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Just Gone Wandering's Nomad Notes

🌞 Explore Southeast Asia’s Unexpectedly Cool Cities

Published 4 months ago • 3 min read

Hello, Wanderer!

When you think of Southeast Asia, images of steamy jungles, bustling markets, and tropical beaches likely come to mind. And the temperature? Hot hot HOT!

But not every destination in Southeast Asia is sweltering year-round.

Based on my own travels around the region, I can recommend five places which offer the perfect blend of culture, history, and refreshingly cool weather.

They are:

  1. Cameron Highlands, Malaysia (e.g. Tanah Rata)
  2. Dalat, Vietnam
  3. Ha Giang, Vietnam
  4. Chiang Mai, Thailand (during the winter)
  5. Bali, Indonesia (especially Ubud)

What do most of these places have in common?

Higher altitudes!

If you want to be cool in blistering Southeast Asia, then head UP. Get to a high elevation and the temperature quickly drops to a more comfortable level.

For instance, when I visited the Cameron Highlands this year in July, Kuala Lumpur was already up to OVER 100°F with humidity. In comparison, Tanah Rata (in the Cameron Highlands) was averaging a nice 76°F or so with humidity. Lovely!

Interested in more? Keep reading for tips on each destination.​

Traveling through Southeast Asia doesn’t mean you have to sweat it out all the time. There are plenty of places where you can catch a break from the heat and still have an amazing adventure.

Safe travels and happy wandering!

Anastasia

New Posts: Destination Guides

​Half-Day Tour of Cameron Highlands (Review)​

The easiest place to base yourself in the Cameron Highlands is Tanah Rata, which you can get to by direct bus from Kuala Lumpur in under 5 hours. I visited Tanah Rata recently and went on a half day tour to some important sites in the Cameron Highlands area.

​Street Art Spotlight: Chiang Mai, Thailand​

I visited Chiang Mai last year and found some really amazing street art that I’d like to share with you! These were photographed in late 2023, so they might be different now than when I visited. That’s one of the beautiful things about street art: it’s always changing, whether from rain, sun, or another artist painting over it. I’ve tried to note locations when I know them, and artists if they’re signed.

​Japan SIM Card Guide (2024)​

When traveling to Japan, staying connected is super important. Being able to use Google Maps, Instagram, and Whatsapp will make your visit so much easier, so you need to get some sort of data plan for your phone and/or figure out how you’ll connect using wifi around town. Here’s an overview of the best SIM card and eSIM options and where to buy them.

​What’s the Banana Pancake Trail, Anyway?​

While it might’ve first gotten popular in the 1960s and 1970s with hippie travelers, the Banana Pancake trail is still a popular route to take even today! If you’ve never gone on a major trip before, starting with the Banana Pancake trail is a good way to go because it’s so easy to explore and visit amazing places.

New Posts: Nomad Life & Solo Travel

​How to Travel the World Without a Car​

Traveling without a car may seem crazy, especially if you’re from a place where you basically NEED a car to get around anywhere (aka most of America). But it’s surprisingly easy to travel without one if you have the time, and if you’re willing to try something new.

​Where to Find English Books While Abroad​

Carrying a library with you around the world doesn’t make much sense, but when you’re a bookworm who prefers paper over plastic then an ebook reader like a Kindle just won’t cut it.

​How to Handle Small Annoying Problems While Traveling​

After being a full-time traveler for going on 3 years now, I’ve run into quite a few small annoying things all over the world.

Nothing major, nothing vital to my overall enjoyment of a particular place. But just small things that are…really annoying. Like an itch right in the middle of my back.

​What's a Tourist Trap, Anyway?​

When you’re planning a trip it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of visiting famous landmarks and popular attractions. However, some of these well-known spots are notorious for being tourist traps.

Travel Resources

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Just Gone Wandering's Nomad Notes

with solo female nomad Anastasia Finch

I'm a former librarian turned world wanderer, sharing tips, advice, and personal stories for solo female travelers and digital nomads. Sign up for my newsletter to discover everything from budgeting hacks to off-the-beaten-path destinations across Asia and Europe!

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