Southeast Asia has many unique and interesting travel destinations to visit. From an uninhabited island dubbed earthly paradise, historical tunnels, to a giant well.
Here are five unique and interesting destinations from several Southeast Asian countries that can be options for your visit.
Jaco Island, Timor Leste
Despite being a small country, Timor Leste has a number of attractive places for tourists to visit. One of them is Jaco Island, often referred to as a paradise on earth, located in Tutuala, a small village in the easternmost part of Timor Leste. The distance from Tutuala to Jaco Island is approximately nine kilometers.
The island's land is situated at the meeting point of two oceans: the Banda Sea and the Timor Sea. The government and local community highly respect the sanctity of Jaco Island, therefore they reject any development or construction on the island to preserve its natural sustainability.
Unlike other tourist destinations in Timor Leste, both domestic and international tourists are not allowed to stay overnight on Jaco Island. Locals enforce this rule to preserve Jaco Island's original values. Visitors who travel to Jaco Island in the morning will be picked up by Tutuala fishermen in the afternoon to stay overnight on Walu Beach.
To visit this uninhabited island, tourists are transported by Tutuala fishermen in their boats for a round-trip fee of USD 10, which is the standard price. The crossing time is only about three to five minutes each way.
In addition to its stunning scenery, the island is also home to endemic bird species, including the thick-billed ground pigeon and the Timor figbird. Jaco Island is part of Nino Konis Santana National Park, Timor-Leste's first national park, established on August 3, 2007, by the Department of Protected Areas and National Parks.
Khao Yai National Park, Thailand
Khao Yai National Park is located in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, about a 3-hour drive from Bangkok, offering an extraordinary natural experience and rich biodiversity.
According to bafageh.com, Khao Yai National Park was established in 1962 and became the first national park in Thailand. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, the park protects an important tropical rainforest ecosystem and is home to various rare and protected flora and fauna species.
Besides its towering green hills, beautiful valleys, and stunning waterfalls, Khao Yai National Park is renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity. The park is home to various flora and fauna species, including Asian elephants, tigers, leopards, otters, and hundreds of bird species. It offers a rare and exciting opportunity for visitors to observe unique wildlife and rare animals in their natural habitat.
Khao Yai National Park offers a variety of exciting activities for visitors, including trekking on designated trails to explore natural beauty and observe wildlife. There are also camping areas for those who wish to stay overnight amidst the enchanting natural scenery. Additionally, visitors can enjoy picnics by the refreshing waterfalls and explore mysterious caves.
Cu Chi Tunnels, Viet Nam
One of the most interesting and historically significant tourist attractions in Viet Nam is the Cu Chi Tunnels, located near Ho Chi Minh City. This extensive underground network stretches over 250 kilometers and played a crucial role during the Viet Nam War.
According to tempo.co, the Viet Cong or National Liberation Front for South Viet Nam used these tunnels for communication, storage, and shelter. The tunnels also enabled them to launch surprise attacks and evade American troops.
The Cu Chi Tunnels offer visitors the experience of exploring a section of the tunnels, experiencing firsthand the cramped conditions and ingenuity that characterized the war effort. Crawling through these narrow passages provides a sobering glimpse into the hardships faced by those who lived and fought in the tunnels.
Baguio and Benguet, Philippines
Known as the City of Pines, Baguio is a city in Benguet Province, Philippines, accessible within 4 to 6 hours from Manila. Famous for its pine trees and cool climate, Baguio is an ideal destination for tourists who enjoy or seek coolness.
A tour in Baguio can start with a visit to Mirador Jesuit Villa in Baguio City, which offers a historical and spiritual journey, featuring attractions such as the Mirador retreat house, bamboo trails, a weather station, a labyrinth, and an outdoor cafe overlooking the city with stunning sunset views.
Additionally, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Baguio is the BenCab Museum, which showcases the creative inspirations of Ben Cabrera's masterpieces, a Filipino artist.
Furthermore, Winaca Village in Benguet Province is a must-visit destination. Visitors to Winaca Village can experience direct interaction and get closer to the indigenous culture of the Igorot tribe.
Moreover, ecotourism and agritourism sites such as Armando's Lemon Farm and Polig Berry Farm in Benguet Province offer exciting experiences for visitors to pick lemons and strawberries, connecting with nature while enjoying fresh produce.
Pusentasi, Giant Well in Donggala, Indonesia
Pusentasi is a natural giant well with a diameter of about 10 meters, located in Towale Village, Central Banawa District, Donggala Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. This well contains clear blue water, allowing a clear view of the rocky bottom. Marine biota such as various sea fish and small shrimp can also be seen swimming freely in the well.
Pusentasi is a name given by the local community, derived from the combination of two words in the Kaili language, the largest tribe inhabiting Central Sulawesi. "Pusen" means "center," and "tasi" means "sea," so when combined, it means "center of the sea."
According to indonesia.go.id, children from Towale Village and the surrounding areas use this giant well to earn money from visitors through a unique and slightly dangerous attraction.
They compete to catch coins thrown by visitors into the water. Those in the pool will shout, asking visitors to throw coins into the water. As soon as the coins are thrown, they dive to catch them, returning to the surface while showing the coins they have collected.
Entrance fees to Pusentasi apply only on holidays and Sundays: Rp5,000 (USD 0.30) for children, Rp10,000 (USD 0.59) for adults, and Rp15,000 (USD 0.89) for foreign tourists. Weekdays are free.
