Cascading 40 metres from the glass dome to the basement below, the Rain Vortex is the largest indoor waterfall in the world. Remarkably, this amazing attraction is the centrepiece of the Jewell Mall, attached to Terminal One of Singapore’s Changi Airport.
Although you do have to pass through immigration/security to view the Rain Vortex, it is possible to access the Jewel Mall, even when just transiting through Changi Airport, and from all four terminals (although a short bus is required from Terminal Four).
The Rain Vortex waterfall is the focal point of the Shiseido Forest Valley within the Jewel, that incorporates more than 900 trees and thousands of lush shrubs in an amazing indoor garden. The Canopy Park on the Jewel’s highest level offers walking trails through the mist, with raised views across the Rain Vortex.
You can be forgiven for forgetting that you are next to one of the busiest airports in the world!
After enjoying an afternoon on Nai Narm Beach (its golden sands just visible behind the palm tree in this photo), jump in a tuk tuk and ask to be dropped at the pathway that leads up to Leam (Cape) Promthep. Your driver will know where you mean, for each evening, both tourists and locals gather at the cape’s viewpoint to witness what never fails to be a spectacular sunset over the Andaman Sea.
Cape Phromthep is located on the southernmost tip of Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, famous for its stunning beaches that are lapped by aquamarine waters and backdropped by soaring limestone karsts. After the sun has dipped below the horizon, it’s hard to resist the laidback ambiance of the bohemian beach bars that dot Phuket’s shores, though one too many and that temptation may extend to the dancefloor in Patong!
Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, is a centrepiece of Cambodia’s history. It was initially built in the 12th Century by King Suryavarman II to honour the Hindu god Vishnu, before gradually evolving into a Buddhist temple.
As well as its impressive size, Angkor Wat is renowned for its intricate design and extensive bas-reliefs that reflect ancient Khmer culture. Its five iconic towers symbolise Mount Meru from Hindu mythology, and the vast moat that surrounds them, the cosmic ocean.
You can visit for yourself on an Angkor Wat day tour from Siem Reap or as part of a multi centre Cambodia holiday.
A renowned cultural and religious site located just north of Kuala Lumpur, the Batu Caves are a mesmerising complex of limestone caverns and temples, protected by a 140 foot golden statue of the Hindu deity Lord Murugan.
Believed to be around 400 million years old, the caves are named after the Batu River that flows nearby. Ascending a steep flight of 272 steps, visitors reach the main cave that houses intricate Hindu shrines and statues amidst impressive natural formations. The cathedral-like chambers and vibrant religious ceremonies, especially during the festival of Thaipusam, attract tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year.
The Batu Caves offer a harmonious blend of spirituality and natural beauty; a must-see on any Malaysia holiday.
On the edge of the rainforest, in the province of Sabah in northern Borneo, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned and injured orangutans, with the ultimate goal of releasing them back into the wild.
This Borneo wildlife experience provides a remarkable opportunity to witness these incredible creatures up close while contributing to their conservation. The orangutans have 42 square kilometres of the Sepilok-Kabili Forest Reserve to roam, but many still return to the viewing area to feed. It is easy to spend hours observing the playful antics of the younger orangutans and the more reserved behaviour of older individuals.
The centre offers guided tours, providing insights into the rehabilitation process and the invaluable rainforest conservation efforts taking place. The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is a must for any nature lover on a Borneo holiday.
Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple, is a breathtaking, intricately designed Buddhist temple located about 13 km south of Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand. Built in 1997, its glistening appearance comes from a mosaic of tiny mirrors set amongst its whitewashed façade.
Wat Rong Khun serves as an unconventional and modern interpretation of Buddhist art and architecture, blending traditional symbolism with contemporary themes; its carvings include Superman, Elvis, Hello Kitty, and Neo from from the Matrix! It is a quite intriguing and thought-provoking place of worship.
Chiang Rai is around a three hour drive from the larger northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, itself home to an array of wonderfully ornate temples.
Located off the southern coast of Singapore, Sentosa provides a tropical escape from the city, with stunning beaches and a lush, rainforested interior.
The island offers relaxation and entertainment in equal measure, with a range of resorts and health spas, two of Asia’s top golf courses, and world-class attractions including Universal Studios Singapore, Adventure Cove Waterpark and S.E.A Aquarium.
Sentosa is connected to Singapore by road and monorail, but there are more fun ways to get there! Ride the cable car for wonderful views over the island and the city skyline, or walk the tree-lined 670 metre boardwalk, illuminated at night.
You can pair Singapore and Sentosa for a short break, or stay on the island if stopping over in Singapore en route to Australia or New Zealand.
Gaya Island Resort is situated on a stunning tropical island, just off the coast from Kota Kinabalu in Malaysian Borneo. The resort is surrounded by tropical rainforest and leads down to a beautiful white sandy beach. Contemporary and stylish in design, the hotel consists of several buildings, raised on stilts that elevate bedrooms up into the jungle canopy.
A holiday to Gaya Island promises a mix of elegant relaxation and exciting exploration. Guests can choose between relaxing on the beach and a treatment in the onsite spa, or a guided jungle trek followed by a boat trip to the local coral reef alongside the hotel’s resident marine biologist.
Dining is always an event at Gaya Island Resort, with five restaurants and lounges spread across the hotel’s grounds, ranging from an extensive international buffet to an intimate sushi restaurant.
Relatively unvisited by the western tourist, the beautiful Ninh Binh province has so much to offer with stunning scenery, traditional rural life and important cultural monuments.
The citadel of Hoa Lu, which was the ancient capital of the Dinh and Le dynasties date back to the 11th century. Bai Dinh pagoda covers an area of 2,000 hectares making it the largest complex of Buddhist temples in South East Asia. For the energetic, a 200 step climb offers a stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Situated between the resorts of Krabi and Ao Nang, Railay Beach is known as one of the best in Thailand, due to its very soft sand, and the lack of stones or sharp coral. Uniquely, it is only accessible by boat due to the high limestone cliffs and steep jungle slopes that surround it.
These same cliffs have become a tourist attraction themselves. Popular with the rock climbing fraternity, Railay often hosts international competitions that draw crowds of onlookers.
Overlooking Kuala Lumpur city from the top of Robson Heights, the Thean Hou Temple is one of the largest Buddhist temples in South East Asia. Although a contemporary building (it was completed in 1987) it is defined by classic Chinese architecture, featuring spectacular multi-tiered roofs, imposing pillars and ornate carvings.
Although open throughout the day, the temple comes alive at night, when it is illuminated, bringing out the red roofs and pillars, which are a symbol of prosperity. The temple has become a central part of the annual Chinese New Year celebrations, when the whole temple is decorated with glowing lanterns and torches.
The beautiful Banana Beach is located on the island of Koh Hey, also known as Coral Island. The island is part of a National Park and Marine Preservation Area that ensures the clear waters around the island offer plentiful sea life for divers and snorkellers from Banana Beach. The island is accessed by boat from Chalong Pier, Phuket.
Development at Banana Beach is restricted, and existing buildings must make use of natural tropical materials, mostly found on the island. This preserves the character of the beach and prevents over-development, helping protect the local environment and wildlife.
Climb to the top of Khao Takiap and you can gaze back along the coast towards the resort town of Hua Hin, or south along the endless beaches that adorn the western shores of the Gulf of Thailand. Do beware however, as the rocky outcrop is also known as Monkey Mountain; make sure any snacks you’re carrying are securely hidden in the bottom of your bag!
Just a two and a half hour drive from Bangkok, Hua Hin is popular with both locals and international visitors, as a weekend escape or a beach break at the end of a multi centre Thailand holiday.
Although it takes around an hour longer, travelling to Hua Hin by rail is a great way to experience Thai life. The journey passes through the suburbs of the capital en route to Ratchaburi, home to the famous Damnoen Saduak floating market, before heading south.
Located where the jungle meets the sea, the fabulous Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort & Spa is set over 400 acres, including a three kilometre private beach, a 64 acre natural forest reserve and an 18 hole golf course.
It is the perfect place to relax after exploring Borneo’s ancient rainforests and breathtaking natural landscapes, with eight different dining options, two swimming-pools, a tennis court and a croquet lawn at your leisure.
Not to mention spectacular sunsets, best enjoyed cocktail in hand. The perfect finale to your Malaysia and Borneo holiday.
On the eastern side of the island of Bali, away from the popular tourist areas further south, lies the beautiful Water Palace of Taman Ujung. Centred around three large lakes, the palace was originally completed in 1921, as a retreat for the then King of Karangasem. Since then the palace has had to endure nearby volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, but repairs undertaken in the early 2000s, have brought the palace and the beautiful gardens that surround it, back to their former glory.
On an island in the centre of the largest lake lies the Bale Gili. Reached by an ornate sculptured bridge (above) the Bale Gili is the main meeting house, where the king would have welcomed guests and official dignitaries. The white stone pillars of the Bale Gili dominate the surroundings, and the stained glass windows and timber shutters are an indication of the importance placed on this meeting area. Even the guard towers that overlook the bridge are ornately decorated, creating a sense of grandeur.
Although off the beaten track, the Taman Ujung Water Palace is well worth adding to your Bali holiday itinerary.
Since their introduction in the 14th century, Chinese sailing boats, or junks, have become an important part of Vietnamese culture, particularly for transporting people and goods up and down the coast.
Today many of these traditional vessels have been converted into comfortable passenger cruisers for day and night sailings around Halong Bay. They are part of the remarkable scenery as much as the limestone pillars and islands.
Climb the 1,237 steps to the golden Buddha at Tiger Cave Temple and you’ll be rewarded with a stunning 360 degree view over the thick forests and iconic limestone karsts of Krabi province and out to the Andaman Sea. Early morning or evening is recommended, to catch the changing colours of sunrise or sunset and avoid the heat of the day.
Allow time to also visit the Tiger Cave itself at the foot of the ‘cliff’, to see the ornate shrines and statues and a paw print on the floor, and the neighbouring Wonderland Forest, home to a towering tropical fig tree, 50 metres in height, held up by giant buttress roots.
Tiger Cave Temple (or Wat Tham Sua) is 5 km northeast from the main town of Krabi, easily accessible by taxi or a fun ride in a tuk tuk.
A quintessential Thai scene; longtail boats adorned with colourful ties, forested limestone peaks rising in the background. About as far from the 9 to 5 as you can get.
The Phi Phi Islands are a tropical paradise, accessible by ferry or speedboat from Phuket or Krabi. There are six islands in the archipelago to explore, including the uninhabited Koh Phi Phi Leh, with its turquoise bay sheltered by rocky cliffs, and Koh Pai (or Bamboo Island), which is just 600 metres wide and offers superb snorkelling in the colourful corals off its western shore.
You can combine Phi Phi with Phuket and Koh Samui on a Thai island hopping holiday or just choose a Phi Phi hotel for an extended stay by the Andaman Sea.
In the Gulf of Thailand, the Ang Thong National Marine Park consists of 42 islands, covered in thick jungle, broken by limestone cliffs and waterfalls. The name translates to ‘golden basin’.
The easiest island to reach is Ko Wua Ta Lap, which can be visited from Koh Samui by boat. Here you can snorkel in turquoise waters or climb for around 45 minutes to a viewpoint that offers a panoramic vista across the marine park.
On the southern tip of Phuket, the viewpoint at Leam (Cape) Phromthep Viewpoint offers breathtaking vistas over the island dotted Andaman Sea, with Koh Racha Yai, Koh Racha Noi and the Phi Phi Islands visible on a fine day. Visit at sunset and you’ll see the colours of the sea and sky transform from tropical blues to blushing pinks and hazy reds.
There are coconuts stalls and a restaurant that serves local seafood at the Phromthep Cape viewpoint, as well as a distinctively designed lighthouse, small museum and Buddhist shrine, surrounded by over 100 grey and golden elephants, trunks raised in the air.
A taxi ride to Promthep Cape can be arranged by your hotel. It’s a wonderfully rewarding evening activity on any Phuket holiday.
Just over 30 km off Malaysia’s East Coast, Tioman Island has a densely rainforested, mountainous interior, fringed by spacious beaches, lapped by turquoise waters that are home to colourful coral reefs.
A local decree preventing the construction of buildings over three stories high, means that hotels on Tioman have a traditional charm, complimenting the island’s laid back and welcoming atmosphere. In the Japamala Resort you can stay in Malay style wooden chalets, nestled on the hillside, then enjoy dinner on the jetty as the sun sets over the South China Sea.
Tioman Island is accessed by ferry from the town of Mersing, which is around a four hour drive or short flight from both Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. It enjoys average daily highs between 28 and 31 degrees and dry weather during the rainy season in Penang and Langkawi off the country’s West Coast, meaning there’s never a bad time for a Malaysia holiday!
On the banks of the Nam Song River, surrounded by towering limestone karsts, Vang Vieng is a small town in central Laos, that was once popular with backpackers, but now welcomes the more discerning visitor.
In the town itself there are are a number of ornate Buddhist temples and a night market to explore, and just outside, picturesque rice paddies with wooden boardwalks, ideal for an evening stroll, jungle fringed lagoons and mysterious mountain caves.
Best visited between November to March to avoid the rains, Vang Vieng is a three to four hour drive north from Vientiane, the Laos capital, making it a perfect stopping point on the way to Luang Prabang – the route followed by our Highlights of Laos small group tour.
Chiang Rai is the mostly northerly province in Thailand, bordering both Laos and Myanmar (Burma) in an area known as the Golden Triangle, where the Mekong and Ruak Rivers converge.
Adjoining the river plains and covering large swathes of the province are the forest-clad Thai Highlands, home to a number of ethnic hill tribes who in the most part live off the land, though now also supplement their income by welcoming visitors into their communities to share their traditional way of life.
In the city of Chiang Rai, which sits in the heart of the province, is Wat Rong Khun, a Buddhist temple covered in unexpected carvings and containing painted murals of spaceships and modern movie characters portraying Siddhartha’s life teachings.
Chiang Rai city is approximately a four hour drive from the larger Chiang Mai, both destinations included in our Ultimate Northern Thailand private tour, in which you travel with your own guide and vehicle.
The three small islands of Nang Yuan are connected by a sand bar, which doubles up as a beautiful beach. You don’t have to swim far from the shore to find colourful corals and marine life, which the local government are pro-actively protecting, banning cans and plastic bottles from the islands. Make sure to also climb the hill to the viewpoint, to snap this photo for yourself.
Koh Nang Yuan is around a 15 minute long tail boat ride from Koh Tao, a larger but equally stunning island in the Chumphon Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand. With its numerous beach resorts, such as the Haadtien, it is easy to a spend a few days on Koh Tao, where there is also great snorkelling and diving.
Koh Tao itself is a ferry ride from Koh Samui, from where there are direct flights to Bangkok. If you’re after an island hopping, multi centre Thailand holiday this could be it!
Covering a 12 hectare site where the district of Air Itam meets the mountains of central Penang, Kek Lok Si is the largest Buddhist complex in Malaysia.
A maze of temples, pagodas and monasteries, Kek Lok Si attracts pilgrims from Singapore, the Philippines and other South East Asian countries, as well as welcomes people of all beliefs to explore its wonderful artwork, sculptures and gardens and learn about the Buddhist faith.
Looking over the site stands a 36 metre tall bronze statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, illuminated each night along with the seven-storey Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, which combines Burmese, Thai and Chinese architectural influences.
To save time you can book a half day tour to Kek Lok Si and Penang Hill, including hotel transfers, when you arrange your Malaysia holiday. If you would like to make your own way there, Kek Lok Si is around 8 km, 25 minute taxi ride from central Georgetown.
Whilst best known for its dragons, Komodo National Park also boasts one picture-perfect beach after another across its three large islands and 26 islets.
This stunning example gets its gentle pink hue from tiny fragments of rose-coloured coral in the sand. Known simply as Pink Beach, or Pantai Merah, it is located on the east of the main island of Komodo itself, 30 minutes across the bay from the National Park entrance.
Komodo National Park is an unforgettable addition to a holiday or honeymoon to Bali. It is reached by a short flight to Labuan Bajo, on the neighbouring island of Flores, then a boat ride. Our Komodo Explorer includes a cruise to Rinca and Bidadari Islands and guided tour in search of Komodo dragons. Please speak with our team if you would like to go to Pantai Merah.
Bangkok truly is a city that never sleeps. Once you’ve had your fill of sightseeing during the day (the magnificent Golden Palace and 46 metre reclining Buddha at Wat Pho just two of many unmissable attractions), prepare yourself for evenings of great food, shopping and entertainment at the Thai capital’s numerous night markets, restaurants and bars.
The 60 metre tall Ferris wheel pictured above is at the Asiatique bazaar, on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, and offers riders stunning views over the city, night or day.
If this all sounds a bit much, away from Bangkok, Thailand is blessed with countless tropical beaches where you can find space to yourself. Our multi centre holidays to Thailand provide the right balance of city excitement and relaxation.
This peaceful buddha watches over a bridge into the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the ruins of which can be explored from Siem Reap in northwest Cambodia. Housing a royal palace and multiple temples, the walled city was surrounded by a square moat, each side 3 km in length.
Angkor Thom is within walking distance of the mystical Angkor Wat, which features on the Cambodian national flag and is thought to be the largest religious monument in the world. One or three day passes are available to discover these historical wonderments for yourself, or you can pre-book a guided Temples of Angkor tour when you arrange your Cambodia holiday.
Completed in 2018, the 150 metre Golden Bridge, supported by two giant stone hands, provides stunning views of the Ba Na Hills and central highlands of Vietnam.
Once a summer retreat for French army officers, the Ba Na Hills has recently undergone a major refurbishment, transforming it into a 19th Century village, complete with cobblestoned streets, a bell tower and flower gardens. A somewhat surreal experience in the heart of South East Asia!
It is well worth a visit however, if not just for evolving panoramic vistas offered by the 5 km cable car ride to get there. There are regular day tours to the Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge from Hoi An or Danang, which you can pre-book as you arrange your Vietnam holiday.
Opened to the public in October 2011, Gardens by the Bay represents Singapore’s ambition to be the world’s premier tropical Garden City. There are over 1.5 million plants in the various open-air gardens and stylishly designed glass conservatories, which mimic environments from around the globe.
The 18 iconic Supertrees, measuring between 25 and 50 metres in height, provide welcome shade during the day before bursting into a display of colour and sound each night. A recently opened skyway allows you two walk between the Supertrees 22 metres above the gardens, and enjoy a panoramic view of Singapore’s Marina Bay skyline.
If you’re planning a Singapore holiday you can pre-book your Gardens by the Bay admission, including hotel transfers.
Located in the North West of Peninsular Malaysia, the gentle slopes and plateaus of the Cameron Highlands are covered by picturesque tea estates, first planted by the British in the 1930’s.
Around a three hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, on well-maintained roads, the Cameron Highlands provide a nice contrast to the capital city, and cooler temperatures, and are thus a popular inclusion in many Malaysian holiday and self drive itineraries.
This beautiful beach, which you might just get to yourself on a holiday to Bali, is on the island’s southern Bukit Peninsula.
Nearby, and also worth visiting, is Uluwatu Temple, which sits on a cliff edge 70 metres above the Indonesian Ocean. To reach it visitors have to climb a long stone stairway, keeping an eye out for monkeys who try to steal food or drinks bottles!
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