Despite the cacophony created by speeding scooters, Vietnam’s capital Hanoi has been named Asia’s premier city for pedestrian enjoyment by the hotel reservation platform Agoda. This designation credits the blend of Asian and European architectural styles present throughout the city.
According to Agoda, which compiled a list of seven of Asia’s top strolling destinations, the region’s walker-friendly design allows visitors to easily meander through and find local treats such as Pho (an aromatic meat-filled soup) and Bánh mì (a Vietnam-inspired baguette sandwich), offered by street sellers.
While not highlighted by Agoda, Old Hanoi captivates visitors with its colonial-era Art Deco buildings and Hoan Kiem Lake. This lake neighbors the area filled with small art galleries and coffee shops in the ancient quarter. It also boasts the iconic vermilion Huc Bridge and the Jade Mountain Temple located on a petite island towards its northern side.
Agoda’s compilation features seven locations, including Malacca—a UNESCO World Heritage Site along Peninsular Malaysia’s western coastline—known for its blend of Dutch colonial structures and Peranakan-Chinese shop houses. Additionally, though not included in Agoda’s listing, stands the A Famosa, which comprises the remains of a brick fort constructed by Portuguese merchants in the early 1500s when Portugal was at the peak of its global maritime expeditions.
For those seeking a contemporary or efficiency-focused wayfarer experience, Taipei features on the Agoda list due to its “spacious pavements, distinct signages, and tree-lined avenues ideal for an optimal urban exploration, complemented by an effective MRT network that effortlessly links pedestrian-friendly zones together.”
Singapore likely provides many similar experiences, such as the opportunity to stroll through Pulau Ubin, a small island off the primary island of the city-state, featuring paths alongside mangrove forests.
Agoda’s compilation features somewhat lesser-known destinations like Chiang Khan in Thailand, located beside the expansive Mekong River. This area boasts a vehicular-free street lined with charmingly preserved wooden shop houses, cozy guesthouses, eclectic cafes, and local boutiques, according to Agoda.
A number of the area’s major urban centers – such as Bangkok, Jakarta, and Manila, which boast populations of over 10 million each – are renowned for their challenging walking conditions. These include scorching temperatures, torrential rains, congested streets, and sporadically available sidewalks.
However, for those visiting Indonesia and Thailand, cities like Yogyakarta on Java — known for its abundant Dutch colonial architecture — and Chiang Rai in northern Thailand — which boasts a Walking Street, among other attractions — merit an exploration on foot.
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