Southeast Asia Tours
transports you to exotic lands...

Check out our Fun Facts page often - we keep it updated on a regular basis, with fascinating tidbits about the history, geography and culture of Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Burma (Myanmar).

• Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world, has a volume of stone equal to that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. It's also the only Khmer temple that faces west.
• Khmer classical dance in Cambodia has its roots in the court dances of ancient India. Apsara refers to the graceful, joyful female dancers whose images can be found on the temples at Angkor and elsewhere. In Hindu mythology, apsarases were female nymphs who danced for the gods. Apsara dances are performed in Cambodia to this day.
  
  
• Thailand boasts an up-and-coming wine industry. Northeast of Bangkok, very near Khao Yai National Park, is the Asoke Valley where the cool, dry climate creates excellent conditions for wine grapes.
  
  
• At Inle Lake in Myanmar, the local people load their canoes with huge piles of weeds which they've gathered from beneath the surface of the lake. The weeds are used to form floating islands, which are then anchored to the floor of the lake. Tomatoes and other vegetables are grown on the floating islands.
  
  
• During the war in Indochina, for the nine years of aerial bombardment (1964-1973), a "cave city" in remote Viengxay housed many of the leaders and fighters of the Phathet Lao army. In March, 2007, five of the approximately 480 caves were opened to the public, with more caves opening subsequently. Though not easy to reach, visitors to the caves will also see an area of mountains, waterfalls, hot springs, ethnic villages, archaeological sites and a protected forest that's still home to leopards, tigers and other wildlife.
  
  
• Visitors to Thailand can visit the famous Bridge on the River Kwai, as a day trip from Bangkok. The target of many Allied bombing raids during World War II, the bridge was rebuilt after the war. However, the curved spans of the bridge are from the original structure.
  
  
• Vietnamese religions run the gamut from Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity and Confucianism to Tam Giao, known as the "triple religion." Tam Giao combines aspects of Taoism, Chinese beliefs and ancient Vietnamese animism.
  
  
• Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is situated at the convergence of three rivers - the Mekong, the Bassac and the Tonle Sap. The site where the rivers meet is known as "Chatomuk," which translates as "four faces."
  
  
• Mt. Popa, an extinct volcano located 45 kilometers from Bagan, is considered to be the territory of Myanmar's most powerful Nat (spirit).
  
  
• The Si Phan Don ("four thousand islands") area of the Mekong River, in southern Laos near the Cambodian border, is home to highly endangered freshwater dolphins.
  
  
• The Lao people have a very laid-back attitude, which is reflected in the saying "bo pben yang" (it'll be okay).
  
  
• The new, modern Suvarnabhumi airport at Bangkok is now fully operational. The old Don Muang airport is currently handling only a few domestic flights. Suvarnabhumi has the world's largest single passenger terminal and can serve as many as 45 million passengers annually. Travel time from Suvarnabhumi into the city is about one hour.
  
  
• The United States is the world's largest importer of Vietamese goods.
  
  
• The Siam Paragon shopping centre in Bangkok is home to Southeast Asia's largest aquarium - SiamOceanworld.
  
  
• Kuthodaw Pagoda, in Myanmar, is known as the "world's largest book" because of the Buddhist scripture carved onto 729 marble slabs.
  
  
• When visiting Angkor Wat in Cambodia, take a balloon ride over the site.
  
  
• Vietnam is the second largest exporter of coffee in the world. Only Brazil
  exports more coffee, by volume, than Vietnam. Most of Vietnam's coffee is exported to the U.S.
  
  
• Shwedagon Pagoda, located in Myanmar's capital city, is believed to have been built during Buddha's lifetime. The Pagoda is a solid-gold, bell-shaped structure encrusted with over 4,000 diamonds and 93 other precious stones such as rubies and sapphires. A 76-carat diamond perches at the top of the Pagoda.
  
  
• Most people don't think of Cambodia as a beach destination. But, Cambodians, as well as the French during colonial times, have long enjoyed the secluded beaches of Sihanoukville. There are now a couple of resort hotels in Sihanoukville, giving visitors a new destination to add to their Cambodian itinerary.
  
  
• As a day trip from Chiang Rai in northern Thailand, visitors can cross the border into Myanmar (Burma), where they'll tour a Shan-style temple, a local village and its local market. Another day trip from Chiang Rai offers a glimpse of life in Laos. Visitors cross the river from Thailand to tour the Sapphire Mine, a Lantan hilltribe village and the Huay Sai market, where Lao and Chinese goods can be purchased.
  
  
• Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, which sits on stilts in the middle of Inle Lake in Myanmar, is home to the famous jumping cats. Monks train the cats to jump through hoops. There are about 15 jumping cats at the monastery, all of whom are descended from the original jumping cat.
  
  
• Nha Trang is considered to have the best scuba diving in Vietnam.
  
  
• When visiting Angkor, in Cambodia, you can ride an elephant from the South Gate of Angkor Thom to Bayon temple.
  
  
• Bagan, in Myanmar, is home to more than 2,000 temples; an extraordinary number considering the small area in which they're contained. The temples date from the 11th to 13th centuries.
  
  
• On display at the National Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, are over 5,000 works of art from the sixth to the 13th century. The musuem also boasts 19th century dance costumes.
  
  
• The Karen hilltribes of northern Thailand are also known as the Long Neck People. Starting at a young age, girls start wearing heavy brass necklaces, to lengthen their necks. Women with long necks are considered to be the most beautiful in their village.
  
  
• Thanks to international efforts to restore Angkor Wat, Cambodia's magnificent treasure was recently removed from UNESCO's endangered site list.
  
  
• Hua Hin, Thailand may be the best kept secret in the world of golf. Not only are there more world class golf courses in Hua Hin than anywhere else in Thailand, but the green fees and other related expenses are some of the lowest in the world. Hua Hin is also the oldest and most traditional of Thailand's beach resorts.
  
  
• Though Vietnam is 1,650 kilometers (1,031 miles) from north to south, the country's most narrow point, traveling east to west, is only 50 kilometers (31 miles) across.
  
  
• A golden urn, containing the remains of Buddha, is housed in a stupa (shrine), located on a hilltop in Oudong, 30 miles north of the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. The site was chosen by astrologers. When the remains were moved to Oudong, in December, 2002, from their previous home in the capital, an estimated one million people joined the procession to Oudong.
  
  
• In various places in Southeast Asia (such as Bangkok, Thailand and Luang Prabang, Laos) tourists can join the locals, at dawn, in giving alms to Buddhist monks. This age-old tradition not only provides the monks with their daily sustenance, but is said to ensure a good life to those who give the alms.
  
  
• Playing funeral music is one of the oldest professions in Vietnam. The music is meant to accompany the soul of the deceased person, as it travels to the Land of Buddha. In Vietnam, qualified funeral musicians can earn more money in one month than the average person earns in a year.
  
  
• In Thailand the letters "ph" are pronounced as a hard "p" sound. For example, the resort island of Phuket is pronounced "Puket." Another example is Phi Phi Island, which is pronounced as "Pee Pee" Island.
• In Cambodia you'll see carvings and other artwork depicting "Naga." Naga, a water serpent, was the great protector of the treasures of the ancient Khmer empire.
  
  
• Due to open in December, 2004, the VinPearl Resort and Spa will be Vietnam's largest five-star resort. It will be located on Hon Tra island, which is just off the coast of Nha Trang. This beachfront resort will be on a lagoon that faces the sea.
  
  
• The Plain of Jars, in Laos, is home to hundreds - perhaps thousands - of huge stone jars, each of which is large enough to hold a person. The largest jar weighs over six tons. Estimated at around 2,000 years of age, the purpose of the jars, which were discovered in 1990, is still a mystery - though some experts believe they were used in burial rituals.
  
  
• The Intha people of Inle Lake, in Myanmar, use a one-leg rowing technique to get themselves around the lake, where they fish and grow crops on tiny islands.
  
  
• The people of the floating fishing villages of Vietnam's Halong Bay rarely, if ever, set foot on land. Because the villagers are nomadic (going where the fish are), floating schools also move, so that the children of the bay don't miss their classes.
  
  
• Before getting married, couples in Vietnam are unconcerned about choosing a weekend rather than a weekday. Instead, they consult the Lunar Calendar so as to select an auspicious date. Therefore, on certain days there aren't any weddings taking place, but on other days visitors will see a lot of weddings.
  
  
• Thailand's Khao Sok National Park, a protected wildlife reserve, is home to tigers, clouded leopards, bears, tapirs, gibbons, langurs, pangolin and other exotic creatures.
  
  
• The Silver Pagoda, part of the Royal Palace compound in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, has a floor made of 5,000 silver tiles. Among the many treasures housed in the Silver Pagoda is a solid gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds and weighing 90 kilos.
  
  
• Myanmar is home to 135 ethnic minorities, each of which has its own dialect and traditional dress.
  
  
• Angkor Wat, in Cambodia, is the largest religious temple in the world. Unlike all other Khmer temples, it faces west. It's estimated that it took 30 years to build Angkor Wat.
  
  
• In July, 2003, Vietnam gained its fifth UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Phong Nha caves, located in the Trung Song Mountains of central Vietnam, can be visited as an overnight excursion from Hue.
  
  
• Speaking of caves and World Heritage Sites -- the city of Luang Prabang, Laos, was declared a WHS in 1995. After a couple of days exploring the beautifully preserved temples, plan a day trip to the Pak Ou Caves. Inside the caves you'll discover a large and wonderful collection of Buddha images, in a variety of styles and sizes.
  
  
• The largest pagoda in Southeast Asia is the Phra Pathom Chedi at Nakorn Pathom. It's also the highest chedi in Thailand. Visit Phra Pathom Chedi as part of a day trip out of Bangkok to the Damnoen Floating Market and River Kwai.