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AirAsia Discover Asean Travel Guide PDF
AirAsia Discover Asean Travel Guide PDF
ASEAN
EXPLORE THE BEST OF SOUTHEAST ASIA
THE AIRLINE THAT OFFERS YOU THE HIGHEST FLIGHT FREQUENCY WITHIN ASEAN
Welcome to
Southeast
Asia! 7
5
8
Adventure with nature – that's what you
can expect in Indonesia. Thousands of
islands, hundreds of volcanoes and lush
vegetation make up the biggest archipelago
in the world.
Pg 8-10
10
The city-state of Singapore is
often referred to as Southeast
Asia’s hub for technology
and entertainment.
Pg 22-23
Pg 26-27
Special Feature:
How to Make the Most
of Your Asean Pass
THE BEST WAY TO SEE ASEAN
Thailand
Indonesia
Myanmar
Philippines
Laos
Singapore
Malaysia
Vietnam
Cambodia
Brunei
499 888
10 Credits 20 Credits
30 days travel validity
within one year
RM 60 days travel validity
within one year
RM
1. KLCC re is a 240 V, 50 Hz
ymous city cent
Kuala Lumpur’s epon tronas
nic Pe
e base of the ico n
must-visit. At th ria KL CC mall and Dewa
e the Su
Twin Towers ar e, th e 20 -h ectare
tronas. Outsid
Filharmonik Pe usical symphon
y
Pa rk crad les a mosque, m a jogging
Petronas
KLCC nd ringe d by
a playgrou Twin
fountains, and pur Conventio
n
jacent Kuala Lum Towers
pa th. The ad
ria KLCC , is a venue for
Aqua
Centre, home of
major events.
n
2. George Tow a bike along the well-
rent
Take a stroll or s of Penang
ial-era structure
preserved colon fes an d ar t galleries sit
aint ca
city centre. Qu attra ct ions like the
th timeless
side-by-side wi Khongsi,
e Mansion, Khoo
Cheong Fatt Tz m er a Mu se um.
, and Ca
Fort Cornwallis od ca pitals
one of the fo
Penang is also t to m iss out on
try no
of the world, so asam laksa and
char
delicious cendol, you’r e he re.
kuay teow when
Asam
Laksa
George
Town’s
Street Art
Pulau Redang
Langkawi © Tourism
Malaysia
3. Malacca
Just a short drive away from Kuala Lumpur, Malacca is
known for its Portuguese, Dutch and British influences,
and Baba-Nyonya heritage. Top sights include the Ruins
of St Paul’s Church, A’Famosa fortress, the Stadthuys
and the Melaka Sultanate Palace. Explore around the
vicinity of the famous Jonker Walk for some souvenir
shopping and food hunting.
5. Langkawi
A scenic island of mystical legends, inviting beaches
and duty-free shopping, Langkawi has it all. Whether
it is breathtaking nature or adventure that you seek,
you will find your own piece of paradise in the Jewel
of Kedah.
6. Cultural Villages
At the Mari Mari Cultural Village, Tagal Tinopikon
Park, and Monsopiad Cultural Village in Sabah, you
can see and experience the lives of East Malaysia’s
major ethnic tribes.
ary
ngutan Sanctu
7. Sepilok Ora , Sepilok in Sandakan is the
64
Established in 19 gutan sanctuar
y. It
and oldest oran
world’s largest ed an d displaced
to help orphan
was developed ld.
tans sw ing back into the wi
orangu
l Park
8. Mulu Nationa
pes and Deer Ca
ve make the
ca
The karst lands tractions. Serio
us
on e of Borneo’s greatest at of the Orangutan
park ot into on e
also step fo
spelunkers can ast Asia, as we
ll
ge st cave systems in Southe am be r by Nasi
lon d ch
gest undergroun
as the world’s lar Lemak
surface area.
s
10. Theme Park
me to LEGOLA
ND® Malaysia,
ho
Johor Bahru is ia where there
theme park in As
the first LE GO
s and at tra ctions. At the
es, show
are over 40 rid ily Th em e Park, you
rbour Fam
nearby Puteri Ha wn or meet
io Hello Kitty To
can play at Sanr ge lin a Ba llerin a,
e Builder, An
Barney, Bob th Th e Li ttle
as & Friends at
Pingu, and Thom
Big Club !
LEGOLAND®
Malaysia
2. Bali n spots on
t popular vacatio
One of the mos u he ritag e an d culture,
h Hind
Earth, Bali’s ric bl ow yo u away. Have
eneries will
and rugged sc , visit iconic
oments at Ubud
some tranquil m Tana h Lo t an d Uluwatu,
ch as
religious sites su life at Kuta and
awesome night
shop and enjoy unt Batur or
the mighty Mo
Seminyak, scale Lo vin a Bay to spot
towards
take a long drive
lphins!
the friendly do Ubud, Bali
Temple
3. Borobudur st monuments in the world,
te
One of the grea CO World
r wa s hailed as a UNES
Boro budu
lourful histo ry, beautiful
r its co
Heritage site fo sc ener y. The
d astounding
architecture an m Yogy akarta.
le fro
temple is accesib
Borobudur
4. Lake Toba
Formed by a stupendous prehistoric volcanic
explosion, it is the largest volcanic lake in the
world with towering mountains surrounding the
caldera. Be sure to visit Samosir Island where you
can learn about the ancient culture of the Batak
people. Medan is the gateway to this natural
wonder.
5. Shopping in Bandung
Get ready for a shopping frenzy in Bandung
where factory outlets and distros (fashion by local
indie designers) line up the streets of Jalan Dago,
Jalan Riau, and Jalan Cihampelas. Looking for
bargains on traditional textiles and clothes? Head
to Pasar Baru!
6. Mount Bromo
The combination of white sulphurous smoke
and massive caldera makes Mount Bromo a
sight to behold. Catch the stunning sunrise, visit
Poten Temple, cross the caldera on a 4WD or on
horseback, or if you’re mad enough, run a 170-km
ultramarathon here. Make your way to Bromo-
Tengger-Semeru National Park from Surabaya.
Lake Toba © Ba
rry Kusuma
Mount Bromo
7. Gili Islands
Plan a perfect beach holi
day at one of the three
islands just offshore of Lom
bok mainland. The
largest of the three, Gili Tra
wangan is where
the party is at, while Gili
Meno is a paradise for
couples. For a dose of loca
l culture, visit Gili Air.
8. Diving in Pulau Weh
Explore the great depths
of the cerulean sea as
you dive and snorkel with
dolphins, turtles, and
even Manta Rays off the
coast of Banda Aceh.
9. Tana Toraja
This living museum a day’s
journey from
Makassar displays the Tora
ja tribe’s everyday
life, traditions and fascinat
ing burial practices.
The Toraja tribe is known
for their unique burial
system where the body is
kept for years until
enough money is raised for
a ‘celebratory
funeral party’.
10. Bakso
Cheap, delicious, and
available at every corner
of the country, Bakso
is a noodle soup of
Indonesian meatballs
cooked in beef broth,
topped with crispy
wonton, fried shallots
and celery.
Gili Islands
Currency Myanmar
Best of Myanmar Kyat MMK/ US
Dollars USD
1. Bagan Timezone
UTC +6.30
A vast archaeological area with thousands of temples and Languages Burmese, English
stupas, some up to a thousand years old! To truly enjoy Telephone Code
Electricity +95
the amazing scenery, ride a hot air balloon at sunrise 230V, 50Hz
or wait for sunset from the top of Shwesandaw Pagoda.
2. Shwedagon Pagoda
The splendour of this golden holy site in Yangon is hard to put
into words. Sacred as it is beautiful, the pagoda housing four
relics of Buddha is believed to be 2,600 years old.
3. Inle Lake
Houses on stilts and floating gardens can be found on this
idyllic freshwater lake famous for the Intha people who use their
unique leg-rowing technique to navigate the waters.
4. Kyaiktiyo Pagoda
Only a few hours away from Yangon, the Golden Rock is a
popular pilgrimage site and the pride of Mon State. Buddhists
believe that a strand of Buddha’s hair keeps the gilded rock and
the pagoda atop it from rolling off the cliff. Mohinga
5. Bogyoke Market
Previously called Scott Market, this shopping area has over
2,000 shops selling Burmese souvenirs, garments and gems.
6. Mohinga
A must-try in Myanmar, this rice noodle in catfish broth
is sold on the roadside and comes with a soup of
lemongrass, onion, ginger and various spices.
Golden
Rock
Inle Lake
Bagan
©AirAsia Berhad 2015. All rights reserved. | 11
THAILAND
Tread on the well-worn paths of Thailand’s trails
and you’ll find flashing neon lights, colourful
festivities and frenzying nightlife beckoning
amidst modern skyscrapers and ancient
temples. And when the time comes to kick back
and relax, a beach escapade at many of the
wonderful kohs (islands) awaits.
Best of Thailand
Isla nd s
1. Islands n for the legen
dary full
Head to Koh Phanga g, Koh
nt divin
h Tao for excelle
moon parties, Ko s, or Koh Phi Phi to re-
l beache Thai Baht THB
Lanta for blissfu nown ’ Leonardo Currency
m that ‘little-k UTC +7
enact scenes fro Timezone
The Beach. Languages Thai, English
DiCaprio movie, +66
Telephone Code
Electricity 220 V, 50 Hz
2. Ayutthaya m Bangkok lie
s
st three hour s’ drive away fro us cities in
Ju pe ro
of the most pros
Ayutthaya, one cultural hub boasts
many
ur y. Th e
the 17th cent tures and se rene
ins, grand struc
magnificent ru
monasteries.
rs
hant Encounte
3. Ethical Elep ts up close at sanctuaries
phan
Experience ele erms. Centres
for these pachyd
that truly care ha nt Nature Park
an chang and Elep
su ch as Ba phants and
you walk with ele
in Chiang Mai let er) for a day or two.
ahout (train
learn to be a m
4. White Temple
White is the only colour you’ll find at Wat
Rong Khun in Chiang Rai. The unconventional
Buddhist temple is where you’ll find eclectic
murals with both Buddhist elements and modern
influences.
5. Sukhothai
A great place to get a feel of the ancient glorious
kingdom of Thailand. Beautiful ruins such as Wat
Mahathat and Wat Sra Sri are located alongside
moats, lakes and bridges at Thailand’s first
capital.
6. Emerald Cave
Hidden among high and majestic cliffs in Trang
Wh ite Te mp le
is Emerald Cave, also known as Morakot Cave.
A short swim across a small passage from the
entrance to the cave is worth every stroke for
experience of this beautiful
emerald sea water enclave.
Emerald Cave
Sukhothai
8. Chatuchak Market
One of the world’s largest outdoor marke
ts,
the Chatuchak Market in Bangkok is truly
an
experience on its own. With great bargains
on
clothes, homewares, antiques, art and souve
nirs,
there’s no wonder why many flock here every
Khlo ng Hae Floa ting Mar ket weekend!
9. Songkran Festival
No street in the country is safe from the splash
es
of water during Songkran. Foreigners and
locals
converge together, armed with water guns
and
buckets of water to celebrate the Thai New
Year.
Pad Thai
Chiang
Mai
Shopping
2. Patuxai
Built in remembrance of Lao soldiers who fought for the
country’s independence, it features a musical fountain and
some of the best views of the city from the observation deck.
3. Luang Prabang
A former royal capital, Luang Prabang has temples, colonial
buildings, and natural attractions. Its quaint ambiance makes for Ku ang Xi Wa ter fal
l,
fascinating days on foot, riding on a bike or cruising on a boat. Lu ang Pr ab ang
4. Vang Vieng
A playground for hippies, Vang Vieng is a scenic town ringed
by karst cliffs. It’s also a popular tubing destination where many
gather for blissfully idyllic floats down the river bends.
Laap
Best of Philippines
1. Boracay
Powdery white sands, clear shallow water
s and an
endless island vibe draw both locals and foreig
ners all
year round to one of the world’s most famo
us beaches,
accesible from Kalibo.
2. Intramuros
Boracay Hop on a calesa (horse-drawn carriage) and
take a trip
down Old Manila’s cobblestone streets to
explore the
Walled City of Intramuros. Don’t miss the
UNESCO
World Heritage-listed San Agustin Churc
h and its
museum, as well as the historic Fort Santi
ago.
4. Oslob, Cebu
Oslob town is best known for the eco-
tourism heaven Sumilon Island, a mari
ne
sanctuary featuring four major dives
sites.
But even if you don’t dive, come here
to
snorkel with huge and friendly whal
e sharks,
seen all year round.
6. Underground River
The longest navigable underground
river in
the world lives up to its status as a
UNESCO
World Heritage site with its amazing
cave
formations, best visited as a day trip
from
Puerto Princesa.
Choco late Hills
7. El Nido
The moment you set your eyes on
the
mighty limestone cliffs, dreamy lago
ons and
pristine beaches of El Nido in Pala
wan, you
will think that you’re in paradise.
8. Adobo
Chicken or pork, cooked in soy sauc
e and
vinegar, transforms into a Filipino favo
urite.
C hic ke n Ad ob o
El Nido
Best of Vietnam
1. Ha Long Bay
Nearly 2,000 limestone karst isles in various sizes and
shapes, picturesque lakes and a spectacular coastline
promise a charming experience at this UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
2. Old Quarter
For centuries, Hanoi’s craftsmen have settled and
peddled on the 36 busy streets lined with narrow Sapa Valley
buildings named after their particular trades. Both
locals and visitors come here for the food and
atmosphere that are said to be the soul of old Hanoi.
3. Sapa Valley
Rugged valleys, cascading rice terraces and
towering hills make up the picture-perfect scenery
of Sapa. For an authentic experience spend the
night at homestays and visit the picturesque Cat Cat
village and colourful Bac Ha Market.
4. Hoi An
Fly in from Da Nang for a delightful visit in this
World Heritage-listed ancient town, Old Qu ar te r
where the streets are lined with
shops selling clothes, silk, the
iconic Hoi An lanterns, mouth-
watering street food,
as well as kitschy
galleries.
Ha Long
Bay
Hoi An
S ap a Va lle y
C u C hi Tu nn els
5. Cu Chi Tunnels
This labyrinthine tunnel network was used
as a shelter, hospital, weapons cache and
for
supply route during the Vietnam War. Not
claustrophobics!
8. Pho
You can’t miss Pho when in Vietnam!
This appetising noodle soup with
beef brisket, vegetables and herbs
will have you slurping the bowl till the
last drop.
Dining in
Vietnam
Ph o
dia
Best of Cambo
eological Park
1. Angkor Archaex of Angkor Wat, a
mpl
The splendid co eds no
W or ld Heritage Site, ne
UN ESCO
azes with its 54 four-
yon am
introduction. Ba Tom b Ra ider can
ile fans of
faced towers wh Ta Prohm.
er Lara Croft at
channel their inn
ional Museum
2. Angkor Nat rt museum in Siem
-a
This state-of-the history and
l primer to the
Reap is an idea gkorians du ring the
e An
worldview of th An gk or Wa t
Era.
Khmer Golden
ht Market
3. Angkor Nig lls and the temples
fa
When darkness for
the town centre
close, head to irt s and the
aw ls, sh
souvenirs, sh fore
hant pants’ be
ubiquitous ‘elep dinn ers and
ra Dance
you enjoy Apsa .
St reet
drinks on Pub
4. Koh Rong
s away from
Just three hour n
the seaside tow
Phnom Penh is he re, ho p
. From
of Sihanoukville ine
h Rong, a prist
on a boat to Ko ive ly
little paradise th
at is still relat Angkor Night Marke t
untouched.
Bayon
5. Tonle Sap
Travel to Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater
rs
lake and observe the way of life of the farme
and fisher folk who live in houses on stilts Tuol Sleng
and floating villages in this remarkably rich
ecosystem.
8. Amok
Fish or meat are cooked in a coconut milk-
based curry with a variety of spices, some
ally
shrimp paste, and fish sauce to taste. Typic
leaf
served with kaffir lime leaves in banana
cups. Yummy!
Fish
Amok
ore
Best of Singap
& Esplanade
1. Marina Bay Merlion and Marina Bay
nic
Home of the ico , Waterfront
ience Museum
Sands, Art & Sc idge, Ga rd ens by the Bay
lix Br
Promenade, He tre s.
ade Thea
and the Esplan
the Bay Ga rd en s by the Ba
2. Gardens by nature and architecture y
of © Cy nth ia So egi ha
A beautiful sight a compact city. rto
e and bustle of
within the hustl tiful Supertrees
m e at night to see the beau
Co
colours.
lit up in vibrant
ad
3. Orchard Ro ess retail therapy with
dl
Get ready for en dining and
kilom etre s of shopping,
2.2 Look ou t for the
entertainment. ap ore Sale
Gr eat Si ng
annual ains on
tic ba rg
for fantas
major brands!
Merlion
Marina
Bay Sands
and Helix
Bridge
© Wong Jiunn Yi
22 | ©AirAsia Berhad 2015. All rights reserved.
SINGAPORE
4. Sentosa Island
There’s much to enjoy on this island of fun –
the parks and adventure attractions of Imbiah
Lookout, the fort and Underwater World
at Siloso Point, the three beaches along its
shoreline, and the FestiveWalk at Resorts World
Sentosa!
7. Singapore Flyer
See the city go round and round from inside one
of the 28 air-conditioned capsules. At 165 metres
high, it is currently ranked as the tallest Ferris
wheel in Asia. Segway Sentos a
8. Chilli Crab
Crack open the hard shells and dig into the
sweet and tender crab meat in a savoury
gravy made from chilli and tomato sauce.
Don’t forget to order deep fried mantou buns
(Chinese steamed buns) to go with it!
Si ng ap ore Fl ye r
Si ng ap ore
Ch illi Cr ab Un ive rs al St ud ios
3. Kampong Ayer
Made entirely out of stilts above the Brunei River, this
is the largest water village in the world! Water taxis
allow visitors to witness the traditional way of life in a
place where time stands still.
Divi ng
4. Scuba diving
Not so far from the coast are vast coral reefs swarming
with spectacular marine life. Experienced divers will be
delighted with the selection of stunning reefs and the
Sultan star of diving in Brunei – shipwreck diving!
Omar Ali
Saifuddien
5. Nasi Katok
Mosque
A simple combination of rice and curry chicken that is
a scrumptious yet inexpensive local meal.
Ka mp ong Ay er
D
ILAN
e
som
Awe
THA
NE dW!
Fin
ions
attract ps
on ma
12 AMAZING
DESTINATIONS
THAI rs
+ Easy Island Transfe
ES
SPECIAL FEATUR Experiences
Top 10 Ultimate Thai
When Thailand Dances Cuisines
Lip-Smacking Local
airasia.com/travelguides
How to Make the Most of Your
Asean Pass
Planning your ASEAN trip can be overwhelming at first because there are so many ways to do it.
If you don’t have an itinerary in mind yet, here are some basic tips for putting one together.
1. Do your homework. List the destinations where you want to go and divide them into two
columns: the first for places you really must visit, the second for places that are good to see, but
not essential.
2. Plot your route on a map. Mark your first-column cities and check if there are flights between
them. If there are none, consider going through your second-column cities or major cities close to
them.
3. Take time off. As there is a time limit to use the Asean Pass, choose your dates wisely. Note that
there are blackout dates when the Asean Pass may not be used.
4. Balance time and spending. Check not only the travel times but also the credits required for
each connection.
5. Don’t rush. It’s not about how many cities you visit but the quality of your experience in each
destination.
SAMPLE ITINERARIES
Get started by mixing and matching these according to your interests.
Bangkok Siem Reap (1) Kuala Lumpur (3) Yogyakarta (3) Bali (1)
Bangkok Krabi (1) Kuala Lumpur (1) Kuala Terengganu (1) Kuala Lumpur (1)
Lombok (3) Kuala Lumpur (3)
Kuala Lumpur Chiang Mai (3) Bangkok (1) Ho Chi Minh City (1) Bangkok (1)
Penang (1) Kuala Lumpur (1)
Kuala Lumpur Johor Bahru (1) Ho Chi Minh City (1) Bangkok (1) Singapore (3)
Jakarta (1) Kuala Lumpur (3)
SPLENDOUR OF INDOCHINA
Exotic and distinctive, Indochina dazzles with golden pagodas and colonial splendour.
START Kuala Lumpur END Bangkok CITIES 6 CREDITS 12
Kuala Lumpur Vientiane (3) Kuala Lumpur (3) Ho Chi Minh City (1) Bangkok (1)
Siem Reap (1) Bangkok (1) Mandalay (1) Bangkok (1)
AN INDONESIAN JOURNEY
Explore the cultural and natural diversity of this fabled archipelago, from tribes to volcanoes.
START Kuala Lumpur END Kuala Lumpur CITIES 7 CREDITS 10
Kuala Lumpur Bandung (3) Surabaya (1) Jakarta (1) Yogyakarta (1)
Bali (1) (fast boat*) Lombok Kuala Lumpur (3)
THAI SYMPHONY
Be mesmerised by Thailand’s temples, shopping centres, elephant sanctuaries and sandy shores.
START Bangkok END Bangkok CITIES 5 CREDITS 7
Bangkok Chiang Mai (1) Surat Thani (1) Bangkok (1) Krabi (1) Bangkok (1)
Phuket (1) Bangkok (1)
MALAYSIAN ESSENTIALS
Malaysia’s flavourful food, pristine islands and heritage towns will give you a truly Asian holiday.
START Kuala Lumpur END Kuala Lumpur CITIES 7 CREDITS 10
Kuala Lumpur Langkawi (1) Penang (1) Kuala Lumpur (1) Kota Bharu (1)
Kota Kinabalu (3) Miri (1) Kuching (1) Kuala Lumpur (1)
PHILIPPINE HIGHLIGHTS
Now’s the time for the Philippine islands, including Palawan (via Puerto Princesa) and Boracay (via Kalibo).
START Kuala Lumpur END Kuala Lumpur CITIES 7 CREDITS 12
Kuala Lumpur Kalibo (3) Manila (1) Tagbilaran (1) (ferry*) Cebu Davao (1)
Manila (1) Puerto Princesa (1) Manila (1) Kuala Lumpur (3)
*Sea transfers are not provided as part of the Asean Pass. Guests must make their own bookings and arrangements.
n ne ct in
s a c ross
Co in ation
t
Seoul
s .
90 de d Australia
Beijing Busan
n
Asia a
JAPAN Sapporo
Tokyo
Osaka (Kansai)
Shanghai
Xi’an
Hangzhou
Chengdu Wuhan
NEPAL Chongqing
Changsha
Kathmandu CHINA
Guilin
Taipei
Kunming
TAIWAN
Guangzhou
INDIA Mandalay Shenzhen
Nanning
Chandigarh Hong Kong
Jaipur MYANMAR
Kolkata VIETNAM Macau
Pune
Goa Hyderabad Hanoi
Bengaluru Chennai Chiang Rai Nan
Kochi Tiruchirappalli Chiang Mai LAOS
Colombo
Phitsanulok Vientiane
SRI LANKA Udon Thani
Yangon Loei PHILIPPINES
Nakhon Phanom
Khon Kaen Sakhon Nakhon Da Nang Clark
SAUDI Ubon Ratchathani Manila
THAILAND Roi Et
ARABIA Bangkok
Siem Reap
Kalibo
Jeddah CAMBODIA (Boracay)
Phnom Penh Tacloban
Ho Chi Minh City Cebu
Surat Thani Puerto Princesa Tagbilaran
Krabi
Phuket Nakhon Si Thammarat
Trang Hat Yai Cagayan de Oro
Langkawi Narathiwat Kota Kinabalu Davao
Alor Setar Kota Bharu Sandakan
Penang Kuala Terengganu Labuan
Brunei
Banda Aceh MALAYSIA Miri Tawau
EAST MALAYSIA
Medan Kuala Lumpur Bintulu
Johor Bahru Sibu
Singapore
Pekanbaru Kuching
Palembang
Makassar
Jakarta
Semarang AUSTRALIA
Bandung
AirAsia routes Solo Bali (Denpasar)
Yogyakarta Darwin
AirAsia X routes Surabaya
Gold Coast
AirAsia hubs Lombok Sydney
AirAsia ASEAN Pass routes Perth
Melbourne