--- title: 22 Things To See On A River Cruise In Asia description: Discover what River cruising in Asia has to offer! From Cambodia to Laos, here are 22 things every traveller should see along a Pandaw cruise. image: https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hubfs/GLP_BlogHeader_PandawVisualBlog_ThingsToSee-1.jpg --- +1.866.760.1987 - [Log in](http://glpworldwide.com/login/) - [Contact Us](http://glpworldwide.com/contact-us/) - [About Us](http://glpworldwide.com/about-glp-worldwide/) [![GLP Worldwide](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hubfs/glp-sep2016/images/GLPTagline_Logo-websized.png)](http://glpworldwide.com/) - [Home](http://glpworldwide.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/) - [Expedition](http://glpworldwide.com/expedition/) - [Ocean](http://glpworldwide.com/ocean/) - [River](http://glpworldwide.com/river/) - [Discover](http://glpworldwide.com/discover) - [Special Offers](http://glpworldwide.com/special-offers/) - [Join](http://glpworldwide.com/join/) - [Sign in](http://glpworldwide.com/login/?returnurl=http://glpworldwide.com/join/) - *aa* [Favourites](http://glpworldwide.com/favourites/) ## [22 Things To See On A River Cruise In Asia](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/22-things-to-see-on-a-river-cruise-in-asia) [GLP Worldwide](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/author/glp-worldwide) [travel planning](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/topic/travel-planning), [River Cruise](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/topic/river-cruise), [Asia](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/topic/asia), [Discover Asia](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/topic/discover-asia) [0 Comments](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/22-things-to-see-on-a-river-cruise-in-asia#comments-listing) ![Things to see on a river cruise in Asia](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GLP_BlogHeader_PandawVisualBlog_ThingsToSee-1.jpg?width=727&name=GLP_BlogHeader_PandawVisualBlog_ThingsToSee-1.jpg "Things to see on a river cruise in Asia") River cruising is the latest trend in travel. Adventurers around the world are trading in the typical European cruise ship for small, boutique ships that traverse through the countryside of Asia’s most stunning destinations. From Cambodia to Laos, Pandaw journeys to captivating places. Here are the 22 things you can expect to see on each River adventure. ## **Destination: Cambodia to Vietnam** Angkor Wat & Bayon Temple: Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world and is located in Cambodia. At Angkor, find the Bayon Temple – an elaborately carved temple built in the early 12th or 13th century. Prepare to be amazed. ![River cruising along the Mekong](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/28438573271_a988de5dac_k.jpg?width=1024&name=28438573271_a988de5dac_k.jpg "River cruising along the Mekong") ![Angkor Wat Temple](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/14867315063_61aefec212_b.jpg?width=1024&name=14867315063_61aefec212_b.jpg "Angkor Wat Temple") Phnom Penh: Sitting at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap Rivers, Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s busiest capital filled with historic monuments and ornate palaces such as the Royal Palace and the National Museum of Cambodia. ![Royal Palace in Cambodia](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/14847450625_91eef5ff5b_k.jpg?width=1024&name=14847450625_91eef5ff5b_k.jpg "Royal Palace in Cambodia") ![National Museum of Cambodia](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/14660753140_7f9f482dc2_k.jpg?width=1024&name=14660753140_7f9f482dc2_k.jpg "National Museum of Cambodia") Sa Dec Market: Find this market along the Mekong Delta – a great place to buy fruit and experience local life in Vietnam. ![Sa Dec Market](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/32850397452_8a87f7c1fc_k.jpg?width=1024&name=32850397452_8a87f7c1fc_k.jpg "Sa Dec Market") Cambodia nature: Lush green landscapes and tropical scenery abounds. ![The beautiful green countryside in Cambodia](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/14845001064_2d86c2f148_k.jpg?width=1024&name=14845001064_2d86c2f148_k.jpg "The beautiful green countryside in Cambodia") Featured Itinerary: **[Classic Mekong](http://glpworldwide.com/itinerary/classic-mekong/) –** Saigon to Siem Reap and Siem Reap to Saigon ## **Destination: Laos along the Mekong** Vientiane: Vientiane is located along the banks of the Mekong River near the border of Thailand. It is the capital of Laos and is home to Buddhist temples, shrines, and French-colonial architecture. Be sure not to miss the golden Pha That Luang, built in the 16th century or Patuxai Victory Monument. ![The golden Pha That Luang built in the 16th century.](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/33386070236_6f19773c1e_k.jpg?width=1024&name=33386070236_6f19773c1e_k.jpg "The golden Pha That Luang built in the 16th century.") ![Patuxai Victory Monument with beautiful water and palm trees surrounding.](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/32612263263_e04e86ca94_b.jpg?width=1024&name=32612263263_e04e86ca94_b.jpg "Patuxai Victory Monument with beautiful water and palm trees surrounding.") Wat Sisaket: Located in Laos’ capital Vientiane, Wat Sisaket is a famous Buddhist wat that houses thousands of tiny Buddha images and hundreds of seated Buddhas. ![Laos' famous Buddhist wat, Wat Sisaket](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/28232377610_30519697ed_k.jpg?width=1024&name=28232377610_30519697ed_k.jpg "Laos' famous Buddhist wat, Wat Sisaket") Khaung Si waterfall: Head to the jungle pools of Laos to discover the mesmerizing Khaung Si waterfall, where you’ll also explore a butterfly garden and elephant camp. ![Discover the mesmerizing Khaung Si waterfall, where you’ll also explore a butterfly garden and elephant camp.](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/28515611645_a3a2fd98e1_k.jpg?width=1024&name=28515611645_a3a2fd98e1_k.jpg "Discover the mesmerizing Khaung Si waterfall, where you’ll also explore a butterfly garden and elephant camp.") Wat Xieng Thong temple: Wat Xieng Thong, a historical temple located in Luang Prabang, is one of the most beautiful and elaborately decorated temples. Built in 1560, this temple (also called the Golden City Temple) is considered the most significant Buddhist monasteries in all of Laos. ![Wat Xieng Thong, a historical temple located in Luang Prabang](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/28515626145_5b1026ead3_k.jpg?width=1024&name=28515626145_5b1026ead3_k.jpg "Wat Xieng Thong, a historical temple located in Luang Prabang") Laos nature: Stunning and green, you’ll uncover the hidden corners of this beautiful country as you sail through mountains and rolling hills. ![River cruising through Laos landscapes](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/32192397763_7fd834aca2_k.jpg?width=1024&name=32192397763_7fd834aca2_k.jpg "River cruising through Laos landscapes") Featured Itinerary: [Upper Mekong](http://glpworldwide.com/itinerary/upper-mekong/) ## **Destination: Halong Bay to Hoa Binh, Vietnam** Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: With over 1,500 limestone islands, dramatic rock formations, and emerald-tinted waters, Halong Bay leaves visitors awestruck. Sail around the bay, admire forest-covered limestone pillars that date back over 20 million years, take a local boat to visit a floating home, or kayak through the caves around the bay. ![Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is filled with over 1,500 limestone islands and dramatic rock formations](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/22329063008_8fa9195785_k.jpg?width=1024&name=22329063008_8fa9195785_k.jpg "Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is filled with over 1,500 limestone islands and dramatic rock formations") Traditional villages: Once ashore, you’ll have the chance to see ancient villages and experience the local culture. ![Local culture along the Halong Bay and Red River](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/32157964364_177fa8d459_k.jpg?width=727&name=32157964364_177fa8d459_k.jpg "Local culture along the Halong Bay and Red River") Tay Pagoda: Once in Vietnam, see the little-known Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas, which date back to the eighth and 11th centuries and home to exquisite Buddhist statues carved from jackfruit wood. ![Exquisite Buddhist statues carved from jackfruit wood](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/28862870696_9b39a7072b_k.jpg?width=727&name=28862870696_9b39a7072b_k.jpg "Exquisite Buddhist statues carved from jackfruit wood") Halong Bay & Red River nature: Awe-inspiring and unspoilt beauty surrounds you as you sail from Halong Bay to Vietnam. ![Sail through stunning landscapes from Halong Bay to Vietnam](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/33002973655_c8390887bc_k%20(1).jpg?width=727&name=33002973655_c8390887bc_k%20(1).jpg "Sail through stunning landscapes from Halong Bay to Vietnam") Featured Itinerary: [Halong Bay & the Red River](http://glpworldwide.com/itinerary/halong-bay-red-river/) ## **Destination: Pagan to Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma)** Buddhist Salay: Set sail to Salay and find a sleepy village filled with colonial architectural treasures and timeless teak monasteries. Here you’ll see one of the best-known teak carved monasteries in Myanmar. ![Salay's teak carved monasteries in Myanmar](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/32193434753_81136a5055_k.jpg?width=727&name=32193434753_81136a5055_k.jpg "Salay's teak carved monasteries in Myanmar") Kalaywa and Mawlaik: Along the Upper Chindwin, see Dak Bungalows line the hilltops – an otherworldly sight every traveller should not miss. Mawlaik replaced Kindat as the capital and was mainly settled by Scottish-owned **[Bombay Myanmarh Trading Corporation](http://www.visitthailand.travel/8-days-7-nights-pandaw-cruise-the-chindwin-monywa-homalin.aspx)** during the 1920s and 1930s. ![Dak Bungalows line the hilltops along the Chindwin River](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/33007925045_fd1975887a_k.jpg?width=727&name=33007925045_fd1975887a_k.jpg "Dak Bungalows line the hilltops along the Chindwin River") Myauk Guni and Dahmmayan Gyi Phaya: These two temples – best seen at sunset when they turn a golden colour – is one of the oldest temples in Burma. It was built in the **[mid-13th century](http://bagan.travelmyanmar.net/myaukguni.htm)** by the Queen Pwasaw during the reign of King Narathihapate or the Tayoke Pye Min. ![Myauk Guni and Dahmmayan Gyi Phaya golden temples in Burma](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/21292266396_73e03024fb_k.jpg?width=727&name=21292266396_73e03024fb_k.jpg "Myauk Guni and Dahmmayan Gyi Phaya golden temples in Burma") Phowin Taung: Phowin Taung, a Buddhist cave complex, is filled with mural painting and Buddha statues. The newest addition, the golden Buddha, is the perfect photo opp. ![Phowin Taung, a Buddhist cave complex filled with Buddhist statues and paintings](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/32161135494_d20a819386_k.jpg?width=727&name=32161135494_d20a819386_k.jpg "Phowin Taung, a Buddhist cave complex filled with Buddhist statues and paintings") Kyi Taung Oo monastery: Along your journey, explore period temples and a collection of 18th and 19th century wood-carved monasteries from the Konbaung Period. ![Ancient wood-carved monasteries from the Konbaung Period](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/32880434731_ed04ecd423_k.jpg?width=727&name=32880434731_ed04ecd423_k.jpg "Ancient wood-carved monasteries from the Konbaung Period") Myanmar nature: Sip on cocktails on deck while taking in the tranquility beauty of your surroundings. ![Beautiful Myanmar and its surroundings](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/32964486706_69fba0814c_k%20(1).jpg?width=727&name=32964486706_69fba0814c_k%20(1).jpg "Beautiful Myanmar and its surroundings") Featured Itinerary: [Mandalay Pagan Packet](http://glpworldwide.com/itinerary/mandalay-pagan-packet/) River cruising is drawing travellers from all over the world. Not just for the culturally-rich temples and monasteries that fill every journey, but because of the unique travel experience that it provides. See villages along the water, dine on deck accompanied by cool breezes and breathtaking scenery, and enjoy the journey in between. [![Learn More About River Cruising With Pandaw](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/501571/33887eb6-3ce7-427b-a003-6310ed5176dc.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/501571/33887eb6-3ce7-427b-a003-6310ed5176dc) For more destination inspiration, explore our [River](http://glpworldwide.com/river/asia/) page! --- Enjoy your travels! From the GLP team [«4 Things You Should Know About The Northern Lights](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/4-things-you-should-know-about-the-northern-lights) [12 Beaches To Visit In Phuket, Thailand»](https://blog.glpworldwide.com/12-beaches-to-visit-in-phuket-thailand)             ****Get inspired! 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