Romantic Places in Asia
Kintamani, Bali
Ditch the tourist-dense areas of Kuta and Ubud, and head north to the Kintamani region. Explore Mount Batur, an active volcano that has been known to take backpackers by surprise as it erupts, and take in the stunning views of Lake Batur below. Bali’s highest temple, Pura Puncak Penulisan, is situated in the neighbouring village, Penulisan, and it’s well worth climbing the 333-steps to see.
Koh Phangan, Thailand
You can’t visit Thailand without taking part in one of Koh Phangan’s notorious Full Moon Parties. Surrounded by nearly 15,000 other people, it’ll certainly be a Valentine’s Day to remember. The rest of the island is as beautiful as the party is wild, so brush off your hangovers in the morning and go exploring.
Sabah, Borneo
Immerse yourself in the wonderful conservation work done in the rainforests, plains and seas of Borneo. You truly are spoilt for choice: is your perfect date an orang-utan? A turtle? Some pygmy rhinos? Either way, helping to save some of the world’s most endangered animals is a much more worthy way of spending your time than sobbing into wine and watching Bridget Jones.
McLeod Ganj, India
Find inner peace at the home of the Dalai Lama, and the Tibetan culture. There are many volunteering opportunities, all of which will help you feel more at home in the community. Spending an afternoon teaching Tibetan refugees practice English will make you feel better than any fancy meal/bouquet of roses ever could.
Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park, Thailand
With just over 40 islands to explore, the Thai archipelago is perfect for anyone wanting to truly get lost. With the exception of November and December, the water is calm enough for sailing or kayaking, meaning most of the islands are easily accessible. Due to the limestone formation of the islands, many strange-looking caves and cliffs have developed, making it perfect for disappearing off into for a while.
Wolong National Nature Reserve, China
The Park covers over 200,000 hectares, ranging from forests and bamboo groves, to river valleys, and snow-covered mountains, so you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring. Hang with giant pandas, red pandas and golden monkeys, or watch back-to-back rom-coms on E4? Not a hard decision.
Halong Bay, Vietnam
There aren’t many more beautiful sites in the world than 3,000 islands rising from the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Whether you explore by boat or foot, you will fall head over heels in love with this magnificent region, and its ethereal beauty.
Bora Bora, Tahiti
For those who don’t fancy hiking around jungles or climbing up dormant volcanoes, take a trip to Bora Bora, and literally stay in paradise. The stilted huts lead straight into the water, where you can share the 14th with an assortment of sharks, sting-rays, turtles and fish.
Jungle Beach, Sri Lanka
For a less touristy trip, visit the white beaches of Sri Lanka, and in particular, Jungle Beach. Although slightly hard to find, the beach is situated at the end of a long walk through the jungle. Follow the mismatched set of handwritten signs to the best snorkelling beach in the country, but make sure you take your own gear, or hire some from further inland. The reef starts 30 feet away from the beach, and is home to an assortment of reef fish, eels, parrot fish, barracudas and the odd turtle. The current is weak, and the waves are small, so it’s perfect for people seeking an easy day out.
Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Set up as a place of safety and conservation for the Komodo dragon and its habitat, the Park is now home to a number of deer and birds, as well as over 1,000 species of fish, dugongs, sharks, manta rays, 14 species of whales, dolphins and sea turtles. You’re unlikely to find this variety of animals, vegetation and landscapes in many other areas of the world either. Explore the terrain by foot and dive in the waters, and find yourself continuously making plans never to go home.
Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, Jeju Island, South Korea
The whole of Jeju Island is beautiful, but for the perfect Valentine’s Day date, take a stroll up to the Cheonjiyeon Waterfall. Follow a carefully landscaped trail, through a garden of tropical plants, and absorb the wide variety of animals and vegetation that South Korea has to offer. If you want to see something truly spectacular, save your visit until its dark, and witness Cheonjiyeon illuminated.
Railay Beach, Thailand
Railay is about as close to desert island status as you can get, without being completely stranded and alone. Situated in the Krabi Province, it’s part of the mainland, but only accessible by boat, giving it a lovely, secluded feel.
