To get you thinking about your next holiday in Asia, the team from Shanti Travel reminds us just how close we are to some of the world’s great destinations. Think temples, beaches, lakes and trekking. Here are some with flight times from Singapore that are less than four hours. Let’s get looking!
Myanmar
Fly to: Yangon International Airport
How long: 3 hours
Despite a recent tourism boom, the magical, mysterious atmosphere that surrounded Myanmar for years hasn’t disappeared. You’ll feel it as you visit the Bagan temples, explore colonial Yangon or meet Inle Lake’s ethnic minorities. This is also a walking mecca, from the Kalaw countryside to trekking through Hsipaw, or great adventures in the Burmese Himalayas in Putao.
Indonesia
Fly to: Denpasar International Airport, Bali
How long: 2 hours 20 minutes
Indonesia has something for everyone. So, you can enjoy the sweet life at Bali’s beaches, rice fields or Hindu temples. Or, explore UNESCO Heritage Sites such as Borobudur and Prambanan in Java. Perhaps you’d like to scuba dive amongst some of Asia’s richest marine biodiversity? You also have the chance to cruise to meet the legendary Komodo dragon, or climb the majestic volcanoes of Bromo, Mount Batur or Kawah Ijen.
Sri Lanka
Fly to: Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo
How long: 3 hours 50 minutes
Sri Lanka is home to multiple cultures, languages and ethnicities. For beautiful beaches and whale watching, head to the south and east coasts. If you’re keen to spot leopards and elephants, visit the 15 national parks. Another great activity is hiking; for this, you could head for the famous Ceylon tea plantations. Other highlights include Galle, Nuwara Eliya, Sigiriya and Kandy. Indeed, this is one of the ideal getaways in Asia for a memorable and manageable trip with family or friends.
Vietnam
Fly to: Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City
How long: 2 hours 10 minutes
The richness of Vietnamese gastronomy (we would go to Hanoi just for a dish of delicious pho or bun bo) is matched only by the immensity of its landscapes. There are the karst pinnacles of Halong Bay and Sapa’s endless rice terrace, and also the merchants’ houses of Hoi An and the quaint villages of the Mekong Delta. The added advantage is how well priced it all is for travellers.
Cambodia
Fly to: Siem Reap International Airport
How long: 2 hours 10 minutes
Visit Angkor’s mythical temples, explore Tonle Sap and its floating villages, lose yourself on Crusoe-worthy beaches, marvel at Khmer temples, or browse Phnom Penh’s markets: whatever you choose, Cambodia is a small place with a big impact. For a unique experience, hike the less-explored trails in the Cardamom Mountains, the Kulen region or the beautiful Virachey National Park.
Shanti Travel has a wide range of itineraries of different lengths and themes for all these destinations and more.
Visit shantitravel.com for more.
Like this? Read more about getaways in Asia and other destinations in our Travel section.
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This article first appeared in the September 2019 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
