Historical sites to visit in Southeast Asia

Glimpses of Southeast Asia’s recent colonial past and its ancient civilisations can be seen everywhere, even in the most developed and modern cities. Singaporeans sometimes flock to the ruins of Italy and Greece without realising that there are plenty of historical sights in their own backyard.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Photo: Flickr/Mike Behnken

Arguably the most famous site on the list, Angkor Wat, a sprawling temple pyramid is a representation of the universe, as the Hindu Khmer understood it, complete with oceans and mountain ranges.

Among the site’s many temples is the must-see Banteay Srei, a relatively small temple completed in 967. Made of finely carved pink sandstone depicting scenes from Hindu epics, it is a photographer’s dream.

Fly to Siem Reap on Jetstar. Alternatively, fly to Phnom Penh and take a bus to Angkor for $15.

Borobudur, Indonesia

Photo: Flickr/Trey Ratcliff

Going to Borobudur now might be a bad idea, considering the recent eruption of Mount Kelud, which forced the Buddhist monument to close for several weeks. However, when it reopens, visitors will once again have an opportunity to bask in the splendour of the site.

The site boasts more than 2,600 well-preserved tiles and panels that depict Buddha’s life and parables from Buddhist texts, and a huge complex with several platforms, symbolic of the different levels of Buddhist cosmology.

Fly to Yogjakarta on SilkAir for $400 return, and take an inexpensive taxi to Borobudur.

Hoi An, Vietnam

Photo: Flickr/Mark Fischer

Hoi An was one of Vietnam’s busiest trading centres in the early 15th century. It is the only ancient Vietnamese town to have been properly preserved and visitors are treated to views of architectural styles from the period. It is through Hoi An that Christianity is believed to have entered Vietnam in the 17th century.

There are several must-see sights here, such as Tan Ky House, a 200-year-old house with a guided tour, and the Phuc Kien (Fujian) Assembly Hall, an intimidating space filled with large dragons and fountains.

Fly to Da Nang on Vietnam Airlines (via Hanoi) for $255 return, and take a taxi to Hoi An for $20.

Malacca, Malaysia

Photo: Flickr/Christopher Chan

Undeniably the most-visited spot on our list, Malacca is a hotspot of historical sites, while still retaining its appeal to cosmopolitan visitors who flock there for its food and shopping opportunities.

The city’s most famous historical district, the area surrounding the Dutch Square, is home to The Christ Church, the Stadhuys, and the Tang Beng Swee Clock Tower.

For more information on Malacca, read this list of the 10 free things to do in Malacca. For travel information, read this guide on getting to Malacca from Singapore.

Various sites in Singapore

Photo: Flickr/William Cho

It would be unfair to have a list of some of the most interesting historical sites in Southeast Asia without mentioning the sites in Singapore, which the Republic’s Government has made an effort to conserve and protect.

Such sites include Reflections @ Bukit Chandu, a museum, which commemorates one of the most important battles in the Battle of Singapore in early 1942, and the famous opium dens of the early century. Other less-known places include the Civic District Trail, which explores the historic birthplace of modern Singapore.

For more information on historical sites in Singapore, visit YourSingapore.com

Angkor Wat Sunrise

 

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shihengcheong/6295383658/

The third time in 14 months to visit Angkor Wat. Finally, got an Angkor Wat Sunrise that I'd satisfied with.

The reason Angkor Wat is a popular attraction at sunrise is because it is oriented to the west.

For many years it was thought to be a tomb as it faced west, but it has since come to light that it was dedicated to Vishnu, not Shiva, and the west is sacred to Vishnu.

Siem Reap's Lesser Known Temples

Siem Reap offers more than the Angkor Wat temple which is currently being repaired and rebuilt. Beside Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, you may want visit the smaller and lesser known temples of the Khmer Empire in the spawling 400 sq km Angkor Archaeological Park. In order to visit the many temples and ruins in the vicinity, you will need at least a 3-day pass which costs USD40 and a 7-day pass USD60.

Some of the temples you want to visit are: Pre Rup, Banteay Srei, Banteay Samre, Preah Khan, Preah Neak Poan, Ta Som and Eastern Mebon.