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Home » Destinations » Asia

12 Natural Wonders of Southeast Asia

Modified: Jan 25, 2023 · Published: Feb 25, 2011 by Mark Wiens |

The perfect tropical climate, island chains of volcanoes, and sparkling waters are just a few of the things that make Southeast Asia such a prime destination for captivating natural landscapes. Here are 12 natural wonders of Southeast Asia that are sure to impress!

Railay Bay is a natural wonder of Southeast Asia (photo: Chamaiporn Kitina)
Railay Bay (photo: Chamaiporn Kitina)

Table of Contents

  • SE Asia Natural Wonders
    • 1. Krabi Province - Thailand
    • 2. Sangkhlaburi - Thailand
    • 3. Mount Kinabalu - Sabah, Malaysia
    • 4. Taman Negara - Malaysia
    • 5. Lake Toba - Sumatra, Indonesia
    • 6. Mount Bromo - Java, Indonesia
    • 7. Palawan - Philippines
    • 8. Chocolate Hills - Bohol, Philippines
    • 9. Mount Pinatubo - Philippines
    • 10. Batad Rice Terrace - Philippines
    • 11. Ha Long Bay - Vietnam
    • 12. Mekong River - Laos

SE Asia Natural Wonders

1. Krabi Province - Thailand

Jagged limestone cliffs and clear Andaman seas make Krabi an inspiring destination in the south of Thailand. 

A few adventurous opportunities include climbing on the rock formations, adventure trekking, island hopping, or just relaxing and admiring the wondrous natural beauty.

Krabi is a great place to learn how to dive amid coral reefs and see an entirely new dimension of environmental beauty on a memorable vacation.

Sunrise in Sangkhlaburi, Thailand
Sunrise at Sangkhlaburi, Thailand

2. Sangkhlaburi - Thailand

Located on the Thai Burmese border, Sankgkhlaburi represents pure relaxation and natural charm. 

The simple town surrounding the lake's emerald-green waters is friendly, easy to manage, and laid back.

The best way to see it is during the cool climate of early sunrise. A thick layer of fog hovers above the lake, slowly dispersed with every second of gaining light. 

The morning sunshine in Sangklhaburi is so soft; it feels healing.

Mount Kinabalu is one of the natural wonders of Southeast Asia.
Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

3. Mount Kinabalu - Sabah, Malaysia

Borneo is an island blessed with abundant natural forests and hundreds of square miles of magnificent landscape.

The island is divided into three countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. In the Malaysian part of Sabah lies the unmissable Mount Kinabalu.

Ascending the peak takes determination and lots of energy, but the plant life and views of the island make it worth every step.

4. Taman Negara - Malaysia

Taman Negara National Park, a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site with a dense ecosystem of plant life, is considered the world's oldest rainforest. You can even see komodo dragons.

The beautiful attractions are trekking through the old-growth forests, walking through the top layer of the trees on the world's most extensive canopy, and spotting wildlife.

This natural wonder of Southeast Asia is the ideal vacation destination if you want to see unique flora.

Lake Toba, Sumatra, Indonesia
Lake Toba, Sumatra, Indonesia

5. Lake Toba - Sumatra, Indonesia

Located in the center of the massive Indonesian island of Sumatra, Lake Toba defines the ideal tropical paradise.

A break in the lush forest makes way for one of the world's deepest volcanic lakes. 

The lake is so calm and pure that it's possible to stare into the water and see the volcano's depth.

Mount Bromo is another of Southeast Asia's natural wonders (photo: Dave Lee)
Mount Bromo at sunrise (photo: Dave Lee)

6. Mount Bromo - Java, Indonesia

Indonesia is an island nation that is formed on the foundation of volcanoes.

This area consists of two prominent volcanic peaks, Mount Bromo and the continually active Mount Semeru.

The view from the top ledge surrounding the Bromo basin is moon-like, a truly surreal landscape.

The famous sunrise over the volcanoes creates vibrant colors of light.

Coron Island, Palawan, Philippines
Coron Island, Palawan, Philippines

7. Palawan - Philippines

The Philippines is home to some of Southeast Asia's most concealed and gorgeous beaches. 

From Coron to El Nido, the island of Palawan is a treasure trove of crystal clear waters, private beaches, and underwater springs and caves, with an expansive underground lake.

8. Chocolate Hills - Bohol, Philippines

The perfectly rounded cone-shaped hills on the island of Bohol, Philippines, appear to be evenly spaced throughout an area of 50 square kilometers. 

These symmetrical mounds of earth transform to a chocolate brown color during the dry season, resembling a field full of giant Hershey's Kisses!

9. Mount Pinatubo - Philippines

The volatile nature of volcanoes gives them the power to destroy and create some of the most dramatic natural scenes of beauty available.

Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, creating a caldera from the excess lava flow. 

The basin began to fill with water, resulting in a turquoise volcanic lake surrounded by the hands of Pinatubo.

The Banaue Rice Terraces are a natural wonder of Southeast Asia.
Banaue Rice Terraces, Philippines

10. Batad Rice Terrace - Philippines

Rounding the final corner of the hike and facing the amphitheater of the rice terraces of Batad is nothing short of breathtaking.

The rugged mountain scenery of this fantastic place cradles the irrigated rice fields, or rice paddies, on terraces built directly into the side of the highest mountain in complete natural harmony.

Hiking and swimming in waterfalls is another incredible thing to do here in this verdant destination.

The stunning terraced hills of this hilly region make it one of the Philippines' most popular tourist spots.

Ha Long Bay in Vietnam
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

11. Ha Long Bay - Vietnam

In Northern Vietnam, there's a vast mystical bay with thousands of limestone islands proudly sticking out of the water. Welcome to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.

Travelers can explore limestone island caves and paddle sea kayaks through the dreamlike landscape. Magnificent photos are a given in such a naturally beautiful area.

The Mekong River flows through Southeast Asia.
Mekong River, Laos

12. Mekong River - Laos

The wide Mekong River is a vital part of life in Laos. 

The expanse of the brown-colored river weaves its way through green jetting mountains, nurturing natural ecosystems and the farms of local communities and indigenous people along the way.

A boat ride on the river gives one a glimpse of its power and the environment that so crucially relies on the waterway.

The natural wonders of Asia are a stunning display of mountain peaks, glassy lakes, turquoise seas, and chocolate hills!

Visiting any or all of them would provide nature lovers with a truly memorable vacation.

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About Mark Wiens

Mark was raised in central Africa before migrating back to the U.S. for University. After graduating, he decided to continue traveling the world. On Migrationology, he shares the cultural side of travel from a slow-paced local perspective that often revolves around his love for eating all forms of food. Join him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @migrationology.

Comments

  1. Monica says

    February 25, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    Great list. I'd love to go to the Philippines, you're photos look gorgeous, especially Coron Island!

    • Migrationology says

      February 25, 2011 at 1:36 pm

      Thanks Monica. The Philippines is a wonderful country and the outdoor scenery is truly pristine.

  2. Crazy sexy fun traveler says

    February 25, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    The only thing I can say now is WOW :)
    Wanna go to all 12 :)

    • Mark Wiens says

      February 26, 2011 at 12:32 am

      Great Alex! You can do it!

  3. Line says

    February 25, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    Great pictures. I have always wanted to go to indonesia :)

    • Mark Wiens says

      February 26, 2011 at 12:33 am

      Thanks!

  4. Marie says

    February 25, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    Awesome pics, Mark! I recall two of the photos, Halong Bay and Mekong River in Loas. Brings back wonderful memories of SE Asia. Thanks!
    Marie

    • Mark Wiens says

      February 26, 2011 at 12:36 am

      Glad you were able to make it to those 2 places! Did you take a boat on both?

  5. Scott says

    February 25, 2011 at 6:39 pm

    Inspiring pictures man, the Indonesian one almost took my breath away!

    • Migrationology says

      February 26, 2011 at 12:36 am

      Thanks Scott!

  6. Amelie S. says

    February 25, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    Great pictures! Ive always wanted to go to Indonesia :)

  7. Matthew says

    February 25, 2011 at 11:49 pm

    I only made it to three of them on my last trip, now I've got a few more places added to my ever growing list.

    • Migrationology says

      February 26, 2011 at 12:37 am

      Great Mathew, I hope you can make it to these other destinations in the future as well. SE Asia truly has some amazing wonders!

  8. Grace says

    February 26, 2011 at 6:50 am

    Glad the Philippines made it four times =) Might I add that Palawan is a UNESCO Heritage site and has some awesome diving. You can also see wreckage of WWII Japanese fighter plane in Coron.

  9. Anonymous says

    February 26, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    Great list Mark! I'm planning a trip to Asia next year, but now you have me questioning my initial itinerary. What a lovely dilemma you've created for me! ;-D

    • Dave says

      February 27, 2011 at 1:21 am

      I think the Philippines isn't on the main tourist trail, so it could be really cool to explore. The number of islands is overwhelming!

  10. Michael Figueiredo says

    February 27, 2011 at 1:20 am

    These all look like amazing places to visit! I especially love the photo of Palawan--everything looks so lush.

  11. Jeremy B says

    February 27, 2011 at 9:42 am

    Wow, this is amazing Mark! Thanks for sharing this and these are amazing photos! I haven't been to southeast Asia but what a wonderful introduction to it!

  12. The Dropout says

    February 28, 2011 at 3:14 am

    Wow. I feel like I've had a little holiday just looking at those photos. Thanks, Mark!

  13. Lauren Rains says

    February 28, 2011 at 3:21 am

    Wow what magical photos! I love them all! I lived in China for 1 year and got to visit SEA a few times but not long enough! I am all about long term travel and just visiting literally kills me! I hate to be rushed. When you visit these kinds of places you must remain for as long as you need to take it all in and to really grasp where you are, you know?

    Thanks for sharing these! I hope they inspire more people to explore the world and stand in the very spot where these shots were taken! :)
    -Laur

    • Dave says

      February 28, 2011 at 4:39 am

      Hi Lauren, it drives me crazy to only have a little time to visit places too, though sometimes that's all I'll need. During my time in SE Asia, I spent 2.5 months in Thailand (and wanted more time), while about 18 days each was enough for me in Cambodia and Laos.

  14. Lorna - the roamantics says

    February 28, 2011 at 4:02 am

    great list! looking at these pix, i wonder if i'll ever STOP going to SE asia! so much to offer, so amazingly gorgeous, and still so much more to see. coron island is high on my list now mister! thanks for constant inspiration :)

  15. Alpakabong says

    March 02, 2011 at 9:43 am

    it's not Batad rice terraces! it's Banaue(Banaweh) rice terraces in the Philipines.

    • Dave says

      March 02, 2011 at 3:44 pm

      I'll fix that now, thanks for the correction!

    • Mark Wiens says

      March 07, 2011 at 12:20 pm

      The whole chain is Banaue, but that view is from Batad!

  16. Sofia - As We Travel says

    March 05, 2011 at 7:35 am

    Great sum up of amazing places in South East Asia! We skipped Taman Negara last time we were in Malaysia, but I think we might check it out when we go there in a week or so, it seems really nice.

  17. Tobias says

    March 07, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    Palawan is just beautiful. The underground river was one of the most interesting places i have visited. Think i need to plan a trip to Vietnam next :)

  18. Len says

    April 25, 2011 at 6:14 am

    WOW PHILIPPINES! 4 out of the 12! I've been to 2 of 4...I'll visit Coron and Pinatubo soon :D

  19. cheapcallsphilippines says

    August 23, 2011 at 6:02 am

    Beautiful shots. :) love Coron, Palawan.  and i was always curious about Laos! two places on my list to visit soon.

  20. cheapcallsphilippines says

    August 23, 2011 at 6:02 am

    Beautiful shots. :) love Coron, Palawan.  and i was always curious about Laos! two places on my list to visit soon.

  21. mary says

    December 29, 2011 at 8:58 am

    I'm glad you included the fabulous Philippines here because it is my personal favorite. I have been to a lot of different places and the this is the best for me. The beaches are second to none and the people are among the friendliest in the world. They weren't always hounding me to buy stuff but they were always willing to help out of sheer kindness. I really must go back. I am truly amazed at how many people skip this amazing place when traveling through Asia. Go to El Nido!!!!!!!

  22. louihie says

    April 15, 2012 at 7:46 am

    wow! philippines is the best!

  23. Noy says

    October 27, 2012 at 7:34 pm

    Great list. I wanna visit each of these wonderful places someday.

Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

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