Unearthing the incredible views of Southeast Asia can be rather challenging, so we at Absolute Asia Tours compiled our 7 best bird’s eye views. Make the most of a trip to the region by soaring, climbing or taking in some of the exquisite panoramas.

Exploring the streets, tasting the food, meeting the people — there are so many ways to experience a culture when traveling to a new and exotic destination. Few vantage points, however, offer the same illuminating experience and sense of place as does the view from up above. Not for the faint of heart, these sky-high destinations in Southeast Asia are reachable only by traveling upwards, and not onwards, to where few others dare to journey — into the clouds.

Balloon Journeys Across Bagan, Myanmar

The magnificent valley of Bagan is home to over 2,000 ancient temple ruins built thousands of years ago. At sunrise and sunset, with vivid orange rays spilling over the distant horizon, Bagan is one of the most magical destinations in the world. On the ground, this incredible temple complex is quite the trek, as the valley stretches for miles in either direction. From the air, however, sailing over the epic landscapes is perhaps one of the most awe-inspiring travel experiences that Southeast Asia has to offer.

Hot Air Balloons Over Siem Reap, Cambodia

As one of Southeast Asia’s most famous destinations, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat is home to some of the largest temple ruins in the world. Many opt to explore each of the temples from the ground, which are often navigated via a bicycle or a motorcycle taxi. To get the rare view away from the bustling crowds, however, many choose instead to see Angkor Wat from the sky, aboard hot air balloon journeys that traverse the terrain in a gentle glide.

Asiatique Ferris Wheel in Bangkok, Thailand

Along Bangkok, Thailand’s famous waterfront is one of the city’s favorite high-flying destinations — Asiatique Sky Ferris Wheel. The 42 gondola construction stands over 60 meters high, and offers some of the most incredible views of Bangkok’s bustling skyline that the city has to offer. Those that would rather not brave the jaw dropping heights can browse around the wheel’s surrounding shops and along the famous waterfront, which flanks the wheel’s entrance.

Zip Lines in Dong Hua Sao National Park, Laos

Laos is well known for its incredible natural scenery and mountain terrain, and there’s certainly no better way to take in the views than from high over the trees! Avid adventure travelers who venture to the small village of Nong Louang in southern Laos’ Dong Hua Sao National Park are in for quite a surprise, with the Treetop Explorer’s zip line adventures some of the fastest and highest in the world. Since 2011, the zip line has been one of the only ways to experience the beauty of the natural park, and for daring travelers look for a thrill, it’s certainly unmissable.

Bitexco Financial Tower’s EON 51 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Vietnam’s bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City is certainly chaotic on the ground, but on the top floors of Bitexco Financial Tower — the city’s crown architectural jewel — the city’s frenetic streets melt into silent scenery. Perched only meters from the buildings helipad, three levels of Bitexco Tower’s EON 51 are dedicated solely to visitors looking for picturesque panoramic views. Here, you can enjoy a meal and a drink while enjoying the view out of the venue’s floor-to-ceiling windows.

Conquering the Summit of Malaysia’s Mount Kinabalu

Towering over Asia’s tallest peaks at over 4000 meters at its summit, Mount Kinabalu is not only the highest peak in Malaysia, but also the highest in Southeast Asia. The views from up top are certainly a powerful experience, but getting there is a whole lot more demanding than simply hopping in an air balloon or boarding an elevator. Perhaps these mountain views are reserved only for the travellers who aren’t afraid of a little challenge – but for those that think they have what it takes, Mount Kinabalu’s views are second to none in Asia.

Seaplane Adventures Over Halong Bay, Vietnam

Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s most incredible scenic destinations, and draws in thousands of tourists yearly to explore the bay’s scenery by boat. But few experiences in this natural wonder are as exhilarating as experiencing the bay’s aerial views by plane before cruising along its crystal waters. Beginning in September of 2014, visitors can experience both in one seamless journey — first, taking to the sky by seaplane before landing right into the waters and boarding a luxury cruise. If there is one place in Southeast Asia that should be experienced both by land and sea, Halong Bay is certainly it. We’re already exploring Halong from 5000 feet – request a tour here to get the birdseye view over Vietnam that everyone is after!

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Looking for a tour to reach these sky-high destinations? Absolute Asia Tours has it all planned for you! Request a customised private tour and see all of it for yourself!