Chasing sunrises? These Southeast Asian destinations may just be what you’re looking for. (Image by Kittiphan)
Sometimes it’s worth waking up at an ungodly hour, if only for something as elementary as watching the sun make its debut for the day.
In some Asian cultures, it’s even considered an auspicious New Year activity. The Japanese, for example, believe that watching the first sunrise of the year brings good luck for the months to come, a tradition called hatsuhinode.
The spectacle is even more special when paired with a stunning natural wonder or ancient locale steeped in history, like these cool destinations around Southeast Asia.
Phang Nga Bay, Thailand
The pristine white sands and turquoise seas of southern Thailand are legendary in their own right, drawing in sunshine seekers near and far. And then there’s Phang Nga Bay to marvel at.
Spread over 400 square kilometres, the bay’s picturesque labyrinth of waterways and mangrove forests is dotted with dozens of limestone formations, including Koh Tapu, a stately bung-shaped rock that rises 20 metres above the azure waters off James Bond Island.
To see the incredible bird’s-eye view of Phang Nga Bay, follow an easy 20-minute hiking trail to the top of the Samet Nangshe Viewpoint, just a two-hour drive from Phuket.
Marina Bay, Singapore
It’s perfectly understandable if you want to sleep in when in Singapore—the city’s nightlife can be pretty enticing. One day you might be watching Coldplay at the National Stadium, and the next, sipping Singapore Slings at a chic rooftop bar.
Early birds, however, know just how whimsical it is to see a tangerine sky behind the futuristic Marina Bay cityscape. This scene is best viewed from Merlion Park, where you can share this moment with the first-ever Merlion statue built in 1972.
Fitness buffs on holiday can amplify the experience with a run to start the day, beginning from Merlion Park all the way to the waterfront boardwalk along Marina Bay Sands before closing the loop through the cutting-edge Helix Bridge.
Mount Bromo, Indonesia
As the world’s largest archipelagic country, Indonesia is rich with surreal landscapes that will leave you in awe. Topping the list is Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, a stunner born out of the fiery death of a supervolcano some 45,000 years ago.
At the spiritual centre of it all is Mount Bromo, a craggy and ashy volcano flanked by a cluster of extinct volcanoes and a sea of glistening black sand that make up a dramatic, voluminous massif 2,200 metres above sea level.
A typical sunrise tour includes a jeep ride to a dedicated viewpoint – Mount Penanjakan, Seruni Point or King Kong Hill – followed by stops to see the Teletubbies savannah and the fine black sands of Segara Wadi. Thrill seekers can also opt to climb up the 133-metre-tall Mount Bromo.
Semporna, Malaysia
For some sun, sea, and smiles, make your way to Semporna, the gateway to some of the most beautiful tropical islands and world-class scuba diving in Malaysia’s Sabah state.
Check into one of the Maldives-esque overwater villas, or go for the Bohey Dulang or Mabul islands if you prefer to wing it. Wherever you choose, it’s worth setting an early morning alarm to see the sun casting its golden rays over the tranquil Celebes Sea.
Located within the Coral Triangle, an area with the richest marine diversity in the world, the sea is home to the Bajau Laut people, one of Southeast Asia’s few remaining sea gypsy tribes who spend the majority of their lives living on the water.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
There’s no denying the sublime grandeur of Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. First built in the 12th century by the powerful Khmer empire, the Hindu-Buddhist temple is an architectural standout with its quincunx of tower-like spires and artistic bas-reliefs.
Spanning 1,200 square metres, the temple was built to represent Mount Meru, the sacred mountain located at the centre of the Hindu cosmos. During the spring equinox in April, the sun aligns right atop the central tower at midday—a testament to the ingenuity of the ancient Angkor civilisation.
Other must-visit ruins within the scenic 400-square-kilometre UNESCO World Heritage Site include Banteay Srei, a pink sandstone citadel for women, and Ta Prohm, a former Buddhist monastery that has been beautifully enshrouded with wild roots and foliage over the centuries.
Chocolate Hills, Philippines
Nestled in Bohol, the eco-tourism capital of the Philippines, is Chocolate Hills, a picturesque terrain carpeted with over 1,700 limestone mounds.
The hillocks, ranging in height between 30 and 50 metres, are covered in grass which turns brown during the dry months from November to May, lending the 50-square-kilometre area an illusion of a thousand truffles made for giants.
After watching this serene sunrise vista from the Chocolate Hills Viewpoint Observation Deck, you can embark on a range of activities at Chocolate Hills Adventure Park. Highly recommended is zip biking, with views of the delicious-looking knolls in the distance.
U Bein Bridge, Myanmar
Completed in 1851, U Bein Bridge is the world’s longest teak crossing, stretching 1.2 kilometres across Taungthaman Lake in Mandalay, the last royal capital of Myanmar.
All the wood used for the construction of the bridge—including the 1,089 teak pillars that form the foundation—was repurposed from Inwa Palace, once the seat of the Ava kingdom.
Located in the township of Amarapura, U Bein Bridge has become a major tourist attraction, but locals still use it to this day. It’s best to come early in the morning as the slowly changing colours of the sun illuminate this rustic beauty.
Nha Trang, Vietnam
It’s no surprise why Nha Trang is known as the Waikiki of Vietnam. This buzzing coastal city has plenty to offer those looking for a fuss-free beach holiday with city comforts.
There’s an array of gorgeous beaches overlooking the South China Sea to soak in some good old vitamin D, from the golden sands of Bai Dai Beach and Doc Let Beach to the rocky shores of Hon Chong Cape where you can enjoy some peace and quiet to meditate with the sun.
Lazy birds, meanwhile, can check into one of the towering hotels that line Nha Trang Beach and wake up to a picture-perfect sunrise from your well-appointed room.
This story by Irvin Hanni was originally published on AirAsia. Zafigo republished this story in full with permission from the publisher, simply because good stories should be read by as many people as possible! If you have stories that will be of interest and useful to women travellers, especially in Asia, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
