10 Hidden Natural Gems Of Southeast Asia

Hidden Gems Asia

10 Hidden Natural Gems Of Southeast Asia

Location: Southeast Asia

Asia: The places you will see here are a perfect answer for those seeking moments of relaxation and freedom out of the hustle and bustle of cities. Anyway it’s not easy to make a list of 10 hidden gems in Southeast Asia.  There are so many beautiful places there, all of them to enjoy. This list comes out after my big trip to Southeast Asia for 110 days.

Sure, Southeast Asia is a tested traveller’s area with thousands of tourists. Anyway there is so much more than bars, massage and/or “massage” and night clubs and if you really want, you can discover some amazing and even untouched paradise.
I personally made, and of course, visited this top 10 destinations. I’m going to let you know my secrets destinations, places that hardly any people know about and names that you won’t hear around the hostel dinner table…

I want to start from the “last” position of this TOP 10, enjoy…


 

10. PULAU WEH, INDONESIA

Hidden Gems Asia

Amazing coral reefs just off Pulau Weh. Hidden Gems Asia


 

Hidden Gems Asia

The sea garden. Hidden Gems Asia


A tiny tropical rock off the tip of Sumatra, Pulau Weh is a small slice of peaceful living that rewards travellers who’ve journeyed up through the turbulent greater mainland below.
I came here because is considered some of the best snorkeling/diving sites in the Indian Ocean, someone said in whole Asia. Unfortunately, at the time of my visit I didn’t get the PADI Open Water Diving. Anyway I did a great snorkelling around the island.

I stayed for 5 days in Iboih that follows a rocky headland with a string of simple bungalows along a woodsy footpath. It was a nice destination to start exploring surround. Just opposite Iboih there is Pulau Rubiah and this is one the most beautiful underwater spot I’ve ever seen in my life. The Sea Garden is a spectacular coral reef that surround this densely forested island. It’s absolutely easy to get there. Rent a kayak or even if you are a strong swimmer it’s possible to make your own way there, but beware of strong currents.

Would you like to take a look to my Photo Gallery of Indonesia? Click here


9. KUANG SI FALLS, LAOS

Hidden Gems Asia

Kuang Si Falls with its beautiful view. Hidden Gems Asia


 

Hidden Gems Asia

Amazing cascades with turquoise blue water. Hidden Gems Asia


Legend claims a wise old man beckoned the Nam Si river by digging deep into the earth. After the water arrived, a golden deer made its home under a protruding rock. The sound of the water falling on this bolder created an enchanting echo that drew people from as far away as China to this site. ‘Kuang’ means deer and ‘Si’ means dig.
The falls themselves are pretty spectacular, amazing Asia destination for everyone with incredible blue water, everything surrounded by jungle. At the very bottom of the falls there are several pools of water and small cascades. Kuang Si Falls, the turquoise blue water in the lush jungle.

Would you like to take a look to my Photo Gallery of Laos? Click here.
Read more about Kuang Si Falls….


8. CHOCOLATE HILLS, PHILIPPINES

Hidden Gems Asia

Amazing landscape in Bohol. Hidden Gems Asia


 

Hidden Gems Asia

Another spectacular view of Chocolate Hills. Hidden Gems Asia


One of Bohol’s premier tourist attractions are the iconic Chocolate Hills, a series of majestic green grass hillocks that turns brown, like chocolate. They are span far into the horizon.
They have been declared the country’s third National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Let’s talk about their origin.
The Chocolate Hills are conical karst hills consist of Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene, thin to medium bedded, sandy to rubbly marine limestone. These limestone contain the abundant fossils of shallow marine foraminifera, coral, mollusks, and algae. These conical hills are geomorphological features called cockpit karst, which were created by a combination of the dissolution of limestone by rainfall, surface water, and groundwater, and their sub-aerial erosion by rivers and streams after they had been uplifted above sea level and fractured by tectonic processes.
It is a very magnificent wonder of Asia and even of the modern world. It is best to take a photo in the afternoon or early morning. It’s an easy access by scooter from Loboc, with a good road and stopovers on the way.

Would you like to take a look to my Photo Gallery of Philippines? Click here.


7. KAYANGAN LAKE, PHILIPPINES

Hidden Gems Asia

70% fresh water and 30% salt water. Hidden Gems Asia


 

Hidden Gems Asia

What a colour.. wonderful!!


The freshwater lake and the landscape was definitely breathtaking. According to its people this lake is supposed to be among the cleanest ones in Asia, made of 70% fresh water and 30% salt water. The scenery is surrounded by rocky mountains covered by green trees and plants. If you’re expecting paradise, then you will not be disappointed, this is a paradise on whole Asia.
I really can say that this destination got my vote like one of the best I’ve ever seen, it’s a creation of unique environment.

Would you like to take a look to my Photo Gallery of Philippines? Click here.
Read more about Kayangan Lake…


6. RED SAND DUNES, VIETNAM

Hidden Gems Asia

Taking a Nap on the Dunes. Hidden Gems Asia


 

Hidden Gems Asia

Red Sand Dunes view from the street

Mui Ne is famous for its enormous and gorgeous red and white sand dunes, but as this is Vietnam and not deepest Mali, I could not experience them in the silence of the desert. This destination is made by dunes that are up to 10 meters high, and you can have lots of fun exploring them and even more fun doing some sandboarding, a sport that local children will be happy to teach you for a small fee. The view from the top of the sand dunes is stunning, I was able to see the ocean that surround many Asia islands,  anyway sunset is the perfect time to go there.

Would you like to take a look to my Photo Gallery of Vietnam? Click here.
Read more about Mui Ne Red Dunes…


5. KOH RONG SAMLOEM, CAMBODIA

Hidden Gems Asia

Travellers trying to sell Bracalet for 1$. Hidden Gems Asia


 

Hidden Gems Asia

It’s not great to do nothing?!?! Just for a while 😀


Well, Koh Rong Samloen wasn’t on my itinerary and I have chosen this island after a long comparison with its neighbouring island: Koh Rong. I read a lot about those tiny islands and after few days spent in this area I can say that they are rapidly emerging as pearls of the south coast. The island has not much to offer in terms of activities.

In those days I felt absorbed in a natural landscape with no wifi, no tv and no newspaper to know what was going on in the outside world. Electricity on the island runs by solar panels and generators, only operates a few hours a day and there is barely any phone signal. I suppose this is how the beaches of Thailand looked like 20 years ago: utterly serene and beautiful. Calm, clear water laps lazily idyllic white sand beaches, and there’s not much to do but lay back and enjoy the sun, sand and waves. Word will get out, it always does. My special tip about this amazing island? Go there, you will not be a part of Cambodia, or Asia or even the world when you will float on the crystal clear water, read a book, open your mind and have different feeling when the freedom will surround you.

Would you like to take a look to my Photo Gallery of Cambodia? Click here
Read more about Kho Rong Samloem…


4. KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK, THAILAND

Hidden gems asia

Khao Sok National Park, bungalows and kayaks to relax. Hidden gems Asia


 

Hidden gems asia

Great lake excursion with canoa. Hidden gems asia


Khao Sok National Park is covered by the oldest evergreen rain-forest in the world, huge limestone mountains shooting straight up in the air, deep valleys, breathtaking lakes, exciting caves, wild animals and much more. This place is a great destination to visit in Asia. The Sok river is a perfect place for a relaxing canoe ride down the slowly moving stream. Besides the animals (birds and if you are lucky wild monkey) , you can see stunning limestone cliffs covered with dense jungle and some rural life along the river as locals fish, wash laundry and take their daily household water from the river.

Would you like to take a look to my Photo Gallery of Thailand? Click here


3. PHONG NHA NATIONAL PARK, VIETNAM

Hidden gems asia

The river and the small houses are surrounded by amazing karst.


 

Hidden Gems Asia

Another side of Paradise Cave. Phong Nha National Park


The first thing to know about Phong Nha National Park is that its collection of stunning caves, towering stalagmites and amazing karst mountains represent one the most beautiful landscape in Vietnam and in whole Asia. This is my opinion after having been there a couple of days.There are many caves in this area, one of those is Hang Soon Cave, the world’s largest cave discovered in 2009. The only way to visit it is by a 7-days exploration at the price of 3000 $US. Go to Paradise Cave, you will enjoy. The park is the centre of the last big tropical fortest in Vietnam, it’s a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Would you like to take a look to my Photo Gallery of Vietnam? Click here.
Read more about Phong Nha National Park…


2. BIG LAGOON, PHILIPPINES

Hidden Gems Asia

No words to describe how we felt after it and what we saw.


 

Hidden Gems Asia

Looking at the sea and those big amazing rocks.


I would like to say: Deep In The Real Pearl Of El Nido. I had never thought the world could have been that beautiful and you find this place in Southeast Asia. Big Lagoon was seriously breathtaking. It can only be accessed by boat at high tide as it can get very shallow at the entrance, for this reason the crew of our boat had to get off and push the boat at some point. Quiet, wonderful and peaceful. I felt like being on a dream when I looked around at the scenic limestone surrounding the lagoon and the different shades of water colours, things you think you can only  see in a movie. Small and huge cliffs, coral reef and crystal clear water.

Would you like to take a look to my Photo Gallery of Philippines? Click here.
Read more about Big Lagoon…


1. KADIDIRI ISLAND, INDONESIA

Hidden Gems Asia

The best coral reef composition I’ve ever seen in my life. Hidden gems asia


 

Hidden Gems Asia

The sun lights up this blue Sea star. Kadidiri Island togean


 

Hidden Gems Asia

Looking for some coconut water around the Archipelago. Kadidiri Island togean.


 

Hidden Gems Asia

Wonderful sunset from the Island. Hidden gems asia


Located at the top of the Gulf of Tomini in Central Sulawesi, Kadidiri is one of the islands in the Togean National Park that preserves the wealth of the Coral Triangle. This is the land of Bajau People, still dive for “trepang”, pearls and other commercial marine productions, as they have done for hundreds of years. The Bajau are hunter-gatherers who spend much of their lives on boats, travelling with their family wherever they go. After having been in this place we must confirm that each day something was on offer: activities like going fishing for dinner, snorkelling trip on the nearby reef, island hopping, dolphin watching. This place had a unique wonderful snorkeling spot I’ve ever seen in my life. Kadidiri Island deserves the first position on my trip to Southeast Asia.

Would you like to take a look to my Photo Gallery of Indonesia? Click here.
Read more about Kadidiri Island…


 
Author of this post:  Davide
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Davi85travel

Davi85travel

my name is Davide and I’m Italian. I’d always loved to explore far away places and someday, planned to travel the world. But like always, it was a case of when and how. I did a lot, and now I am ready to write, to tell and to share the tips I’ve been learning, feelings and emotion of years of travelling.

18 Comments

  • Ashley

    Asia offers so much and these are great little places to add to my wishlist when I visit. Chocolate hills has been a favorite of mine for some time. Thanks for putting together this list, I’ll be using it for inspiration for sure.

    November 30, 2016 at 11:28 am
    • Davi85travel
      Davide Fancellu

      Thanks Ashley, if you are looking for more places on earth I will post soon the same TOP 10 about South America!! 😀

      November 30, 2016 at 11:59 am
  • Adam, Bite of Iceland

    Amazing places! I would love to visit all of them! I’ve seen only Red Dunes of Mui Ne and it was something amazing 🙂

    November 29, 2016 at 7:10 pm
    • Davi85travel
      Davide Fancellu

      time by time we can travel all around the world and see every single place… that’s the life!! 😀 thanks for your comment

      November 29, 2016 at 11:22 pm
  • Abhinav Singh

    I have been longing to visit South East Asia ever since my friends showed me her pictures from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. She went on a month long backpacking trip. I agree with you that these destinations are well kept secrets.

    November 29, 2016 at 6:13 am
    • Davi85travel
      Davide Fancellu

      Most of them are places not so visited like the rest of South East Asian backpacker locations! Go there quickly because they are becoming popular… 😀 thanks for your comment, keep following us

      November 29, 2016 at 6:35 am
  • Wanderlust Vegans

    All of these locations are beautiful. We’ve not been to Asia yet, so I shall be putting most of these on my bucket list!! Especially Big Lagoon, that water is spectacular.

    November 28, 2016 at 7:30 pm
    • Davi85travel
      Davide Fancellu

      You wrote about an amazing place named Big Lagoon!! Spectacular crystal clear water and wonderful landscapes around it! 😀 thanks for comment my post

      November 29, 2016 at 6:33 am
  • Anastasia | Happily Globalized

    This article reminds me of how little I’ve seen in Asia so far! I hope to plan a couple of months at least to be able to explore the region properly, with Vietnam and Laos being number one on my list.

    November 26, 2016 at 4:25 pm
    • Davi85travel
      Davide Fancellu

      Well if you want to explore Vietnam and Laos in 2 months I think you will get the right decision! Maybe you can add Cambodia to your list, great country with many things to see and do! thanks for your comment

      November 27, 2016 at 2:22 pm
  • Amy

    We’ve never been to Asia, but we hope to in the near future so our kids can visit a part of the world so completely different from ours. Beautiful photos, such spectacular scenery! Indonesia and the Philippines are at the top of our wander list for when we go, we love to snorkel so those reefs offKadidiri Island look perfect for us.

    November 26, 2016 at 2:54 pm
    • Davi85travel
      Davide Fancellu

      Well Kadidiri Island is absolutely a must-see if you get to Sulawesi Region! Incredible coral reefs almost everywhere on Togean Islands! Philippines was my dream and I went there twice, I loved that country! 😀 thanks for your comment

      November 27, 2016 at 1:59 pm
  • Lara Dunning

    All the photos are beautiful. The national park in Thailand looks like a really sweet spot. I’ve put some new destinations on my list!

    November 26, 2016 at 7:14 am
    • Davi85travel
      Davide Fancellu

      Thank you so much Lara; many of these places are easy to get but there are 2/3 of those really far from everywhere! Hidden places, paradise in the world! 😀

      November 26, 2016 at 7:31 am
  • Emma

    Wow you must’ve travelled a lot in Asia – and to find all these gorgeous locations, well done absolutely stunning pictures and amazing landscapes. The world really is a beautiful place

    November 24, 2016 at 8:46 pm
    • Davi85travel
      Davi85travel

      Thank you so much Emma; exactly, the world is full of stunning places!

      January 28, 2017 at 2:21 pm
  • Danik

    Great post, some interesting places there 🙂

    November 11, 2015 at 11:24 pm
    • Davi85travel
      Davide Fancellu

      Thank you so much Danik, I hope it will be helpful….follow us during our trip around the world….Enjoy 🙂

      November 14, 2015 at 12:31 am
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