It feels like every corner of the world has been overtaken by tourists, making it harder to find hidden gems in Asia. You, me, the guy buying a pad thai in the streets of Bangkok, none of us like being called a “tourist” but we are – and we are everywhere!
Just as when you are about to cross out the idea of having a quiet getaway in the biggest continent in the world, here are the 9 unspoiled destinations you can visit in Asia for a peaceful trip. I personally traveled to each one of them and one thing I can tell you is that an unexplainable restorative energy lives in each of these places.
Secret Spots in Southeast Asia
From quiet riverside capitals to ancient ruins and scenic motorcycle loops, Southeast Asia is full of off-the-beaten-path destinations waiting to be explored.
Vientiane, Laos
Perhaps the most peaceful capital in Southeast Asia, Vientiane, Laos has a vibe of a slow Sunday. There’s no such thing as a rush in Vientiane, where people, cars, and animals move at a relaxed pace, regardless of the time and day.
You can start your day with a short morning run along the Mekong river. Here you can see locals harvesting river algae called Kaipen which looks quite similar to the more-popular Nori of Japan but distinct in taste. It’s a local delicacy that’s popular in mainland Southeast Asia and you can see it on local markets as far as Northern Thailand.
After your run, you can grab a quick coffee. There are not many cafes in Vientiane so your chances are getting a coffee along the streets along with fried bananas. The price for a fried banana goes as low as $0.04 (2 pesos). You can sit in the corner while seeing students walking to school and ladies wearing Sinh, Laos’ traditional hand woven skirt. Culture is so alive in the capital.
Before going back to your hotel/hostel, don’t forget to grab a local mango from a local fruit stand. I still can’t forget what their mango tastes like until this day. Crispy mangoes with a salty and sweet dip – perfect combination.
In the afternoon, you can visit the COPE Visitor Center to be familiar with Laos’ plight with unexploded bombies from the Vietnam war. After this, you make a distant walk and visit Pha That Luang Vientiane, also known as the Golden Temple, and see more of Laos’ affinity with Buddhism. Don’t forget to catch the sunset at the iconic Patuxay, also called the Arc de Triomphe of Laos. The best spot is right in front of the fountain, don’t tell me I didn’t inform you. Wink.
End the day in a small carnival at the center of Vientiane right where you had a morning run. You can pop some balloons and win local soft drinks, hear locals playing instruments, eat some street food, and call it a day.
Sukhothai, Thailand
Eight hours of drive might sound quite long, but not if you’re traveling from Bangkok to Sukhothai. This secret spot in Asia has every right to be included in this list, being the first capital of Thailand from 1238 to 1438, and that’s a lot of history there.
Before I give you more details about this beautiful little town, I want to remind you that there aren’t that many hostel options in Sukhothai, unlike in many parts of Thailand where you can score a bed easily. This is not a problem, though, as there are tons of affordable private accommodations whether you want to stay near the bus station or the main tourist area (these two places are not located near each other).
So, what makes Sukhothai worth the 8-hour drive? Almost everyone who travels to this town comes here for the Sukhothai Historical Park, home to ruins of royal palaces, Buddhist temples, walls, gates, and other ancient structures. You can easily spend hours going around this complex and you’ll never bore as there are so many things to see.
I stayed near the bus station and rented a bike from my guesthouse to explore the historical park on January 17. By chance, it happened to be King Ramkhamhaeng Day, and the town was alive with energy — street dances, cultural performances, and food stalls filled the streets.
It was an immersive glimpse into authentic Thai culture, far from the polished, tourist-centric experiences of Bangkok or Chiang Mai. In my personal opinion, Sukhothai carries a quiet charm, simple and unpretentious — exactly the essence of this historic town.
Aside from history, the bike lane was a scenic route of rice fields, small ponds, and undisturbed nature. You’ll find peace in being surrounded by agricultural life, and it’s a common scene that you’ll see a local catch fish in a small pond.
If you are exploring Thailand and would like to take a break from the hustle and bustle of big cities, Sukhothai is always the best town to see.
Mae Hong Son, Thailand
North Thailand is not just about Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, or Pai. Right next to the whirlwind of mountain roads is one of Asia’s best-kept travel secrets: Mae Hong Son. This is town bordering Thailand and Myanmar, featuring a motorcycle loop, meditation centers, and a unique tea village.
If you’re traveling from Chiang Mai, expect a 5 to 7-hour journey by minivan to reach Mae Hong Son. The road is not a walk in the park and expect a lot of twists and turns. But as they say, difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations.
One fun thing you can try is driving your motorbike along the Mae Hong Son Loop, a 600 km (370 mi) circular route on a scenic road. You’ll pass by buddhist temples, national parks, and other attractions whilst surrounded by a mountainous view along the route and you can stay overnight in guesthouses to finish the entire course.
I completed part of the loop during my trip in January 2024, and I can confidently say it’s perfect for those, like me, who aren’t experts at riding motorbikes but would like to have a solo adventure for once.
Disclaimer: the loop is winding, and you’ll have to have at least an experience in steering. But what makes it easy to navigate around compared to other popular spots is that there are not many people driving around. This gives you less pressure and freedom to move at a comfortable pace. I went to a highland village called “Ban Rak Thai” where you can see little Chinese-influenced teahouses and a vast tea plantation. It is a perfect spot for sunset with the romantic view of the lake.
Some people also go to Mae Hong Son for a more intimate meditation retreat experience. This town is quiet and surrounded with nature, making it just the perfect spot for such a highly spiritual activity. I did one in Chiang Mai, and while I enjoyed the entire experience, I would’ve preferred doing it in Mae Hong Son for a more tranquil and immersive experience.
Phong Nha, Vietnam
Phong Nha has never been on top of discussions when planning a Vietnam trip. If I hadn’t gone on a bamboo basket show in Hoi An and shared a seat with a cave enthusiast from Spain, I wouldn’t have known about this beautiful gem.
Phong Nha is home to Hang Son Doong, the world’s largest natural cave. You can also explore smaller, lesser-known caves that are just as breathtaking. I only visited the one closest to the National Park entrance, and it still left me in awe, especially the experience of taking a boat paddled by women using their feet!
If you are looking for a bit of fun, you can cross out the popular Duck Stop and become the leader of the pack with your little Vietnamese traditional hat. Phong Nha is full of natural wonders such as luscious forests and hidden waterfalls. You can pedal your bike to these places to save cost and clock-in some exercise while enjoying a delicious Bún chả with a view of the lake.
You can score a bed in a guesthouse for as low as $3 (150 pesos) a night, making Phong Nha one of the most affordable hidden gems in Asia that you can visit.
East Asia’s Best-Kept Travel Secrets
East Asia is almost always crossed out when planning a trip around Asia, especially with the belief that “it’s expensive to travel in this part of the world.” While it is not as affordable as Southeast Asia where you can sleep at $3 (150 pesos) a night in a hostel, these non-touristy Asian locations still offer a great value for money.
Hualien, Taiwan
Taiwan is a destination that travelers often miss. It’s a relatively small country and you might think there’s nothing much to see. In contrast, you’ll see everything in Taiwan – from twinkling night markets to beautiful gorges, untouched mountains, and rich marine life. This country is beautiful from north to south.
Just two hours by bullet train from Taipei, Hualien is another leader in the hidden gems in Asia where mountains meet the sea. The town’s highlight is Taroko National Park, home to stunning gorges and a variety of hiking trails suited for all experience levels. There’s a bus that goes directly from the main town to the national park which leaves multiple times a day. The same goes for the way back to the main town, and the fares are affordable. However, the buses only leave at certain time intervals, and you may have to wait for a couple of minutes to an hour to get on one.
Aside from taking public transportation, a great way to get around Hualien is by renting a motorbike. I do not remember the cost for rental since I did not rent one myself, but there are a lot of rental shops in the main town, as well as in hostels. You can take your bike along the coast at sunset, and you’ll surely never forget that afternoon in this hidden gem in Asia.
Saitama, Japan
No one would ever think that just one train ride from Tokyo would take you to Chichibu Tama Kai National Park in Saitama, a hidden gem in Japan that will take you back in time. From Ikebukuro Station, I took the Seibu Railway’s “Laview” limited express train, a 77-minute ride in a scenic view to Seibu-Chichibu Station (Saitama Prefecture).
I reserved my train ticket the day before because I read that seats sell fast. However, this step could be crossed out, particularly if you’re traveling on a regular day (weekday and non-holiday), as there were a lot of empty seats during my trip. But the weekend situation is different, and this place will be packed with preschoolers and their parents going on a little nature trip.
There are only a handful of guesthouses operating in this area, and I am glad I found one called “Guesthouse Nishiki” on Booking.com. I reserved mine two weeks before my arrival to confirm my slot, given the limited availability of accommodation in this area.
After getting off the Laview train, I took the local train and from there I can tell – this place is deserted. I was initially the only person in the station, with trains leaving on longer time intervals compared to big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. I waited for 45 minutes for my train to arrive and shared the space with only a handful of students.
While in Chichibu, you can do a lot of nature walks, including a small hike to Mitsumine Shrine. I heard this is a popular route among pilgrims wanting to follow the ancient route to reach the shrine. I initially wanted to do the hike but chickened out due to a bear attack warning, so instead I took the bus to reach Mitsumine Shrine which is located at the top of Mitsumine Mountain.
I spent my days in the guesthouse taking walks along the neighborhood and enjoying the view of the river from my window. Guesthouse Nishiki was definitely the highlight of my trip. The owner’s wife prepares delicious and healthy homemade food for breakfast and dinner, making me feel like I am in a solo retreat.
Murun, Mongolia
Mongolia, in itself, is already among the acclaimed hidden gems in Asia. If you want to take things a notch higher and explore towns outside of the capital Ulaanbaatar, Murun is a great place to be. This small town is located in the North and is considered as a gateway to the Khuvsgul Lake, known as a sister to the popular Lake Baikal.
If you’re traveling by bus, the journey from Ulaanbaatar to Murun typically takes around 16 hours and covers around 788 kilometers. This doesn’t sound like a walk in the park, right? Well, it all depends on the experience. I booked the last seat on an overnight bus from Ulaanbaatar through TapaTrip, positioned at the very back. Surprisingly, I still managed to get a good night’s sleep. Make sure to read my Mongolia blog for a complete guide on your trip.
Aside from Khuvsgul Lake, Murun is also a popular pit stop for those visiting the Tsaatan Reindeer Tribe in East Taiga. I didn’t visit the lake or the reindeer tribe because I found a volunteering opportunity through Worldpackers to teach English to local kids. It was a great opportunity to live with a local family, eat traditional Mongolian dishes, and get to know the culture on a deeper level.
Hidden Gems in Asia: Central Asia
Central Asia is one of the least-explored regions in the world, making it the ultimate place for those seeking off-the-grid adventures. I visited the region in 2024 and one thing I can tell you: these lesser-known places in Asia has a lot to offer from alpine lakes to Silk Road cities.
Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Not many people go to Central Asia for varied reasons. One is accessibility – there are not that many flights that fly directly to these countries. With the region receiving less visitors compared to their neighbors like Southeast Asia and East Asia, there’s a lot of questions that are left unanswered, mainly about safety, cost, and logistics. In my blog Central Asia: My Experience as a Solo Female Traveler, I went in detail about my journey through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Make sure to check that out.
When traveling in this region, Karakol, Kyrgyzstan, is one of the places you should not miss. Karakol is an acclaimed ski town among people in the region, but it is also a haven for nature and hiking enthusiasts before the pow season.
While in Karakol, you can visit nearby hot springs like the Ak Suu Hot Springs which are easily accessible by public transportation. You can also take a day trip to Jeti Oguz and see unique red sandstone formations that are said to be reminiscent of seven bulls and a broken heart.
The main highlight of visiting Karakol is hiking the Ala Kul Pass (3900 masl) where you’ll get to experience staying overnight in a yurt camp. On the second day, you can spend the night in Altyn-Arashan and have a relaxing dip in a hot spring to relieve the aching muscles after a challenging hike. The trail is incredibly beautiful, with a view of the Kyrgyz alps, pinetrees, and a turquoise river that flows from the start until the end of the hike. This makes Karakol truly a hidden gem in Asia.
Khiva, Uzbekistan
Khiva is the farthest among the three main tourist spots of Uzbekistan, with Samarkand and Bukhara being more accessible from Tashkent. This is the reason why many travelers opt to skip this town without realizing they are missing out on so much.
The town is home to Itchan Kala, a walled city that’s inscribed UNESCO World Heritage list. Itchan Kala is often referred to as an open-air museum, housing ancient madrassas, mosques, and minarets, including the popular Kalta Minor, which is one image I have on my mind before visiting Uzbekistan.
Beyond history and architecture, Khiva is a gastronomic haven, offering Khiva-exclusive dishes such as green noodles called Shivit Oishi and Tukhum Barak which are simple egg dumplings that are oh-so-good!
Peaceful Adventure Awaits
After exploring these nine hidden gems in Asia, there’s one thing that became clear to me: peace and authenticity still exist for those who seek them. Whether you’re drawn to the untouched landscapes of Mongolia, the slow charm of Vientiane, or the spiritual retreats of Mae Hong Son, each of these destinations offers a quiet escape from the chaos of travel.
So I’ll leave you with a simple advice: go, explore with an open heart, and leave only footprints. These hidden gems in Asia deserve to stay just as magical for the next traveler who finds them. May this blog find the right crowd.
Do you have a suggestion that did not make the cut? Comment them down below!
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