4 Hidden Gems In Asia

Posted on August 23 2019

Asia is a big place and researching where to visit can be difficult, especially if you are looking for something off the beaten track. Usually, the same old places will come up again and again in search engines, and you might start to think that these are the only places worth visiting. This is absolutely not the case!!

Although many of Asia’s top attractions are still worth travelling to, sometimes you just want a quieter or perhaps more unusual experience. So, continue reading to discover the top 4 hidden gems in Asia if you would prefer to get away from the tourist hotspots.

Seeing as we are planning a trip to Asia later this year, I thought this would be the perfect post to share with all of you today…We are getting more and more excited as our vacation approaches, I am picturing beautiful white beaches, crystal clear blue water, hammocks, sandy toes and a good book! AND delicious spicy FOOD!! To be totally honest I may be most excited about the food. On our online investigations the food looks phenomenal, and super healthy!

You’ll just have to check back soon to find out exactly where we’re going, and for how long (hint: it’s going to be pure bliss!).

But, for now, let’s get to the 4 Hidden Gems in Asia:

1. Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island), Cambodia

Koh Tonsay is a small island, just 4km off the coast of the Kep Province, Cambodia. Don’t expect luxury accommodation here, because this is more of a place for those who enjoy the rustic lifestyle. With no Wi-Fi and little electricity, this is not the destination for those who want to be constantly plugged into social media.

But this doesn’t mean you won’t have fun, because there are still plenty of things to do! Such as snorkelling, diving and sunbathing.

This is the perfect place to visit if you want to get off the grid and recharge your batteries. It’s only a 30-minute ferry ride from the mainland, so even though you could stay for a week, you might want to make it into a day trip. This tiny island only covers a 2km area, so you will find that walking becomes your new favourite hobby.

2. El Nido, Philippines

El Nido is an area on Palawan Island in the Philippines. It is famous for its crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, coral reefs and sculpted jade islands. It is even ranked at No.4 in Conde Nast Traveler’s list of 24 Most Beautiful Beaches, and CNNGo labelled it as the best island area in the Philippines.

And you can see why! It is phenomenally beautiful!

According to urban legend, the writer Alex Garland was inspired by El Nido to write the bestselling book The Beach, which was made into a film starring Leonardo Dicaprio. It is easy to see why Garland found it so inspiring, with its 100 beaches and numerous pristine lagoons. Despite its great beauty, it’s an area that has been relatively untouched by tourists.

3. Mount Wudang Shan, China

Located in the Wudang mountain range of the Hubei province, Mount Wudang Shan is known as one of the Five Sacred Mountains of China. This hidden gem of Asia would make an ideal spot to visit if you are fascinated by traditional Chinese customs and want to learn more about China’s history.

There are many temples across the peaks of Mount Wudang, and although they take three or four hours to climb up to – the views are worth it. You will also get to see martial arts experts practising their moves amongst the buildings.

4. Mataking Island, Malaysia

In the middle of the Celebes Sea, Mataking Island is a premier location for people who enjoy diving. As you can read on 1Cover’s Secret Traveller blog series, Asia is an odyssey for scuba diving and snorkelling.

Mataking Island also has a strange claim to fame, as it is home to Malaysia’s first and only underwater post office!

The ‘Mataking 1’ is a sunken cargo vessel with a post box attached to the front of its helm, so people can buy postcards and seal them in waterproof envelopes before diving and posting their mail.

Mataking is famous for its first-class diving schools and pristine waters. But if diving isn’t your cup of tea, then you can always hang out at the beach (yes please!) or go see the orangutans, or go black spitting cobra spotting (this one wouldn’t be for me, but you know, each to their own and all).