Off the tourist trail in Southeast Asia: 5 underrated cities
21.07.2023 - 08:50
/ roughguides.com
Modern Bangkok, historical Hanoi and tourism-boom town Siem Reap — home to the world-famous Angkor Wat temples — are some of Southeast Asia's best drawcards, and see thousands of visitors every year.
But the region still has plenty of places that stay well off the tourist radar. These five underrated Southeast Asian towns and cities will get you beyond the obvious.
Truth be told, it’s hard to love Sandakan at first sight. Completely destroyed by Japanese air strikes during World War II, the former capital of British Borneo – once called Elopura – has lost most of its beautiful original wooden colonial mansions. The new city is a compact and shabby cluster of concrete, yet its markets have plenty of raw charm, and incredibly cheap seafood.
Look for Sandakan historical leftovers on the hills right behind the town centre, connected to the town via a quick heritage walking trail. Up on the hill, the former home of American writer Agnes Keith — who wrote three books on life in Sandakan before and under Japanese occupation — is now a gracious museum with plenty of antiques and original fittings. Stay longer to soak the views over the bay when it flares up with burning orange, beautiful sunsets.
Don’t forget that Sandakan is surrounded by wild nature, too: a few kilometres inland, meet orangutans at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, and see the elusive Bornean sun bears at their namesake conservation centre. For more hooting, Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary is a tad touristy but grants very close encounters with the oddest of Borneo’s primates.
The Kinabatangan river, Sabah’s longest waterway and a quintessential wildlife-spotting destination, is also just a short hop away. Try to time your visit to catch a pygmy elephant migration — and be aware of the crocodiles, too.
© Lano Lan/Shutterstock
This lesser-known Northern Thailand town, once an autonomous kingdom with few links to the outside world, is closer to Laos in both spirit and geographical location. Known as Chiang Klang (the Middle City) in the 14th century, Nan was part of the Lan Na Thai Kingdom, and the main pit-stop between Chiang Mai (New City) and Chiang Thong (the “golden city”, today’s Luang Prabang in Laos). It was almost erased from existence by the Burmese armies in the 15th century.
Nan’s unique heritage is made immortal by the mural paintings adorning its many temples, especially ancient Wat Phumin, set in the middle of town. A masterpiece of Thai Lue’s architecture, it’s adorned with very detailed scenes of past local life, including the arrival of the first European colonisers.
But to get a full sense of Nan’s beauty, rent a vehicle and venture out into the countryside. Hike at Tham Pha Tup Forest Park, just 10km north of town, or drive