Valentine’s day in Asia is probably on the list of almost all couples. Shawn and I never really planned on doing something for Valentine’s day specifically but every year we land up doing something quite by coincidence.One year it was camping in the western ghats of India, another we were in clear waters of the Andaman islands while last year we were chasing the Northern lights in the Arctic. That made me wonder what other people are up to on the famed V’day.A couple of travel bloggers pitched in and we came up with a list of the perfect places to spend Valentine’s day in Asia. The list turned out to be amazing!
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Table of Contents
Top Places To Spend Valentine’s Day In Asia
- 1. Busan, South Korea
- 2. Abu Dhabi, UAE
- 3. Koh Kood Island, Thailand
- 4. Maldives
- 5. Taichung, Taiwan
- 6. Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
- 7. Langkawi, Malaysia
- 8. Shillong, India
- 9. Goa, India
- 10. Sihanoukville, Cambodia
1. Busan, South Korea
Most couples would either think of heading to a secluded beach, or a busy city to spend valentines’ day. But what if, you could have the best of both worlds? Busan is a city that is two and a half hours away, by the KTX rapid train, from Seoul.
It is the second most populous city in South Korea that is also made famous by the recent 2016 movie ‘Train to Busan’. Busan is a lot less crowded than Seoul and has the beauty of catering to different personalities and travel preferences. Whether be it a romantic stroll at the beach, or a lavish shopping spree, Busan has it all.
Busan’s Gamcheon Culture Village is a must-go for couples as they can admire the traditional Hanoks from the top as if they were in Santorini. You can easily book a tour to the Gamcheon Cultur
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al village in advance and have everything taken care for you so you don’t have to worry about anything!
Busan also has the charm of Barcelona as it boosts beautiful beaches that sits right at the edge of the concrete jungle, which allows couples to have relaxing day time strolling or sunbathing at the beach, yet having lots of recreational activities that they can enjoy at night.
Couples could go ice-skating in Shinsegae Centum City, or shop to their hearts’ content in the largest shopping complex (Guinness World Record) in the world! After all those activities, they can also head over to Spa Land in the shopping complex to soak in the Korean hot baths and enjoy the 22 themed saunas.
Unlike the traditional jjimjilbangs (korean bathhouses), Spa Land is modern and offers spa facilities and restaurants where they can ease off the weariness of their month-long wedding preparations.
They can also visit the various night markets in Busan to feast in the assortment of delicious food after dieting for months before the wedding!
2. Abu Dhabi, UAE
Valentine’s day in Abu Dhabi would be a great idea as it has something for everyone! Head early to have a stunning view of the Sheikh Zayed mosque, which is one of the most jaw-dropping modern mosques in the world; followed by an adrenaline rush as you head out to Ferrari world and try out the fastest roller coaster in the world: The Formula Rossa.
If you and your partner prefer waterparks, Yas Waterworld is quite fun too! If you’re lucky, you might even find a concert going on at the du arena on the very same Yas island. Previous acts have included Coldplay, Axwell and Deadmau5.
If you are a couple that prefers art, then I highly recommend going to Saadiyat island and enjoy the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Designed by Jean Nouvel, it has many interesting exhibits that will wow and amaze you.
If you’re looking for a wonderful resort experience, I would recommend staying in the St. Regis Saadiyat Island. It has a beautiful private beach (for those nice, long romantic walks) and a lovely private pool and golf course.
It’s also home to a lovely Thai restaurant called Sontaya, which lies right on top of water. Other places I would recommend for a lovely dinner is Villa Toscana at the St.Regis Abu Dhabi for soulful Italian food; and Marco Pierre White at the Fairmont Bab al bahr.
The Fairmont Bab al bahr is another great modern alternative to a romantic stay, with impeccable service and pool. It has a great view of the Sheikh Zayed mosque and even has a swim up bar!
3. Koh Kood Island, Thailand
As soon as I thought about where I would recommend in Asia for Valentine’s day, I immediately pictured our time on Koh Kood island. Other areas of Thailand are far more well known, but also can become unbearably crowded because of their popularity.
While it’s a little more challenging to get to Koh Kood (you’ll need to take a ferry from the mainland), Koh Kood is only developed enough to give you a handful of resorts and laid-back restaurants, and not enough for the commercialization and crowding that comes with being a travel hot spot.
There are several somewhat built up areas, but no actual towns, and since there is no vehicle ferry to the island it remains quiet and largely undisturbed. It is wonderful for a quiet, romantic getaway.
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If you spend a few days, I recommend you seek out Klong Chao waterfall for a refreshing and beautiful dip – though you should do a better job of planning how to get there than we did!
Mangrove Restaurant was also a favorite stop for us, with open air dining perched on the side of the river, and the best banana frappe we had our whole time in Thailand. It’s been a year, and we still talk wistfully about it.
For a stunning and completely relaxed sunset dinner, View Point Café is a must. When we were there, we took a quick trip from our sailboat to the protected cove where View Point was ready to help us step into the restaurant straight out of our dinghy.
We ate our meal sitting side by side on cushions placed on the pier, feet dangling above the water, and our bench-table for two facing a gorgeous sunset. Relaxed, delicious, and beautiful.
4. Maldives
An archipelago of over a thousand islands garlanding the Indian Ocean, Maldives remains high on most travel bucket lists and for all the right reasons. Think of idyllic beaches rimmed by azure waters, sparsely populated with a handful of holiday makers shadowed by tall coconut trees.
Nothing defines romance better than indulging in luxury and staying at secluded over water villas offering uninterrupted and unparalleled views of paradise. We visited Maldives in September and had the most rejuvenating and relaxing holiday ever.
With no sightseeing to do and no list of places to visit, you literally have all day and night to rekindle romance and spend quality time together, away from the nuances that clutter everyday life.
During our sojourn in Maldives, we fed stingrays, went kayaking, witnessed extraordinary sunsets, explored the fascinating world underwater and sampled delectable local flavors. On some days we did absolutely nothing and totally loved the feeling.
Every wave that crashed on the shore seemed to wash away worries and within minutes, we were left to just eat, pray and love. Candlelit dinner by the beach and under the stars was a daily affair as was waking up to soothing vistas of a pristine universe.
In fact, we met a couple who told us that they make it a point to visit the Maldives once every year, and this was their 14th visit! Given the treat that Maldives is for all the senses, don’t be surprised if we follow suit.
5. Taichung, Taiwan
Taichung, Taiwan is a perfect destination to go for a romantic Valentine’s day in Asia! The city is so colourful, and you can spend the day in many ways. Have the date of your dream with your SO in the Zhongshe Guanguang Flower Market.
There are so many gorgeous flowers in bloom in February: roses, lilies, cosmos, tulips, and more. Every corner in the market makes an Insta-worthy backdrop.
Taichung’s Rainbow Village is another cool spot to have a special photoshoot. This little former veteran village near the high-speed rail station attracts many people with its vibrant colours. All the houses have cute paintings on them. There is a love wall perfect for you and your lovey dovey!
For a romantic sunset, head to the Gaomei Wetland. Feel the sea breeze on your faces as you stand in the golden rays of the setting sun. Watch the beautiful windmills in the distance where the sky and sea meets. Gaomei Wetland is also a place where you can spot many crabs and rare birds! Do take a jacket if you go though as it can get a bit windy and chilly.
Finally, a recommendation for a perfect Valentine’s treat in Taichung. Eat ice cream together at I’m Talato, the cutest Italian ice cream shop in Taichung. They have two locations in the city. You won’t know what to love more, their delicious ice cream flavours (try sesame!) or their pink extravagant décor! Take photos with their life size ice cream cones!
Pro Tip: You can do all of the above-mentioned activities in one day in Taichung. The best way is hiring a taxi driver service for a day or renting your own car. It is possible to get around by public transportation, but it would be more time consuming.
Taiwan enjoys mild winters and the temperature rarely drops below 0 degrees. So, you can leave your heavy winter coats at home. Woot! I think Taichung is made for Valentine’s day, don’t you?
6. Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
We did not visit Kota Kinabalu for Valentine’s day specifically but the more that I think about it, the more I realize that it would make the perfect spot for Valentine’s day in Asia. The city is located on the island of Borneo, Malaysia.
Kota Kinabalu or KK as it is known by the locals is close to a lot of exciting stuff. It has the famous Mount Kota Kinabalu and the famous Kinabalu national park close by. You can take a cruise down the river trying to spot the local wildlife and end with fireflies around you.
If adventure activities aren’t your thing, you can head to one of the many gorgeous islands and relax on the beach. Gaya island as some amazing luxury resorts if that falls in your budget range. One of our favourite activities was watching the sunset.
Every single day, the sunset was even prettier than the last. Plus you can enjoy some of the amazing food that Kota Kinabalu has to offer. The city certainly did not disappoint. The best part of it all was that most of all the activities (food and accommodation included) were within a backpacker’s budget. That left a lot of room for indulgence
7. Langkawi, Malaysia
Langkawi is without doubt one of the most incredible islands to spend Valentine’s day in Asia. Unlike many islands, it is super easy to reach. There’s an airport on the island which connects it to Kuala Lumpur. The island is well known for its remarkable beaches. You can gaze out with your partner at the sunset enjoying some of the legendary Malaysian food.
Alternatively you could take a nice sunset cruise around the island. Imagine floating along the coast with a nice dinner buffet and unlimited alcohol. Sounds perfect doesn’t it?
The Langkawi mangroves are another great place to explore. You could do this on a kayak or on a private tour. It is pretty perfect. The mangroves are beautiful and are part of the larger Langkawi UNESCO Heritage site.
You will find that Langkawi is one of the best places to spend Valentine’s day in Asia.
8. Shillong, India
Shillong played backdrop to the iconic romance of Amit and Labonyo, the lovers from the cult novel “Sesher Kobita” by Rabindranath Thakur. If you ask me, in every honesty, that is enough reason for me to choose Shillong over any other destination to spend the Valentines eve.
The capital of Meghalaya, Shillong is one of the earliest hill stations set up in the British raj era. She is also the quintessential keeper of Western Music enthusiasts of the seven sister states and takes pride in hosting several carnivals of international prominence amid picturesque backdrop of the Khashi, Jayantiya Hills. ‘
When in Shillong, you shall never fall short of those romantic walks with the lover by side since the city is dotted with dainty lakes and gardens. One of them, the Ward lake, is the heartthrob of urban life.
The maddening crowd of Police Bazar might intimidate you at first. I suggest, stand right in the middle of cacophony and before you know it, you shall be a part of it. Once you are sated visiting the numerous museums and waterfalls and localities tucked in the lush green hills, secure a few days to explore the areas nearby.
A quick drive from city center shall bring you to the wonderland of famous highlands of Smit valley, that has rendered Shillong the name of Scotland of the East! Pack your bottl of rice beer on the road, a delicacy of the region.
The black and yellow taxis of police bazar can take you to Sohra (Cherrapunji, one of the highest rainfall receiver area in India). My favorite remains the pristine river Dawki at the Bangladesh-India border, where you can ride a boat and go to the shores of Bangladesh. Do not forget to buy a box of “Achar” from the neighboring country!
9. Goa, India
Goa is well known both in India and across the world. It is also one of the best places to spend Valentine’s day in Asia. The state is tiny and has some really nice beaches and there loads of restaurants on the beaches. One of the best ways to spend Valentine’s day is by reserving a table at one and just spending the whole day with some good food, drinks and frequent plunges into the sea.
You could also explore the capital city aka Panjim. Head to Fontainhas to see the gorgeous Latin quarter of Goa. There are also a number of great cafes in Panjim where you can stop in for a bit. Reis Magos Fort and the Churches of Old Goa are also great places to explore.
If you want to get away from the bustling city, head down to Margao which has its own share of great restaurants and is so much quieter. Even the beaches in the area not that crowded!
10. Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Cambodia may not be the first destination to come to mind when thinking of romantic getaways and Valentine’s day. There are though some surprisingly serene locations that the country has to offer.
The small town of Sihanoukville in Cambodia offers one of these surprise destinations. A town by the beach can become filled with tourists quickly but gladly there is beaches longer than you can imagine so everyone will fit.
Especially if you seek a quieter time with your loved one is the Otres beach side of the town the place for you. There is not much in the town itself which is why it can provide a perfect secret getaway for you and your loved one. You can even go island hopping on the nearby islands if you wish.
Sihanoukville is filled with different kinds of holiday destinations from bungalows to large hotels. The bungalow destinations can offer you that Valentine’s Day getaway feel you might seek.
You can sit by the ocean and listen to the waves, go on strolls by the beach, swing in a yarn swing whilst looking at the sunset and enjoy a cocktail on a sun chair. Dip into the warm water and let the waves sway you around. Cosy up to your loved one in the bungalow whilst a small raindrops dance on the ceiling.
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