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Everyone knows how much we love to keep fit while traveling! We found that hikes were one of the best ways to not only work out but a great way to explore a new city, national park or area.
These are our top hikes in Asia
TV Tower in Yangshuo, China
TV Tower was a favorite hike in all of Asia. Yangshuo is known for being a massive tourist trap in China so we wanted to find something that was more off the beaten path. We asked a few locals what they do to get away from all things touristy and they all said it was this TV Tower Hike. It is a hidden path wedged in between apartment buildings that go from stairs to wedged stone stairs within the mountain. The higher you go, the more impressive the view is (as most hikes are). However, the final view was breathtaking. It’s this tiny village crammed between these limestone karst and the Li River. Apparently, one guy lives at the very top and no one is allowed in!
Lions Back in Hong Kong
Although there are plenty of great hikes in Hong Kong (like climbing up to see the Big Buddha on Lantau Island), we only got to do this one together. Jack did plenty of hikes in Hong Kong while he lived there! The Lions Back was a great hike, it was a big work out, we got to see monkeys, there weren’t many on the hike, and the view was truly spectacular. Watch out because Hong Kong is quite humid so there are heaps of mosquitoes! Wear tons of repellent because those bites are no fun!
The Great Wall of China in Beijing, China
The Great Wall of China isn’t really a “true” hike, but it was definitely a good work out and there were many stairs going up, so we will call it was a hike. Climbing up a ton stairs and having an awesome view counts as hike sometimes, right? Nonetheless, The Great Wall of China is one of the coolest experiences we had in Southeast Asia. A UNESCO Heritage Site, the wall goes on for over 8,000 km, and if the weather permits, you can see the wall go for ages. It definitely should not be missed if you happen to go to China!
Koh Phi Phi View Point in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
Hiking in Thailand was definitely less strenuous than some of the other hikes mentioned in this post, but this hike ended with really beautiful view overlooking Koh Phi Phi conjoined islands! After a few twists and turns and a couple of rocks to jump over, you’ve made it to the viewpoint! The best time to see the view is either at sunrise or sunset to see the sun along the connecting islands!
Canyoning Mountains in Da Lat, Vietnam
This wasn’t a specific type of hike per say, but there was a lot of hiking involved. In Southern Vietnam, Da Lat has some amazing adventure sports with some super luscious rain forests. We went canyoning through Enjoy Da Lat Hostel and loved it! Canyoning is when you hike, boulder, repel waterfalls, and swim down lazy rivers. It was a full days worth with all the equipment, guides, and lunch for just $25! There aren’t many views, but you are surrounded by the rainforest, rivers, and waterfalls and it’s pretty awesome.
Long Beach Hike in Koh Rong, Cambodia
We’ve spoken pretty highly about hiking in Cambodia in the past, mainly because it was an unexpected adventure. What started as climbing a few stairs turned into a wild trek in the jungle in midst of Koh Rong island! We had to jump over rivers, fallen trees, and climb up rocks, all to end up on a desolate white sand beach (called Long Beach Island) that goes for miles. Just beware, wear sneakers and the sandflies are brutal so put on coconut oil and lots of it! The hike didn’t lead to a view point, but it gave us one of the nicest and most relaxing beaches we have experienced in Asia!
Places we wished we had hiked
Lets be real, 3.5 months to travel 8 countries is super ambitious so we missed out on a few things. We loved our hikes and wish we got to do more since it was an awesome way to see the country! But with little time, things get in the way of doing everything (like holidays, rain, or even too many other activities!). Here are some of the other hikes in Asia we wish we had done!
Mt. Rinjani in Lombok, Indonesia
Hiking in Indonesia is extremely exciting due to it having so many active volcanoes, climbing one would definitely be an experience for the adventurous. Climbing Rinjani requires a guide, a porter, tent equipment, food, and a lot of motivation! This hike would be such a rewarding challenge with the best views of the islands and crater lakes. We nearly had a chance to do the three day hike but unfortunately couldn’t due to Ramadan.
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Sapa in Northern Vietnam
We have only heard amazing things about Sapa. It’s a shame we didn’t have time to get to trek the rice paddies and see the weekly mountain markets, especially the Love Market. Most places in Hanoi offer two to three day trek tours to Sapa with a guide, transportation, and hostel included. You can even do the trek in a day and take an over night bus back to Hanoi. Just beware of the scams from the Sapa Ladies, they’ll try and get you with those “free friendship” bracelets!
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Banaue Rice Paddies in the Philippines
Although a bit of a challenge to get to Banaue, many say this was a big highlight of their trip from the Philippines. These are just a 300km drive from Manila and by the looks of it, seems well worth it! It would be best to go with a guide just to make you sure you don’t get lost. These rice paddies are known as the 8th wonder of the world!
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Travel gear used during our trip!
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Do you have any hike recommendations in Asia? Please share!
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Everyone should see these places for at least once in their life! Great top!
Thank you!! We loveddddd our hikes! Too bad we were on a time crunch we woulda loved to had done more!
Wow, you’re glad that you could see all these beautiful places. I hope for you that you will hike your “wish places” soon as well. :)
I’d love to go to Indonesia someday in order to work at a rehabiliation station for the rescue of orang-utans.
Cheers,
Mimi
YES! We wanted to do that so badly but unfortunately didn’t have time! With Ramadan during the week we were there, most places were closed to travel! But we had the BEST time on these hikes and we will definitely be back for more!
Phongsaly is the highest town of lao, sourounded by up to 400 years old tea trees. Height Diffrence is up to 1000 Meters from the bottom of the Valley to the Temple wach is overlooking the town in about 1600 Meters !
The busride to the town is pretty exhausting and takes 10-16 hours
We didnt get to go, but that sounds awesome! We did get lost in some Vang Vieng Mountains which was beautiful but I think Phongsaly sounds amazing!!
Great pictures! I loved the Koh Rong hike. Coming back was not as fun though haha!
Wasnt it fun? It was totally unexpected for a walk to the beach! yea, coming back was definitely way more uphill than I would have liked!
Your pictures of Asia make me want to strap my baby on my back and hop a flight! Asia (like Italy, where I live) is one of those places I feel I need to be…
Also, Jenn I don’t know if you remember me but I use to work in Guess? over in LIcensing – I’m living in Italy now – come visit!
Mt. Rinjani looks incredible. What an amazing view! Too bad you had to miss it. Maybe next time ;P
There has to be a next time! I would love to climb a volcano!
I love seeing a list like this for all the choices and your evocative pictures really pull us in. May not make it to all of them but now my bucket list is longer.
Thank you! I hope you do get to make it, we thought hiking in Asia was one of the best ways to see the cities!
I’ve been to a lot of these places, lovely views! The only hike on the list I’ve done is the Great Wall…it totally kicked my butt, I thought I was going to die!
Omg!! I know! The Great Wall of China was EXHAUSTING! I was also feverish doing the stairs, that tired me out!
Hehe, gotta love that photo of you Jenn, with your canyoning gear on in Vietnam ;)! These are some great ideas, I personally love hiking, so I will probably be using some of these ideas in the near future. Thus: saved on bloglovin ;). The photos are gorgeous, and the prices sound too good to be true for the canyoning!
xX Zoe | http://life-gazing-and-wildstrawberries.blogspot.com/
You gotta try it! its really the best :) Such an incredible adventure!
Wow! That canyoning adventure looks fantastic! Definitely a bargain for just $25. I’ve never been to Asia (ever. I know.) but your photos inspire me to add it to my list. :)
Yea, we thought we were compromising our safety with that price, but they were professional, friendly, and we did much more than the group that cost $45!
Hey Jenn and Jack!
Awesome photos and writing on this post. Those look like some amazing hikes.
It was great to meet you both at the WOW meetup yesterday!
If you’re ever in Laguna Beach exploring, feel free to contact me and we can connect!
Make sure to check out our blog (www.travelalphas.com) and follow along on Instagram (@travelalphas) if you haven’t already! I’m off to Norway tonight and the next stop will be Sweden!
Hope to meet you again some day in another corner of the globe, and until then, happy and safe travels!
-Maddy
Hiya Maddy!! Great meeting you too!! thanks for the compliments!! We cant wait to go to Laguna Beach, and we will let you know for sure if we head over there! Have the best time in Norway!!! Cant wait to follow your adventures! xx
These hikes look like so much fun! I LOVE the view from the TV Tower; it was definitely worth the effort. I hope you get to experience the last three hikes in your future travels!
TV tower was unreal! But we have a long life ahead of us and many places we have yet to travel to so hopefully well make it back! Happy travels!
I’m upset I didn’t do any hiking in Hong Kong when I was there. Looks awesome. But I have done the Rinjani hike, and it is INTENSE. But very worth the experience!
I heard it was amazing!! There is always next time- as for you too in hong kong! There are some great hikes!
PLEASE VISIT INDIAAA……..
I would love to!! Soon!
I think one of the best hiking trails listed in National Geographic’s website is missing in his article. It is in Nepal.
We unfortunately didnt end up going to Nepal! but many people recommend the hikes there!
Glad you included Hong Kong in this, as you know there’s some great trails here which many visitors never get to see. Lion Rock is a good one and people can of course hike up the Peak to combine two activities in one day, also easy to get there. As for other hikes I would suggest Mt Kinabalu (Malaysia) and Mt Fuji (Japan) as a couple of good ones.