Where to go in Southeast Asia

Ramayana Water Park in Pattaya is the top attraction in Southeast Asia with the biggest year-on-year increase in interest within the region at 74 per cent. Two other Thai attractions – Chatuchak Weekend Market and Jim Thompson House – also made the top 10 list.
“The TripAdvisor Attractions Trend Index surfaces the top sites and attractions across Southeast Asia that are gaining in popularity with our travel community in the region,” said Janice Lee Fang, communications director for TripAdvisor, Asia Pacific. “Travellers heading for their next trip within the region should make use of the index to inspire their search for tours, attractions and other great experiences that can help them see and learn more of the places they visit this year end.”
The Attractions Trend Index rankings were determined based on the per-cent increase in search sessions from Southeast Asia users on TripAdvisor desktop and mobile between 2016 and 2017 for the period of September 1 to October 7.
Attractions in Southeast Asia were required to have at least 5,000 sessions in 2016 and at least four out of five bubbles on TripAdvisor to qualify. Southeast Asia includes the following markets; Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.
The top 10 Trending Attractions in South East Asia are:

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1: Ramayana Water Park – Pattaya, Thailand

Ranked as Asia’s 3rd best water park on this year’s Travellers’ Choice awards by TripAdvisor, Ramayana Water Park features 21 water rides including Thailand’s longest lazy river. The TripAdvisor community loves it for its “scenic location” and recommends taking time to visit the surrounding area of Silverlake. Get a full-day pass, including rentals of tubes, life-jackets and sunbeds from about Bt1,190.

 

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2: Campuhan Ridge Walk – Ubud, Indonesia
Campuhan Ridge Walk is located minutes away from Ubud’s city centre and offers an easy walking route with stunning views of rice fields. TripAdvisor users recommend heading there at 6am to enjoy “the serenity, fresh air and sunrise views”. Stroll through Campuhan Ridge Walk and other Ubud’s iconic rice terraces like Tegalalang in a six-hour guided tour, including hotel transfer, from about Bt1,650.

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3: Borobudur Temple – Borobudur, Indonesia
Named as the No 1 landmark in Indonesia according to the 2017 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards, Borobudur is the world’s largest Buddhist temple that spans three tiers and 72 stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. Get a jump on the entrance queue and take the Borobodur sunrise money-shots before everyone else with a private tour from about Bt3,500.
 

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4: Ubud Kajeng Rice Fields Walk – Ubud, Indonesia
The Ubud Kajeng trail is deemed to be one of the “more scenic” and “less touristy” walking paths in Ubud with plenty of food options along the way. Approximately 4km long, reviewers recommend starting from Jalan Kajeng and heading north as this route starts with a small incline at the beginning and is mostly downhill towards the end.
 

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5: Lake Symphony – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Lake Symphony is a popular attraction within the 50-acre KLCC park, with water fountains that reach up to a height of 82 metres. Be sure to catch the “beautiful” and “fantastic” light and sound fountain show that goes on daily at 8pm, 9pm and 9.45pm.
 

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6: Jatiluwih Green Land – Tabanan, Indonesia
Jatiluwih Green Land is an expansive area of rolling hills and rice terraces that has also been listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Learn about local agricultural traditions and the cultural practices of Jatiluwih with a local guide on an 8.5-hour hiking experience of the Jatiluwih rice fields starting from about Bt1,380.
 

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7: Tirta Gangga – Karangasem, Bali
Tirta Gangga is a water palace built by the late King of Karengasem, comprising tiered fountains, gardens and wading pools. TripAdvisor users recommend bringing along your swimwear to cool off in its fresh water pool. Travellers wishing to learn more of Bali’s Karangasem kingdom can take part in an eight-hour guided visit to Tirta Gangga and other shrines and historic sites, starting from about Bt2,000.
 

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8: Vinpearl Land Amusement Park – Nha Trang, Vietnam
Spread across an area of approximately 200,000m2, Vinpearl Land Amusement Park features water slides, an alpine coaster, amusement rides, shopping streets and food villages. TripAdvisor users recommend taking the world’s largest over-sea cable car at 3,320 meters in length, from Vinpearl Land Pier to the park.
 

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9: Chatuchak Weekend Market – Bangkok, Thailand
As one of the world’s largest weekend markets, Chatuchak is a “must-visit” with everything under one roof – including art, clothes, leather goods, pottery, antiques, souvenirs, and local food spread over 15,000 booths. Located five minutes away from Mo Chit BTS station, reviewers say it is best to get there early to avoid the midday heat and afternoon crowds.
 

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10: Jim Thompson House – Bangkok, Thailand
Home of entrepreneur James HW Thompson, the Jim Thompson House consists of a complex of six traditional teakwood Thai-style houses. Travellers heading here can learn the story about the American businessman who made it his life’s work to bring Thai silks to the world and view his collection of antiques, silk and pottery through a four-hour guided tour at about Bt1,500.