Author: Ashleigh Thia

Chinese New Year is one of the most major holiday seasons here in Malaysia, and all other countries that equally celebrate the auspicious festivity. Because Chinese New Year generally lasts for 15 days aka two weeks, it's the best period for everyone to unwind and do some travelling. However, that sole reason alone makes it difficult for us to make a decision on where exactly to go on a vacation too for fear that it would be too jam-packed, or things will be to expensive.

Here's a few recommendations of countries where you can get the holiday that you deserve and ensure that it is budget-friendly too - just because it's CNY doesn't mean you should be spending all your money.

Continue reading on and see if any of these countries are suitable for your short getaway!

1) Cambodia

Cambodia has so many beautiful temples and floating markets for you to visit to do some exploring. Because it's so affordable, it's super ideal for backpackers and those who are seeking adventure while sticking on a tight budget.

Come visit some of Cambodia's most famous attractions like the Angkor Wat complex, Ta Prohm Temple, Phnom Penh and Tonle Sap Lake.

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2) Indonesia

Image credit: crawfordcreations.org

If you're looking for a place with stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, amazing temples, great snorkelling and diving spots and ancient history, then Indonesia's one of your best bets.

This country with multiple islands is literally surrounded by volcanoes everywhere, and is considered the 15th largest country in the world based on area itself.

Imagine taking a few weeks to just explore one island - and Indonesia has 17,500 islands. How many weeks do you think you would take to explore every single island?

If you really want to avoid the holiday crowd, why not visit Lombok?

Image credit: you.co

Nestled to the east of Bali, Lombok is home to gorgeous beaches and the majestic Mt Rinjani – the second tallest volcano in Indonesia. A popular trekking destination among seasoned hikers, the mountain rises to over 3,700 metres above sea level, and it takes about three to four days to reach the summit. If you’re not a volcano conqueror, Lombok has pearly white beaches and scuba diving activities that are also popular among young, adventurous people.

3) India

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Ah, the land of the iconic Bollywood movies. India has some of the world's greatest architectures around. Not to mention the uncountable varieties of food, language, culture, towns... the list goes on and on.

If you seek some colour in your travels, then come explore India for yourself! If you love animals, hiking, colourful stuff, Indian food, yoga - you've just found the perfect place to spend your CNY holidays at. Don't let what the media tells you about India fool you - always expect the unexpected and you'll be out for an amazing adventure.

Popular destinations within India include the Taj Mahal in Agra, and cities of Delhi, Jaipur City and New Delhi.

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4) Myanmar

Image credit: Adventure in You (CrawfordCreations.org)

Myanmar is one of the few countries where tourists rarely flock to during Chinese New Year. Travel to the countryside of Myanmar and relish in the natural beauty of the villages, hills, mountains and temples offer you.

Myanmar has a lot of ancient and cultural relics for you to explore too, so make sure to look up some of them and see them for yourself. Because it has over 100 ethnic groups, this makes Myanmar a country that is very rich in varying cultural traditions.

However, it is important to acknowledge Myanmar's current political situation that has evidently have negative effects on the country. Nevertheless, it shouldn't be a reason for you not to visit - as long as you are adventurous enough.

Some unique tourist destinations you can visit in Myanmar include Inle Lake, Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, Yangon City and Ananda Temple.

Image credits: Google

5) Taiwan

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If just snapping cool photos of city life and watching the scenery is all you want to do during a holiday, consider travelling to Taiwan for your Chinese New Year getaway.

There's just so many great things about Taiwan - the food, the landscapes, the beaches, the food... did I already mention the food?

Tonnes of attractions await you right here in Taiwan, such as theme parks, prehistoric sites and centuries-old temples. Here's a few recommendations of places that you should visit in Taiwan:

Image credit: Travelog FB (Ashleigh Thia)

6) Laos

Image credit: Flee Winter (CrawfordCreations.org)

Laos is a country known for it's beautiful mountain terrains, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements and Buddhist monasteries - a super great travel destination for backpackers as it provides so much adventure.

Other than that, travelling here is cheap because the country is still rather undeveloped compared to other countries. The countryside in Laos is spectacular, so if you're a fan of hiking, cycling, and river sports, or just an adventure junkie in general then this is the place for you.

Apparently, Laos is also the cheapest place in the world to go for a hot air balloon ride! Isn't that a good enough reason to travel there for Chinese New Year now?

Some great places to visit in Laos include the Kuang Si Falls, Mount Phousi, Pha That Luang and Pak Ou Caves.

Image credits: Google

Sources: Honey Kids , YouTrip , Crawford Creations