Agoda lists top 10 budget destinations across Asia Pacific region
Travel booking firm Agoda has released a list of summer weekend and holiday ideas, especially curated for the price-savvy travellers in the Asia Pacific region. According to a press statement by Agoda, the destinations with the cheapest average accommodation rates across the APAC region are Khon Kaen in Thailand, Sibu in Malaysia, Surakarta in Indonesia, Bacolod in Philippines, Ninh Binh in Vietnam, Chiba in Japan, Gwangju in South Korea, Kinmen Islands in Taiwan, and Brisbane in Australia.
“With 2023 already well underway and public holidays coming up in numerous regions, many of us are looking for a well-deserved break. But at the same time, with the cost of living in the daily news across the globe, we’re all trying to be smart about how to spend our hard-earned cash. I’m hopeful that these Agoda findings will help travellers discover some exciting destinations and save money along the way,” says Krishna Rathi, Country Director, India at Agoda.
Here are some highlights from Agoda’s top 10 budget destinations:
Khon Kaen, Thailand
Average room rate: INR 2471
Agoda says that Thailand’s Dinosaur city of Khon Kaen is home to an abundance of trendy coffee shops, city lakes that seem to be hosting festivals year-round, the Ton Tann Night Market with its many food stalls and live music and much more. It is also an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area, whether one wants to look for prehistoric relics or make merit at the breathtakingly gorgeous mountaintop temple Wat Tham Saeng Tham.
Sibu, Malaysia
Average room rate: INR 2800
Next on Agoda’s list is the charming city of Sibu in the state of Sarawak, Borneo, is a hidden gem with a bustling food scene, an extensive historical and cultural past, and breathtaking natural beauty. Visitors can discover this paradise for environment lovers that boasts of a variety of parks, nature reserves, and walking routes like the Bukit Lima environment Reserve, Sibu Lake Gardens, and the Sungai Merah Heritage Walk as you immerse yourself in the ancient customs of the Tua Pek Kong Temple.
Surakarta, Indonesia
Average room rate: INR 3047
The third most economic destination in Agoda’s list is Surakarta, fondly known as Solo, that has long been the cultural hub of Central Java. From hand-crafted batik to Solonese dance and Wayang puppetry, the city of Solo continues to take pride in its creative traditions of refinement and beauty. A becak ride around the historic district would be enjoyable for everyone, but fans of traditional music find Solo to be particularly alluring. Both Solo Menari and Solo Keroncong Festival are forthcoming events worth attending, so one can plan a trip around one of them.
Bacolod, Philippines
Average room rate: INR 3871
Bacolod City is often known as ‘The City of Smiles’. To make the smiles even more appetising, Agoda has charted out the best food experiences in the city. It has listed some of the must-tries that include the likes of the chicken inasal, which is finest served in a collection of restaurants known as Manukan Country, or find comfort in Sharyn’s Cansi House and partake of some cansi. One can wind up the culinary journey by indulging in one of the many sweets offered by Calea, which is well-known for its chocolate mud pie.
Ninh Binh, Vietnam
Average room rate: INR 3871
Those who have wandered through Ninh Binh for millennia have been in awe of its majesty. Agoda says that located only one hour from Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital, the towering peaks, serene canals, enormous temples, and storied pagodas of Ninh Binh have enthralled everyone who has visited. It adds that the UNESCO-protected Ninh Binh has seen a rise in interest from tourists who are kayaking along its glistening rivers, climbing the 500 stairs carved into the mountainside that lead to Mua Cave, and hiking Vietnam‘s “Great Wall.”
Chiba, Japan
Average room rate: INR 5683
Japan is not a destination usually associated with budget or economic options. Yet, Agoda has found one such gem in Japan. The report says that just a short train trip from Tokyo, the Japanese prefecture of Chiba offers a wide variety of tourist attractions. The Boso Peninsula is home to the world-famous theme parks Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea as well as the world-famous Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. The prefecture’s capital, Chiba City, is a humming centre of entertainment with sights like Makuhari Seaside Park and the close-by retail mall Aeon Mall Makuhari Shintoshin.
Gwangju, South Korea
Average room rate: INR 7495
Agoda says that this spring, art lovers can visit the city of Gwangju. The 14th Gwangju Biennale, Asia’s largest and oldest arts festival, will run throughout the city from April 7 to July 9 under the theme of Soft and Weak Like Water. Well-known as the city of culture and art, Gwangju offers a variety of cultural and artistic scenes all year-round, including a street dedicated to art, museums such as the Asia Art Centre and Gwangju Museum of Art, and many galleries and antique shops.
Kinmen Islands, Taiwan
Average room rate: INR 7742
Kinmen is an island full of historical and military monuments. But most of all, the reason to visit is the ‘Blue Tears’ phenomenon that can be witnessed on the shorelines. This bioluminescent sparkling blue glow is nothing short of spectacular. Agoda says that gourmands are in luck this month, because from April 22 to May 21 the Rock Oyster and Wheat Cultural Festival will be held here. There are also activities such as touring wheat fields in an electric car, oyster farm eco tour and many more family-friendly activities.
Brisbane, Australia
Average room rate: INR 10378
Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia’s Sunshine State, is Australia’s third largest city. The vibrant river city is renowned for its subtropical alfresco lifestyle and is an ideal place for enjoying outdoor activities, with beautiful botanical gardens, animal sanctuaries and dynamic cultural precinct, South Bank. Featuring weekly market stalls, cafe and bars, and a stunning artificial beach by the river, it makes for an ideal break, says Agoda.
