Got travel plans? 9 alternative Southeast Asian destinations 2024

The Rex theatre maintained its post as one of the most popular and larger cinemas of its time; however, in 2002, the building was once again destroyed by fire and closed down for good. In 2007, it was converted into a backpackers’ hostel, but fire swallowed the building anew.

In 2018, a group of creative entrepreneurs led by Shin Tseng and Shin Chang revived the 60,000 sq ft building and turned it into an art and culture centre dubbed REXKL. 

Community building and art shows flourished in the area since. In 2023, it was able to host Rexperience, an immersive art gallery spanning 8,000 sq ft of the main hall. 

Tea, fabrics, charms, perfumes, and more—whatever you need, Arab Street in Singapore has it for you. While the place is not particularly a ‘hidden gem’ in Southeast Asia (the enclave is busy during the daytime, thanks to locals and tourists who bargain with vendors for cheaper goods), it remains a must-visit destination for those seeking an authentic cultural experience.

Whether travelling alone or with friends and loved ones, Arab Street is the perfect stop-over for souvenirs and savoury delights. Its key features include the Sultan Mosque, which you can easily spot because of its stunning golden dome.

The National Gallery in Singapore deserves a spot in your itinerary. Housed in two national monuments—the City Hall and former Supreme Court–that were restored and transformed into a 64,000sqm venue, the place oversees the world’s largest public collection of contemporary art in Southeast Asia. 

In its goal to reflect Singapore’s rich and unique cultural heritage, the gallery conducts collaborative research, holds long-term and special art exhibits, and runs programmes. It also works closely with international museums, including the Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Orsay, Tate Britain, National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo (MOMAT), and National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Korea (MMCA). 

In 2020, it was the only museum in Southeast Asia to garner a spot in The Art Newspaper’s annual global survey of attendance at art museums. As of this post, it showcases exhibitions such as Between Declarations and Dreams: Art of Southeast Asia Since the 19th Century and the Siapa Nama Kamu.

Related: Michelin Guide Singapore 2024 results, revealed

There’s a stunning monumental statue atop a low-rise mountain in Cambodia. The locals call it Wat Putkiri, but to the rest of the world, it is known as the Buddha Kiri. Thanks to the lush greenery and landscape surrounding it, this place allows visitors to embark on a spiritual journey.

This area is perfect for those seeking tranquillity and solitude. It provides meditation retreats for visitors of all faiths and limited accommodation facilities for those who want to stay longer.

Read more: Where to go for Eid al-Adha? Explore these destinations in Southeast Asia

A hidden gem near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Bukit Tinggi Highlands offers a scenic view where tourists can immerse themselves in the luxurious Chateau Spa and Wellness Resort. People who visit this area are typically charmed by Colmar Tropicale, Berjaya Hills, a French-themed resort with a mediaeval vibe. Also around the area is the Japanese village that boasts zen gardens, koi fish, and traditional Japanese houses where guests can shop for mementoes. 

Erawan Museum’s massive three-headed elephant statue will leave you speechless. It is, after all, the world’s first and biggest hand-carved sculpture. Standing 43.6m high (equivalent to a 14-story building), the statue is considered a tourist attraction and a symbol of faith for believers of Thailand’s Theravada Buddhism (the underworld, the human world, and the heavens). 

According to Aryan legends, the elephant god Erawan, also known as Airavata or Airawana, has 33 heads. His main duty is to serve as Indra’s (the god of rain and storms) mount in his travels to different locations to observe mankind. In his battles with demons, the elephant acts as Indra’s trusty steed.

This spot in Southeast Asia is relatively new. Its construction started in 1994 and opened to the public in 2003. 

For tourists, an audio guide in Thai, English, Chinese, Korean, and Russian is available at the entrance. The museum cannot accommodate people in sleeveless attire or above-the-knee length skirts or shorts.

Read also: To the Beat of the Drums: Stanford Taiko’s impassioned tour to Thailand and the Philippines

Located in Vientiane, Laos, the Patuxai, which means “gate of triumph”, is a war monument built between 1957 and 1968 to commemorate the lives of those who sought independence against French colonial rule. 

The monument, designed by the Laotian soldier, former journalist, and sculptor Tham Sayasthsena, has five towers representing the five Buddhist principles: thoughtful amiability, flexibility, honesty, honour, and prosperity.  

Home to more than 20,000 locals, the area is known for its time-honoured bistros, neoclassical establishments, and vibrant culture. Every piece of Binondo Chinatown in the Philippines is a reminder of Manila City’s enduring cultural heritage, a place your foot touches once but your heart remembers forever.

Visit tourist destinations such as Binondo church, El Hogar Filipino building, Plaza San Lorenzo, and the country’s oldest restaurant, Toho Panciteria. 

In case you missed it: The cultural wanderer’s guide to Binondo, Manila

Before visiting the bustling market of Ben Thanh, sending letters at the Saigon central post office, or going inside the Cu Chi tunnels, consider taking a detour at Ho Chi Minh City’s Book Street.

Spanning from Hai Ba Trung Street to Notre Dame Cathedral, this spot is home to tea and coffee shops as well as more than 20 bookstores. It is hailed as one of the oldest streets in the city. 

Tourists who want to take a piece of Saigon home can pick up postcards and keychains or even have their portraits painted by local artists on the sidewalk.

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