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The New Year has finally arrived! While many of us convince ourselves we’ll activate a hard reset at the turn of midnight with a sudden passion for the StairMaster, travel goals are always the most feasible.
Backed by a recent report showcasing the world’s best destinations to kick off 2025 with your budget in mind, Asia stands out the most.
Truth is, winter is an incredible time to globetrot, and not just nearby Caribbean Islands and Mexico’s hotspots.
Asia may seem like a far-flung land of bucket-list wonders, and it is, but let’s not take for granted how connected our skies have become.
You can travel to a majority of Asia’s metropolises with just a single layover from the U.S. For example, Thailand has no direct flights (for now), but still remains Southeast Asia’s tourism titan.
Offering visitors cheap stays and rich cultural experiences, in no particular order, these 4 Asian metropolises make for perfect sunny city breaks rather than shivering in your skivvies back home:
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s Captivating Urban Sprawl
How does 80 degrees in January sound?
Kuala Lumpur may not be a beach city, but it’s a sprawling metropolis brimming with wondrous sites, buzzing markets, and perhaps most notably, the Batu Caves, a vast cave system work the steep 272-step hike explore hidden Hindu temples and sweeping views of the city.
Malaysia’s capital is renowned for its safety, affordability, and phenomenal architecture, ranging from sky-scraping marvels to preserved structures of its former British colonization.
With an average price of $62/night, you’ll find cheap stays, no matter your preferred style of accommodations.
Luxury travelers will enjoy great rates at such places as 5-star Amari Kuala Lumpur for $71, and even the Ritz Carlton is only $160 on Priceline in February – unheard of!
If you do opt for opulence, check the amenities for rooftop pools like what Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur has to offer.
Bangkok: Real Estate May Be Surging, But Hotels Are Still Affordable
Truth be told, I’ve been keeping an eye on Bangkok’s condo market as an Airbnb investment, and I think I missed my chance to score dirt-cheap condos.
The good news for travelers, however, is Bangkok still offers an array of fancy schmancy hotels to high-rise condo rentals for an incredible value.
With temperatures in the high 70s at this time of year, Bangkok is a splendid destination before the summer humidity takes over.
Between floating markets, night markets, rooftop bars, never-ending temples, and incomparable nightlife, travelers never have an issue finding their niche in Bangkok.
However, my personal favorite district is Chinatown (Yaowarat) for action-packed people-watching, sensational eats, and cheap shops to haggle.
The Border Telegraph reports Bangkok’s hotels average out to $65/night, so visitors can easily treat themselves to high-end stays, such as the 5-star Grand Mercure Bangkok Atrium beating the average at $61.
Ho Chi Minh City: An Insanely Cheap Gateway To Vietnam’s Wonders
Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a vast urban jungle of sensory overload from the aromas of street food vendors, the sounds of an endless sea of scooters, and eye-popping sites like the Notre Dame Cathedral and intriguing museums like War Remnants Museum (only $1.57 admission)
There will never be a dull moment exploring this city, but most travelers prefer to run the gamut since there are so many more enticing destinations, from Da Nang’s beaches to Hanoi’s cultural delights.
No matter the reason for your trip, Ho Chi Minh is incredibly cheap, with sunny 78-degree days.
Like Bangkok, hotels average $65/night, but you can score great deals below the average, such as 4-star Odys Boutique Hotel for $36 or level up to a 5-star stay at Windsor Plaza Hotel for only $57 in February.
Phnom Penh: Southeast Asia’s Up-And-Coming City
Perhaps the least known on this list, Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s vast capital city but is typically overshadowed by tourist hotspot Siem Reap, a much smaller city beaming with history and impeccably preserved sites like world-renowned Angor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Phnom Penh is ready to take center stage, though, as the Los Angeles Times just ran a feature on Cambodia’s newfound fame as an up-and-coming destination.
Prices are jaw-dropping here. This city of traditional markets, grand palaces, and more-than-affordable luxury makes for a great base as you discover Cambodia’s lush nature, immaculate ruins, and temples.
The weather hovers around 78, and hotel rates average an even $50/night, but believe it or not, you can score luxury hotels like Snowbell Hotel for just $37 on Agoda.
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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.