13 New South Asian Destinations For A Unique Honeymoon!( No Bali or Krabi!)
BY Apoorva | 11 Aug, 2017 | 5412 views | 6 min read
South Asian honeymoon destinations go beyond the usual suspects of Thailand and Bali. South Asia is known for its gorgeous blue waters and white sand beaches. But its more than just that. It has wildlife adventure, delicious food, luxury & budget-friendly accommodation options and UNESCO world heritage sites that you will fall in love with. Plus, airfares are cheaper than any other continent so you can splurge on travel instead. We picked out new south Asian destinations for your romantic getaway that you will love. So it’s time to take a pause from lehenga shopping and menu tasting and plan the most romantic holiday of your life – your honeymoon!
South Korea
Image via Little Holidays
A cultural and heritage honeymoon destination, South Korea is truly a honeymooner’s paradise. They have a little bit of everything – art galleries for couples who love culture, nightlife for the parties, the island life, making it a perfect honeymoon spot in South Asia.
Java
Image via CNN Traveller
Java is one endless heaven when it comes to exploring this beauty. You can stay in the middle of a pine forest at Cikole Village or in Sundanese nuances built on a lake in west Java or simply lounge on the white sands beach of Tanjung Lesung. Enjoy the traditional Banten culture as you honeymoon in Java!
Hội An, Vietnam
Image via Four Seasons
Don’t want to go to the same old places in Vietnam? Go to Hội An - a gorgeous little town about halfway down Vietnam’s coastline. It’s easy to be captivated by Hội An with its rich cultural heritage, beautifully preserved merchants’ houses, pagodas, ancient wells, tombs and slow pace of life. The best part? They have luxurious five stars that you can honeymoon at or even budget-friendly hotels if you don’t want to splurge!
Kota Kinabalu
Image via Amazing Borneo
It’s a gorgeous coastal city partly surrounded by rainforest in Malaysia’s Sabah state. You can enjoy its lovely markets, modern boardwalk, beaches and waterfront Kota Kinabalu City Mosque. It’s also the gateway to Kinabalu National Park, the home of 4,095m-high Mount Kinabalu. So add a little adventure to your honeymoon and get exploring Kota Kinabalu!
Lhasa, Tibet
Image via CNN Traveller
Planning a honeymoon in Tibet is always a journey in itself. And Lhasa is the one place that you cannot miss. It’s known for its gorgeous valleys and stunning mountain ranges. If you love exploring, its home to iconic sites such as the Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace and many monasteries. It’s also known as the centre of Tibetan Buddhism, so it’s truly enriched with some incredible culture and history.
Malaysian Borneo
Trek in Mount Kinabalu or go scuba diving in Sipadan, the Malaysian Bornoe is one of the most amazing places to honeymoon in South Asia. It is one of the two places left in the world where you can sight orangutans in the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. So if you love a little adventure on your honeymoon, Malaysian Borneo is a great choice!
El Nido
Are you and your partner water babies? If you love scuba diving and other water sports, don’t look anywhere but El Nido, Philippines. You can splash in their hot springs and waterfalls or simply go mountain biking – El Nido has it all. For Scuba and snorkelling, Biscuit Bay is one of the most beautiful places to be.
Laos
Laos is truly considered as one of the most colourful honeymoon destinations in Asia. Be sure to make a stop at Tham Kong Lo Cave, the country’s most stunning highlight. Embark on a journey into this preternatural underworld (it’s like Middle-earth sans Gollum) with 7 kilometres of winding rivers, scaling small rapids as it goes through the otherworldly limestone cave. With truly gracious residents, Laos, a wonderful destination is combined with impressive Buddhist temples and shrines, lots of places of interest and mysterious heritage sites as well. It is an idyllic honeymoon getaway for culture lovers.
Nihiwatu
Nihiwatu is an intimate and remote island escape on the island of Sumba in Indonesia. A unique ‘Robinson Crusoe’ experience, you will find yourselves enjoying 560 acres of unspoiled natural landscape. If you are looking for something that isn’t filling up with tourists, this is perfect for you. Famous for its access to private surf breaks and world-class fishing, you can be as active or as indulgent as you want during your honeymoon here.
Lombok, Indonesia
Like we promised, we won’t give you Bali but we will give you something even better – Lombok! Lombok is often overshadowed by its popular sister island, Bali. But these two are worlds apart despite being in close proximity. Unlike Bali, Lombok is untouched and serene. You’ll find beautiful beaches, extraordinary waterfalls and friendly locals. It is the ideal spot for the couple that loves nature and adventure. Head for a hike and take in the views of lush forests and rice fields!
Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Sihanoukville is a seaside town in Cambodia, renowned for its golden sand beaches and relaxed atmosphere. Apart from discovering the numerous beaches, you can also get a taste of Cambodian culture. If you believe in giving back to society in some way, you can also make your honeymoon a little more meaningful by volunteering with Cambodian Children’s Painting Project, an NGO which helps impoverished children.
Padang, Sumatra
Image via Cubadak Resort
If you crave some isolation with your bae, Padang in Sumatra should do the trick. You'll feel like you're on an episode of Lost, with minimum human interaction, sandy beaches, a lush forest, and wild animals. They have an amazing food culture too, so all you foodies out there will have a blast! Traditional Indonesian cuisine meets western influences, cooked to perfection.
Maafushi, Maldives
We know that when you read Maldives, you think expensive. But that is not the case at Maafushi. If you're worried about the price tag that comes with this luxurious destination then forget about stilt houses. You can now stay at many guest houses on several islands including this guest house Airbnb in Maafushi for an affordable fee. Think beautiful blue waters, glittering aquamarine lagoons, and vivid coral reefs on a budget honeymoon!
Want some real-life experience? Check out these 3 Couples Tell Us Their Honeymoon Budget And Where They Travelled To!
