Getting off the Tourist Trail in Asia
In Southeast Asia, all roads lead to Bangkok, and for most backpackers, Bangkok means Khao San Road. Khao San is the first stop on the Southeast Asian tourist trail, which loops through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.
You could follow the tourist trail to Chang Mai, float down the river to Luang Prabang, cross over the mountains to Vietnam, dip into Cambodia, and finally head back to Bangkok, hitting all the major tourist stops along the way.
Or maybe you could follow the trail south to Krabi or Ko Phi Phi, rock out under the Full Moon on Ko Phan Ngan and go diving in Ko Tao. Maybe you’ll even drop into Malaysia. Maybe not.
But why stick to the major sights? Sure, places like Angkor Wat and Luang Prabang are famous for a reason, but unique and memorable experiences await if you take the initiative to explore a bit further than the average backpacker.
Here are some suggestions for those who want to get off the trail:
Bike the Mekong River. Many tour operators offer cycling trips throughout the delta. This is a more adventurous way to see the area than the typical bus/boat package tour option. Bike tours take you off roads and into rice paddies and give a face to face experience with the delta. You feel less like a tourist being shuffled from attraction to attraction and more like a traveler. I found Delta Tours to be a good company. But if you are an experienced biker, why not do it yourself? You can set your own place and see your own sights. Even if you aren’t an experienced cyclist, the tour companies set a pace everyone can follow.
Visit a national park in Vietnam. Most people travel to Vietnam and do the typical nature tours of Halong Bay, Sapa, and the Mekong Delta. But Vietnam has a plethora of national parks that allow each traveler to see what I think is the best part of Vietnam- its natural beauty. Most of the parks go unvisited by tourists who stick to the more major destinations but for those who want a better chance to glimpse the rare gibbon, head to the national parks. They offer rewarding scenery, excellent trails, hidden gems, and a little bit of solitude from the masses.
Explore Lopburi, Thailand. Those seeking historical ruins in Thailand tend to focus on the two main sights: Ayuthaya and Sukkothai. While Lobpuri doesn’t compare to these places in terms of grandeur, there are some really nice temples here that make the city worth a visit. Most people come as a day tour from Bangkok but those who stay longer can experience a typical, rural Thai town. Enjoy the great night market by the train, watch the school children socialize in the town center, and meander through the town and watch small town, rural Thai life. But watch out for the hyperactive troop of monkeys that roam the city. They are known to grab things right from your hand!
Chill out Kep, Cambodia. This quiet French colonial town is a nice alternative to Sinhoukville, the fast paced, party capital of Cambodia’s beach scene. Kep’s beaches are equally as nice and you won’t find as many people here. You can get to Kep by detouring in Kampot instead of going right to Sinhoukville. This quite town sees less tourists and is generally more Cambodian than Sinhoukville.
Visit the Northeast of Thailand. Sometimes referred to as the Isaan (so named after the style of fiery (and I do mean fiery) food that comes from the area), this area is mostly rice paddies and dusty towns. The poorest region of Thailand is also the least touristed. Most people don’t speak English here and there are few major attractions but the area holds a certain charm and gives you a unique view of rural Thai life. The roads are less paved, have fewer tourist services, and won’t find as many posh hotels here but you will find Thai life at the local Thai price. Experience travel before all the grunt work was taken out if it. For those looking for real Thailand, this is it.
Find a Random Thai Island. Ko Phi Phi, Samui, Phuket, Ko Chang, Ko Tao. You’ve heard the names. They are amazing islands but also some of the busiest in Thailand. Secluded beach life is hard to come by here. You may find it but only for a fleeting moment. If you really want peace and quiet, find a random island. Thailand has hundreds of islands and, sure, most have some form of tourism but find one that is not in the guidebook and hard to get too and you will find your paradise. Ko Chang has a large chain of islands around it. Most are private and used for dive trips but there are still many to go to that most people never knew existed. Beach paradise is out there, it just takes a little searching. But that’s what getting off the path requires.
Meander through Southern Laos. Most people tend to skirt through Laos hitting the major destinations on their way to Vietnam or looping back into Thailand. They see Vien Vieng, Vientiane, Luang Prabang- the major sites. There isn’t much to do in Loas and the road is pretty rough so most people skip over the really exciting part- the south. Laos is a rugged land but the south is even more rugged. Don’t miss a chance to check out this area, especially the amazing Bay of Islands, a large river delta with over 4,000 islands to see. Who knows maybe you will see the famous pink dolphin before it goes extinct!
Trek in Sarawak, Malaysia. Just north of Borneo, Sarawak is rugged Malaysia. Though not completely off the tourist trail (it does see its fair share of tourists), it is still remote. Most people follow the South Asian trail from Thailand to mainland Malaysia and onto Singapore. Many do come over to Sarawak yet not enough to make it on the beaten path. If the mainland is an interstate, this is a small side highway. Here you will find the beautiful Mt. Kinabalu and its surrounding jungles. For those who want to explore their inner Joseph Conrad, this is the place.
This article appeared with modifications on MatadorTrips
