10 Hidden gems in Asia you need to visit
More and more people are traveling these days, which means that many familiar places are often overrun by tourists. In some cities, it’s nearly impossible to walk because of the crowds, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to take a break from work. When you travel, you probably don’t want to be surrounded by tourists all the time. You also don’t want to feel like you’re just observing something staged solely for foreign tourists. That’s why it’s time to say goodbye to the “tourist traps” and hello to authentic experiences. In this article, we’ve listed 10 destinations in Asia that are still relatively undiscovered for a trip you won't forget.
1. Togean Islands, Indonesia
There are few places on Earth as beautiful and paradisiacal as the Togean Islands, an archipelago belonging to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Here, you will find the classic bounty beaches, with golden sand, green palm trees, and an azure sea full of tropical fish. The locals are very welcoming and treat you as if you have been living on the island forever. It is easy to blend in.
Picture by: https://cruisingindonesia.com/The Togean Islands are far from civilization and can only be reached by boat. There is no telephone or internet connection here, and you shouldn’t expect too much luxury—but with so much natural beauty around you, that is hardly necessary. It’s rare to find places as pristine and beautiful as the Togean Islands.
So expect golden sand beaches, thick rows of palm trees, and small-scale resorts along the waterfront. On the island you can relax on the beach and lounge in a hammock on your bungalow's veranda, but the underwater world is even more stunning. Snorkeling and diving around the Togean Islands are fantastic, as the underwater diversity here is unmatched in Indonesia. With atoll reefs, barrier reefs, and coastal reefs, you can swim among a spectacular mix of colorful coral and tropical fish. You can snorkel right off the beach or join a boat excursion to the most beautiful diving and snorkeling sites in the area.
2. Côn Đảo Islands, Vietnam
Con Dao is not a very big island full of attractions like for example a more popular Phu Quoc. Instead, you come here for authentic local life, untouched nature, and tranquility. The best things to do involve exploring the beautiful nature on the island, enjoying its stunning beaches, or venturing into the water and underwater world. There are also historical sites in Con Dao related to the Vietnam War and colonial times.
The shores of Bay Canh Island are a breeding ground for turtles, and there are many diving spots in the surrounding clear waters. On the eastern tip of the island, there is a path through the forest leading to the colonial-era Bay Canh lighthouse, offering panoramic views.
It’s worth to spend at least three days on the island, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the beach, explore the island, and even do a little snorkeling or diving. The beaches of Con Dao are among the best in Vietnam and are a primary reason travelers visit. Most of these beaches are on the main island of Con Son and are easily accessible by road. Here, you’ll find very soft sand and, fortunately, little litter.
3. Isfahan, Iran
Iran is very different from countries like Indonesia or Thailand, but that’s what makes it so interesting. One of Iran's most famous sights is Isfahan, also known as Esfahan. This city is reputed to be one of the most beautiful in the world. It is one of the more popular cities in Iran among tourists, and for good reason—Isfahan is indeed stunning. Are you planning a tour of Iran? Then you should definitely put this city on your list.
You can easily entertain yourself for a long time in Esfahan, as there is much to see. For example, visit the Naqsh-e Jahan Square. This square, also called Meidan-e Emam Square, is one of the largest in the world and forms the heart of Esfahan, so you can’t really miss it when you’re in the city. Nowadays, locals come here to picnic and relax, but in the past, the square was mainly used by conquerors to celebrate milestones and organize military parades.
We also recommend visiting the Qaisarieh Bazaar. Once one of Iran's most upscale shopping centers, people now mostly come here to find handicrafts. The entrance gate to the bazaar is particularly special.
4. Kep and Koh Tonsay Island, Cambodia
Kep is a small coastal town in southern Cambodia, just 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from Vietnam. Many backpackers skip Kep, even though it’s a lovely place to spend at least a night or more. During the French rule, Kep was once the most popular seaside resort in Cambodia. However, times have changed, and you won’t see the crowds of tourists here that you might find at the Angkor temples near Siem Reap. The beaches and the crab market make it an interesting destination for travelers looking to discover lesser-visited places.|
Most of the beaches consist of black sand, although a few white sand beaches can also be found. This is because white sand was brought to Kep from Sihanoukville to attract more tourists.
As you walk through Kep, you’ll undoubtedly come across the old colonial houses and the palace, beautiful buildings that can be found along the coast. If you continue walking along the coast, you can find salt fields, which are regularly flooded with seawater by the residents. When the water evaporates, salt is left behind, creating a thick layer of salt over time.
More beaches can be found on the islet of Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island). If you come to Kep during the summer season, as a true backpacker, you can’t skip a visit to Koh Tonsay. The island has beautiful beaches, hammocks, and a serene atmosphere, far from touristy. Don’t expect luxury or big parties here; you come for peace and quiet. The island has a real backpacker vibe, with hardly any electricity and no hot water—let alone WiFi.
Koh Tonsay can be reached from the pier (east of the beach) in Kep, with daily boats to the island. There are a few accommodations on the island where you can spend the night. If you don’t have time, you can also take the last boat back at the end of the day.
5. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Raja Ampat is part of the province of West Papua in eastern Indonesia, consisting of more than 1,600 islands, ranging in size from small bounty islands to larger islands with mountains reaching up to 1,000 meters (3280 ft). Only 35 of these islands are inhabited.
Raja Ampat is a world of raw nature, and even the locals themselves do not know what lives high up in the mountains. However, Raja Ampat is all about the underwater world. The archipelago lies at the heart of the "coral triangle," an area of six million km² with the highest biodiversity of coral in the world. The area covers the Philippines, Malaysia, and much of Indonesia.
This means diving tourism is on the rise in Raja Ampat. You’ll find the highest concentration of marine life in the world. 80% of all coral species on Earth have settled here (that’s ten times more than in the Caribbean), along with 1,650 species of fish, six of the seven species of turtles, and 27 species of marine mammals (including whales, sharks, dolphins, and giant manta rays).
Until a few years ago, there were hardly any tourists here; nowadays, only a handful come this way. It allows you to truly get to know the islands and their special culture. The locals treat tourists as new friends and will do anything to make your stay extra special by inviting you to ceremonies and proudly sharing their culture.
6. Tsum Valley, Nepal
Tsum Valley is a stunning region in Nepal where Tibetan Buddhism is fully alive. Here, you can go on a beautiful and varied hike through pristine and pure territory. Tsum Valley opened for trekking in 2008 and is only accessible via the Manaslu trail. Partly because of this, the valley is still quite undiscovered and peaceful.
Picture by: https://www.nepalguideinfo.com/It’s a place where you can still hear the sound of silence. Trekking through the Tsum Valley offers a fantastic mix of nature, culture, and spirituality. White peaks, spectacular vistas, hairy yaks, colorful prayer flags, monasteries, mani walls, and stupas— Tsum Valley is diverse, authentic, and unspoiled. Along the way, you will meet the hospitable residents of this region and learn about their culture and lifestyle.
Tsum Valley is an accessible trek that can be done year-round. It’s a good choice for beginners, trekkers seeking spirituality, or those who don’t want to go to extreme heights right away. Along the way, you can visit various monasteries such as Rachen Gumpa, Dephyo Doma, and Mu Gumpa.
7. Ella, Sri Lanka
Ella is located in the highlands of Sri Lanka, offering a lovely cool climate and plenty of things to do. Because of this, it’s one of those places where you’ll want to linger for at least three days. Every country has a village like this, where every traveler immediately falls in love with the laid-back atmosphere and beautiful green surroundings. There is Pai in Thailand, Ubud in Indonesia, and Ella in Sri Lanka.
Around Ella, you’ll find many tea plantations, waterfalls, and great viewpoints. You’ll be quite active here during the day, doing lots of hiking, and in the evening, you can enjoy a well-deserved drink in one of the cozy bars.
The area has a huge diversity of flora and fauna. Views of the gorge called Ella Gap are breathtaking, with mountains rising to the right and left of the gorge. In short, it’s a peaceful place where you can explore the area on foot. Ella is a must-visit during your tour of Sri Lanka.
8 Batanes, Philippines
If you want to escape the typical Philippines experience, you don’t have to leave the country. Instead, you can go to Batanes—a group of 10 islands in the northernmost part of the Philippines. Only three of these islands are inhabited. The landscape here alternates between volcanoes, rugged cliffs, green hills, and white beaches with turquoise seawater.
Batanes is nothing like the rest of the Philippines in terms of landscape. You’ll feel more like you’re in Scotland, only with nicer beaches and better weather. The three inhabited islands are the 'main island' Batan, Sabtang where you’ll find the most beautiful traditions, and the quiet Itbayat.
Less than 20,000 people live on these islands. Today, you can still see remnants of Spanish rule in the form of old churches and bridges.
There’s plenty to see and do in Batanes. Fun activities on the islands include renting a bike and cycling through the beautiful surroundings, past rugged terrain, beautiful valleys, green pastures with water buffalo and horses, and coastline where waves roll in all day long.
9. Wae Rebo, Indonesia
Scrambling chickens. Little children playing. Drying laundry. A dozen houses, mostly made of wood. Want a special, unique experience? Then you should definitely visit Wae Rebo—a traditional village that can only be reached by hiking through the jungle. You can spend the night in Wae Rebo, which is a very special experience.
Picture by: https://www.greenrinjani.com/Wae Rebo is beautiful and authentic, and trekking to Wae Rebo is one of the highlights of a trip to Flores. Wae Rebo cannot be reached by car. You can book transportation to Denge or Dintor in Ruteng or Labuan Bajo, and then continue on foot. The trek to Wae Rebo takes about three hours.
Wae Rebo’s main features are its unique houses, called Mbaru Niang. These tall, cone-shaped houses are completely covered by lontar thatch from top to bottom. It seems that this kind of house was once common in the region, but nowadays, only this village strives to preserve the typical Manggarai traditional house. Without these unique houses, it wouldn’t be the same.
10. Luang Namtha, Laos
Located in northern Laos, the small town of Luang Namtha is starting to gain popularity among backpackers. Not because the town is so special, but because it serves as a base for a multi-day jungle trek through the beautiful surroundings. For most backpackers, the trek provides one of the highlights of their trip through Asia.The town suffered a lot of damage during the Battle of Luang Namtha, so there wasn’t much to do for a long time. After the land borders were opened to tourists, Luang Namtha underwent significant development. A second center was created, focusing more on tourists, where you’ll find most of the accommodations, restaurants, and travel agencies for trekking.
Picture by: https://www.moganddogtravels.com/The beautiful surroundings are not the only reason why Luang Namtha is becoming a popular backpacking destination. Many backpackers also opt for trekking to connect with the minority groups living in the mountains around Luang Namtha. Ecotourism is thriving here. Tourists can experience local life, while part of the proceeds goes to the villages visited in the mountains.