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People often say that marriage is a union of two souls. They are not wrong. It is the beginning of a life journey which will hopefully last an eternity. Naturally, with it being such a momentous occasion, a lot of planning will be involved. And after the wedding ceremony, most newly-wed couples look for a romantic getaway -- to relax for a few days after all those eventful days and nights, but more importantly to connect with each other and mark a memorable beginning to their beautiful journey together.

And with Asia being the largest continent on the planet, there are plenty of locations which would make for a memorable honeymoon spot. Here are 8 that you should consider:

#1 Mabul Island, Malaysia

How can we leave out our home country especially when Malaysia has a host of gorgeous vacation spots? Located off the south-eastern coast of Sabah, it is considered by many as a paradise on Earth.

Other than pristine sandy beaches, this oval-shaped island is perched on the northwest corner of a 200-hectare reef. The seabed surrounding the reef slopes out to 30m deep. If you plan to go snorkelling or diving here, you are most likely to encounter flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ringed octopus, spike-fish gobies, frogfish, moray eels, and plenty more spectacular marine life.

Since a honeymoon is meant to be a romantic occasion, Mabul provides the perfect atmosphere as it is a place to witness spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Additionally, with low levels of light pollution, it is a great location for stargazing activities. The Milky Way galaxy lights up the night sky thus providing you with a honeymoon experience like no other!

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#2 Kyoto, Japan

With its unique blend of ancient history, traditional culture, and breathtaking natural beauty, the city of Kyoto is such a fantastic romantic place. There are countless picturesque temples, gardens, castles, and places that will make you fall in love again! After all, a shared romantic experience only serves to strengthen a relationship.

Take a stroll through Arashiyama Bamboo Forest which has now gained an iconic reputation for its enchanting surroundings. Visiting this place during the morning will put you in a state of utter peace, tranquillity, and serenity. Other romantic spots include Shogunzuka Seiryuden, Shirakawa River, and Kyoto Botanical Garden.

Furthermore, did you know that Kyoto has over 100 spots known to provide love luck? One of the more popular ones are Kifune and Jishu shrines. At the former, you get to walk up the “Path of Love” while at the latter, you will pass the “Stones of Love”. It is said that if you are able to walk from one stone to another with your eyes closed, you will have good love luck.

(Image source: The Borderless Project)

#3 Chiang Mai, Thailand

When most people think about vacations in Thailand, they normally visualise images of sandy beaches and clear seas in their heads. However, the truth is that this jewel in our neighbourhood has plenty more to offer and Chiang Mai is a testament to that.

Situated at the foot of mountains, Chiang Mai is known as the “Rose of the North” to locals. It has a piece of city vibes but has managed to retain a blissful, calm, and laid back atmosphere.

There are a host of exciting activities that couples can enjoy here. Amongst them are climbing up the Bua Tong Waterfalls, exploring any of the 300 temples in the area, going for cliff jumping at The Grand Canyon of Thailand, entering a limestone cave, seeing Thailand’s highest peak, and sightseeing on a hot air balloon.

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#4 Singapore

For those of you lovebirds who want to spend your honeymoon at a more modern location, Singapore is definitely a place worth considering. Let’s face it, the place is a melting pot of cosmopolitan living.

Many people are already familiar with locations such as Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay. But as lovely as they do look in photos, they are even more dazzling when experienced in real life. The beaches of Sentosa are also places to visit for couples as they provide amazing views. Other spots worthy of a visit include Bukit Batok Town Park, Singapore River, Mount Faber Park, and the National Orchid Garden.

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#5 Jeju Island, South Korea

This volcanic island boasts several UNESCO-rated geological sites, white sand beaches lined with resorts, and was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Additionally, 70 per cent of the visitors here are domestic travellers, making it a unique getaway for all those newlyweds out there.

There is no shortage of natural beauty on Jeju. With a laid-back vibe and dramatic volcanic scenery, it is also home to some thundering waterfalls, lush-rolling fields, and stunning beaches for swimming and surfing.

Witnessing sunrise from the volcanic crater of Seongsan Ilchulbong is a sight to behold. Trail walking across the island, entering lava tube caves, or going for water massages here all provide memories that are to be cherished. The attractions aren’t limited to just nature as you can also spend time at places such as the Teddy Bear Museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, Play K-Pop theme park, and Green Tea Farm.

And the hilarious over-the-top adult theme park called “Loveland” will only make things more exciting for the honeymooners!

(Image source: 12019/Pixabay)

#6 Lake Toba, Indonesia

Lake Toba is a large natural lake occupying the caldera of an Indonesian supervolcano. And when we say large, we do mean LARGE. At 100km long, 30 km wide, and 450 meters deep, it is the second largest lake on the entire planet! As a matter of fact, it is even bigger than the entire island of Singapore!

With such vast space, Lake Toba almost looks like an ocean. Crossing it from the north to south would take more than 3 hours. There are many scenic and “Insta-worthy” viewing decks to enjoy the majestic views. Among the popular ones is a giant bird nest replica in Nantampukmas and also a hand-shaped area at Bukit Indah.

Lake Toba is also home to two of Indonesia’s tallest waterfalls -- Sigura-Gura and Sipiso-Piso. There is also an island in the middle of the lake called Samosir and funnily enough, it has a much smaller lake on it! That basically makes it “a lake within a lake”, something like nature’s version of the film “Inception”.

What’s better is that Lake Toba has its own international airport nearby and Malaysians can take direct flights there!

(Image source: Shifaaz shamoon/Unsplash)

#7 Maldives

We reckon there won’t be many people who wouldn’t jump for joy after finding out they’d be honeymooning at the Maldives. With crystal clear seas and vibrant beaches, it’s the ultimate indulgence spot!

We previously mentioned the importance of shared experience so get ready to take your partner to observe the stunning sea-life. Come face-to-face with a giant whale shark or gaze at the abundance of beautiful coral reefs and marine life. And if you’re in a mood to splurge, hop into a seaplane for some breathtaking views, dine at the Ithaa underwater aquarium restaurant, or bond at a couple’s spa. At night, don’t forget to head on over to the glowing beach of Vaadhoo Island for an experience of a lifetime.

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#8 Luang Prabang, Laos

Situated in northern Laos, the ancient town of Luang Prabang is considered by many to be the heart of Laotian culture. Encircled by mountains and located 700 metres above sea level at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

Don’t miss the opportunity to take a romantic walk along the mighty Mekong and enjoy the sunset on the waterfront. This town is also home to some lovely French architecture, golden Buddhist temples, pristine countryside, and so much more.

Also, history buffs must stop at the Haw Kham and Vat Xieng Toung. The former was once a royal palace that has been turned into a museum while the latter is a Buddhist temple which is considered one of the most significant Lao monasteries.

Before you set out

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