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The Best Off the Beaten Path Spots in Asia

Off the Beaten Path Laos

The beautiful beaches of Bali, Sri Lanka’s famous train rides, and the islands of Thailand have become common names among travellers visiting Asia. With an ever-growing number of visitors, it can be hard to escape the crowds and find magical spots that are truly off the beaten path. The following places are still largely devoid of travellers and offer some of the most breathtaking waterfalls, mountains, beaches and volcanoes on the planet. Better yet? By visiting these places you can help offset the burdens of overtourism that face popular destinations like Thailand’s Maya Bay. Time to get out your bucket list and pen, you’ll want to add these gems while they’re still quiet!

View over Cao Bang province from the Ban Gioc pagoda

Ban Gioc, Cao Bang Province, Vietnam

Magnificent Ban Gioc is the fourth largest border waterfall in the world. And while infrastructure has been built up on the side of the falls that land in China, the Vietnamese side remains remarkably undeveloped and largely absent of international tourists. In fact, there are currently only a handful of accommodation options in the jumping off city of Cao Bang. Start off your exploration of Ban Gioc by walking around the falls and hopping on a raft to get up close and personal with the raging water. Once the local crowds start to form, wander up the road until you find some inconspicuous stairs. These lead up to an enchanting pagoda. There’s an incredible view from here of the multi-tiered falls. Getting to the city of Cao Bang is only several hours by bus from Hanoi, and the falls are a further two hours by public transit. This means Ban Gioc is sure to be overflowing with travellers as the word gets out about its beauty, so try to visit here soon!

Waterfalls in Vietnam
Taking in the beauty of Ban Gioc waterfall from a raft

Du Gia, Ha Giang Province, Vietnam

The tiny village of Du Gia is nestled in the heart of Vietnam’s northern mountains. Surrounding this single-street town are rolling green mountains, snaking roads, lush rice paddies, and crumbling French ruins. Du Gia is that tiny slice of paradise you didn’t know you needed in your life. With only one hostel and two homestays to rest your head at, this little spot is beautifully new to seeing travellers. The Sunday market in town draws locals from the surrounding areas where you’ll see brightly coloured clothing of the various ethnic minority groups on display, local fruits and vegetables for sale, and a number of animals being bought (sorry to the vegetarians in the crowd!). Du Gia is a notable stop on the Ha Giang Motorbike Loop that takes you through the incredible, rugged terrain of Ha Giang province. Little Du Gia may be the highlight of the loop and, as more travellers discover the incredible north of Vietnam, it likely won’t remain off the beaten path for many more years. 

Du Gia's Sunday market in full swing

Talalla, Southern Province, Sri Lanka

Stretching over a kilometer long, Talalla beach is truly paradise. Aside from the occasional local’s fishing boat, Talalla is the perfect spot to find reprieve from the ever-increasing chaos of Sri Lanka’s southern beaches and soak up some natural vitamin D. Here you’ll find quiet nights, perfect swimming (with limited waves), and the opportunity to take all the white sand paradise pictures your heart could possibly desire. There’s a limited, but growing, assortment of accommodation and beach restaurants. Book your ticket and enjoy it. Like many places in Sri Lanka, it won’t remain blissful forever.

Off the Beaten Path Sri Lanka Talalla
Backpack photo bomb at Talalla

Karimunjawa, Java, Indonesia

This group of islands north of Java is shockingly easy to access given the lack of international travellers that visit. It’s unmistakably a hotspot for local Indonesian tourists and for good reason. Put on your snorkelling gear to explore the clear water or rent a scooter or bike to find all of the hidden beaches around the island.  An even more unique treat is that you can stay at one of the archipelago’s floating guesthouses. It’s not rare to see sharks swimming leisurely underneath your temporary floating home. This is undeniably an otherworldly place to visit in Indonesia that is less difficult to access than many of Indonesia’s other islands. With sunsets like these to enjoy in solitude, who wouldn’t want to visit this magical spot? 

Off the Beaten Path Indonesia
Sunset from a Karimunjawa guesthouse (Image by Jennie Bishop)

Moni, Flores, Indonesia

The island of Flores east of Bali has become more than a faint whisper among travellers over the past several years. Yet it remains known mainly as the jumping off point to see Komodo dragons. Travel further east across the island’s Jurassic Park-like landscape and you may find yourself falling head over heels in love with a charming village you had never heard of before called Moni. This tiny settlement is famous for its access to breathtaking sunrises at the multi-coloured crater lakes of Gunung (mountain) Kelimutu. There are three lakes here: The Lake of Old People, the Lake of Young Men and Maidens, and the Enchanted Lake. These pools frequently change colour and it’s easy to see how locals believe that those who have departed live on in them. The town itself has its own unique charm. Wake up to the sound of roosters, wander through the rice fields, and bask in the rural Flores charm in peace. 

Off the Beaten Path Flores
Sunrise at the crater lakes of Kelimutu

Nemberala, Rote, Indonesia

If you’re into surfing, you need to add the island of Rote to your bucket list. The breaks here are worth the trek over (a flight to Kupang on West Timor and then a two hour ferry to Rote). It’s a quiet and relaxed place and apart from the dedicated surfers who keep coming back, it’s basically free of tourists. The sunsets here are incredibly rewarding, no matter what kind of a day you had on your surfboard. If you aren’t much of a surfer, rent a motorbike and explore the beaches, villages, and quiet roads. Just be sure to watch out for all of the animal traffic on the roads – there are pigs galore on Rote!
Sunset after a day of surfing at Nemberala

Senaru, Lombok, Indonesia

Senaru is often known as the setting off point for climbing to the top of Indonesia’s second highest volcano, Gunung Rinjani. But it’s also a lovely respite from the crowds on neighbouring Bali. With beautiful flowers, waterfalls, and sunset views of the volcano, it’s easy to get sucked into the sweetness of this spot. This is another tiny single-street town that’s made for relaxing. You can visit several impressive waterfalls from here and invoke your inner Indiana Jones as you wade through the falls to access other hidden ones. As trekking Rinjani gets increasingly popular and Bali continues to welcome huge numbers of tourists, Senaru is unlikely to stay the way it currently is for long.

Off the Beaten Path Lombok Waterfall

Wherever you travel, DON'T FORGET this

Whether you’re motorbiking in Thailand or trekking in Nepal,  medical emergencies can happen and you need to be prepared! A friend of ours was medevaced to Bangkok from Cambodia and spent several weeks in the hospital there to the tune of $750,000. Fortunately, she had travel insurance! 

Check out World Nomads for a quote*.  Coverage options may include medical emergencies, luggage & gear and trip cancellation.  Hopefully, you never need to make a claim, but if you do you’ll be beyond happy you were prepared!

*We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Hsipaw, Shan State, Myanmar

Hsipaw is a blissful little town in Myanmar’s Shan State for trekking, cycling, and relaxing. Taking a multi-day trek to the villages surrounding Hsipaw is a great alternative to the busy Kalaw to Inle Lake trek. You’ll stay with families along the trek and you’re unlikely to encounter any other groups of travellers on the trails. The town of Hsipaw itself is incredibly charming and it’s a nice place to explore by bicycle. You can cycle to the very miniature “Little Bagan” temples, visit a former palace, and enjoy the colourful local market. Hsipaw is a little pocket of incredible insight into Myanmar’s difficult past and present. Keep up to date with the latest news, however, as parts of Shan State have been closed off and on recently due to violence in the surrounding areas. 

Exploring Little Bagan in Hsipaw by bike

Hpa-an, Kayin State, Myanmar

It’s beyond surprising that Hpa-an remains off the beaten path. The city is a gateway to exploring incredible limestone caves, mountain-top monasteries, and beautiful green rice paddies. Located 290 km east of Yangon, Hpa-an is the capital city of Kayin state. Rent a bike to explore the numerous caves in the area, being sure not to miss the vast underground maze that is Saddar (sometimes called Saddan) cave. After you’ve cooled off underground, tackle the sweaty climb to the monastery perched at 725 metres on top of Mount Zwegabin. It’s best to time your climb to watch sunset from the monastery, but be sure to bring a headlamp for your scramble down in the dark! Hpa-an unquestionably offers some of the most incredible scenery in the country, so be sure to see its beauty before everyone else gets the same idea.

Off the Beaten Path Hpa-an
Sunset after a sweaty hike up to the monastery on top of Mount Zwegabin near Hpa-an

Muang Ngoi, Luang Prabang Province, Laos

While electricity arrived to Muang Ngoi in 2013, this little slice of paradise remains a place to step back in time. A one-street town set among the hills, I imagine this must have been what Vang Vieng looked like before the days of tubing, “Friends” re-runs, and backpacker excess arrived. To get to Muang Ngoi you have to hop on a magical one-hour boat ride from Nong Khiaw. Once you get there, your reward is some truly brilliant trekking in the surrounding area. A highlight is hiking to the small minority village of Ban Na. Stop at a cave along the way and settle in at a Ban Na homestay for a peaceful night. With beautiful viewpoints, delicious food, and local swimming hotspots, this area captures Laos in all of its glory: stunning scenery and relaxed vibes. With a road between Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi set to be completed by the end of the year, this off the beaten path treasure has even less of a chance of staying as it currently is. Only time will tell what this means for the essence of Muang Ngoi. 

Off the Beaten Path Laos
Sleepy days in Muang Ngoi (Image by Erich Kalau von Hofe)

Which of these places do you want to visit? Did I miss any of your favourite spots that are off the beaten path in Asia? Let me know in the comments below! 

Anika

Anika

Anika manages social impact and partnership work at Banana Backpacks. She spends her days connecting with the Banana Backpacks global community and making sure our gear has a positive impact on the world. When she's not working, you'll find her taking the world's longest walks or setting off to try living in a new location across the world. Presently, she's trying life in Cambodia.
Anika

Anika

Anika manages social impact and partnership work at Banana Backpacks. She spends her days connecting with the Banana Backpacks global community and making sure our gear has a positive impact on the world. When she's not working, you'll find her taking the world's longest walks or setting off to try living in a new location across the world. Presently, she's trying life in Cambodia.
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Searching for Human Connection on Instagram’s Most Famous Train Ride

I felt the rumbling of the tracks as the ground beneath me began to shake ever so slightly. Suddenly the rumbling gave way to a roaring and screaming crescendo. I looked up just in time to see the iconic baby blue train rolling into Hatton train station. This was one of the moments I’d been looking forward to on my Sri Lankan adventure, the epic train ride to Ella. Cited as one of the world’s most beautiful train rides, this journey passes through lush hills, waterfalls, and alongside tea plantations before finally crossing the breathtaking Nine Arch Bridge and pulling into the charming Ella station.

The trip would be one to remember, but first we had to get onboard…

Train travel is one of the best ways to get around in Sri Lanka and at a price of 200 Rs (~ $1.25 USD) it definitely checks the box as a value play. The downside (or upside from an experience perspective) is that seating is seldom reserved and quite literally, rushed. When the train pulls into the station, you scan the cars quickly to find your designated class, and you push past the people coming off and boarding to try your darndest to claim a seat.

My girlfriend, Kasey, and I were determined to get a seat. Having failed during our last attempts, we figured we’d tweaked our strategy enough to ensure we’d be able to ground our curry-laden bottoms on vinyl comfort for the duration of the 4 ½ hour trip from Hatton to Ella.

The train groaned to a stop and it was go time. Kasey went one way, I went the other. Divide and conquer. Take no prisoners. I moved quickly for the open seats in the middle of the compartment only to be blocked out by a dreadlocked traveller hauling a massive hiking backpack. All my hope now lay in Kasey’s hands. I saw her move quickly from the other side, bobbing and weaving toward the open seats. Unfortunately, an elephant pant-clad female pushed her way past and settled comfortably onto the soft vinyl upholstery.

Oh well. Standing in the aisle would provide further opportunity to strengthen our legs after having pushed through the 5500 steps at Adam’s Peak only hours before…

train to ella instagram photo

Getting settled into our standing aisle position we slowly became comfortable with the gentle movement of our bodies with the train. Swaying back and forth our rhythm was interrupted only by the food vendors yelling their offerings loudly as they pushed past us with trays laden with local snacks and naturally, Coca-Cola. As the train ride progressed, I couldn’t help but notice the demographics in our 2nd class compartment were highly skewed. Sure there were Germans, French, Americans, Russians, Spanish, and a variety of other nationalities, but the train was devoid of any locals, save for the two Sri Lankan ladies sitting near us. I guess 2nd class wasn’t exactly designed as a “travel” experience. In fact, it seemed to function more as a tourist trap on rails.

Putting this thought aside, we continued to bump along the countryside as the scenery became ever more magnificent. After several more hours had passed, I began to notice something else. No one was talking to or interacting with anyone outside of the groups they had boarded with. Individuals kept to themselves and focused on getting their iconic #traingram photo, a phenomenon that seems to have become a right of passage of the millennial travel experience in Sri Lanka. To the unindoctrinated, the #traingram involves hanging out the side of the iconic blue trains and having a friend snap a pic through the window (see the photo below for reference). Those not obsessed with ‘gram capturing, scanned the blue location dot on Google Maps, hoping to get the best estimate of the time remaining to Ella. The few locals onboard demonstrated their expertise at coping with foreign invaders (Sri Lanka once served as an English, Dutch and Portuguese colony) and appeared unfazed by the tourist activity around them.

Feeling somewhat disenchanted by this dystopian scene, I craned my head down to look out the window and observe the incredible scenery passing by outside. It was at that moment, that everything changed.

I looked over at Kasey and could tell she was fading fast…The 5550 steps, limited food, and two hours of sleep that comprised our hike up Adam’s Peak had begun to take their toll. She seemed on the verge of collapse in the middle of the aisle!

Without a moment’s hesitation, the Sri Lankan lady sitting in the seat adjacent to the aisle, shoved her friend over and motioned for Kasey to join her. Kasey looked back at her and with a huge smile, willingly obliged.   

seat on the train to ella

What transpired next was truly magical. Inspired by the action of these charming Lankans, many travellers shoved over to make room for the weary aisle occupant beside them and the entire mood of the train carriage changed, if only just a bit. In a single moment, perhaps when I needed it most, everything I love about travel had been reaffirmed. Even in the busiest and most touristed of places, genuine human connection has a way of shining through.

As the train completed its crossing of the iconic Nine Arch Bridge and lumbered into the charming Ella train station, I was no longer fussed by the throngs of tourists pushing to get out to the awaiting tuk-tuks. I smiled to myself, thinking of the impact one person’s simple gesture had in changing the actions of so many.

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Hidden Temples in Siem Reap Cambodia​

Banteay Ampil

Every morning thousands of travellers make the early morning journey to watch the sunrise over incredible Angkor Wat. This awe-inspiring trip frequently tops the list of things to do in Cambodia and sits alongside Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal as a top bucket list destinations. Unfortunately, all of this attention has made a visit to Angkor Wat slightly less than peaceful…

Only five years ago, finding solitude simply meant visiting nearby Ta Prohm or one of the many temples within Angkor Thom first thing in the morning. You could easily meditate under the 216 smiling stone faces of the popular Bayon temple until the tour buses slowly started to trickle in around 9am. The truly bold and ambitious made the long ride to the magnificently ornate Banteay Srei. Today, finding a solo temple experience requires significant research, effort, or a friend willing to share their temple treasure map.  Luckily, we’re here to help! Banteay Ampil and Beng Mealea are two spectacular off the beaten path temples located near Siem Reap that will allow you to unleash your inner adventurer!

**This post contains affiliate links to products or services we know, use and love. If you click one of the links and make a purchase we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us continue to improve Tales from the Banana Trail*** 

Hidden Temples near Siem Reap Beng Mealea and Banteay Ampil

Deserted Temples in Siem Reap

Banteay Ampil: The deserted dream.

Located about 35 km outside of Siem Reap town on a bumpy and often muddy single track that can only be reached by motorbike, Banteay Ampil is blissfully difficult to find. Part of the beauty of this temple is the journey to get here. You’ll pass by tiny stilt houses, rural students walking to school, sprawling green rice fields, and soaring palm trees. Once you arrive at the temple, you’ll likely find a single guard asleep in a hammock. Don’t be shocked if he’s surprised to see a visitor. Banteay Ampil is situated in the jungle outside of the Angkor Archaeological Park itself and a ticket is therefore not required here. Solitude and saving money! Definitely not possible at the other temples in Siem Reap area.  

Girl Sits at Banteay Ampil
Built in the 12th century, Banteay Ampilis a beautiful fusion of the style of art found at Angkor Wat and the overtaking of nature often seen at Ta Prohm. It’s a small complex but it’s highly likely you’ll have the place to yourself to explore and bask in its beauty. A nearby road was being constructed at the time of my visit, so this special place may not remain an untouched secret for long. It’s currently really difficult to find, so if you’re visiting Cambodia, send us an email or hit the comment section below. I would be happy to help you get to Banteay Ampil and connect you with our favourite local expert who can take you there on a motorbike!
Banteay Ampil temple in siem reap

Beng Mealea: The massive maze.

Imagine deserted 12th century corridors, trees engulfing ancient sandstone walls, and intricate Hindu and Buddhist carvings. Beng Mealea is all of this and more. It takes around an hour and a half to reach this incredible, huge temple complex and this distance has kept it from witnessing the huge crowds seen within the Angkor Archaeological Park. That being said, the temple is slightly busier with tour groups in the mornings and it’s advisable to visit around lunchtime for the best chance of solo exploration.
Lady walks along path in hidden temples of Siem Reap

Similar in style to Angkor Wat, Beng Mealea is entirely unrestored and uncleared of undergrowth, which is part of its jaw-dropping beauty. With four entrances, the sprawling complex easily justifies two to three hours of exploration. Climbing under small entrance ways and through rubble, you can find large sections of this maze to explore in complete solitude. Given the undisturbed adventuring you can do here, do watch out for snakes: I saw three during my Beng Mealea visit. 

Whatever you do, DON'T FORGET THIS

When exploring hidden temples, riding on motorbikes, and traveling abroad medical emergencies can and do occur. Do not forget to purchase comprehensive travel insurance.  My former roommate was medivaced to Bangkok from Cambodia after a medical emergency and her travel insurance ended up paying out a mid six-figure sum for the medical bills.

For adventure travel in Cambodia, check out World Nomads* for a quote and options  for coverage including medical emergencies, luggage & gear and trip cancellation.  Hopefully, you never need to make a claim, but if you do you’ll be beyond happy you were prepared!  Don’t start your trip without it! 

*We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Banteay Ampil

Both Banteay Ampil and Beng Mealea are a journey back in time to when the temples in Siem Reap province were less discovered. Places with this kind of mystical appeal are unlikely to remain untouched secrets for much longer, so try to visit them sooner rather than later!

Need help making your way to these temples? Drop me a line in the comments section! I’d love to help you get to know Cambodia!

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click one of the links and make a purchase we’ll earn a small commission at no cost to you. Just like the travel backpacks we build, we’re very particular . So any products or services we suggest, we test and use ourselves before making any recommendations or endorsements. 

Anika

Anika

Anika manages social impact and partnership work at Banana Backpacks. She spends her days connecting with the Banana Backpacks global community and making sure our gear has a positive impact on the world. When she's not working, you'll find her taking the world's longest walks or setting off to try living in a new location across the world. Presently, she's trying life in Cambodia.

Anika

Anika manages social impact and partnership work at Banana Backpacks. She spends her days connecting with the Banana Backpacks global community and making sure our gear has a positive impact on the world. When she's not working, you'll find her taking the world's longest walks or setting off to try living in a new location across the world. Presently, she's trying life in Cambodia.