Must-visit photography spots in South East Asia
South East Asia is a region that spans over 10 countries and is home to a wide variety of ethnicities, languages, and religions. The region is known for its incredible geographical diversity, with lush rainforests, towering mountains, pristine beaches, and extensive river systems. In the Autumn of 2022, I spend three months travelling in South East Asia, marvelling at the beauty and diversity all around. Of course, this meant that this was a prime spot for photography, and I revelled in capturing the immense vistas, scenic cities, and hidden gems. In this blog post, I share my top Southeast Asia photography destinations which I hope will inspire you to visit and capture some of these awe-inspiring locations yourself.
Ha Giang City Viewpoint, Vietnam
In the very northern region of Vietnam, sits Ha Giang City, a spot regularly missed by travellers due to its remote nature. Ha Giang is worth paying a visit, however, with luscious mountains all around. The city is also the starting point for the epic Ha Giang Loop, a driving route completed over 4-5 days that takes you through breathtaking canyons and mountain passes.
During my time in the city, I paid a visit to Cafe Núi Cấm for a traditional coconut coffee and a hike up to the Ha Giang City Viewpoint. The path to the top is steep and seems to go on forever, but at the top, you are rewarded with spectacular 180-degree views over the city. I hiked this route twice, the second time I was lucky enough to witness a magnificent sunset over the bustling city.
Pai Canyon, Thailand
Just a short drive outside of the town of Pai sits Pai Canyon, a scenic red-sand canyon with views of the surrounding mountains. Formed through many years of erosion from wind and rain, Pai Canyon is breathtaking, and a fantastic spot for photography. There is a short hike that can be completed around the canyon, but with no railings and steep drops, it is not for the faint-hearted.
Every evening many people gather at the canyon to witness the spectacular Thai sunsets. It was the warm, golden light hitting the red sand, combined with the epic views that led to Pai Canyon grabbing a spot on my favourite photography locations in South East Asia.
NungNung Waterfall, Indonesia
Located on the Indonesian island known for its waterfalls and rice terraces, NungNung is one of the biggest and most powerful waterfalls in Bali.
The route to the waterfall takes you down steep steps through the Balinese jungle in the heart of the island. Once you arrive at the waterfall, the sight of epic NungNung will take your breath away. Crashing water surrounded by luscious jungle and the soft light filtering through the foliage all lend themselves to a captivating image, and this location quickly became one of my favorite to photograph during the month I spent exploring Indonesia.
Tanah Lot, Indonesia
Tanah Lot is an ancient Hindu temple that sits atop a unique rock formation in the ocean, shaped over the years by the motion of the tide.
It costs a little to enter the site where the temple is located and requires a short walk to reach the viewpoints. Once you have arrived, the views are astounding, with the waves crashing over the rocks at the base of the temple. Tanah Lot is optimally located for the sunset, and the sky lit up a beautiful golden colour as the sun descended during my visit. Restaurants line the path where you can view this magnificent sight, and so I took the opportunity to grab a cocktail as I photographed the spectacular temple.
North Bali
Although not an exact location, I was astounded at the beauty of North Bali, with sweeping views over tropical jungles and rice terraces, palm trees, and lush green mountains. I travelled through this part of the island on a rainy day, which only added to the splendour and exquisite beauty.
The countryside of North Bali shows off with soft golden light illuminating the luscious foliage and so offers plenty of hidden gems for photography in Southeast Asia.
Bangkok
Bangkok is well known for its towering skyscrapers and iconic landmarks. During my stay in the city, I booked into an accommodation housed in one of these skyscrapers, and luckily enough was given a room on one of the higher floors that looked down at the city sprawling below. Don’t worry if this is not the case for you, however, as there are plenty of rooftop bars in Bangkok that offer equally breathtaking views. I loved capturing the different angles of the city and only wished that I had been travelling with a tripod to allow me to capture long exposures of the iconic skyscrapers at night.
South East Asia is a photography lover’s paradise, overrun with iconic and breathtaking locations to explore and photograph. I hope that you are now brimming with inspiration for your next photography trip. Let me know in the comments if you have visited any of these fantastic locations, and if so, which is your favourite.
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