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From the inimitable Angkor Wat in Siem Reap<\/a> to the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon<\/a> and the unforgettable sight of hundreds of saffron-robed monks collecting alms at sunrise in Luang Prabang<\/a>, you are bound to leave each of these cities with memories galore.<\/p>\n Make your trip even more special with these off the beaten track adventures for an experience that you won\u2019t find in the guidebooks. Here are some travel tips for exploring\u00a0Southeast Asia’s remaining exotic destinations.<\/p>\n You can\u2019t visit\u00a0Siem\u00a0Reap without making a pilgrimage to the ancient Angkor\u00a0Wat\u00a0temples, but why not experience it differently to the heaving masses by taking a run around the temples?<\/p>\n The annual Angkor\u00a0Wat\u00a0International Half Marathon<\/strong> (a 10km option is also available) in December is a one-of-a-kind way to enjoy the centuries old Khmer complex.<\/p>\n There are also plenty of outer temples to catch a glimpse of what Cambodian life is like outside of the tourist centres. These include\u00a0Banteay\u00a0Srei, which features delicate pink sandstone carvings;\u00a0Preah Khan, a sprawling complex that remains in its mostly unrestored glory; and the ancient baths of SrahSrang, which is now a popular spot for the local kids wishing to take a dip.<\/p>\n For\u00a0night-time\u00a0entertainment, try the Cambodian circus, Phare. Featuring young Cambodian performers, get ready to be entertained with a fun combination of theatre, acrobatics, music, dance, juggling and aerial acts.<\/p>\n If you are in town on a Saturday night, make the time to attend one of Dr Beat\u00a0Richner\u2019s\u00a0excellent weekly cello concerts. The doctor runs five children\u2019s hospitals across Cambodia and he raises funds for the hospitals through these donation-based concerts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [button style=’blue’ url=’https:\/\/www.expedia.com.my\/Siem-Reap.d2975.Destination-Travel-Guides’ icon=’entypo-flight’ fullwidth=’true’] Plan a trip to\u00a0Siem Reap[\/button]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Burmese art is slowly but surely catching the eye of international collectors, so while prices are still reasonable, check out a few art galleries to see if anything takes your fancy.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Inya\u00a0Gallery of Art (50B\u00a0Inya\u00a0Road,\u00a0Kamayut\u00a0Township<\/em>) was set up by\u00a0Aung\u00a0Myint, one of the country\u2019s most prolific artists, whose bright, colourful works have already been snapped up by eagle-eyed art lovers. You may even be able to take a\u00a0selfie\u00a0with him since he is often seen creating new works in his workshop and gallery.<\/p>\n Alternatively, the\u00a0Pansodan\u00a0Art Gallery (1st Floor, 286\u00a0Pansodan\u00a0Street,\u00a0Kyauktada\u00a0Township<\/em>) features an impressive collection of works from up and coming artists, as well as fascinating vintage photographs, maps and posters from the Burma of yore.<\/p>\n After you have worn out your feet from a day of pagoda visiting and shopping, refresh yourself with a delightful cold drink at the\u00a0Belmond\u00a0Governor\u2019s Residence, a small and exclusive boutique hotel that oozes colonial charm. The atmosphere in this hotel is always genteel and discreet, making it a welcome change from the more boisterous watering holes in downtown Yangon.<\/p>\n Adventurous travellers should consider a\u00a0day trip\u00a0to the outskirts of the city to sample the local tipple, toddy, which is a fermented alcoholic drink made from the juice of a toddy palm. The townships of\u00a0Thanlyin\u00a0and\u00a0Kyauktanare both about a 30- to 45-minute drive from town. On a hot day, the slightly fizzy, chilled drink is a welcome respite and it\u2019s great fun to sip this drink with the locals as you while an hour or two away.<\/p>\n \n [button style=’blue’ url=’https:\/\/www.expedia.com.my\/Yangon.d2986.Destination-Travel-Guides’ icon=’entypo-flight’ fullwidth=’true’] Plan a trip to Yangon[\/button]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Consider supporting a social enterprise such as\u00a0Ock\u00a0Pop\u00a0Tok\u00a0while you\u2019re there. This textile shop works with local artisans to create high-quality fabrics that are woven according to traditional techniques. You can even sign up for half- or full-day weaving workshops to learn more about the art of fabric making.<\/p>\n The\u00a0UNESCO\u00a0World Heritage listed old town of\u00a0Luang\u00a0Prabang, with its picturesque Buddhist temples and\u00a0stupas,\u00a0is laid-back and charming. The old town is fairly small \u2013 most visitors get around by cycling \u2013 so take a two-minute boat ride across the Mekong river to get to the\u00a0Chomphet\u00a0district<\/a>, where you can spend half a day exploring the temples and villages that are less frequented by foreigners.<\/p>\n Wat\u00a0Chomphet\u00a0is the best place to get a panoramic view of\u00a0Luang\u00a0Prabang,\u00a0as well as being a good spot to enjoy the sunset without camera-toting tourists.<\/p>\n Live out your dreams of being a mahout<\/em> (elephant handler) with a visit to the nearby Elephant Village, a sanctuary for abused elephants. What makes this sanctuary so unique is that visitors get to ride the gentle giants and can even take them down to the river for a bath. Don\u2019t worry, these peaceful pachyderms are always accompanied by a trained handler, making it a perfectly safe experience!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [button style=’blue’ url=’https:\/\/www.expedia.com.my\/Luang-Prabang.d2125.Destination-Travel-Guides’ icon=’entypo-flight’ fullwidth=’true’] Plan a Trip to\u00a0Luang Prabang[\/button]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Go off the Beaten Track with Expedia’s travel sale <\/a>for all curious adventurers. Strap on your backpack and wander away from the crowds to explore Busan, Chiang Mai, Guangzhou,\u00a0Agra, Hanoi and more.<\/p>\n Save on your flights and hotels\u00a0when you book before 3 May 2015 for a great trip of discovery, before 18 June 2015.<\/p>\nExotic Cities in Asia Off the Beaten Track<\/h2>\n
![\"compass-divider\"](\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.my\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/compass-divider-1024x58-13.png\")
<\/h2>\nOff the Beaten Track in\u00a0Siem\u00a0Reap, Cambodia<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nCambodian Temples<\/h4>\n
Entertainment in Cambodia<\/h4>\n
Off the Beaten Track in\u00a0Yangon, Myanmar<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nPagodas in Yangon<\/h4>\n
Belmond Governor’s Residence<\/h4>\n
A Sip of Toddy<\/h4>\n
Off the Beaten Track in\u00a0Luang\u00a0Prabang, Laos<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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CC 2.0 \/\u00a0Allie_Caulfield<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\nOld Town<\/h4>\n
Elephant Rides<\/h4>\n
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CC 2.0 \/\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>Ross Huggett<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\nExplore the World<\/h3>\n
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