Forget the crowded peaks of Phu Chi Fah and Phu Chi Dao, Phu Chi Duen is this season’s hottest destination for sunset-seekers. Located in Viang Kaen, the peak was officially opened to the public on Dec 4 and is just an hour’s trek from Phu Chi Dao. Other new provincial highlights include the 295-meter-long walkway Doi Tung Tree Top Walk inside the Mae Fah Luang Garden and Wat Rong Sua Ten, a colorful counterpart to the white Wat Rong Khun. Good news for luxe travelers, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle (053-910-200, www.fourseasons.com/goldentriangle) has also unveiled a new “Explorer's Lodge,” a safari-style abode with two bedrooms, spacious deck and outdoor pool surrounded by dense jungle. Prices start from B172,000. 

 

Mae Hong Son continues to offer new high-altitude attractions, with the latest being the wooden walkway on Doi Puico, which has caused a flurry on social media. The recent discovery of cryptotora thamicola, a blind, waterfall-climbing fish, at Tham Lot cave proves the province hides plenty more secrets, too. The fish, which boasts similar skeletal features to those that enabled our ancestors to walk, is being seen as a stunning example of evolution. Meanwhile, at backpacker-utopia Pai, new attractions include a craft beer bar and a “secret hot spring”—read our full story at goo.gl/YMUfyP. 

 

Thailand’s youngest province keeps enticing visitors with its natural wonders. This year’s top attraction is a red lotus pond in Nong Loeng district that’s being touted as a new alternative to the famous pond in Udon Thani. Also high on any visitor’s checklist should be the many great spots to take stock of the Mekong River, including one in Pak Kad district where a rare bend in the river makes for a unique sunset. Old attractions like Phu Thok and the ancient Hin Sam Wan rocks in Phu Singh Forest Park are as charming as ever. 

 

After closing for almost a year, Khao Chang Phuak has reopened to challenge trekkers with its knife-edge ridge walk. Something perhaps a bit easier is the 1,000-meter-high Noen Chang Suek, a 360-degree viewpoint that is easily reached by car. If the sky is especially clear, you can see beyond Myanmar to the Andaman Sea. Another upcoming attraction is Malika R.E.124 The Siamese Living Heritage Town (www.fb.com/MallikaR.E.124), a newly-built village that depicts the ordinary lives of people in the King Rama V period after the abolition of slavery. You’ll find people dressed the part and selling items specific to that era. Meanwhile in Sangkhlaburi district, you can visit the newly discovered Nopphiboon Waterfall (034 -511-200, TAT Kanchanburi). 

 

Long overshadowed by Hat Yai, the provincial capital is finally finding a niche among traveling art lovers. From its humble beginnings on Nang Ngam Road, the street art scene has now taken over nearby Nakhon Nok and Nakhon Nai roads, too, as part of a project themed “Songkhla Maha Sanook” (Songkhla great fun). Fifteen newly finished murals depict local ways of life, from the making of budu (a signature Southern fish sauce) to examples of racial tolerance. Another example of the burgeoning youth culture is the recently held Swing Dance at Sunset event at Hub Ho Hin, a red wooden house that was once a rice mill but now serves as a work center for the Songkhla Heritage Society (www.fb.com/songkhla.asia). The main Songkhla Central Mosque is another spot to visit for its beautiful modernist architecture. 

 

Fine dining on the Pearl of the Andaman isn’t just for tourists anymore thanks to a slew of big openings in Phuket in the past few months. These include Trisara’s new farm-to-table restaurant, Pru (trisara.com), fancy Japanese restaurant Zuma’s pop-up at Anantara Layan Phuket (phuket-layan.anantara.com) that runs until February, and Esenzi (www.esenzirestaurant.com), a seafood restaurant led by Tim Butler of Eat Me, Bangkok (No.23 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016, No.7 in BK's Top Tables 2016), at Iniala Beach House. More highly-anticipated arrivals include Bampot (bampot.co), a modern European restaurant led by Scottish chef Jamie Wakeford who previously won “The Scottish Food Scholarship” judged by all of Scotland’s Michelin-starred chefs, and Rustic Eatery & Bar (www.fb.com/rusticeateryphuket), headed by Nikola Lesar, winner of Croatia’s version of Masterchef.  

 

Neighboring Songkhla, this Southern province is accruing a following among photographers thanks to the Talay Noi wetlands. Home to the world’s largest waterfall, Talay Noi isn’t just Thailand’s first wildlife sanctuary but also one of 2,000 global wetland areas listed by the international Ramsar Convention as being of extreme importance. The sanctuary sees more than 200 bird species migrate to the area from as far off as Siberia during December to April. The province is also a famous spot to catch the red lotus in bloom from February till April. If you’re looking to take a lengthy break, The Wetland Camp (086-953-9914, www.fb.com/wetlandcamp) offers safari-like rooms with picturesque views of wildlife from B2,000/night.  

 

This central province is gaining a reputation for its stunning mountainous scenery. Popular among young travelers is Noen Maprang, a small district hugged by towering limestone karsts that offer incredible trekking and caving opportunities. At Ban Mung village, you’ll also find a gorgeous sunflower farm, while another prime check-in spot is Khao Pok Lone, where the sunset makes the two-kilometer trek more than worth it. Just as photogenic is Phu Lomlo, a hill inside Phuhin Rongkla National Park that turns pink when the nang phaya seua krong flowers, aka Thai sakura, are in full bloom. January is the month to catch this spectacle. 

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REGIONAL

There's a convenient new way to scale the "Roof of Indochina." Lao Cai, the mountainous province in Northern Vietnam that’s home to eco-tourism hot spot Sa Pa, has just welcomed the world’s longest three-rope cable car system. Measuring 6,282 meters, the cable from Muong Hoa Valley will help you conquer the 3,143-meter peak of Fansipan Mountain in just 15 minutes. The base is also home to a faux-European complex called Ga Di Trap Trio that consists of shops, restaurants and cafes. We’re also seeing more and more direct flights making travel easier. Aside from Bangkok Airways’ (www.bangkokair.com) direct routes to Danang in central Vietnam (from B9,300), you can also get cheap flights via Vietjetair (www.vietjetair.com) to the likes of northern port city Haiphong (from B2,865), home to quaint colonial buildings and a vibrant coffee culture, and also considered the gateway to the magical Halong Bay. Meanwhile down south, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay (goo.gl/EYx0sC) just unveiled its gorgeous, newly renovated beachfront pool villas, too.

 

With the arrival of the Michelin guide, which includes more than 200 restaurants, and street food hawkers, there’s never been a more enticing reason to eat your way around the island. Street-level names to check out include Tai Hwa Pork Noodles and Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle—now the cheapest Michelin-starred experience on earth. Another reason to head back is the National Museum of Singapore’s (nationalmuseum.sg) trippy new art piece, Story of the Forest, where indigenous flora and fauna populate 360-degree screens on the dome’s 15-meter-high and 170-meter-long walls.

 

After the opening of the much-hyped, Zaha Hadid-designed Dongdaemun Design Plaza in 2015, Seoul has really firmed up as a destination for fashionistas and the art-savvy. Held annually in late March-early April (this year is Mar 27-Apr 1), Seoul Fashion Week (www.seoulfashionweek.org) is now established as a real highlight on the global fashion circuit. Another top reason to head here is the opening of Skygarden, Seoul’s version of New York’s High Line Park, which has transformed an abandoned elevated highway into a gorgeous park with a design courtesy of MVRDV. 

 

Myanmar's Andaman Sea is buzzing right now for its relatively untouched beaches and well-preserved underwater scenes. If you’re daydreaming about sailing off to explore the stunning Mergui archipelago, do it now before it’s too crowded. The government’s just given the go-ahead for tour operators to launch daily visits. One of the best on offer right now comes from Love Andaman (076-390-250, www.fb.com/loveandaman), who provide snorkeling opportunities at three islands at B3,500. See more at goo.gl/YwrUJp. 

 

This UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Luang Prabang is on radars once more after AirAsia launched cheap direct flights from Bangkok (from B5,649 return). Adding to the delightful old-world charm, Laos’ ancient capital has just welcomed the 25-hectare Pha Tad Ke (www.pha-tad-ke.com) botanical gardens—the first-of-its-kind for the nation, which acts as a regional research center and living museum for Laos’ native flora. Check in at Sofitel Luang Prabang (www.sofitel.com), a recent rebranding of the beautiful Hotel de la Paix.   

 

Bhutan and Thailand’s close ties were on show last year when King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck became the first head of state to visit Thailand to pay his respects to our late King Bhumibol. Now that the UN has announced 2017 as International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, all eyes have turned to Bhutan, which has long been a leader in the industry underpinned by its Gross National Happiness Index. On Dec 17, Bhutan will also celebrate 110 years since its formation. 

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INTERNATIONAL 

 

This Mediterranean nation is on the wishlist of travelers thanks largely to the Game of Thrones TV series, which made the most of its stunning geography. The country is packed full of historical charm, including three World Heritage sites. Also set to open this year is a new property for Iniala, the luxury design hotel in Phang Nga, complete with a second branch of Esenzi, the newly launched seafood restaurant of Tim Butler (see above) on the rooftop. 

 

The world’s second-largest country is celebrating 150 years since confederation by giving free admission to all national parks, including the iconic Banff National Park in Alberta, which opened in 1885. There will be celebrations throughout the year (check the calendar at goo.gl/9s59yX), including mass events across the country on July 1. 

 

Newly launched direct flights by Thai Airways (from B16,440) and AirAsia (from B10,930) from Bangkok to Tehran have caused a wave of Thai travelers to this Middle Eastern country. Iran has been picked by Lonely Planet, Forbes and Insider as one of the year’s top destinations for its rich history and culture, plentiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites and incredible Islamic architecture. Read about our recent trip at goo.gl/H5BOJa.

 

Another Middle Eastern country looming as a popular destination due to its natural abundance—rugged mountains, pristine coasts and everything in between. The country is also not shy of luxurious accommodation, including the newest branches of Thailand’s Anantara brand, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort (jabal-akhdar.anantara.com) and Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara (salalah.anantara.com). The futuristic Majarat Oman theme park will also debut in 2017. Shame that AirAsia has already closed its recently launched route between Bangkok and Muscat, but you can still get there via direct  flights from Oman Air (www.omanair.com) starting from B21,800.

 

Iceland is so 2016. If hunting the Northern Lights is still high on your to-do list, Finland is the place to do it. The awe-inspiring light show is visible around 200 days a year here. Check-in to Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort (www.kakslauttanen.fi) for a glass-domed room where you can watch the aurora from the warmth of your bed. What’s more, the country is packed with more than 40 national parks and the country is this year celebrating 100 years of independence. Check www.visitfinland.com for more hot reasons to head there this year.