A journey through Southeast Asia takes you through a kaleidoscope of cultures, landscapes and traditions that blend seamlessly. From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the serene beaches of Bali, this corner of the world offers a wealth of experiences. From ancient temples, vibrant markets and lush landscapes to endless white beaches! In this article, we dive into the heart of these fascinating countries and introduce you to three cities that epitomize the diversity of Southeast Asia.

#1 Denpasar | Indonesia / Bali

The tropical island of Bali is one of the most beautiful places in Indonesia! Here you will find palm-fringed beaches, rice terraces and fascinating cultural sites.

Denpasar is the capital of Bali and has a population of over 800,000. The city thrives on a mix of commerce, culture and tourism. You will find bustling markets, modern shopping malls and traditional handicraft markets. The vibrant streets offer both modern amenities and the traditional Balinese way of life.

Sights in Denpasar:

• Puputan Square: A place for locals and visitors to linger. Here you can “people watch” and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city.
• Bajra Sandhi Monument: An impressive monument that honors the history of the Balinese people.
• Temple Purat Rambut Siwi Kaler: A beautiful temple whose charm lies in the proximity to the sea.
• Jagatnatha-Temple: Largest Hindu temple in the heart of the capital
• Turtle Conservation and Education Centre: Dedicated to turtle conservation since 2006.

Eco-Resort Puri Dajuma Cottages & Spa

Approximately 2.5 hours from Denpasar, Puri Dajuma Cottages & Spa is located in the west of the island. It’s the perfect place if you’re looking for peace and relaxation after the hustle and bustle of the big city. The cottages, suites and villas are built from local materials in the Balinese style, and the resort is located right on a dream beach. The resort also offers daily yoga sessions, Balinese massages, and cooking classes.

How sustainable is Bali?

A lot has happened on the island in terms of environmental awareness. In 2017, for example, two schoolgirls (!) managed to push through a legal ban on plastic bags, which not only went into effect, but was also extended to other single-use plastics such as straws, etc. There is a national park, and by March 2023, hotels and restaurants in the local association have committed to using only sustainably produced palm oil. These are not giant leaps, but they are steps in the right direction nonetheless, and as we always say, baby steps are still steps in the right direction.

If you want to learn more about Bali, we recommend our blog article: Bali: Threatened beauty and culture – how to travel the island responsibly

#2 Phnom Penh – Cambodia

Cambodia is a country with a rich history, fascinating culture and breathtaking scenery. Here, too, you will find majestic temples, including the world-famous Angkor Wat, which is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also a spiritual journey through the centuries.

The best word to describe the cities of the Indochinese Peninsula is “vibrant”. Perhaps the most famous city is the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. The city has a population of over 2 million and stretches along the Mekong River. Here you will find a mix of modern progress and the country’s cultural history. The skyline is punctuated by magnificent temples, including the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda.

Sights in Phnom Penh

• Royal Palace: The main tourist attractions are the throne room – where Cambodian kings are crowned – and some of the surrounding buildings.
• Silver Pagoda (Wat Preah Keo): The Silver Pagoda, also known as the Temple of Emerald Buddha, houses statues of Buddha made of precious metals, crystals and gems and is located on the southern edge of the Royal Palace.
• Wat Phnom: This is the most famous temple in the city of Phnom Penh and its namesake. It is located on a 27-meter-high man-made hill.
• Waterfront promenade: Here, residents (and tourists) stroll past restaurants, bars and parks.
• National museum: If you are visiting the temples of Cambodia, be sure to visit the museum, where you will find the related artifacts.
• Central market: It is located in the center of the city and is designed in the Art Deco style.
• Mekong wetlands: You can take part in Bird watching tours here. For example, you can see the Cambodian Tailor Bird (a red-headed songbird) or the beautiful Bronze-crowned Emerald Sparrow (Asian Green Bee Eater).

Sustainable Green PearlsⓇ accommodation in Cambodia

Farmhouse Smiling Gecko is located about 1.5 hours from the capital. Here you will stay in luxuriously furnished stilt houses and there is a pool and spa area. Farmhouse Smiling Gecko is not only a place to stay, but also a local community project. As you may know, Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world. The Smiling Gecko project includes training centers for various trades, extensive agriculture, several restaurants and the Farmhouse Resort. About 40 employees have found (above average paid) permanent employment here.

Another of our partners is 4 Rivers Floating Lodge. However, the floating villas are located “in the middle of nowhere” and are less suitable for a city trip. However, if you are looking for a nature experience and jungle adventure on your trip to Cambodia, this is an excellent and exceptional address.

Sustainable travel in Cambodia

Due to poverty, you will see some things in Cambodia that we consider less sustainable – such as plastic cups and litter in the countryside. However, you should be aware that, according to IEA calculations, the per capita CO2 emissions of a Cambodian are far lower than those of Americans, Europeans or Japanese. While this is no excuse for the waste problem, we as rich (and mostly white) tourists from Europe should not look down on it. So instead of pointing your finger, be as sustainable as possible and politely refuse single-use plastics. 

By the way, Phnom Penh has adopted a sustainable urban development plan that addresses a wide range of issues such as energy, transportation, buildings, public space, waste management and sanitation. Single-use packaging is banned in the capital since 2020.

#3 Phuket Town in Thailand

Phuket Town, on the island of Phuket in Thailand, has a population of just over 100,000 and is best known for its beautiful old town. It is also home to a large creative and alternative scene, including graffiti, street art, markets and cafés.

Sights in Phuket Town

• Great Phuket Buddha: The 45 meter high marble statue is a striking eye-catcher. Completed in 2008, the statue is still relatively new.
• Chaithararam Temple (Wat Chalong): The largest of Phuket’s 29 Buddhist temples. There is a 60-meter-high stupa on the temple grounds, said to contain a bone fragment of Buddha. The walls and ceilings are decorated with paintings depicting scenes from Buddha’s life.
• Explore Phuket Old Town: Unlike its neighbors, Thailand was not a colonial state, but the houses in the old town were built in the Portuguese colonial style. But with Chinese elements. This is called the “Sino-Portuguese style”. Some of these historic buildings are now cafés, galleries, or boutiques.
• Night markets: Shopping at night? Well, it’s possible in Phuket Town! There are several night markets that offer everything from street food to vintage to jewelry, or just enjoy the atmosphere.

Sustainable Green PearlsⓇ Resort Keemala in Phuket

Just 20 kilometers from Phuket Town, Keemalas “Villa Wonderland” is built right into the treetops. Each “nest” has its own pool and views from the jungle to the sea. The eco-resort offers yoga retreats and cooking classes. Some ingredients for the cuisine grow right on the property. Keemala is part of the zero-waste movement.

Sustainable travel in Thailand

Sustainable travel is gaining momentum in Thailand, with many initiatives promoting environmentally friendly practices. On the island of Phuket, for example, waste reduction and coral reef restoration programs are in place to ensure that the beauty of Thailand is preserved for future generations.

Since domestic flights in Thailand are cheap, it is tempting to fly from Bangkok to Phuket. A more environmentally friendly option is by train – and it’s also a real adventure, as we describe in the following article:

Adventurous slow travel: Through Thailand by train

We have also covered this topic in the following article:

Green Initiatives and Hotel Projects in Thailand

How sustainable is a trip to Southeast Asia?

Finally, long-distance travel is not considered sustainable because of air travel. If you want to learn more about the emissions’ problem, including figures, data and facts about air travel, we recommend our article: Are we still allowed to fly?

However, tourism is an important economic factor in Southeast Asia, and as a tourist, you have many opportunities to support local communities. In addition, you can become active in conservation.

If all wealthy people (and as a reader of this blog, statistically speaking, you are probably one of them) only vacation in their own backyards, wealth is deprived of one of its means of distribution.

We hope that we have given you some insight into Southeast Asian cities. Of course, there are many more interesting countries and cities in Southeast Asia – which ones would you recommend? We look forward to hearing your comments.

Save this post as inspiration for your next trip.