The Joy of Slow Travel

From Bangkok’s canals to Sukhothai’s golden ruins, slow travel unveils rich flavours and quiet rituals that bring every journey alive

Words: Phoowadon Duangmee

In a world obsessed with speed and achievement, slow travel – journeys that prioritise depth over distance – is making a welcome return. Across Asia, more travellers are choosing trips that unfold at the pace of discovery: cycling through ancient towns, gliding along city rivers or following trails from one village to the next. Slow travel is all about being present, leaving a lighter footprint and forming real connections.

In Bangkok, journeys of discovery often begin on the water. Take a boat down the Chao Phraya River and its maze of canals, where temples, floating markets and stilted houses transport you back to the city’s early days. Pause at a hidden café, wander through tranquil Thonburi, or share a long-tail boat with the friendly cats of Lat Krabang as life unfolds along the canal.

Up north, Chiang Mai moves to its own relaxed rhythm. Cycle around the Old Town, browse morning markets or graze foodie trails where family-run eateries serve local specialties like fragrant Khao Soi and piquant Sai Ua sausage.

South of Chiang Mai lies Sukhothai, where slow travel is an art. Walk or cycle the UNESCO-listed ruins and bask in the sunset glow of ancient Buddha statues and ornate stupas. At Ban Na Ton Chan Village, stay with a local family, try your hand at weaving and feed your soul with traditional home-cooked meals.

Opportunities for slow travel abound across the region. In Laos’ old capital
Luang Prabang, wander among saffron- robed monks, French colonial villas and Mekong cafés fragrant with frangipani. In Cambodia’s Siem Reap, pedal through Angkor’s ancient ruins and lotus fields, join a tree-planting group or take a guided stroll through a craft village.

Even busy cities like Hong Kong hide slow travel havens. Swap the skyscrapers for sweeping hills and coastal views along the Dragon’s Back or MacLehose Trail, before ending the day with a serene ferry ride across Victoria Harbour.

Whether it’s riverside strolling in Luang Prabang, cycling through Sukhothai’s historic heart or a weekend hike above Hong Kong’s harbour, slow journeys remind us that the true beauty of travel lies not in how far or fast we go, but how deeply we connect along the way.