconvenient on a trip of this nature and are probably best left as a vacation-style destination all their own. Visiting Bhutan requires commitment — and upfront payment — for a government-regulated tour.

Presently, most world governments have a warning against all nonessential travel to Pakistan. If you’d still like to visit, speak with the High Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi about obtaining a visa. Travelers from countries on the list of “Tourist Friendly Countries” may obtain a 30-day visa on arrival but must travel with an authorized tour agency.

Afghanistan is blessed with the mountainous beauty to become a top travel destination one day, but for now remains mostly inaccessible.

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Travel and tourism recovery: a perspective for South Asia and lessons for other regions in the age of COVID-19

What's next for travel and tourism in South Asia in the post-COVID era? Image:  REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte

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To travel or not to travel? That is the question.

As Europe’s journey with the COVID-19 pandemic enters its next phase, many have embarked on their summer adventures to Greece, Italy or Spain, riding the wave of optimism offered by EU recommendations on opening borders. Even though the majority of the countries in Europe are past their COVID-19 peaks for now, there have been spikes and fears of a second wave. People find themselves checking government travel advisories with trepidation, almost on a daily basis, to see whether their plans will follow through.

This uncertainty and related travelers’ anxiety will be the hallmark of travel and tourism in the age of COVID-19. Given the varied recovery trajectories for countries across the world, reopening and revival strategies will have to be tailored to the specific context.

Have you read?

This is how coronavirus could affect the travel and tourism industry.

So what is in store for this sector in South Asia and what can the path to recovery of the industry look like in the region?

Travel and tourism snapshot

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the travel and tourism sector accounted for 10.3% of global GDP and 330 million jobs in 2019 . The sector has seen high growth in the last decade, which can be largely attributed to factors such as rising disposable incomes, the emergence of low-cost carriers, ease of travel through internet-based services and the relaxation of visa regulations.

In South Asia, WTTC estimates that the sector contributed $234 billion, or 6.6% of the region’s GDP in 2019 . Within the region, the pandemic could not have come at a worse time for Nepal’s tourism industry, which has almost entirely shut down since the outbreak. The government had declared 2020 as the Visit Nepal Year, announcing a national campaign with an annual target of achieving 2 million tourist arrivals. With the country’s borders closed to adventure-seeking mountaineering crowds, the direct actors along in the tourism value chain (tour operators, trekking agencies, mountain guides and Sherpas) have lost their only source of income.

Similarly, the Republic of Maldives is uniquely vulnerable to external shocks, and tourism constitutes a third of the small island state's national revenue. Neeza Imad, Minister of State for Economic Development of Maldives, says “ COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our economy, particularly in relation to SMEs that account for most of the tourism related employment.” As a result of the ongoing crisis, the International Monetary Fund has projected that the country’s economy will contract by 8.1% in 2020 .

First steps to recovery: rebuilding consumer trust and confidence

After four months of lockdown, the Maldives welcomed tourists back to its resorts and hotels, after publishing a comprehensive sector reopening strategy aimed towards building trust and credibility among potential tourists. Minister Imad signals a strong welcome message to the international tourist community: “We welcome back tourists as resorts opened on the 15th of July 2020. Tourists can be assured that the Government has put into place strict safety and hygiene standards to ensure the safe reopening of the country to tourists from around the world when travel restrictions begin to ease.”

Globally, in an effort to establish a harmonized approach towards setting guidelines around the reopening of the sector, WTTC launched the “Safe Travels” stamp, which has been designed to allow potential travelers to recognize establishments around the world which have adopted standardized health and hygiene protocols. Backed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the stamp may be used across the travel and tourism value chain to certify hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, restaurants, outdoor shopping, transportation and airports. Since its launch on 27 May, the WTTC established protocols have been adopted by destination countries and cities around the world such as Turkey, Egypt, Portugal, Seville and Cancun.

Regional cooperation towards restoration

Based on current trends and survey studies of consumer preferences and behavioural patterns, projections on resumption of travel indicate that recovery will be proximity-based, gradually moving from domestic to regional and lastly intercontinental. As part of the institutional response to the COVID-19 crisis, the World Economic Forum regularly convenes a multistakeholder community of prominent experts, policymakers and businesses from the region as the Regional Action Group for South Asia, which met virtually most recently in July to discuss the impact of the pandemic on the travel and tourism industry and the measures that need to be adopted to support recovery efforts.

Public sector representatives and businesses from the region agreed that domestic tourism will lead the way in this recovery journey. This puts countries with a large domestic market, such as India, at an advantage since they will be able to create more favourable fiscal conditions for stimulating growth in the sector while actively promoting local and regional tourism

As a first step towards recovery, the possibility of establishing travel bubbles or corridors – which would allow countries in the region to put in place protocols for opening up channels for air travel on a reciprocal basis – was also discussed among members of the Forum’s Regional Action Group for South Asia. Establishing these safe zones bilaterally or among a group of countries with similar recovery trajectories would build focused capacities to safely manage the flow of tourists and allow testing of the framework for reopening on a larger scale at a later stage.

These countries are making ‘travel bubbles’ for post-lockdown tourism

This approach would also permit a higher degree of control over a smaller tourist flow, which would enable faster rollback of open channels in the event of unanticipated spikes in the number of infection cases. Most recently, India and Maldives announced that they will be establishing a travel bubble to strengthen connectivity and tourism ties. Such agreements are likely to come up with other countries in the region as terms and conditions of establishing these safe travel zones are negotiated.

Niche tourism push

The World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report published in 2019 attributes natural and cultural diversity along with price competitiveness for the emergence of South Asia as an attractive tourist destination. This is where the region can leverage regional cooperation towards building a sector revival strategy. For example, India could explore an Adventure Tourism circuit with Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, where travelers get to experience the enthralling Himalayan landscapes, followed by a trip down south to explore some of Sri Lanka’s best surfing spots. Similarly, a Spiritual Tourism circuit could offer the international traveler a well-marketed package to discover the historical monuments of faith systems that bind the region together.

The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2019

An opportunity that can be explored to bring back the international traveler to India is the niche segment of medical, wellness and Ayurveda tourism. Had the COVID-19 pandemic not erupted when it did, the medical tourism space would have touched the $9 billion mark in 2020 .

“India has been a long-preferred destination for medical tourism but with the COVID-19 pandemic, this sub-sector is now one of the worst-hit,” explains Shobana Kamineni, Executive Vice-Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, India. “As restrictions on international air travel begin to ease from select countries, adequate support from the Government will be needed to further facilitate medical travel, with SOPs and safety protocols across each stage of patients’ care continuum. We will have to actively promote India’s role in serving those international patients that urgently need our care and help build trust that Indian hospitals, as well as health tech companies, are ready to welcome them again.”

Long-term measures to build resilience

In an effort to build back better in the post-COVID world, it would be critical to retain and inject capital investment in the sector so that it can achieve its true potential as a vehicle for growth and development. In June, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced that it is making a $175 million investment in John Keells Holding. This will go towards expanding the company’s supermarket chain in Sri Lanka and funding the development of hotel properties in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, making it IFC’s largest ever investment in Sri Lanka and the first supporting investments in the Maldives in a decade.

Krishan Balendra, Chairman, John Keells Holding, shares his views on the potential of this sector in the country: “We believe the tourism growth opportunity for Sri Lanka is immense as the number of arrivals is small compared to other countries. We are catching up after many years of war and we intend to build our brand and service levels to be on par with the best in the world.”

Bhutan – which is the only South Asian country to have zero COVID-19 related fatalities to date – is also looking into how it can take this pivotal moment in the region’s shared history to strategize growth in the sector. The country’s “High Value, Low Volume” tourism policy anchored in promoting sustainable tourism makes it a unique and exclusive travel destination. While commenting on the present situation in the country, Ugyen Dorji, Minister of Labour and Human Resources, Government of Bhutan, said, “Though well managed in Bhutan, the COVID-19 pandemic has of course still had a negative impact on key national earnings from tourism. The Government of Bhutan is working on strengthening the tourism infrastructure, developing new tourism products and services and increasing entry points for tourists. This investment will go a long way in building the required ecosystem to support the intra-regional demand for tourism and promote sustainable job creation in the sector.”

The first global pandemic in more than 100 years, COVID-19 has spread throughout the world at an unprecedented speed. At the time of writing, 4.5 million cases have been confirmed and more than 300,000 people have died due to the virus.

As countries seek to recover, some of the more long-term economic, business, environmental, societal and technological challenges and opportunities are just beginning to become visible.

To help all stakeholders – communities, governments, businesses and individuals understand the emerging risks and follow-on effects generated by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Economic Forum, in collaboration with Marsh and McLennan and Zurich Insurance Group, has launched its COVID-19 Risks Outlook: A Preliminary Mapping and its Implications - a companion for decision-makers, building on the Forum’s annual Global Risks Report.

Companies are invited to join the Forum’s work to help manage the identified emerging risks of COVID-19 across industries to shape a better future. Read the full COVID-19 Risks Outlook: A Preliminary Mapping and its Implications report here , and our impact story with further information.

As South Asia continues to face the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis, it is evident that there is immense potential in the travel and tourism sector, which can be harnessed to contribute to the region’s economic recovery.

Further investments in the physical as well as technological infrastructure will be required to enhance the competitiveness of the sector in the region to generate more income and employment opportunities along the travel and tourism value chain. The sector must find innovative means to bounce back and build future resilience as composite lockdowns get graded relaxation.

Based on experiences in regions where this journey has already begun, greater public-private cooperation will be needed to establish and comply with health and safety standards and protocols, while communicating those with clarity and consistency to potential travelers to rebuild their trust and confidence. Close coordination among sectors such as aviation, railways, hospitality and insurance will be needed to adapt to the evolving health situations in particular countries.

Travelers will also have to do their bit by preparing to deal with the uncertainties, while ensuring that they comply with changing regulations that help countries manage fluctuations in the number of COVID-19 cases, which will undoubtedly arise as borders open up and the world becomes more mobile again.

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• 1.1 Associated destinations
• 3 Other destinations
• 4.1 Climate
• 4.2 Culture
• 4.3 Population density
• 6.1 Overland
• 6.2 By plane
• 6.3 By boat
• 7.1 By train
• 7.3 Religion and spirituality
• 7.4 Itineraries
• 7.5 Historical topics
• 12 Stay safe

South Asia , also known as the Indian Subcontinent (or "the Subcontinent"), is a triangular landmass bordered by the Himalayas in the north, the Indian Ocean in the south, and the Ganges and Indus river valleys in east and west. Home to 1.75 billion people, South Asia has the world's tallest mountains, and is the origin of some of the world's oldest civilizations and the wellspring of Hinduism , Buddhism , Sanamahism , Sikhism , and Jainism.

Countries [ edit ]

Associated destinations [ edit ]

The following destinations are sometimes considered part of South Asia, although are categorized elsewhere in Wikivoyage:

• Afghanistan can be considered part of the region; although it is mostly considered to be part of Central Asia , it often involves itself in the South Asian regional organizations.
• Iran is occasionally considered part of the region, but more often considered to be in the Middle East or Central Asia.
• Myanmar (formerly Burma) may be considered part of South Asia for its long-standing historical and political ties to India, although it is usually considered part of Southeast Asia .
• Tibet is sometimes considered to be part of South Asia.

Cities [ edit ]

• 6.916667 79.833333 1 Colombo — largest city of Sri Lanka
• 28.613889 77.208889 2 Delhi — capital of India, a culturally diverse city
• 23.728889 90.394444 3 Dhaka — thriving cultural melting pot that is Bangladesh's capital
• 33.698889 73.036944 4 Islamabad — capital of Pakistan
• 27.71 85.32 5 Kathmandu — capital of Nepal
• 24.86 67.01 6 Karachi — a culturally diverse and cosmopolitan city in Pakistan's south
• 4.175 73.508333 7 Malé — densely packed island city, gateway to the Maldives
• 19.075833 72.8775 8 Mumbai — most eclectic and cosmopolitan city of India, famous for the Bollywood film industry
• 27.47135 89.63367 9 Thimphu — capital of Bhutan, surrounded by mountains

Other destinations [ edit ]

• 21.8 92.4 1 Bandarban — hill district in Bangladesh with trekking through unspoilt forests
• 21.583333 92.016667 2 Cox's Bazar — one the longest sea beaches in the world
• 31.70817 76.93137 3 Himalayan North — the northern Himalayan region of India
• 36.316667 74.65 4 Hunza Valley — one of the more stunning and popular parts of Pakistan's high mountain areas
• 8.091111 77.541667 5 Kanniyakumari — the southernmost point of mainland India
• 27.329167 68.138889 6 Mohenjo-daro — a spectacular, fascinating and important archaeological site of ruins of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation .
• 27.988056 86.925 7 Mount Everest — the world's tallest mountain straddling the border of China and Nepal
• 21.733188 88.868966 8 Sundarbans — one of the best places in South Asia to see tigers
• 27.174167 78.042222 9 Taj Mahal — the incomparable marble tomb in Agra

See Islands of the Indian Ocean .

Understand [ edit ]

Some commonalities exist to this area, mainly climate and culture.

Climate [ edit ]

Apart from the Himalaya, the climate is tropical, with monsoon in summer and dry winter. However, you have the extremes of this climate, i.e. in western Pakistan , monsoon is quite non-existent and in Southern India , it lasts for six months. Sri Lanka even has two monsoons, one in May, one in October/November.

Culture [ edit ]

The influence of historical Indian culture can be seen everywhere. Four major world religions have their origins within South Asia: Hinduism , Buddhism , Sikhism, and Jainism. Islam was introduced by invading Arabs starting around the 7th century and rose to prominence during the Mughal Empire . There are also ancient Jewish and Christian communities in India that date back some 2,000 years, and there has been a Parsi (Zoroastrian) presence in the Subcontinent since at least the 10th century.

An additional layer of South Asian cultural unification derives from the influence of British culture, and especially the frequent and growing use of the English language, as a result of India having formed the "Jewel in the Crown" of the British Empire before Independence in 1947; see British Raj .

Population density [ edit ]

South Asia is one of the world's most densely populated regions - approximately 1.6 billion people (or roughly a quarter of humanity) call South Asia home. The average population density of 305 people per square km is 7 times the world average.

Talk [ edit ]

The region does not have a lingua franca. However, as much of South Asia was under British rule , and even the nominally independent areas were under some form of British suzerainty, English is widely spoken by educated people. Hindi and Urdu are spoken over much of India and Pakistan . As the two languages are mutually intelligible, if you have to learn one before visiting, pick one of these. Hindi will also help you in Nepal , as the Nepali language is quite similar, while Nepali is also the main language in some bordering areas of India such as Sikkim . Bengali is another major language spoken in Bangladesh and West Bengal and understood in some other eastern states of India. Other languages that straddle international borders include Punjabi , which is spoken in parts of the India-Pakistan border region, and Tamil , which is spoken in southern India and northern Sri Lanka .

Other than these, South Asia has a fascinating diversity of languages. India, in particular, is home to hundreds, and Pakistan also has quite a few. In the major cities and tourist destinations, you will be able to get by with English with varying degrees of difficulty.

Get in [ edit ]

Overland [ edit ]

Getting in overland to South Asia can be a challenging task. From the west it's relatively easy, especially from Istanbul, Turkey to New Delhi, India (also known as Hippie Trail).

In the northwest, South Asia borders Afghanistan which has been a war zone for several decades. Entry from China is possible either along the Karakoram Highway or to Nepal , though you will need a special permit to travel through Tibet . Quite a lot of bureaucracy is reportedly required to travel overland from Myanmar .

By plane [ edit ]

Major international airports include:

• Bangladesh — Dhaka , Chittagong , Sylhet
• Bhutan — Paro (near Thimphu )
• India — Delhi , Mumbai , Bangalore , Chennai , Kolkata , Hyderabad , Ahmedabad , Kochi
• Maldives — Male
• Nepal — Kathmandu
• Pakistan — Karachi , Lahore , Islamabad , Peshawar , Faisalabad , Multan , Quetta , Sialkot
• Sri Lanka — Colombo

Many flights from the west coast of North America arrive via Singapore and Bangkok , while flights originating on the east coast usually have a stopover somewhere in Europe depending on the airline.

Flights from Europe arrive via Dubai , Doha and several other major airline hubs.

The number of direct flights between India and the U.S. and the U.K. are increasing.

By boat [ edit ]

Some cruise ships visit the region. It is also possible to enter on smaller vessels, but make sure to do your research thoroughly before planning a trip, because part of the region overlaps with the area frequented by Somali pirates. An encounter with them is to be avoided at all costs.

Get around [ edit ]

By train [ edit ].

Although most of the region was under the British rule, the rail transport in South Asia varies by country. India has the most extensive rail network in South Asia (see Rail travel in India ), while the rail network of Pakistan is mostly underdeveloped. Sri Lanka's train network is efficient and cheap, and includes routes with beautiful hill country and tea plantation scenery. Bangladesh is famous for its overcrowded trains, while the Maldives, Nepal, and Bhutan have no trains at all.

Nature [ edit ]

With the world's tallest mountains, as well as coastal regions with the world's highest rainfall, South Asia's nature is dramatic, but pressured by demographic and economic growth. South Asia is part of the Indomalayan wildlife region , with iconic species such as Asian elephants, tigers and peacocks.

Especially Nepal and Kashmir are world renowned for mountaineering .

Religion and spirituality [ edit ]

South Asian religious movements such as Hinduism , Buddhism have a long history, and an intercontinental appeal since the 20th century. Many visitors come to South Asia to learn yoga, a group of physical, mental and spiritual practices from ancient India.

Itineraries [ edit ]

• Istanbul to New Delhi overland
• On the trail of Kipling's Kim
• Grand Trunk Road
• Karakoram Highway
• World Heritage Sites Tour in Sri Lanka

Historical topics [ edit ]

• British Raj
• Mughal Empire

Sports [ edit ]

• Cricket is a huge business in South Asia, with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka boasting world class national teams.
• Football (soccer) is not as popular as cricket, but has a niche following in parts of South Asia, especially in the city of Kolkata

Do [ edit ]

• Polo in Manipur
• Scuba diving in Asia
• Trekking in Nepal

Buy [ edit ]

For most countries in the region, bargaining is essential while shopping.

Both India and Pakistan have a long history of carpet manufacture. The region produces a huge range of other arts and crafts items, often at attractive prices because of low labour cost. See the country articles for details.

Eat [ edit ]

You will not be able to experience the best of South Asian culture until you have consumed its flavourful food. India alone has some of the best cuisines in the world; however, you can find something that will suit your taste buds anywhere throughout the region.

Drink [ edit ]

Tea (chai) is a common beverage consumed throughout the region. In addition, while alcohol is banned or restricted in Muslim communities and some Hindu-majority areas of India such as Gujarat, fruit juices are ubiquitous.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Much of the region is considered a safe place to visit, with the exceptions of Northwest Pakistan close to the border of Afghanistan and parts of Kashmir . Northwest Pakistan is a war-zone and is often controlled by extremist militant groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban; it should be avoided as much as possible.

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An Overview of South Asian Tourism Industry and Significance of the Regional Tourism Integration

• First Online: 08 August 2021

Cite this chapter

• Sakib Bin Amin 2  

170 Accesses

2 Citations

South Asia is an eye-catching and unique tourist destination for its rich history, heritage, cultural diversity, varied landscapes, vast natural resources, and scenic beauties. However, South Asia cannot establish a foothold in the tourism industry as the share of international tourist arrivals is reasonably low compared to other regions. The formation of the Regional Tourism Integration (RTI) can play a vital role in speeding up South Asia’s tourism industry by mobilising resources, increasing competition, enhancing efficiency, and reducing cost. Since the region shows similarity in various socio-economic and geographical aspects, the RTI can pave the way for developing an integrated tourism hub with cost-effective promotional programmes and a concrete marketing strategy for sustainable tourism development in South Asia.

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Mount Everest is the highest mountain globally, located in Nepal and China, with 29,029 feet height. On the other hand, K2 is the second highest mountain within the Himalaya range, having 28,251 feet height.

For more details, see: https://www.themaldivesexpert.com/2406/coral-reefs-of-the-maldives/ .

For more details, see: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/405/ .

For more details, see: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/252/ .

However, we will limit our discussion to Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka due to the high tourism concentration in these countries.

Despite this sluggish trend in terms of tourist arrival within the region, it is evident that the region was the fastest-growing region in 2018, registering a 19 per cent growth in tourist arrivals courtesy of double-digit growth in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. South Asia’s arrival growth was low in the early part of the decade but has increased since 2015.

A comparative overview can be seen in Table A.7.1 and Table A.7.2 from the Appendix. It is evident from the tables that integrated regional tourism has the potentials to increase the number of tourists from India to other countries as the share of the Indian tourist is 8 per cent higher than the other countries. Due to the tourist’s inherent nature to discover new countries, it is expected that a coordinated regional policy is expected to mobile the tourist in South Asia.

For more details, see: https://www.thestatesman.com/world/91-2-of-bhutanese-are-happy-101743.html .

For more details about the Bhutanese tourism, visit: https://www.tourism.gov.bt/ .

For more details about Nepalese tourism, visit: https://www.welcomenepal.com/ .

For more details about Sri Lanka tourism, visit: https://www.srilanka.travel/ .

For more details about Indian tourism, visit: https://tourism.gov.in/ .

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Amin, S.B. (2021). An Overview of South Asian Tourism Industry and Significance of the Regional Tourism Integration. In: The Economy of Tourism in Bangladesh. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-72900-4_7

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Travel South Asia: India’s tourism connectivity with the region

Brookings India became the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) on September 10, 2020. This work was done before the transition.

Introduction

India accounts for a majority of South Asia’s travel and tourism gross domestic product (GDP) and has also been the preferred destination for tourists from within the region. In the last decade, India has witnessed an increase in the share of South Asian tourist arrivals. While geographic proximity and cultural affiliations are the underlying factors for high cross-border mobility, the market size and the tourists’ spending capacity have also played an important role. Additionally, tourist spill-overs from India to the rest of the region contribute significantly to the regional tourism economy.

This policy brief highlights tourism connectivity between India and its neighbours, capturing the tourism trends within South Asia. Given China’s increasing tourism imports and a growing presence in the region, the brief also offers a comparative analysis of reciprocal tourism trends between South Asia and China.

Methodology

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines tourism as “the activities of persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes.”[5] Along similar lines, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India, defines a foreign tourist as “a person visiting India on a foreign passport, staying at least twenty-four hours in the country, the purpose of whose journey can be classified under one of the following headings: (a) leisure (recreation, holiday, health, study, religion, and support), and; (b) business, family mission, meeting.”[6] The definition extends to transit passengers who stay overnight in India and are counted as tourists.

The data on inbound and outbound flows is from the Ministry of Tourism’s India Tourism Statistics Reports and the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) e-library. The inbound statistics used in Figures 1 and 2 are equivalent to outbound tourism data from each neighbouring country to India. Qualitative inputs were collected through informal interviews with officials from the Ministry of Tourism and the Bureau of Immigration in India to understand the data collection methodology and various steps taken to promote tourism.

It should be noted that the Ministry of Tourism changed its methodology in 2014, standardising it with the UNWTO methodology, and added Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to the Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) category, which together formed the “International Tourist Arrivals” (ITA).[7] For the purpose of analysis and standardisation of data with the preceding years, Figures 1, 2 and 5 only focus on the FTAs. The mode of arrival data in Figure 4 is from the India Tourism Statistics reports, published annually between 2010 and 2019 by the Ministry of Tourism.

This policy brief covers tourism data between India and seven of its neighbouring countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, which are collectively referred to as ‘South Asia’ or N7.

Growing share of tourist arrivals from South Asia to India

While India declared tourism as an industry in 1982, it adopted the National Tourism Policy two decades later in 2002.[8] Supporting this, the Ministry of Tourism launched the “Incredible India” campaign in 2002 targeting increased tourist inflows. The impact of these developments is seen since 2003, when India started witnessing a linear growth in the total number of foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) (Figure 1). Despite this, India’s share of global tourist arrivals remains abysmally low at 1.2% (2018).[9]

However, India is growing as an attractive tourist destination for travellers from the South Asian region. Tourists from the neighbourhood account for roughly a third of the total FTAs (Figure 1) in India. In 2018, South Asia accounted for the highest percentage share of tourist arrivals (29%) among all the regions, followed by Western Europe (21%).[10]

From 2003 to 2013, the share of South Asian tourist arrivals dipped from 23.8% to 16.9%. This declining trend registered a shift in 2014, when the share increased for the first time in more than ten years, to 21.6%. Between 2003-2013, the cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) of total FTAs was 10%, which increased to 22% between 2013-17. Much of this shift is attributed to the rise in the number of Bangladeshi tourists.

How tweaking rules can have a big impact: The case of Bangladesh

A country-wise breakdown of FTAs in India (Figure 2) reveals that the top four South Asian countries for inbound foreign tourists are Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Afghanistan.

For years, Bangladesh has featured in India’s list of top ten tourist source countries due to its proximity and cultural linkages. However, figure 2 shows that there has been a sudden surge in the number of Bangladeshi tourist arrivals from 2014. Between 2003-2014, the growth of Bangladeshi tourist arrivals was 1%, whereas, in 2014, the arrival of Bangladeshi tourists to India increased by 80%. Since then, the number been growing at an average annual rate of 40%. In 2018, one in every four tourists from South Asia arriving in India was from Bangladesh.

A possible explanation for this upward trend could be the liberalisation of Revised Travel Arrangement (RTA) between India and Bangladesh in 2013 and 2018. The 2013 revision brought certain changes to the provisions of the 1972 Agreement on Passport and Visa System, to remove difficulties faced by the nationals of either country in obtaining a visa.[11] Some key revisions include extending the short-term visa on medical grounds for a year, allowing up to three accompanying attendants and similar extension facility, and relaxation in the issuance of multiple-entry permits. India and Bangladesh further liberalised the RTA in 2018, to include longer employment time, student visas and five-year multiple-entry permit for the elderly and freedom fighters. [12]

In 2013 and 2018, India liberalised the Revised Travel Arrangement with Bangladesh, resulting in an average 40% year-on-year growth of tourist arrivals.

Interviews with stakeholders revealed that as a result of ease of obtaining a visa, several informal cross-border movements have been converted to formal movements. This can be exemplified by tracking movement through the formal border-crossings such as the Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) or Land Customs Stations (LCS). For example, the total incoming and outgoing passenger movement from ICP Agartala increased by 51% in 2014-15 over the previous year, and movement through Petrapole has doubled in the last five years (2014-2019).[13] The increase in registered movements also reflects the efficiency of border infrastructure, including digitisation of immigration processes.

A detailed 2018 survey on ‘Study on Visits of Nationals of Bangladesh in India’ by the Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM), reveals the profile, purpose and expenditure pattern of tourists and visitors from Bangladesh.[14] It found that while a majority of the tourists visited India for religious and leisure purpose – 37% and 26% respectively – about 14% of Bangladeshi nationals visited India for medical treatment.

Owing to the cumbersome procedure or inability to obtain a medical visa, some of them were found to have entered India through regular tourist visas. Some Bangladeshi tourists were also repeat visitors to India, with about 24% visiting India six times or more for different purposes. Furthermore, the affordability of India is an important factor for Bangladeshi tourists. The survey shows that the majority of Bangladeshi tourists spend approximately INR 8,000 (approx. USD 115) on a 5-9 day visit to India, with many dependent on public buses for transportation within India.

In the last two years, India also focused on improving visa application processes, which could further explain the rise in Bangladeshi tourist arrivals. In 2018, India inaugurated a new integrated state-of-the-art Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Dhaka – its largest visa centre in the world. Additionally, the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh also announced the withdrawal of the appointment system for submission of visa applications.[15]

Visa barriers to regional tourism

India’s bilateral visa policies and the resultant degree of ease of access for tourists have an instrumental bearing on the number of FTAs. Within South Asia, agreements with Nepal and Bhutan exempt all nationals of these countries from requiring a visa to travel to India and vice-versa, with only minimal exceptions. Similarly, Maldivian nationals travelling to India for tourism do not need a prior visa if their period of stay in India is less than 90 days in the preceding six months.

We developed an openness index, tracking the ease of access to visas for nationals from South Asian countries seeking to travel to other countries in the region (Figure 3). The index shows that Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka have the most open tourist visa policies towards citizens of the other South Asian countries. India ranks fifth in travel openness towards South Asia, with only three countries (Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives), eligible for visa-free travel to India. By contrast, Sri Lanka offers visa-on-arrival or e-Travel Authorisation to all South Asian countries and maintains an open border with the Maldives.

Transportation matters: Mode of arrival

The mode of arrival data in figure 4 is derived from the record of all passports stamped by the Bureau of Immigration at recognised ports of entry. Qualitative inputs reveal that not all land border arrivals from Nepal are stamped, as seen in figure 3, where the majority of the reported arrivals from countries sharing a land border with India, such as Nepal and Bhutan, are via air. Informal crossings are also frequent, especially on the India-Nepal border. Furthermore, it is interesting to note that the number of road arrivals from Sri Lanka to India has been increasing. This is possibly due to religious tourism along the Buddhist circuit, with Sri Lankan citizens crossing overland into India after visiting Nepal.

Apart from serving as an indicator of the possible rise in the income profile of India’s inbound tourists from South Asia – with more tourists opting for air travel – the data may also reflect improvement of India’s infrastructural connectivity with its South Asian neighbours. In the last few years, there has been an increase in investments on cross-border connectivity infrastructure such as Integrated Check Posts (ICPs), airports and sea connectivity. In January 2020, for example, India and Nepal inaugurated the ICP at Jogbani-Biratnagar to facilitate trade and people’s movement. This is the second ICP on the India-Nepal border – the first one was built at Raxaul-Birgunj in 2018.[16]

Additionally, in 2018 India and Nepal agreed to open four new cross-border air routes connecting the provinces of Nepal directly to India and Bangladesh.[17] India and Sri Lanka also expanded flight connectivity with the resumption of flights to Jaffna from Chennai after more than four decades. Interestingly, to support such air connectivity, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, India, waived the “5/20” rule, requiring five years of experience and a minimum of 20 flights for an airline to operate international flights.[18] In March 2019, India and Bangladesh commenced a passenger cruise linking Kolkata and Dhaka as part of the Agreements for Enhancing Inland and Coastal Waterways Connectivity. [19]

Ni Hao! South Asia welcomes Chinese tourists

Tourism is a lucrative source of foreign exchange earnings. As per the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC), the sector contributed US$ 234 Billion or 6.6% to South Asia’s total GDP in 2019.[20] There was a 4.5% travel and tourism GDP growth vis-a-vis the 5% real GDP growth in the region. While foreign tourist arrivals to the region have increased over the years, there has also been a significant increase in the contribution of tourists from the two largest economies: India and China.

A comparison of Indian and Chinese tourist arrivals in four South Asian countries – Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka – reveals that while more Indian tourists visit South Asia, the last decade has witnessed an unprecedented rise in the number of Chinese tourists, approximately by 753% (Figure 5). In 2007, few Chinese tourists were visiting South Asia, concentrated mainly in the Maldives and Nepal (42% and 32%, respectively). In the same year, the number of Indian tourists was significantly more in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka (Figure 5).

A decade later, the 2018 figures reflect a rather different reality, with a phenomenal rise in the number of Chinese tourists to the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Between 2007 and 2018, Chinese tourist arrivals rose by 687% in the Maldives, and 462% in Nepal. Sri Lanka registered the highest growth in tourist arrivals from China, from just about ten thousand in 2007 to almost two hundred and sixty thousand in 2018 (a rise of 2486%).

According to the UNWTO and the Chinese Tourism Academy, China has been the world’s largest tourism source market since 2012. The number of outbound travel departures increased from 4.5 million in 2000 to 150 million in 2018, with an average annual double-digit growth of 16%.[21] However, it is reported that the market is still in its infancy. Since only 7% of Chinese citizens currently own a passport, the number of trips could surge to over 400 million by 2030.[22]

This enormous expansion of the Chinese outbound tourism market can be attributed to reasons such as increased air connectivity and a rising middle-class with growing disposable income. Between 1990 and 2016, the number of international air travellers has increased from just one to 52 million.[23] Furthermore, a profile segmentation of Chinese outbound tourists shows that women and millennials (aged between 15-34 years) dominate the market with respectively 53% and 55% of the total outbound tourist share. [24]

Between 2007 and 2018, the number of Chinese tourist arrivals has increased five-fold in Nepal, seven-fold in the Maldives, and twenty-five-fold in Sri Lanka.

Countries in South Asia reportedly gain more from tourism exports to China than India. This is reflected in the average per capita spending capacity of Chinese and Indian tourists in 2018, at approximately US$ 1850 and US$ 960, respectively.[25] In the same year, the total Chinese tourist expenditure amounted to US$ 277 billion, registering a 5% increase from the previous year. By comparison, India’s total international tourist expenditure was US$ 26 billion after a 9% year-on-year increase.[26]

China’s increasing investments in tourism and allied sectors in South Asia could have possibly led to the rise in Chinese tourist arrivals. For instance, in the Maldives, China has invested significantly in infrastructure, housing, hotels and airlines.[27] In 2011, the Sri Lankan government sold a strategically important site, the Colombo beachfront property, to a Hong-Kong based holding company for USD 125 million.[28] Nepal and China have established direct flights from Kathmandu to Beijing through Himalayan Airlines, a Nepal-China joint venture.[29] Furthermore, China’s Northwest Civil Aviation Construction Group, with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is constructing the new Gautam Buddha International Airport.[30] During his 2019 visit to Nepal, China’s President Xi Jinping noted that “Nepal is the first South Asian country to be designated an approved destination for Chinese tourists” and that there now are about sixty weekly flights connecting both countries.[31]

India has been the preferred short-haul destination for tourists from its neighbourhood. Tourists visit India not only for leisure and medical reasons, but also use the country for transit to other regions. Bilaterally, there have been improvements in visa policies, for example, the relaxation of the India-Bangladesh visa policy in 2013 and with the Maldives in 2019. However, there are still significant challenges towards promoting free and open intra-regional tourism such as visa-openness, gaps in cross-border infrastructure, etc. China, on the other hand, has been increasing its presence in the region, with a growth of 753% in the last decade (2007-2018). It has also made significant investments in South Asia’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unforeseen challenges to global tourism. With geography gaining significance and the importance of shorter distances becoming more pronounced, regional tourism is likely to grow. Governments must thus pivot to focus considerably more attention on regional tourism through investments in infrastructure and services, particularly digitisation to reduce human transactions. India, in particular, will have to leverage the wide range of cultural similarities with its neighbours such as the regional Buddhist trail and pilgrimage, etc. Such a push would also contribute locally through employment and revenue generation from foreign exchange earnings.

Policy Recommendations

Several steps can be taken to ensure a seamless flow of tourists in India and its neighbourhood:

E-visa, with digital application and delivery: Technical modernisation, upgradation and other improvements are needed in the Indian visa application and delivery system for South Asian nationals. Currently, only China and Sri Lanka are eligible for an Indian e-visa. Considering the rising share of tourists from the neighbourhood in India, the e-visa facility should be extended to other countries in the region.

Investing in digitisation in the tourism industry: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there is an increasing focus on digitisation of various services to revive the tourism sector. Contact-less transfers, hotel check-ins, site-visits etc. will be crucial for revival of the industry. This requires participation from both public and private sector stakeholders and significant investment in digitisation to enhance secure travel and ensure revenue from foreign exchange.

Inter-ministerial coordination to enhance infrastructural connectivity: The Ministry of Tourism should actively work with other ministries such as the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Home Affairs to undertake infrastructure-related connectivity initiatives, for example by further expanding the UDAN Scheme to neighbouring countries and supporting digital immigration services at the Integrated Check Posts.[32] Apart from this, the government must play a role in facilitating tourism infrastructural development supported by multilaterals such as the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, etc.

Tourism promotion through regional initiatives: India must take the lead in promoting intra-regional tourism through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral, Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) or the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal initiative (BBIN). Following the example of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), India could host regional tourism summits and facilitate inter-regional cooperation among tour operators, for example with the Federation of ASEAN Travel Associations (FATA). India should also work and cooperate bilaterally with other South Asian countries on joint tourism promotion and advertising campaigns, towards establishing the tourism industry as a regional value chain.

Promoting religious tourism circuits: The historical and cultural linkages between South Asian nations offer the potential to develop tourism circuits within the region. There has been an interest towards developing a Buddhist circuit between India and Nepal, and a Ramayana circuit between India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. India’s regional governments will have to play a vital role in targeted outreach initiatives to promote their religious heritage to specific countries. [33]

Further Readings

Renton de Alwis, “Promoting tourism in South Asia,” in Sadiq Ahmed, Saman Kelegama & Ejaz Ghani (Eds.), Promoting economic cooperation in South Asia: Beyond SAFTA, (Washington, DC: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank, 2010), P. 259–276.

Annual Report 2017–18, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/annualreports/Annual%20Report2017-18.pdf

Golam Rasul and Prem Manandhar, “Prospects and Problems in Promoting Tourism in South Asia: A Regional Perspective,” (South Asia Economic Journal, October 1, 2009) Volume: 10 issue: 1, page(s): 187-207, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/139156140901000108?journalCode=saea  

“Guidelines for Success in the Chinese Outbound Tourism Market,” (Spain: UNWTO and China Tourism Academy, 2019), https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/pdf/10.18111/9789284421138

We thank the following for reviewing earlier drafts of this brief and providing inputs: Mr. Vinod Zutshi, Former Secretary (Tourism), Government of India; Dr. Joyeeta Bhattacharjee, Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation; and Mr. Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, Former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh.

Data Visualisation by Sikim Chakraborty and Mukesh Rawat

[2] “The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2019: Travel and tourism at a tipping point,” (Geneva: World Economic Forum (WEF), 2019), P. 31, https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TTCR_2019.pdf

[3] “The Cursed Blessing of Public Banks,” (Washington DC: The World Bank, 2020) P. 38, https://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/551641586789758259/pdf/South-Asia-Economic-Focus-Spring-2020-The-Cursed-Blessing-of-Public-Banks.pdf

[4]“The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2019: Travel and tourism at a tipping point,” World Economic Forum (WEF), op-cit.

[5] “Tourism Satellite Account: Recommended methodological Framework,” United Nation Statistics, https://unstats.un.org/unsd/publication/SeriesF/SeriesF_80E.pdf

[6] “India Tourism Statistics 2017,” (New Delhi: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, 2018), P 185, https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/Other/INDIA%20TOURISM%20STATISTICS%202017.pdf

[7] “Rank of India Improves in International Tourist Arrivals,” Press Information Bureau, 2017, https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=161959 Although there is no clear definition for NRIs in the legal statutes, Section 6 of the Income-Tax Act, 1961 contains detailed criteria on who is considered a resident in India and provides that anyone who doesn’t meet these criteria is a non-resident. It is not clear whether Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card-holder arrivals are considered in the tourism arrival statistics.

[8] “National Tourism Policy 2002,” Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/policy/National%20Tourism%20Policy%202002.pdf

[9] “Increase India’s global share of international tourists to 3% by 2023: NITI,” Business Standard, December 19, 2018, https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/increase-india-s-global-share-of-international-tourists-to-3-by-2023-niti-118121901140_1.html

[10] “India Tourism Statistics 2018,” (New Delhi: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, 2018), P. 13, https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/Other/India%20Tourism%20Statistics%202018.pdf

[11] “Revised Travel Arrangements between India and Bangladesh, 2013,” Ministry of Home Affairs.

[12] “Year-End Review 2018: Ministry of Home Affairs,” Press Information Bureau, December 14, 2018, https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1555980

[13] Data retrieved from Land Ports Authority of India, https://www.lpai.gov.in/content/innerpage/icp-petrapole.php

[14] “Study on Visits of Nationals of Bangladesh in India,” (Orissa: Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, 2018), P. 95 – 96, Management, 2018), P. 95 – 96, https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/Other/Final%20Report%20on%20Visit%20of%20Nationals%20of%20Bangladesh%20to%20India.pdf

[15] “India opens its largest visa centre in Bangladesh,” Hindustan Times, July 14, 2018, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-opens-its-largest-visa-centre-in-bangladesh/story-ORZfDFw5ioAOPNW662wCiM.html

[16] “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Nepal K P Sharma Oli jointly Inaugurate Integrated Check Post at Jogbani-Biratnagar,” Press Information Bureau, January 21, 2020. https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=197531

[17] “India And Nepal To Have Four New Air Gateways,” NDTV, June 18, 2018, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-and-nepal-to-have-four-new-air-gateways-1868948

[18] “Air India unit exempt from this key rule for India-Sri Lanka flights,” Financial Express, February 5, 2020. https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/air-india-unit-exempt-from-this-key-rule-for-india-sri-lanka-flights/1857156/

[19] “India and Bangladesh Sign Agreements for Enhancing Inland and Coastal Waterways Connectivity,” Press Information Bureau, October 25, 2018. https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=184384infrastructure

[20] “Economic Impact Report,” World Travel and Tourism Council, https://wttc.org/en-gb/Research/Economic-Impact

[21] “Guidelines for Success in the Chinese Outbound Tourism Market,” (Spain: UNWTO and China Tourism Academy, 2019), P. 12, https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/pdf/10.18111/9789284421138

[22] Louise Moon, “China’s influence on global tourism continues to grow: study,” South China Morning Post, October 23, 2018, https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/2169789/chinas-influence-global-tourism-continues-grow-study

[23] “How is commercial aviation propelling China’s economic development?”, China power, https://chinapower.csis.org/china-commercial-aviation/

[24] “Guidelines for the Success in the Chinese Outbound Tourism Market,” UNWTO and CTA, op-cit.

[25] Calculated by dividing total “international tourism expenditure” by total “number of departures” in 2018. World Bank Data.

[26] “International Tourism, Expenditures (current US$) – India, China,” World Bank Data, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ST.INT.XPND.CD?locations=IN-CN

[27] Amit Bhandari and Chandni Jindal, “The Maldives: Investments Undermine Democracy,” (Gateway House, February 7, 2018.), https://www.gatewayhouse.in/chinese-investments-in-the-maldives/

[28] “In Sri Lanka, China’s Building Spree Is Raising Questions About Sovereignty,” National Public Radio, December 13, 2019, https://www.npr.org/2019/12/13/784084567/in-sri-lanka-chinas-building-spree-is-raising-questions-about-sovereignty

[29] Atul Aaneja, “China expands footprint in region with new air links with Nepal, Myanmar,” The Hindu, October 28, 2019, https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-expands-footprint-in-region-with-new-air-links-with-nepal-myanmar/article29813863.ece

[30] Elizabeth Roche, “Nepal gears up for tourism challenge with swanky new airport,” LiveMint, December 3, 2019, https://www.livemint.com/news/india/nepal-gears-up-for-tourism-challenge-with-swanky-new-airport-11575343348170.html

[31] “Full text of Xi’s signed article on Nepali newspapers,” Xinhuanet, October 11, 2019, https://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-10/11/c_138463745.html

[32] Press Information Bureau (2019). Shri Suresh Prabhu announces UDAN 3.0 results. New Delhi: Government of India. Retrieved from https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=187783

[33] Press Information Bureau (2019). Ministry of Tourism has organized Road Shows in several countries to attract Buddhist tourists: Shri Prahlad Singh Patel. New Delhi: Government of India. Retrieved from https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=191115

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Year-over-year (YoY) change in monthly number of international tourist arrivals in the Asia-Pacific region in 2023, by subregion

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Tourist arrivals in the ASEAN region from 2013 to 2022 (in million arrivals)

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Tourist arrivals ASEAN 2021, by country or region of origin

Tourist arrivals in the ASEAN region in 2021, by country or region of origin (in 1,000s)

Occupancy rates

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• Premium Statistic YoY change in monthly international seat capacity APAC 2023
• Premium Statistic YoY change in monthly domestic seat capacity APAC 2023

Monthly travel accommodation occupancy rate APAC 2020-2023

Monthly travel accommodation occupancy rate in the Asia-Pacific region from 2020 to 2023

YoY change in monthly number of hotel bookings APAC 2023, by subregion

Year-over-year (YoY) change in monthly number of hotel bookings in the Asia-Pacific region in 2023, by subregion

YoY change in monthly international seat capacity APAC 2023

Year-over-year (YoY) change in monthly international seat capacity in the Asia-Pacific region in 2023

YoY change in monthly domestic seat capacity APAC 2023

Year-over-year (YoY) change in monthly domestic seat capacity in the Asia-Pacific region in 2023

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Usage of online travel agencies Asia 2023, by country

Share of consumers who have used online travel agencies before in Asia as of June 2023, by country or territory

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Share of online travel agency users who have booked package holidays in Asia as of June 2023, by country or territory

Usage of online travel agencies for transportation Asia 2023, by country

Share of online travel agency users who have purchased flight, train, or bus tickets in Asia as of June 2023, by country or territory

Usage of online travel agencies for accommodation Asia 2023, by country

Share of online travel agency users who have booked accommodation in Asia as of June 2023, by country or territory

Usage of online travel agencies for car rental Asia 2023, by country

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29 Best Places to Visit in Southeast Asia

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on April 27, 2024

Southeast Asia is a group of diverse countries between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, featuring indigenous cultures influenced by Indian, Chinese and Western culture. The region includes the most populous Muslim country in the world, very prominent Buddhist countries, and quite significant Christian, Hindu and Animist communities.

It has long been a favorite corner of the world for globe-tramping backpackers, known for its perfect beaches, tasty cuisine, low prices, and good air connections.

The countries of Southeast Asia represent a totally different culture for Western travelers. Instead of cathedrals, they’ll find temples. Instead of cold temperatures and snow in the winter, for the most part they’ll be bathed in a tropical climate. They may find simple accommodations in remote fishing villages but also luxurious five-star hotels in the bigger cities and on the more popular islands.

Southeast Asia will appeal to active, adventuresome travelers, who want to trek through steamy jungles, dive in some of the world’s best coral reefs, camp or go whitewater rafting on new rivers. But the region also offers the less active travelers something, who, after a day of visiting temples and other cultural sites, just want to relax in comfort in a luxury hotel. An overview of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia

29. Vientiane

Both the capital and largest city of Laos, Vientiane is an underrated place to visit with lots of different sides to it. Besides boasting beautiful Buddhist temples, it is known for its elegant French colonial-style architecture and vibrant street food scene.

Set right in the south of the land-locked country, its charming tree-lined streets lie along the northern bank of the Mekong River. In recent decades, the city has doubled in size as malls, hotels and office buildings have shot up everywhere. While the traffic is much more chaotic now, its peaceful temple gardens and riverfront promenade are still wonderful to explore.

Other than admiring the glimmering gold Pha That Luang – Laos’ national symbol and most important religious site – you can amble about the many museums and night markets. Wat Si Muang and Buddha Park also attract visitors with their amazing architecture and artworks.

28. Sihanoukville

As it is home to many of Cambodia’s best beaches , Sihanoukville is a great spot to relax and unwind after exploring Angkor Wat and Phnom Penh. Lying along the Gulf of Thailand, it has heaps of fun watersports to enjoy with idyllic islands also located nearby.

Also known as Kampong Saom, the popular seaside city was quiet until pretty recently when swanky Chinese resorts and casinos were erected everywhere. Although it’s lost a bit of its laid back charm, there are now tons of restaurants and bars to try out.

Plenty of pristine beaches still line its coast with Ream National Park also preserving lovely mangroves and colourful coral reefs. Aside from sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling, you can rent jet skis or take boat trips to the gorgeous Koh Rong and Koh Russei islands.

Nestled away amidst the remote mountains and rice terrace-filled valleys of northwestern Vietnam is the scenic town of Sapa . An increasingly popular tourist destination, it is famous for both its stunning landscapes and traditional hill tribe villages.

Overlooked by the rugged Ham Rong Mountain, the small settlement is surrounded by loads of spectacular nature. While some hike to Muong Hoa Valley for its picturesque rice paddies, others climb up the 3,141 meter-high Mount Fansipan – the tallest peak in Southeast Asia.

Many also come to learn about the isolated region’s unique cultural heritage and the ethnic minorities that live here. In addition to picking up some local handicrafts at its market, you can stay overnight at the quaint Cat Cat Village or trek to some of the other towns nearby.

26. Perhentian Islands

Just a short speed boat ride off the northeast coast of Peninsular Malaysia are the incredible Perhentian Islands . Appearing as if out of a travel brochure, the jungle-clad archipelago and all its breathtaking beaches are surrounded by shimmering, turquoise waters.

Meaning ‘stopping point’ in Malay, the cluster of coral-fringed islands are completely unspoiled with only the larger Perhentian Besar and Perhentian Kecil being inhabited. Protected as part of Pulau Redang National Marine Park, they have some stupendous snorkeling, scuba diving and sea-kayaking to enjoy.

After ogling at all its magnificent marine life, you can hike about its steamy jungle or lounge on picture-perfect beaches. Some epic rock formations also line their sparkling white sands with relaxing resorts and restaurants dotted here and there.

In stark contrast to the tranquil isles, the hectic, high-paced Hanoi threatens to overwhelm your senses. Once you get used to the constant traffic and hooting horns, Vietnam’s capital has much to love about it with millions visiting each year.

One of the oldest cities on Earth, it exhibits a fascinating mix of East and West as concrete communist blocks lie next to French colonial buildings and ancient Asian pagodas. In its Old Quarter, there are atmospheric markets and alleys to explore with the tiny cafes along Train Street always a big draw.

Other than trying terrific street food, there are numerous museums and galleries that cover the history and culture of the country. If the chaos ever gets too much, you can stroll about the handsome Hoan Kiem Lake or Temple of Literature.

24. Vang Vieng

Often called the ‘Adventure Capital of Laos’, Vang Vieng is renowned for its remarkable karst formations and fast-flowing river. Popular with party-seeking backpackers, it has lots of captivating caves and bucolic countryside to see nearby.

Located a couple of hours’ drive north of Vientiane, the small town lies along the Nam Song River, overlooked by dramatic, soaring mountains. Besides hiking or rock climbing, many go tubing along the river, stopping at various bars along the way.

With countless cool caves, waterfalls and viewpoints found in the surrounding region, most people book tours to places like Tham Chang or the Tham Nam Water Cave. Buggies and kayaks are also available for rent while fun ziplines shoot you above its pretty landscapes.

The largest island in Thailand, Phuket has long been a top destination thanks to its beautiful beaches and bountiful dive sites. Connected to the mainland by a couple of short bridges, its many mountains and rainforests overlook the Andaman Sea.

Offering various exciting outdoor activities, the wealthy province’s pristine parks are great for hiking and motorbiking. As well as exploring the lush rainforest, you can snorkel, sail and scuba dive in the warm waters.

Many also come to pamper themselves at high-end spas, restaurants and hotels with the picturesque Patong Beach being known for lively street markets and loud nightlife scene. Phuket Town, the island’s capital, also has some centuries-old temples, shrines and Sino-Portuguese mansions to see.

22. Kuala Lumpur

One of the most multicultural cities in the world, Malaysia’s sprawling capital Kuala Lumpur hums with energy at any time of day. Most known for the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, it has everything from old-time temples and markets to modern malls and skyscrapers to explore.

Since being founded as a tiny tin mining outpost in 1857, the dynamic KL has continued to grow and grow. Thanks to its large Chinese, Malay and Indian populations, the city has tons of tasty dishes to try with its architecture and historic sights being just as diverse.

Besides shopping at Berjaya Times Square’s stores or sampling Jalan Alor’s street food, you can enjoy awe-inspiring views from its high-up observation decks. The incredible Batu Caves and Genting Highlands can also easily be visited on day trips from the capital.

21. Gili Islands

A lovely, laid back place to visit, gorgeous Gili Islands lie just off the northwest coast of Lombok in Indonesia. Fittingly meaning ‘small beautiful islands’, their wonderful white sands and warm, crystal-clear waters are easily reached by either ferry or fast speed boats.

Although they have long been a popular tourist destination, the three secluded isles are still quite undeveloped despite more resorts and restaurants popping up each year. While Gili Air and Gili Meno are very relaxed, Gili Trawangan is much livelier with plenty of bars and clubs hosting party nights.

All of them boast some breathtaking scenery and beaches with swimming, scuba diving and sightseeing cruises being their main activities. With no cars at all on the islands, their little cafes and beachside retreats make for a delightful getaway.

20. Phnom Penh

Once known as the ‘Paris of the East’ and ‘Pearl of Asia’, Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh has slowly overcome the abuse it suffered under the violent Khmer Rouge regime. While it is still a bit rough and rundown in places, the growing metropolis certainly has a lot to offer.

As it acted as a hub for both the ancient Khmer Empire and French colonialists, fine temples and villas were erected around the city. Although many were damaged in the seventies, the wide boulevards and riverfront promenades for which it is famed still remain.

Aside from wandering about its attractive parks or enormous Phsar Thmei market, you can admire its Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Visitors can also learn more about its recent sad past at the Killing Fields or in its moving Genocide Museum.

19. Chiang Mai

The second-largest city in Thailand, Chiang Mai is located in the mountainous north, amidst scenic countryside. One of Southeast Asia’s must-visit destinations, it is known for not just its atmospheric temples and old town but its fun night markets and street food too.

Once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, it was founded in the thirteenth century with some of the city walls and moat still intact today. These contain impressive temples like Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh. You’ll also find bustling Night Bazaar and all kinds of enticing street food stands to try out nearby.

Outside of the city are natural wonders like Doi Inthanon National Park and Hang Dong Quarry to discover. Many also go trekking to meet remote hill tribes or bathe adorable baby elephants at some of the sanctuaries.

18. Inle Lake

Along with the ancient pagodas and temples of Bagan, Inle Lake has to be one of Myanmar’s most enchanting attractions. Tucked away amidst the rolling Shan Hills, its reflective waters are lined by charming monasteries and temples with floating villages, markets and gardens also bobbing about.

The second-largest lake in the country, it stretches 22 kilometres in length with lots of tribes living around it. Many motorboats and flat-bottomed skiffs take tourists out on the shallow lake so you can see the communities up close and learn more about their traditions.

As well as visiting stilt homes and fishermen’s villages, there are centuries-old stupas and pagodas to see too. While puttering about, you can bask in marvellous views of the lake and the mountains far off in the distance.

17. Palawan

With all the alluring beaches, immense limestone cliffs and azure waters, it is no wonder that Palawan is considered to be one of the prettiest parts of Southeast Asia. The westernmost province of the Philippines, it has around 1,780 mostly unspoiled islands and islets to explore.

Set between the Sulu and South China seas, the long, narrow archipelago stretches almost from Borneo to Mindanao. Characterized by craggy limestone cliffs and colourful lagoons, its white sand beaches and dive sites need to be seen to be believed.

Among the region’s many highlights are the irresistible karst landscapes of El Nido and the underground river at Puerto Princesa. Tubbataha Reefs National Park also attracts divers as do the coral reefs and shipwrecks off of Busuanga Island.

16. Taman Negara

Covering a massive part of Peninsular Malaysia are all the rivers, rainforests and mountains of Taman Negara . A must for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, the country’s largest national park offers a myriad of unforgettable adventure activities.

Established in 1938/1939, it sprawls across three states with Asian elephants, leopards and Malayan tigers all inhabiting its wild confines. The vast park also protects some of the oldest deciduous rainforest in the world. Some estimates reckon it is over 130 million years old!

Amidst its endless mountains and jungle, you can explore caves, climb peaks and enjoy cool canopy walks. Many also shoot down its rapids and take nighttime safaris through the dark rainforest to see its nocturnal creatures. There are also the tiny aboriginal villages of Orang Asli to visit where you can learn more about traditional life in Taman Negara.

Well-preserved, Hoi An’s little canals and lantern-lit streets are hemmed in by hundreds of historic buildings. A mix of eras and styles, they perfectly reflect the former trading port’s past and all the different peoples and merchants that have lived here over the ages.

Lying along Vietnam’s central coastline, it flourished for centuries until the mouth of the Thu Bon River finally silted up. Its attractive Old Town is home to not just Chinese-style temples and shophouses but French colonial villas and ornate Vietnamese tube houses too. Another of its main sights is its quaint Japanese covered bridge that crosses one of the canals.

At night, everywhere looks even more magical as lovely lanterns light up its narrow, winding streets and riverside. Besides shopping for souvenirs at its market and trying some delicious street food, many take trips to the majestic My Son ruins nearby.

Formerly known as Rangoon, Myanmar’s largest city Yangon has much more to see than just its shimmering gold Shwedagon Pagoda. Other than the ancient Buddhist shrine, there are plenty of British colonial buildings, parks and religious sites to check out.

Despite being replaced at the capital by Naypyidaw in 2005, it still acts as both the country’s cultural and commercial center. As it exhibits a mix of British, Burmese, Chinese and Indian influences, the city has loads to offer in terms of its historic sights, food and nightlife.

The undoubted highlight, however, is of course the gigantic golden Shwedagon Paya which is perched atop a hill overlooking the city. At its sizeable complex, you can examine its shrines and stupas and bang the giant Maha Ganda Bell for good luck.

13. Boracay

One of the Philippines’ most popular destinations, Boracay boasts some of the best and most beautiful white sand beaches in the world. A tropical paradise, all its relaxing resorts, spas and seafood restaurants lie just an hour’s flight from Manila.

Located just off the northwest coast of Panay, the idyllic isle is lined by soft, powdery sands backed by gently swaying palms. Aside from swimming and splashing in its turquoise waters, you can enjoy everything from sailing and windsurfing to snorkeling, jet skiing and scuba diving.

Many holidaymakers also make the most of its many spas and massage stations that border the beach. In the evenings, there are tons of lively bars and restaurants which offer superb music sets and sunset views.

12. Mount Kinabalu

Rising dramatically above the rainforests and rivers of Borneo is the massive great Mount Kinabalu. The highest peak in the Malay Archipelago, it towers 4,095 meters in total with numerous hiking trails winding their way about its rugged slopes.

Considered sacred by the local Kadazan Dusun people, its wild reaches are now protected as part of the national park of the same name. One of the most biodiverse areas on Earth, it is home to around 6,000 plant species. Over 300 kinds of exotic birds also flit about its dense foliage.

Despite its soaring summit, the mountain is actually quite easy to hike if you are moderately fit. After taking in all its astounding views and nature, you can always go and see adorable orangutans at one of the nearby nature reserves.

11. Komodo National Park

If you’re after a sighting of the world’s largest lizard, then the incredible Komodo National Park is the place to head. Part of the Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia, it also preserves some spellbinding mountains, beaches and marine life.

Founded in 1980, the important biosphere reserve includes not just the large islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar but dozens of smaller ones too. Here, you’ll find thousands of the remarkable creatures which can impressively grow up to three meters in length.

In addition to actually seeing the dragons, you can spot wild horses, water buffalo and other endangered species. Many also camp and kayak at its pristine white sand beaches with the park’s colourful coral reefs being amazing to snorkel and scuba dive above.

10. Singapore

Set off the southern end of the Malay Peninsula is the tiny city-state and island country of Singapore . Often called the ‘Switzerland of Asia’, it is a very prosperous and diverse place with its population speaking English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

Since being established by the British in 1819 as a small trading colony, the city has grown considerably. Still home to one of the world’s busiest ports, its iconic skyline includes famed, futuristic landmarks like Marina Bay Sands Resort and the Gardens by the Bay supertrees.

Nearer the ground are cool districts like Chinatown and Orchard Road to amble around with Singapore known for its tasty food and terrific shopping. Although it is one of the world’s most technologically advanced cities, it also has lovely jungles and beaches to enjoy.

9. Ko Phi Phi

Even more picture-perfect still than Phuket is the nearby archipelago of Ko Phi Phi. Home to some of Thailand and Southeast Asia’s most attractive islands, its charming coves, cliffs and sandy beaches are surrounded by the sparkling Andaman Sea.

Part of Krabi Province , its enchanting isles number five in total with Ko Phi Phi Don being the largest and only one that is inhabited. Towered over by tall karst cliffs clad in greenery, their beaches are often featured on the front of travel catalogues. It’s easy to see why as all their white sands contrast so stunningly with the emerald waters around them.

One of the most famous is Maya Bay which was the setting of the hit 2000 film The Beach. As well as sunbathing and swimming, you can take boat trips about the islands and snorkel and scuba dive in their waters. Ko Phi Phi is also known for its lively nightlife and fire shows.

8. Luang Prabang

Rightfully renowned for its countless temples and shrines, Luang Prabang is nestled amidst gorgeous green hills in northern Laos. Meaning ‘Royal Buddha Image’, its historic old town is very atmospheric to wander around with several waterfalls also found nearby.

Situated at the spot where the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers meet, it acted as the country’s capital until 1975. At Wat Xieng Thong or the Temple of the Golden City, you can see where the Laotian kings of old were crowned. The nation’s most important monastery, it showcases some exquisite architecture, statues and murals.

In the Old Quarter, you can still see monks collecting alms in its laidback, stall-lined streets. Once you’ve explored its temples, make sure to take a trip to the fabulous Kuang Si Falls or carved Buddhas in the Pak Ou Caves.

7. Borobudur

The largest Buddhist temple in the world, the absolutely massive Borobudur monument lies in the center of Java, just northwest of Yogyakarta . Just one of Indonesia’s many must-visit sights , its collection of stupas look particularly spectacular at sunrise and sunset.

Dating to the ninth century, its enormous square platforms and circular terraces are made out of two million blocks of dark volcanic stone. Decorating the entire complex are elaborate relief panels and Buddha statues. These depict daily life, the concept of Karma and various fauna and flora from around the island.

Hidden for centuries under thick layers of ash and rainforest, it is very well-preserved with a couple of museums explaining more about the site. Every June, traditional Javanese dances are performed at Borobudur, highlighting its history and how it was constructed.

6. Ifugao Rice Terraces

Yet another picturesque place to visit in the Philippines are the beautiful Ifugao Rice Terraces in the northern part of Luzon . Tumbling their way down the sides of steep, sweeping valleys, their vivid green hues make for some phenomenal photos.

For thousands of years now, the Ifugao people have practiced rice farming this way, hidden away amidst the Cordilleras highlands. Carved into the side of the mountains, the irrigated paddies are an astounding feat of engineering. Some even label them the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’.

Aside from visiting viewpoints and snapping photos of the remarkable rice terraces, you can trek around and stop by some traditional hill tribe villages. Many sell woodcarvings and handicrafts with plenty of families also offering homestays.

The highlight of most people’s time in Myanmar has to be watching the sunrise above all the stupas, temples and pagodas of Bagan. Rising above the trees and plains about them, its more than 2,200 spires make for an unforgettable sight.

Built between the ninth and thirteenth centuries, the immense archaeological site was once the capital of the powerful Pagan Kingdom. Actually described by Marco Polo himself as the ‘gilded city’, it contained over 13,000 monasteries and temples at its zenith.

As the complex is so large, you’re best off choosing a few specific places to visit. Among the most popular, impressive and important are Ananda Temple and Dhammayangyi Temple. A lot of people also take hot air balloon rides at dawn to see Bagan from above and enjoy the glint of the rising sun on its stupas.

One of the largest, liveliest cities on the planet, Thailand’s capital Bangkok is certainly not to be missed when in Southeast Asia. Famed for its fantastic street food and nightlife scene, it also has magnificent temples and palaces to check out.

Home to almost 11 million people, its seemingly endless urban sprawl surrounds the Chao Phraya River. Numerous canals also branch off it with many taking peaceful cruises to avoid its intense heat and heavy traffic.

Alongside all its towering skyscrapers, you’ll also find interesting historic sites like Wat Arun and the Grand Palace. Trawling its vibrant markets is loads of fun too as is sipping cocktails at one of the city’s many rooftop bars. With luxury spas and shopping also on offer, Bangkok has something for everyone to enjoy.

3. Ha Long Bay

Often listed among the world’s natural wonders, Ha Long Bay’s incredible karst landscapes really are special to explore. One of Vietnam’s top attractions , it lies right in the northeast of the country, not all too far from Hanoi.

Actually meaning ‘ Bay of Descending Dragons ’, its almost endless emerald waters are home to almost 2,000 islets. These mostly consist of craggy limestone outcrops, topped with lush green foliage or jungle. Some also have cool caves for you to enter and stunning swathes of sand to relax on.

On tranquil junk boat trips about the bay, you can visit its floating villages and kayak about its grottoes. Many also take Tai Chi, yoga and cooking classes aboard the ships while taking in the stupendous scenery all around.

Fittingly known as the ‘ Island of the Gods ’, Bali more than lives up to its name with all its romantic landscapes and revered religious sites. Lying right between both Java and Lombok, its rich culture, resplendent nature and warm hospitality make it the most visited of all the Indonesian islands.

Often described as a tropical paradise, its marvelous mountains and rice terraces give way to rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. Scattered about are thousands of ancient Hindu temples and fabulous valleys, paddies and waterfalls to hike or cycle to.

Other than spending time in Ubud , its cultural center and arts and crafts hub, you can enjoy the pounding nightlife and vivid sunsets at Seminyak. Many also attend yoga retreats or surf and party at Kuta Beach.

Covering an enormous area, Angkor in Cambodia contains the remains of several capitals of the ancient Khmer Empire. Fascinating to wander around, its hundreds of highly symbolic stone temples can be found just outside of Siem Reap .

Now believed to have been the largest pre-industrial city in the world, the important political and religious center was largely constructed between the ninth and fifteenth centuries. After its decline, the ruins of the temples were eventually reclaimed by the jungle.

While the iconic Angkor Wat may be its largest and most elaborate structure, there are also tons of other temples like the breathtaking Bayon and tree-covered Ta Prohm to see. All of them exhibit some amazing architecture and are decorated with detailed reliefs, statues and carvings. A place like no other, Angkor is a must-visit when in Southeast Asia.

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Reader interactions.

February 15, 2021 at 4:06 am

Stay away from Sihanoukville, it is now a huge building site ruined by the Chinese building Cambodia’s version of Las Vegas.

Cambodia’s main attraction for you tourists are the Angkor Park temples in Siem Reap, amazing temples built in the 12th century.

February 13, 2018 at 7:49 am

There is also a new Elephant eco-park in Phuket.

February 3, 2018 at 8:37 pm

I just visited an elephant sanctuary park near Chang mai in Thailand where we fed, washed and walked with rescued elephants . Never felt so emotionally rewarded … kindest gentlest giants . Say no to cruel elephant trecking where animals are abused both physically and mentally …

March 8, 2017 at 12:18 pm

I agree with Marie. It would be worth searching to see if there is an eco-tourist elephant park where there is no riding. I went to one in Chiang mai and it was fantastic.

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Most-Visited Southeast Asia Tourism Countries in 2022

B rutal Covid lockdowns and complex vaccine mandates crippled SE Asia’s tourism industry. In 2022, Thailand led the charge on a tourism resurgence in the region. Other countries that drew plentiful tourists in 2022 included Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s tourist sector has struggled. Planning a trip to Southeast Asia in 2023? Here are the countries most visited by tourists last year.

In 2019, the SE Asian tourism industry was booming. When Covid hit, most countries locked down in April 2020 . 2021 was the most brutal year.

2022 brought a resurgence. Thailand led the way with 11.2 million tourist visitors (1) . That’s well below 2019’s 39.9 million.

Even so, numbers are trending in the right direction. Here’s a look at tourist visitor numbers for the top 5 SE Asia travel destinations:

State Of SE Asia Tourism In 2023

Four of the top five tourist countries in SE Asia have dropped Covid mandates. That means no more proof of vaccination or testing upon entry. The Philippines is the exception: vaccination status is still checked; unvaccinated travelers need to test negative.

Entry rules in four out of the top 5 countries are similar for North American, EU, and UK passport holders : visa-free entry for 30 days. Vietnam is the exception, with complex, inconvenient entry rules that have kept visitors away.

Find below a summary of key Southeast Asia tourism statistics and trends.

Thailand: Booming Marijuana Hotzone

Entry requirements: visitors can enter for 30 days with a ‘visa on arrival’. Covid restrictions: dropped (Jan. 2023); proof of vaccination / PCR tests not required (7) .

Thailand’s tourism industry is bouncing back. The government is also taking steps to boost growth further. To speed customs processing, entry forms are no longer required. Then, in June 2022, the government legalized marijuana for ‘therapeutic’ and culinary uses.

Starting March 31 this year, visitors will get 45-day visas on arrival (8) (instead of the current 30-day limit). On the downside, starting in June, all visitors will be required to pay a $12 entry fee (400 TBH) on arrival.

Absolutely! Thailand offers easy entry requirements, affordable luxury, legal marijuana, great beaches, amazing food, and fun-loving, hospitable locals. I’ve been to Bangkok twice this year for solo adventures and had a blast each time.

While tourist numbers are up, they’re still a fraction of what they were in 2019. As a result, there’s a lot of enthusiasm in the air to keep the tourist party train going.

These days, expect great prices, enthusiastic locals, and enough tourists around to keep things fun without getting overcrowded. Check out my single-guy trip report:

Solo Introvert Travel: 5 Single Man Days In Bangkok

Singapore: Futuristic Disneyland

Entry requirements: 30-day visa-free entry for citizens from most G8 countries. Covid restrictions: dropped (February 2023).

In 2022, Singapore’s tourism reached S$13.8 billion — about 50% of 2019’s tourism revenue (9) . Per the Singapore Tourism Board, tourists spent mostly on accommodation, shopping, and higher flight fees into the country.

Is Singapore Worth Visiting In 2023?

Hong Kong is the most expensive Asian country to visit; a business trip there now averages USD$ 520 per day. Singapore is the second-most expensive, averaging $515 per day (10) .

• Hong Kong: $520/ day for a typical business trip
• Singapore: $515 per day
• Tokyo: $424 per day
• Shanghai: $392 per day
• Seoul: $280 per day

Singapore is super-clear and orderly; English is widely spoken. Most activities here involve eating rich foods, shopping for luxury goods, or sightseeing. Popular attractions include the Zoo, Night Safari, Botanical Gardens, and Chinatown.

Bottom line: in 2023, Singapore is a nice but pricey break from the chaos of SE Asia’s wildest spots. In my experience, a 3-4 day stint here is plenty. After that, I find the super-orderly dynamic feels a bit sterile and restrictive.

Indonesia: Bintang Bogan Chaos

Entry requirements: 30-day visa-free entry for citizens from 86 countries. Covid restrictions: dropped (Dec. 2022).

Every year, Indonesia draws the most visitors from Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia. In 2021, only 3,196 Aussies visited the country. In 2022, that number soared to 654,464 bogans causing a ruckus (4) .

Early this year, Indonesian President Joko Widodo outlined a plan to lure 7.5 million tourists to Indonesia this year (11) . The country will host 110 festivals and 65 sports, music, and creative events this year.

Notables planned include F1 Powerboat, the U-20 FIFA World Cup, the FIBA World Cup, the ANOC World Beach Games, the MotoGP, and the World Superbike (WSBK) race.

Indonesia is made up of over 18,000 islands, with only around 6,000 inhabited. The opportunities to explore here are endless. On the downside, Indonesia has scored the most polluted air in the region for several years running.

Bogans looking for a ‘curry and a fight’ will love the chaos. Kuta Cowboys (local gigolos) are also well-employed by legions of lusty Aussie and Kiwi lasses (12) . It’s so wild that the government is trying to crack down.

Last year, the government began issuing fines for Bogans caught ‘bonking’. In 2023, dress and conduct codes are being put in place (13) . There’s also talk of banning foreigners from renting scooters. In short, the tourist experience here is a special type of madness that might not be for everyone.

Vietnam: Stunted By Regulations

Entry requirements: complex. Visa waivers for some countries, e-visas for others. Covid restrictions: dropped (May. 2022).

Vietnam welcomed 18 million foreign tourists in 2019. In 2022, that figure rebounded to just 3.6 million, around 1/5 of pre-pandemic levels. Lifting all Covid restrictions in May 2022 didn’t help much.

Notably, while Thailand streamlined its entry requirements to lure tourists, Vietnam remains convoluted:

• Visa waivers: visitors from 13 nations (11 in Europe and two in Asia) can stay for 15 days.
• ASEAN nations: visitors from 9 ASEAN countries can stay visa-free for 30 days.
• E-Visas: visitors from 80 countries have to procure online e-visas before arriving.

To goose tourist numbers, Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh recently ordered officials to relax visa rules (14) . Proposed measures include fixing smelly toilets, granting more visa waivers, and extending stays for up to 30 days.

Is Vietnam Worth It In 2023?

Vietnam has amazing food, beautiful women, good beaches, and plenty of cultural attractions. But in 2023, the clunky entry rules are a deterrent. For instance, Canadians must apply for an e-visa on an old and clunky website .

Inconvenient entry rules are just a start. The streets of most major cities are jammed with unending seas of very aggressive drivers. Another issue for tourists is that English is only sporadically spoken. This leaves tourists susceptible to scams.

In fact, the Government of Canada website warns Vietnam is a ‘high risk’ country for scams (15) . These include:

• Frequent thefts in tourist areas (markets, beaches, sleeper trains).
• Criminals have posed as airport taxi drivers to rob tourists by forcing them to withdraw ATM cash.
• Getting duped into ‘too good to be true’ gambling scams.

Also, Vietnam is heavily censored. Local authorities may review your phone or search your hotel room without your consent.

Philippines: Covid Rules Still Enforced

Entry requirements: 30-day visa-free entry for citizens from most G8 countries. Covid restrictions: visitors must show proof of vaccination or a negative antigen test.

The Philippines is the only country on the SE Asian tourist trail still demanding proof of vaccination for entry. Unvaccinated tourists are also welcome, but they need insurance and proof of a negative test to clear customs.

In 2022, the country attracted 2 million tourists. This year, the Department of Tourism targets 4.8 million (16) . The plan to reach those numbers: marketing at travel trade fairs.

Is The Philippines Worth It In 2023?

On the plus side, the country offers amazing scenery, friendly people, and cheap prices. English is widely spoken. This clip of Bohol shows off one of the country’s top beach destinations:

Downsides include perhaps the slowest Wi-Fi in the region, corruption, extreme poverty, and many signs of environmental degradation. If you can handle those, the stunning scenery and friendly people make a trip here well worth it.

Out of the most visited SE Asia countries of 2022, these are my top picks for travelers in 2023:

• Thailand: easy entry rules, legal marijuana, great prices, and world-class beaches make this the best destination of them all.
• Singapore: this super-orderly island city-state is the priciest SE Asia tourist destination. Good for those into fancy sightseeing spots, luxury shopping, and luxurious cuisine.
• Indonesia: Bogan brawlers and Kuta Cowboy gigolos give this place a hedonistic, raunchy, ‘anything goes’ type of feel.
• Vietnam: inconvenient entry rules, super-dense traffic, and tons of tourist scams hinder the experience.
• Philippines: beautiful beach enclaves are broken up by large swaths of crushing poverty and environmental degradation.
• James Guild. ‘Southeast Asia’s Post-Pandemic Tourism Revival’. March 21, 2023, https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/southeast-asias-post-pandemic-tourism-revival/ , (accessed 24 April 2023).
• ‘Number of international tourist arrivals in Thailand from 2015 to 2022’. February 15, 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/994693/thailand-number-international-tourist-arrivals/ , (accessed 24 April 2023).
• ‘Singapore Tourism Statistics 2023’. February 2023, https://www.budgetdirect.com.sg/travel-insurance/research/singapore-tourism-statistics , (accessed 24 April 2023).
• ‘Tourism in Indonesia’. Last edited 25 March 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Indonesia , (accessed 24 April 2023).
• ‘Tourism in Vietnam’. Last edited 2 April 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Vietnam , (accessed 24 April 2023).
• ‘Tourism in the Philippines’. Last edited 19 April 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_the_Philippines , (accessed 24 April 2023).
• Tommy Walker. ‘Thailand Reverses New COVID Vaccine Rules for Visitors’. January 9, 2023, https://www.voanews.com/a/thailand-reverses-new-covid-vaccine-rules-for-visitors-/6910820.html , (accessed 24 April 2023).
• Donald Wood. ‘Thailand Drops New Entry Rules, Adds Tourist Fee’. January 13, 2023, https://www.travelpulse.com/News/Impacting-Travel/Thailand-Drops-New-Entry-Rules-Adds-Tourist-Fee , (accessed 24 April 2023).
• Chew Hui Min. ‘Visitor arrivals in Singapore creep back to pre-pandemic levels as tourism sector rebounds’. January 17, 2023, https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tourism-visitor-arrivals-receipts-2022-singapore-tourists-3209721 , (accessed 24 April 2023).
• Goh Chiew Tong. ‘Traveling to Asia for work? This city is its most expensive business destination’. March 21, 2023, https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/22/hong-kong-retains-spot-as-most-expensive-business-destination-in-asia.html , (accessed 24 April 2023).
• VNA. ‘Indonesia accelerates tourism growth in 2023’. January 30, 2023, https://vir.com.vn/indonesia-accelerates-tourism-growth-in-2023-99433.html , (accessed 24 April 2023).
• ‘Travel to Bali Trilogy: The Conclusion. Temples, Waterfalls, and Kuta Cowboys’. July 16, 2022, https://jenniferspath.org/travel-to-bali-travel-blog/ , (accessed 24 April 2023).
• Carly Bass. ‘Bali gets tough on ‘Aussie bogans’ with new campaign teaching tourists etiquette’. March 8, 2023, https://au.news.yahoo.com/bali-tough-aussie-bogans-new-campaign-teaching-tourists-etiquette-013331116.html , (accessed 24 April 2023).
• Mai Ngoc Chau. ‘Vietnam Looks to Ease Visa Requirements to Woo More Tourists’. March 16, 2023, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-16/vietnam-looks-to-ease-visa-requirements-to-woo-more-tourists , (accessed 24 April 2023).
• ‘Vietnam travel advice’. March 16, 2023, https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/vietnam , (accessed 24 April 2023).
• Zacarian Sarao. ‘1.15 million international tourist arrivals in Q1 2023’. March 15, 2023, https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1743455/dot-records-over-1-1-million-international-tourist-arrivals-in-2023 , (accessed 26 April 2023).

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15 Best Places to Visit in Southeast Asia

Written by Diana Bocco Updated Jul 13, 2022 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

The countries that fall in the Southeast Asia region have so much going for them, it's almost impossible to keep them off anybody's travel bucket list . From white, soft beaches and major cities to the rich history, culture, and the must-try food, this part of the world has something for everybody.

While some destinations, such as Thailand's beaches and islands and the majestic Angkor Wat in Cambodia, are known everywhere, some places in Southeast Asia remain more elusive and off the main tourist radar. This gives visitors a chance to mix things up – to go with the crowds to see the most popular spots, but also make time to discover new and different corners of Southeast Asia.

Whatever your heart is set on, here is a list of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia.

1. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

2. ha long bay, vietnam, 3. koh samui, thailand, 4. boracay, philippines, 5. bagan, myanmar, 6. kuala lumpur, malaysia, 7. bangkok, thailand, 8. singapore, 9. yangon, myanmar, 10. luang prabang, laos, 11. palawan island, philippines, 12. tegalalang rice terraces, bali, 13. komodo island, indonesia, 14. chiang mai, thailand, 15. hanoi, vietnam, map of places to visit in southeast asia.

Located in northwestern Cambodia, the city is best known for being the gateway to the Angkor region, but Siem Reap has much to offer on its own. A mix of Chinese and colonial architecture gives the city a unique vibe, where countryside residents and old motorbikes blend with a vibrant café culture and a modern club scene.

Siem Reap is home to two important museums: The Cambodia Landmine Museum and Relief Center , which offers a chance to learn more about landmines and their ongoing impact on Cambodia and other Asian countries, and the War Museum , which covers the involvement of Cambodia in several wars.

There are also a number of massive markets in the city, including Psah Chas, which caters to both locals and tourists with a variety of souvenirs, fresh food, and more.

Angkor Wat , the largest religious monument and one of the top World Heritage Sites , lies less than six kilometers north of Siem Reap. The ruins of this 12 th -century temple complex cover a space of over 162 hectares, with hundreds of structures built using sandstone blocks. There are a number of other temples, also built in Khmer style, in the area, including Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and Pre Rup.

• Best Places to Visit in Cambodia
• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Siem Reap

Ha Long Bay consists of a group of islands and limestone karsts that have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Many of the islands are actually tall monolithic cliffs that cannot be walked on, covered in green, lush jungle. Some of these are hollow and house beautiful caves. Dau Go Cave (Wooden Stake Cave) is a good example, a massive cave with three main chambers, multicolored stalagmites, and rock paintings. Many of the islands also have their own enclosed lakes.

Of the almost 2,000 islands here, less than 40 have permanent residents, often in the form of small communities that live in floating houses and fishing villages.

Ha Long Bay's largest island, Cat Ba , is the most common overnight stop for tourists coming to Ha Long Bay for cruises and tours. Kayaking the turquoise-green waters of the bay is a popular activity here, as well as cruising the bay in traditional junk boats.

• Read More: Things to Do in Halong Bay

While Koh Samui has always been a beloved destination for sun worshippers and snorkelers, the crowd the island attracts has changed over the years.

Once a favorite of backpackers, Koh Samui has undergone a remarkable transformation. It now boasts high-end resorts, posh spas, and some of the whitest palm-fringed beaches in Thailand. Chaweng and Lamai beaches attract the bulk of the travelers and are well developed, clean, and full of activities, including opportunities to sail, scuba dive, and swim.

While most visitors come to Koh Samui for the beach , there's much more to see and do. Take time to explore the mangroves and hidden lakes of Ang Thong Marine National Park ; the 12-meter-tall golden Buddha at the hilltop Big Buddha shrine; and the Na Muang waterfalls, reached after a trek uphill through thick tropical forest.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Koh Samui

The tiny island of Boracay is just across the water from Panay Island, one of the Philippines' largest islands. Despite being only 10 square kilometers in size, Boracay attracts thousands of visitors a year, who come here for the four-kilometer-long beach and its powdery white sands that wash right into the turquoise waters and the sailboats rocking away on the waves. This is one of the best beaches in the Philippines .

In addition to scuba diving and snorkeling, Boracay is well-known for its parasailing, kiteboarding, and swimming-and, perhaps more unexpectedly, its cliff diving . Diving boards ranging from three to 15 meters high over the water are placed on certain parts of the island, with lifeguards waiting and watching as divers fly up in the air over the mirror-like waters below.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in the Philippines

A UNESCO World Heritage Site , the ancient city of Bagan was once the capital of the first kingdom of Myanmar. Between the 11th and 13th century, over 10,000 pagodas and Buddhist temples were built here. Over 3,500 still stand today in the area known as the Bagan Archaeological Zone, which spreads over 41 square kilometers.

One of the most famous temples in Bagan is the Ananda Temple , a Buddhist temple built in a unique fusion of Mon and Indian styles. Dhammayangyi Temple , the largest religious structure in Bagan, is visible from all corners of the city and is famous for its mysterious bricked up interior.

The Bagan Archaeological Museum , located within the Archaeological Zone, is home to artifacts recovered from the area, such as stucco works, lots of lacquer and metal artifacts, and stone sculptures, including a Rosetta Stone dating back 1,000 years.

Just outside the Bagan Archeological Zone sits the sleepy village of Myinkaba, famous for the ancient art of lacquerware. Visitors can stop by workshops to see items being painted by hand, and then grab some souvenirs at the many shops around.

For the most famous sunset-viewing spot in town, head to the white Shwesandaw Paya pagoda. Here, you can climb part of the building to catch the 360-degree views over the hills and other temples around.

Malaysia's capital is a city of contrasts: the cultural and financial heart of the nation, with magnificent skyscrapers and three of the world's largest shopping centers-but also a great example of colonial architecture, Malay Islamic details, and old Chinese shophouses. Walking through the city is a great way to appreciate the eclectic look of this relatively new Asian capital and see the different cultures and styles melting into each other.

KL is home to the tallest twin buildings in the world , the Petronas Towers – architectural marvels of steel and glass that stand 452 meters tall. The towers are surrounded by a large urban park and are home to a massive shopping center with over 350 stores, a theater housing the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, and even an underwater aquarium.

KL is a very green city, with many parks, gardens, and open spaces everywhere you go. The 92-hectare Lake Gardens is a major urban park that contains a butterfly park, the world's largest aviary bird park , and an orchid garden. You'll also find three forest reserves within the city, perfect for trekking and catching sight of rare fauna.

The limestone Batu Caves (which contain several Hindu shrines); the Cameron Highlands with its tea plantations ; and the colorful town of Malacca, established by Portuguese settlers, are all great day-trip destinations from Kuala Lumpur.

• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Kuala Lumpur
• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Malaysia

Thailand's capital has lots going for it. Not only is this the main gateway for all major destinations within the country, but this cosmopolitan city also has much to offer on its own. With over 24 million visitors arriving here every year, this is also one of the top cities in the world to visit .

Sitting right on the Chao Phraya River and full of stunning skyscrapers that share the sidewalk with major Buddhist temples and popular cafés and hangouts, Bangkok's multi-faceted sights will please a wide range of visitors, from those looking for excitement and shopping opportunities, as well as those wanting to dive into cultural and historical landmarks.

Even tourists who are only here briefly on their way to the islands should make time to visit the Grand Palace , a former royal residence converted into a museum. For those with more time in the capital city, the royal Vimanmek Mansion (the largest teak building in the world) and the Jim Thompson House, a museum dedicated to the American businessman who revolutionized the local silk industry, are also worth a visit.

For a completely different view of the city, get on a classic tuk-tuk taxi or jump on a water bus.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Bangkok

Singapore is a unique spot in Southeast Asia. This island city-state is modern and cosmopolitan , a place where multi-story shopping centers mix with stunning and unexpected natural attractions.

The Marina Bay Sands , an integrated resort, is a good example of that-it offers not only a hotel, but also a museum, art-science exhibits, and the best terraced views over the city and bay from the infinity pool set on their roof.

Sentosa Island is another example, an entertainment complex that includes everything from a two-kilometer-long beach and a restored coastal fort to Southeast Asia's first 4D theater, a Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, and even a Universal Studios Singapore theme park.

Singapore's airport has been named the best in the world, and it's an attraction all in itself, home to the world's tallest indoor waterfall, a five-story tall indoor garden, a mirror and haze maze, and a massive butterfly garden with over 1,000 species flying free in tropical greenery.

• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Singapore
• Best Beaches in Singapore

Up until 2011, Myanmar offered only limited access to tourists because of the five-decade-long military dictatorship that commanded the country-so now that it's finally possible to visit, and before it becomes crazy busy with tourists, you definitely should see this fascinating destination.

Yangon was the capital of Myanmar (or Burma) until 2006, when the military government moved it somewhere else. Since the country was under military dictatorship for so long, the city suffered a lot of issues and still boasts a lot of buildings in decay and with inadequate infrastructure.

Still, Yangon is full of beautiful architecture in the form of colonial-era buildings centered around the 2,600-year-old Sule Pagoda . It is the gilded Shwedagon Pagoda (also known as the Golden Pagoda) that dominates the skyline of the city, however-the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in the country, believed to contain relics of the last four Buddhas.

Visitors should make time to visit the Bogyoke Aung San Market , where stalls sell everything from antiques and local handicrafts to Burmese jade, local delicacies, and even natural medicine products. Another great must-do is the Yangon Circular Train , which runs on a 46-kilometer-long loop around Yangon, offering a unique insight into the real daily life of Burmese people.

This northern city in Laos is surrounded by a number of villages that together form the UNESCO Town Of Luang Prabang World Heritage Site . Recognized for its mix of rural, French colonial, and religious architecture and heritage, the city is one of Laos' most visited and certainly most beautiful.

Luang Prabang sits at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers and is home to many temples-including Wat Chom Si shrine, located at the top of Mount Phou Si and overlooking the town. Alms ceremonies (where monks take to the streets to ask for food) are so common here that in the early morning, the entire town is covered in streams of orange as the monks make their way through the streets.

Just outside the city, the Bear Rescue Centre (which specializes in helping sun bears rescued from poachers) and the multi-tiered Kuang Si Falls are both worth a visit. If you're up for some trekking, head out to the Pak Ou Caves , famous for their hundreds of miniature Buddha sculptures.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Laos

Palawan has been named one of the most beautiful islands in the world so many times, it's hard to ignore its beauty. Technically speaking, Palawan remains under-developed, which means fewer high-end hotels but also slow, sustainable growth to protect the virgin forests, green jungle mountains, and wonderful wildlife.

Palawan is surrounded by quiet turquoise waters that are ideal for snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking. Lots of smaller islands dot the ocean around Palawan, and you can spend an entire day island-hopping and still not see all the amazing beauty the area has to offer.

Miniloc Island , a rustic escape northwest of Palawan, is home to a number of lagoons and soft sandy beaches you can reach on your own or via a motorized water taxi.

For those who prefer underwater adventures, the waters around Palawan hold six shipwrecks of coral-encrusted Japanese ships sunk during WWII. Divers can slip in and out of the engine rooms, bomb holes, and portholes, swimming with fish and turtles-some of the wrecks are as deep as 42 meters.

• Read More: Best Places to Visit in the Philippines

Say "Bali" and people think soft white beaches, corals, and snorkeling-and while it's true that Bali has plenty of beautiful destinations on the sand (including the Nusa Penida beach, with cliffs that resemble the head of the T-Rex), that's not all you can see here. In fact, the lush, green, terraced rice fields in the province of Ubud are just as stunning.

Bali's farmers have been setting rice paddies on terraces for centuries to deal with the hilly terrain of the area-and these areas make for stunning landscapes.

For a donation entry fee that equals pennies, visitors can walk the terraces here for hours, as the green fields extend far beyond what the eye can see. Those who arrive early in the morning will have the place almost to themselves, the soft sound of the rice fields swishing in the wind.

Visitors to Ubud can also check out the Ubud Monkey Forest ; a macaque sanctuary; the traditional royal palace Puri Saren Agung; and the gardens of Pura Taman Saraswati, a water temple famous for its lotus pond and volcanic tuff sculptures of deities.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Bali

Komodo Island is more than "just one" of the over 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia. This rugged island of just under 400 square kilometers is home to the world's largest lizard , the Komodo dragon. In fact, the population of Komodo dragons here is double the population of permanent human inhabitants, making for a unique sight as you walk through the island's volcanic hills and forests.

Komodo Island is also home to a wide variety of wet ecosystems, including mangrove forests and coral reefs, both of which attract lots of travelers looking to explore, dive, or kayak around the island.

The main sightseeing attraction here, however, is Pantai Merah , one of only seven pink-sand beaches in the world. The cotton-candy sands are the result of an interesting natural phenomenon-when microorganisms, called foraminifera, that live in the coral die, their bright red shells are washed out on the beach and mix in with the white sand, creating the beautiful hue that attracts so many visitors.

Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai is often referred to as the cultural capital of the country. Once the seat of the former Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai is teeming with centuries-old temples, jungle-shrouded sanctuaries, and mountains in every direction.

A smaller and less chaotic city than Bangkok, Chiang Mai still attracts travelers from all over the world who come for the low-key lifestyle, nature, history, culture, restaurants, and budget-friendly hotels.

Backpackers often make Chiang Mai a main stop on their Thailand travels, as prices are much more attractive than down south on the beaches, and Chiang Mai is a jumping-off point from which to explore the various smaller hill communities that dot the mountains.

One of the must-see temples in Chiang Mai is Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a golden hilltop shrine that overlooks the entire city below. One of the most sacred spots in Thailand, this temple complex is simply stunning. Visit just before sunset when the monks begin to chant. It is the most magical time to be at the temple.

From Chiang Mai, travelers often set out to explore Mae Hong Son province to the northwest, one of Thailand's most historic provinces, known for its smaller villages and ancient tribal communities.

Accommodation: Top-Rated Places to Stay in Chiang Mai

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things To Do in Chiang Mai

Vietnam's capital sits at an unusual precipice between historic and modern. The thriving city only opened to tourism as recently as the 1990s. Today, Hanoi is a buzzing, chaotic, energetic, beautiful amalgamation of ancient history, a war-torn past, and a modern future. It's one of the best places to visit in Vietnam to really learn about what makes the country tick.

Start in the old quarter, where you will find a heady mix of street vendors, cafés, restaurants, and more motorbikes than you can possibly count. But in between the zipping, zooming, pulsing chaos are pockets of tranquility and peace. Take Hoan Kiem Lake, for example, a 12-hectare lake in the heart of the historic city center. Around the lake are beautiful pagoda gateways, one of which is How Phong Pagoda, one of Hanoi's must-see sites .

The Temple of Literature is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, too. It is a Confucian temple that was built as a university that dates back to the 11th century. Hanoi is also the city where visitors will find the tomb of Ho Chi Minh, the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, and the Military History Museum.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

More Great Destinations in Southeast Asia: When it comes to choosing the best places to visit in SE Asia, the list is long and the decision can be tough. If you are traveling through Thailand , consider heading up to Chiang Mai or head over to the Andaman Sea to explore places like the Phi Phi Islands or Phuket , and the beautiful beaches in Krabi .

More on Thailand

The New Equation

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Revitalising tourism in Southeast Asia

Meeting the challenges posed by COVID-19 in the tourism sector

Challenges faced by the tourism sector

Asia has experienced rapid growth in tourism primarily by sustained economic growth, regional cooperation and liberalised air travel prior to COVID-19. With international and domestic travel heavily restricted as a result of COVID-19, Asia Pacific is projected to be one of the most heavily hit regions in terms of tourism, facing potential losses of USD4.5 billion .

Some signs of positive recovery are showing. As vaccines are being rolled out across the globe and countries form bilateral travel bubbles, people are starting to travel domestically and internationally. But these are temporary measures amidst the uncertain evolution of the pandemic. The longer term challenges facing tourism still remain. As countries gradually restart to open their doors for international travel, some of the challenges that need to be addressed are:

• transparent communication, as destinations will have to keep innovating and collaborating locally and globally
• regular updates on health and safety protocols in alignment with local health authorities, governments, and institutions for international travel
• understanding behavioural changes and better comprehension of how people traveling perceive risks.

Watch our webcast as panel of experts discuss how Southeast Asian countries can meet the COVID-19 challenges while finding opportunities for growth 

• Jessica Shannon, Global Government & Public Sector Lead, PwC Ghana
• Pieter van de Mheen, Consulting leader, PwC Indonesia
• Steven Schipani, Principal Tourism Specialist (South East Asia), ADB
• Liz Ortiguera, CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association

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Identifying opportunities for growth

While this is a major crisis, there are opportunities to reconfigure and reposition the tourism sector for sustainable growth and differentiation, including areas such as:

• Source market diversification (including a focus on domestic and regional tourism)
• Rebranding and marketing to new customer segments
• Linkages within domestic markets to build growth in other sectors
• Sustainable and eco-tourism

To revitalise tourism in SEA, governments will need to develop flexible policies to balance public health and economic needs in phases. Travellers' confidence will recover as safety and hygiene protocols are set throughout the whole tourism value chain to reduce risks. Technology will also play a key role in restarting tourism by providing updated protocols and responsibilities through digital and social media. As we tackle the fundamental challenges of reopening the tourism sector safely to protect national populations, we can look forward to revitalised tourism in SEA.

Recovery across tourism subsectors require differentiated approaches based on COVID-19 impact

• Hospitality (accommodation, F&B)
• Leisure (cruises, amusement parks)
• Meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions
• Culture, heritage and religious travel (museums, monuments, pilgrimages)
• Wellness and eco-tourism
• Ground transportation and mass transit

Considerations to reopen subsectors

• Crowd exposure and density
• Typical activity duration
• Infrastructure constraints and high-touchpoint areas
• Average age of tourist
• Screening protocols
• Ability to utilise personal protective equipment

With deep knowledge of the Southeast Asian markets, governments and cultures and experience in global tourism and source markets, our team can help you to identify and address the unique challenges you face.

Our differentiator: industry-specific knowledge

Our clients work closely with us across each industry segment throughout their COVID-19 recovery efforts. You can expect us to provide a clear understanding of the unprecedented challenge and the urgent stabilisation requirements, as well as of longer-term strategies to support the industry whilst preserving public health needs. Gain insights on the unique opportunities for tourism destinations such as leveraging the potential of eco tourism and greater domestic tourism in SEA to emerge stronger.

PwC's Hospitality and Leisure practice provides strategic insights and expertise across all areas of the sector, including travel and tourism, gaming, lodging, marinas, sports facilities and teams, vacation ownership, franchise and management selection, lease structuring, lodging asset, valuation and appraisal. With our professionals located in all continents, you can gain insights into local and global knowledge and expertise.

Global footprint

With firms in over 155 countries and more than 284,000 people, our clients can look beyond traditional boundaries and embrace new horizons to achieve long-term sustainable impact.

PwC has supported the COVID-19 recovery work in the global tourism sector including:

• United States

How we can support you

Strategy and planning.

• Long-term national strategy
• Policy options and incentives evaluation
• Market segmentation, diversification and strategy
• Covid-19 health and safety protocols
• Public-private partnership models for recovery
• Consensus building

Market studies

• Feasibility studies for new tourism products
• Impact assessments for tourism subsectors
• Source market assessments and attractiveness surveys
• Revenue modelling and analytics
• Benchmarking against other tourism markets
• Communications advice for recovery campaigns

Transformation

• Pilots and proof of concepts for reopening
• Vaccination passport concepts
• Recovery phasing of tourism avenues and assets
• Digitisation for crowd and health management
• Change management
• Workforce planning and reskilling

Strategic project management and support for capital financing

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Tristan Hockley

Asia Pacific Government and Public Sector (G&PS) Leader and Salesforce Practice Leader, South East Asia Consulting, PwC Singapore

Tel: +65 9753 6736

Jessica Shannon

Global Government and Public Sector Leader, PwC Ghana

Tel: +233 (0) 30 276 1500

Pieter van de Mheen

Consulting Partner, PwC Indonesia

Tel: +62 21 509 92901

Edwina Chin

International Development Leader, South East Asia Consulting, PwC Singapore

Tel: +65 9750 3775

© 2015 - 2024 PwC. All rights reserved. PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

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Bhutan's Economy Maintains Robust Growth Despite Challenges

THIMPHU, May 3, 2024 —Bhutan’s economy continues its strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to two new World Bank reports launched today.

The  April 2024 Bhutan Development Update  indicates that economy is showing signs of a strong recovery with an expected 4.6 percent real GDP growth in FY22/23, driven by higher growth in tourism activity, following economic contraction over two consecutive years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Growth is expected to accelerate to 4.9 percent in FY23/24.

  “ To maintain a strong and inclusive growth, Bhutan can do more to enable the business environment to attract Foreign Direct Investments and promote the private sector to create more jobs that appeal to the aspirations of its citizens”,  said  Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan . “ Further, it will equally be important for the government to timely address the increasing stress on services delivery because of human resources challenges.”

Despite the relatively robust growth in recent years, downside risks to the economy persist. The fiscal deficit is expected to widen in FY23/24 to 5 percent of GDP as expenditure outpaces revenue, due to significant salary increases for public sector employees.  Over the last year, there has been a significant decline in international reserves, but they have begun to stabilize as the current account deficit showed signs of narrowing in the first quarter of FY23/24, following a significant expansion in FY22/23.  Risks include delayed fiscal consolidation, vulnerabilities in the financial sector, volatile international commodity prices and delays in hydropower projects.

The report includes a special section on labor market and jobs. Bhutan’s labor remains predominantly employed in the low productivity sectors. Workers face many challenges, including limited inclusion of women in meaningful employment and persistence of low-productivity agricultural employment. Employment quality outside of the public sector remains weak, leading to public sector queuing, rising unemployment among urban workers, and a record number of Bhutanese migrating abroad.

The 2023 Public Expenditure Review for Bhutan emphasizes the critical importance of efficient public spending and enhanced domestic resource mobilization to help achieve Bhutan’s long-term development goals.

Bhutan’s revenue collection remains largely driven by the hydropower sector, which contributes significantly to both tax and non-tax revenue collection. However, the contribution from the direct taxes without the hydropower sector remained stagnant. Bhutan’s capital expenditure as a share of GDP is among the highest globally, and expenditures on salary and allowances consume a significant portion of the current expenditure. While Bhutan's commitment to education and healthcare remains robust, there are opportunities to improve spending efficiency. 

“ Greater contribution from direct taxes beyond the hydropower sector, coupled with a more effective tax administration system, could bolster Bhutan's ability to generate increased revenues essential for its development ,” said  Hoon Sahib Soh, World Bank Practice Manager for Macroeconomics, Trade & Investment for South Asia Region.

State enterprises in Bhutan contribute significantly to budget revenues and create jobs but suffer from profitability and performance challenges. Although Bhutan has enhanced its legal and regulatory framework for state enterprise management, key policy gaps persist, including ownership and dividend policies.

“Further improvements in managing investments, corporate governance and financial reporting, can help improve performance of state enterprises and reduce fiscal risks”, said  Adama Coulibaly, World Bank Resident Representative for Bhutan .

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More From Forbes

China market update: tourism data rebounds.

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Asian equities were higher overnight, led by Mainland China’s reopening following its Labor Day holiday, though Japan was closed for Children’s Day, South Korea was closed for Substitution Holiday, and Thailand was closed for Coronation Day.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported “total domestic travel in China was 295 million person-times, a year-on-year increase of 7.6% and an increase of 28.2% versus 2019” and the “total cost of domestic tourists traveling was 166.89 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12.7% and a growth rate of 13.5%” versus 2019.

Real estate policy support continues to be amplified as Shenzhen clarified home purchase restriction adjustments after Beijing’s similar move last week received media attention. Hong Kong had a choppy morning but grinded higher to close near intra-day highs on high volumes that were 146% of the 1-year average.

Mainland investors were active via Southbound Stock Connect, buying a healthy net $650 million worth of Hong Kong-listed ETFs and stocks, including the Hong Kong Tracker ETF, which was a large net buy. The ETF purchases require market makers to hedge, which spiked short-selling turnover, though it wasn’t outright short-selling but hedging.

Hong Kong’s most heavily traded stocks by value were Tencent, which gained +1.59%, Meituan, which gained +0.50%, Alibaba, which gained +0.38%, CNOOC, which fell -2.68%, and AIA, which gained +1.87%. I sense that trading desks’ mood appears to be picking up though skepticism about the rally remains high, which is great news to me. Going from underweight to neutral would be a big move for Chinese equities. Over the last five trading days, three US-listed China equity ETFs received net inflows, i.e. increases in shares outstanding. Meanwhile, three had net outflows and decreases in shares outstanding, including one that lost -8.5% of their shares outstanding last week. The pain trade is higher, in my opinion!

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Mainland China reopened after bring off since last Tuesday. Shanghai and Shenzhen rose and stayed there on strong breath (i.e. advancers versus decliners) and good volume that increased to 130% of the 1-year average. Railroad stocks were higher following the implementation of surge pricing. Foreign investors bought a healthy net $1.29 billion worth of Mainland stocks, including Kweichow Moutai, which saw significant net buying.

CNY made a strong move versus the US dollar, closing today at 7.21 CNY per USD versus last Tuesday’s 7.24 CNY per USD, indicating appreciation.

The April Caixin Services PMI release of 52.5 versus expectations of 52.5 and Marchs’ 52.7 received little attention overnight.

President Xi arrived in France today to talk trade with President Macron.

Interestingly, Geely Automobile is looking to pursue an IPO of its electric vehicle (EV) brand Zeekr in the US.

Berkshire Hathaway’s BRK.B annual shareholder meeting is a big event for Chinese investors, many of whom will be making the pilgrimage to Omaha. Chinese financial media noted the company’s massive cash position and Warren Buffett’s comments on waiting to deploy it.

The Hang Seng and Hang Seng Tech indexes gained +0.55% and +0.92%, respectively, on volume that increased +24.35% from Friday, which is 146% of the 1-year average. 296 stocks advanced while 189 declined. Main Board short turnover increased +34.06% from Friday, which is 145% of the 1-year average, as 18% of turnover was short turnover (Hong Kong shore turnover includes ETF market makers’ hedging). The value factor outperformed the growth factor. The top-performing sectors were Utilities, which gained +1.88%, Industrials, which gained +1.69%, and Health Care, which gained +1.60%. Meanwhile, Real Estate fell -2.38%. The top-performing subsectors were media and capital goods. Meanwhile, Real Estate services and food & beverages were among the worst-performing. Southbound Stock Connect volumes were light as Mainland investors bought a net $650 million worth of Hong Kong-listed stocks and ETFs, including the Hong Kong Tracker ETF, which was a large net buy, and the Bank of China and Li Auto, which were small net buys.

Shanghai, Shenzhen, and the STAR Board gained +1.16%, +2.07%, and +1.33%, respectively, on volume that increased +6.97% from last Tuesday, which is 130% of the 1-year average. 4,435 stocks advanced while 762 declined. All factors were positive as the growth factor and small caps outperformed the value factor and large caps. All sectors were positive, including Consumer Staples, which gained +3.22%, Health Care, which gained +2.91%, and Consumer Discretionary, which gained +2.47%. The top-performing subsectors were motorcycles, chemicals, and chemical fibers. Meanwhile, telecom, oil & gas, and computer hardware were among the worst-performing sectors. Northbound Stock Connect volumes were light, as foreign investors bought a healthy net $1.29 billion worth of Mainland stocks, including Kweichow Moutai, which was a large net buy, and LXJM and China Merchants Bank, which were small net buys. Meanwhile, Midea Group, Focus Media and Nari-Tech were moderate net sells. CNY and the Asia Dollar Index were higher versus the US dollar. The Treasury curve steepened. Steel gained while copper was off.

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Last Night's Performance

Last night’s exchange rates, prices, & yields.

• CNY per USD 7.20 versus 7.24 Friday
• CNY per EUR 7.77 versus 7.79 Friday
• Yield on 1-Day Government Bond 1.44% versus 1.43% Friday
• Yield on 10-Year Government Bond 2.31% versus 2.30% Friday
• Yield on 10-Year China Development Bank Bond 2.40% versus 2.41% Friday
• Copper Price -1.06%
• Steel Price +1.14%

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