When we think of Southeast Asia, we usually picture busy cities, people selling noodles, boats at a floating market, and colourful small taxis (tuk tuks) near beautiful temples. And that is what you see. But sometimes, the area can surprise you with a place that looks completely different, a geography you were not expecting at all.
We are talking about some of the most beautiful mountain towns hidden in Southeast Asia. Most tourists go to the popular, clear beaches, so these towns are often forgotten. But if you really like the mountains, you must put these places at the top of your list!
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Tired of the busy beaches in Thailand? Chiang Mai is the best city in Northern Thailand. Many tourists go to Pattaya or Phuket, but people who travel often choose Chiang Mai. They come here to relax and breathe the fresh mountain air. Green mountains surround the city; they mark the end of the Himalayas. They are full of many kinds of plants and animals, and you will see lots of unique flowers and gardens.
Apart from the natural beauty, Chiang Mai is also a great food hub and a popular place for digital nomads. The town has numerous unique cafes with great coffee, food, wifi, culture, and a slow vibe that draws people to this chic town. Explore the best of Chiang Mai by visiting its beautiful temples, pagodas, nearby hill-tribes, several natural parks, hiking trails, and Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand.
When to visit: The best time to visit Chiang Mai is between November and January, when a hint of chill in the air adds to the atmosphere. The worst time is from March to mid-May, since forest fires in the area produce heavy smoke. If you enjoy festivals, try catching Loy Krathong in October, which is celebrated splendidly.
How to reach Chiang Mai: Take an overnight train or bus from Bangkok, which is the cheapest option. Flights are also frequent. If you wish to cover a few places in between, you can think of driving from Bangkok as well.
Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Want to see a piece of England hidden in Malaysia? Cameron Highlands is Malaysia’s biggest and most popular mountain resort. It is famous for its huge tea gardens and grows cool crops like strawberries. The English built this area long ago. It is named after William Cameron, the British man who first made the maps. Because of this, you can still find old English houses and small towns that the British used to escape the hot weather below.
Since the area’s major produce is Tea, you must visit a tea garden and factory. Some of the guided tours offer a tea plantation guide, a factory tour showcasing end-to-end tea processing, and even tea tastings. Other popular activities in the area are strawberry picking at local farms, visiting the flower garden, and exploring some of the many waterfalls in the area. If you enjoy the outdoors, you can also explore some of the popular hiking trails that go through the moss forest on Mount Brinchang.
When to visit: The best time to visit Cameron Highlands is between February and April, and July and August, with clear skies and enjoyable weather. The months of May to June and September to January see heavy or periodic rainfall, where landslides are common, but the highlands come to life with vivid greenery and low prices.
How to reach Cameron Highlands: Take a bus from Kuala Lumpur as the cheapest option, which takes between 4 and 5 hours. You can also take a private taxi, which is pricier. Another option is to take a train to Ipoh and a bus onwards.
Da Lat, Vietnam
Looking for a place with slow living and great coffee in Vietnam? Moving to Vietnam, Da Lat is a mountain town in the South. The French built it a long time ago so they could escape the hot weather in Vietnam. Da Lat is a beautiful place with nice buildings, quiet lakes, big gardens full of flowers, and a very slow pace of life. It is also famous for coffee farms, and they grow much of the popular Vietnamese coffee here.
The town is especially popular for honeymooners, and you can find a wide range of activities to do. Go ahead and explore the nearby waterfalls, take a boat ride on the Xuan Huong Lake and get an aerial view of the city from Lanbiang Peak. For the cultural side, visit the Crazy House, the Linh Phuoc Pagoda, and the Bao Dai Summer Palace. In fact, the old railway station is also a popular tourist attraction for its Art Deco-style architecture.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Da Lat is between November and April, when the weather is peachy and the skies are clear. You can also find several flower gardens blooming with seasonal flowers during this time.
How to visit Da Lat: You can take a bus, minivan, or private taxi from Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, or Da Nang. Many luxury and comfortable bus and minivan services run frequently on these routes.
Tagaytay, Philippines
Nestled in the highlands of the Philippines and a little ahead of Manila is Tagaytay, also known as the ‘Second Summer Capital’, with a cool climate and tropical landscape. Tagaytay is iconic because of its view of the Taal Lake and Volcano. The freshwater lake inside the volcanic crater is especially beautiful with the Taal Volcano rising from its centre. Although Taal is one of the most active volcanoes in the country, hiking the volcano was permitted until 2020, before it erupted. The hiking activity has been ceased since then. But several boat operators offer boating tours in the lake with a close-up view of the volcano.
The most popular spot in the town is the People’s Park in the sky, the highest spot that gives a complete 360-degree view of the surrounding areas. Other popular places are the Picnic grove with some light outdoor activities like horse riding, zip lining, or a cable car ride, the Twin Lake with Scenic views, and Sonya’s Garden, known for its beautiful views and organic garden. Other popular places are Museo Orlina, Puzzle Mansion, and Yoki’s Farm.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Tagaytay is between November and May, with cooler weather and clear skies. December and January are the best months for outdoor activities.
How to reach Tagaytay: You can take a bus from Manila to Tagaytay, which typically takes 2-3 hours of travel time. For more flexibility, consider taking a private taxi or renting a car to drive yourself.
Munduk, Bali, Indonesia
Just north of Bali lies a small village, situated in the midst of lush rice terraces and stunning forests, often shrouded in mist. While most tourists prefer to visit Ubud and Kuta, Muduk is often unseen and hidden in the central highlands of the island. Munduk is a serene destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat and respite from Bali’s tourist hotspots. Munduk is slow-paced, much closer to nature, and devoid of overly crowded tourist attractions, so you can explore at your own pace and enjoy your time in nature.
While in Munduk, discover the serene Munduk and Golden Valley waterfalls, hike up to Twin Lake Viewpoint, and don’t miss a visit to the beautiful Tirta Gangga Water Palace. Along the way, enjoy unique local photo spots perfect for capturing unforgettable memories. You can also venture out and explore local plantations on your own, with some stunning views of rice terraces, or just enjoy wandering around the local markets and villages to see the local way of life. Do not miss stopping at Ulun Danu Beratan Temple or the floating temple that sits at the foothills of the Munduk hills.
Best time to visit: April to October is the dry season in Munduk, Bali, which will allow you to enjoy the outdoors with clear skies and a mud-free terrain. However, the wet season between October and April will bring in a more vivid scenery and bring the waterfalls to life.
How to reach Munduk: For tourists, the best way to reach Munduk is by private car or scooter. You can rent a car in Denpasar, Bali, and drive from there, or you can rent a scooter in Ubud. Taxi services in Bali are also available. The travel time is approximately 2 hours from Ubud and 2.5 hours from Denpasar.
Vang Vieng, Laos
Vang Vieng is often known as the Guilin of Southeast Asia. The town, sitting deep in the Lao countryside, is popular for its scenic Karst limestone mountains that give it its picturesque characteristic of multi-layered mountains in the background. Enjoy lush green lime-coloured paddy fields and a view of the Nam Song River that rushes through the town. Pick a two-wheeler and zoom around the town and the countryside to explore lagoons, tourist attractions, local temples, and hiking trails.
Once popular as a wild backpacking destination for the young in Southeast Asia, Vang Vieng has reinvented itself as an eco-tourism destination with a focus on adventure activities. Some of the most popular activities in Vang Vieng are Tubing, Kayaking, Hiking trails like Nam Xay and Pha Ngern for spectacular views, and enjoying emerald blue lagoons with swing ropes and ziplines. One of the best ways to enjoy the scenic views of Vang Vieng is with a hot air balloon. Vang Vieng is also home to some beautiful caves.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Vang Vieng is between late October to March when the skies are clear and the weather is cooler. You can enjoy wandering around the countryside without the muddy trails and find lagoons with their iconic azure colours. However, the monsoon season does bring the green paddy fields to life.
How to visit Vang Vieng: You can reach Vang Vieng either from Luang Prabang or Vientiane by minivans, buses, high-speed railway, or private taxi. Travel time can depend on the conveyance. The fastest way to travel is using high-speed railway, while the roadways will take longer but are much more affordable.
Sa Pa, Vietnam
Sa Pa is a popular mountain town in northern Vietnam known for its beautifully crafted rice terraces and scenic hill beauty, paired with minority ethnic culture. The town is also close to the highest mountain in Vietnam, Mount Fansipan. If you find pictures of green, vivid paddy fields carved out in perfect harmony over gentle valleys in Vietnam, you know it is Sa Pa. The beautiful rice terraces are also considered a National Landscape Relic. The area has proximity to China, and you will find a mix of ethnic groups of Hmong Dao, Tay, Giay, and Xa Pho in the surrounding areas.
Sa Pa is a major trekking base, and you can also find several hiking trails passing through rice fields and villages like Cat Cat and Ta Phin. If you enjoy the outdoors and fancy a challenge, you can trek Mount Fansipan itself. If not, you can take the cable car to the top. You can just relax in nature, enjoying the local vibrant culture that is rooted in customs by staying at local homestays and tasting local cuisines like Sapa salmon, suckling pig, Con Sui (dry Pho), and Thang Co (typically made with horse meat, vegetables, and spices)
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Sa Pa is between September and November for golden coloured paddy fields ready to harvest and April to May for blooming flowers. Winter months of December – February can be misty and cold, while the monsoon can be both wet and beautiful, for the water creates a mirror
How to reach Sa Pa: You can take a bus or a train to Sa Pa from Hanoi. Several overnight operators run frequent buses to Sa Pa with varied facilities. It takes between 6 and 8 hours to reach Sa Pa from Hanoi.
Pai, Thailand
What small town is hiding just north of Chiang Mai? Just past Chiang Mai, up in North Thailand, is a small town called Pai. It is often called a backpacker’s dream because it is very relaxed and life is slow. Pai is also a great place for people who want vegetarian and vegan food with Thai flavors. It has many cafes, hot springs, and different views, from canyons to mountains. Pai is full of surprises and has something for everyone.
When in Pai, head over to Pai Canyon for a small outdoor adventure followed by some hot springs. The Tha Pai hot springs have a variety of pools with varied temperatures, and Sai Ngam is a quieter option, a little up north. Wat Phra That Mae Yen is a tall white Buddha statue that watches over the valley, a trip that takes climbing 353 steps. Baan Santichon is a unique Chinese settlement nearby with lovely architecture and the Yun Lai viewpoint, where you get an aerial view of the valley. Don’t forget to check out the night market with fantastic food options.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Pai is between November and February, with clear skies and cool weather. The temperature may even drop to single degrees (Celsius) at times. Avoid travelling between March and May as forest fires are frequent in the area. Monsoons are also lovely, but outdoors can get muddy.
How to reach Pai: The only way to reach Pai is to take a minivan or a private vehicle from Chiang Mai. The drive takes 3 hours and you may find a few hairpin curves, so brace yourself for a nauseous ride.
Conclusion
If you enjoy mountains, flowers, and valleys, these places in Southeast Asia will hold some of the most beautiful scenic views and a unique culture far from the usual sights and itinerary of a regular traveller. Make sure you have something warm for the ride, and don’t forget to take loads of pictures.
FAQs
What should I bring to the mountain towns in Southeast Asia?
You should pack light layers for evenings, warm jackets or hoodies for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, and a rain jacket. Even during the dry season, the weather changes very fast at higher altitudes. A small daypack, sunscreen, and insect repellent also come in handy.
Are these mountain towns family-friendly?
They provide good services to families, particularly in destinations such as Chiang Mai, Tagaytay, Da Lat, and Cameron Highlands. Adventure locations such as Vang Vieng or Pai might have to enforce age restrictions on some tours.
Is it easy to find vegan or vegetarian food?
Yes. Vegan travellers are particularly well off in Thailand, Vietnam, and Bali. Cafes or restaurants usually have vegetarian options in even smaller towns, but the selection in Laos or in remote locations is often less.
Is altitude sickness a concern?
The majority of these towns have moderate altitudes, hence altitude sickness is not a major problem. Some trekking paths and Sa Pa are at higher altitudes, yet travellers do not report severe symptoms. It helps to stay hydrated and do it slowly.
What is the best way to get around once I arrive?
Scooters are common in most of them, particularly Bali, Pai, and Vang Vieng. In Vietnam and Thailand, taxis and ride-hailing applications are extremely common. In small towns, it is fine to walk around or rent a bicycle.
Are they safe places where a solo traveller can visit?
Generally yes. These are friendly and tourism-oriented towns. Nevertheless, also follow common sense: be careful not to visit lonely spots during the dark, leave the valuables locked in safe places, and use the services of the famous tour operator.
