Rough Guides - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia On A Budget

With its tempting mix of volcanoes, rainforest, rice fields, beaches and coral reefs, Southeast Asia is one of the most stimulating and accessible regions for independent travel in the world. You can spend the day exploring thousand-year-old Hindu ruins and the night at a rave on the beach; attend a Buddhist alms-giving ceremony at dawn and go whitewater rafting in the afternoon; chill out in a bamboo beach hut one week and hike through the jungle looking for orang-utans the next.

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In short, there is enough here to keep anyone hooked for months, and the average cost of living is so low that many travellers find they can afford to take their time. The region comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. As useful gateways to the region, we have also included Southeast Asian neighbours Hong Kong and Macau . Though the region has long been on the travellers trail, it doesnt take too much to get off the beaten track whether its to discover that perfect beach or to delve into the lush rainforest.

The beaches here are some of the finest in the world, and youll find the cream of the crop in Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia, all of which boast postcard-pretty, white-sand bays, complete with azure waters and wooden beach shacks dotted along their palm-fringed shores. The clear tropical waters also offer supreme diving opportunities for novices and seasoned divers alike.

Southeast Asias myriad temple complexes are another of the regions best-known attractions. The Khmers left a string of magnificent constructions across the region, the most impressive of which can be seen at Angkor in Cambodia, while the colossal ninth-century stupa of Borobudur in Indonesia and the temple-strewn plain of Bagan in Myanmar are impressive Buddhist monuments.

Almost every visitor to the region makes an effort to climb one of the spectacular mountains , whether getting up before dawn to watch the sun rise from Indonesias Mount Bromo or embarking on the two-day trek to scale Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia.

Witnessing tribal culture is a highlight for many visitors to less explored areas, and among the most approachable communities are the tribal groups around Sa Pa in Vietnam, the Torjan of Sulawesi in Indonesia, known for their intriguing architecture and burial rituals, and the ethnic minority villages surrounding Hsipaw in Myanmar.

SNORKELLING IN PALAWAN, THE PHILIPPINES

Many travellers begin their trip in Thailand , which remains the most popular destination in Southeast Asia, with its long, tropical coast, atmospheric temples and sophisticated cuisine. First stop for most is the capital Bangkok, which can overwhelm the senses with its bustle and traffic, but retains beautiful palaces and pockets of traditional Thai life. Travelling north will take you to ancient capitals, elegant hill towns and the cultural hub of Chiang Mai; travel south and you have thousands of islands to explore, from established beach resorts and party islands to diving centres and secluded idylls.

Neighbouring Laos , with its burgeoning tourist industry, is still perhaps the best country to explore if youre looking to escape the crowds, and for many people a slow boat down the Mekong here is still the quintessential Southeast Asian experience; journeys end is the exquisite former royal capital of Luang Prabang, the undoubted jewel of the country. To the west, Myanmar (Burma) is seeing something of a visitor boom, as travellers flocking to explore the countrys remarkable pagodas, landscapes and culture. Start at the historic former capital of Yangon, before venturing to the stilt villages of Inle Lake and the temple-strewn plain at Bagan.

Heading east brings you to Vietnam , with its two vibrant, and very different cities, with elegant capital Hanoi to the north and headlong frenetic Ho Chi Minh City in the south. Youll also find impressive old Chinese towns and some stunning scenery, from the northern mountains to the southern Mekong delta. From here its easy to cross into neighbouring Cambodia , where the fabulous temple ruins at Angkor remain a major draw though Phnom Penhs appeal grows (as does its dining scene), and you shouldnt miss the low-key charm of river towns like Kampot, while the countrys pocket of coast around Sihanoukville draws in increasing numbers of backpackers.

South of Thailand, Malaysia deserves a leisurely exploration, boasting beautiful beaches, good diving and some rewarding jungle hikes. The east Malaysia provinces of Sabah and Sarawak which share the large island of Borneo with Indonesias Kalimantan province and the little kingdom of Brunei offer adventurous travel by river through the jungle, nights in tribal longhouses, and the challenge of climbing Mount Kinabalu. Singapore , along with Bangkok and Hong Kong, is a major gateway to the region; though relatively pricey, it has a fascinating mix of tradition and modernity, and after youve been on the road for a while you may find its more Westernized feel quite appealing.