The 13 Cheapest Travel Destinations In Asia For 2016
One of my main passions right now is travelling. I recently went travelling for a month and a half to South America and it was the most amazing experience I've ever had. The only problem is, now I've caught the travelling bug.
Once you get out there and see a small slice of what the world has to offer, there's no going back. I'm basically counting down the months until I can save up enough money to go travelling again. Because that's always the problem right, the money!
It's important to be smart with you're money when you're travelling because it's so easy to just blow it all right away. You may have seen some of my other articles about the cheapest travel destinations in Europe, South America, and North America.
I've been making these lists, partly because I'm planning my own trips, but mostly to help fellow travel-lovers like myself. Those who are daydreaming about quitting their jobs, dropping out of school, or running away from all of their responsibilities on a daily basis just like I do.
Hopefully this list will give you that inspiration you need to get out there and do it!
1. Pokhara, Nepal
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Cheapest Meal: $2.35
Cheapest Accommodations: $6/night
Cheapest Beer: $1.85
Nepal is a beautiful country, and right now it's home to the cheapest travel destination in Asia, Pokhara. Pokhara has some amazing sights to see such as the Phewa Lake where you can rent one of the doongas (boats) and drift across Nepal's second largest freshwater lake! Take a trek up the World Peace Pagoda and you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Nepal's magical mountains.
You should also visit some of Pakhora's amazing temples such as the Barahi Temple and the Peace Temple.
2. Hanoi, Vietnam
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Cheapest Meal: $1.80
Cheapest Accommodations: $10/night
Cheapest Beer: $0.90
Hanoi, Vietnam is an insanely cheap city and is filled with culture. It is known for it's ancient architecture where it features beautiful temples such as the Literature Temple, Bach Ma Temple and the magical Trấn Quốc Pagoda.
Don't miss the chaotic Old Square where the streets are arranged by trade!
3. Chiang Mai, Thailand
no torturing no riding, just feeding and washing rescued elephants in their natural habits
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Cheapest Meal: $1.50
Cheapest Accommodations: $6/night
Cheapest Beer: $1.60
If you're a lover of thai food like I am, then you've most likely started to dream about a trip to Thailand. Recently, the tourism in Thailand has picked up and it isn't as cheap as it used to be but Chiang Mai is actually the cheapest place to travel if you want to fulfill those dreams on a budget.
Visit the Elephant Nature Park and spend some time with the rescued elephants! There's some gorgeous temples as well, such as the Wat Suan Dorg Temple and the Wat Phra Singh Temple. If you're looking to explore nature, visit the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park with amazing waterfalls, parks and forests!
4. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ãn Quảng Pagoda. #HCMC #HCM #Vietnam #anquang
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Cheapest Meal: $1.70
Cheapest Accommodations: $10/night
Cheapest Beer: $0.72
This city is famous for many things, their role in the Vietnam War, their French colonial architecture, and their traditional Vietnamese food, the Pho! You can also try some crazy foods if you're feeling daring, like fertilized duck dishes, deep-fried snake, or fermented scorpion wine. Does that sound appetizing or what?
Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels or take a boat ride down the Bonsai River to view the city lights.
5. Goa, India
Picture postcard moment #beach #nofilters #Goa #nature
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Cheapest Meal: $3.75
Cheapest Accommodations: $6/night
Cheapest Beer: $0.90
Goa, India is a gorgeous city stretching along the coast of the Arabian Sea. They are famous for their amazing beaches such as Chapora Beach pictured above. Visit the historically cursed Devil's Canyon, take a dolphin watching tour from Fort Aguada, or visit the elephants at Sahakar Spice Farm!
6. Vientiane, Laos
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Cheapest Meal: $2.22
Cheapest Accommodations: $7/night
Cheapest Beer: $1.12
Vientiane, Laos has a mix of Asian and French culture. In fact, you can find some of the cheapest French food here. Enjoy dirt cheap steaks, soufflés, and icy glasses of Sancerre. You've got to check out their Riverside Night Market and some of their amazing temples like the golden Pha That Luang monument which is surrounded by four temples.
7. Kathmandu, Nepal
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Cheapest Meal: $1.70
Cheapest Accommodations: $5/night
Cheapest Beer: $1.87
Kathmandu, Nepal carries so much amazing culture. Of course, this city has some amazing temples like the Swayambhunath Temple where you can spend the afternoon chilling with these monkeys! Visit Thamel region for nightlife, shopping, yoga and so much more.
8. Colombo, Sri Lanka
Under the Bodhi tree. ?? #gangaramayatemple #lordbuddha #respectfultourism #colombo #srilanka
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Cheapest Meal: $1.70
Cheapest Accommodations: $14/night
Cheapest Beer: $1.37
Colombo, Sri Lanka has so much to offer budget friendly tourists. Visit Mt. Lavinia to eat some insanely fresh seafood, have a relaxing afternoon in one of Colomb's best spa's or explore some wildlife at Dehiwala Zoological Garden. Don't miss the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple pictured above.
9. Luang Prabang, Laos
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Cheapest Meal: $2.00
Cheapest Accommodations: $7/night
Cheapest Beer: $0.93
Located in Northern Laos, Luang Prabang is an amazing destination. It's known for it's magnificent Buddhist temples like the Wat Xieng Thong Temple and the Wat Mai Temple. If you travel a little outside the city you can find the insanely beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall! With crystal blue water perfect for an afternoon swim, this is one spot you don't want to miss.
10. Delhi, India
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Cheapest Meal: $3.00
Cheapest Accommodations: $8/night
Cheapest Beer: $1.50
Delhi and New Delhi, India are very cheap destinations right now. There's so much culture and amazing architecture to see such as, Humuyan's Tomb, which holds the second Mughal Emperor of India and the beautiful Lotus Temple resembling the flower. Visit the bazaars of Old Delhi to get fully immersed into their culture.
Don't forget the food though. You've got to try some classic Indian foods such as samosas, jaleeb, and a variety of meat dishes available on every street corner!
11. Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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Cheapest Meal: $2.12
Cheapest Accommodations: $6/night
Cheapest Beer: $1.00
Cambodia is an extremely cheap area of Asia because it's not as popular for tourists, but it really is amazing. Phnom Penh offers some amazing cultural sights such as the Royal Palace and the Wat Phnom. Visit their best market, the Central Market for an amazing morning or take a walk by the river.
12. Yangon, Myanmar
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Cheapest Meal: $2.50
Cheapest Accommodations: $11/night
Cheapest Beer: $1.00
This is a city filled with beautiful temples and culture. Check out the shimmering, golden pagoda complex of Shwedagon, the Sule Pagoda, or the Botataung Pagoda. Visit a local fresh market or Yangon Chinatown for some amazing eats! Also, check out the Kandawgyi Park for a relaxing stroll through the ponds and parks.
13. Cebu, Philippines
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Cheapest Meal: $4.25
Cheapest Accommodations: $10/night
Cheapest Beer: $1.06
Cebu City and it's surrounding 150 islands are a highlight of the Philippines. Visit their numerous temples such as Cebu Taoist Temple. A must-see is the Kawasan Falls pictured above. With gorgeous blue water and flowing falls this is one attraction you've got to see. Take a raft right underneath the falls or hike the jungle area around this attraction for a full day's worth of activities!