[India's] Munnar is second best in Asia [while Cambodia's Siem Reap is third]

Angkor Wat temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Express News Service
First Published : 12 May 2010

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Munnar, a tourism destination generally considered to be hurtling down through the phase of diminishing returns, has been voted as the second best destination in Asia by Tripadvisor’s 2010 Traveller’s Choice Destination awards.

Tripadvisor is the world’s largest and most popular online travel community.

It is an online travel guide which offers travel information for free, almost all of the content generated by travellers.

Tripadvisor’s global community of travellers have placed Munnar just below the cosmopolitan Tokyo Prefecture, Japan. In the third place is the Cambodian city of Siem Reap.

Eight other Indian destinations also made it to the top 25 Asian destination choice list, including Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 6th spot, Manali (7), Hampi (8), Goa (9), Udaipur (12), Gangtok (19), Bangalore (20) and Dharamsala (22).

“Millions of travellers rely on Tripadvisor for travel inspiration. So we are thrilled and humbled that Munnar has been honoured by travellers this year,’’ Tourism Principal Secretary Dr Venu said. “The TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards are particularly meaningful, as they are determined by real travellers,’’ he said.

Here is what Tripadvisor writes about Munnar: “Sprawling tea plantations surround the serene hills of Munnar, which attract adventure travellers hungry for paragliding, treks to Anaimudi (South India’s highest peak) and hikes originating at the confluence of three mountain streams.

The Stone Christ Church, built by the British in 1910, is adorned with renowned works of stained glass, and Eravikulam National Park, about 10 miles away, is home to equally colourful wildlife, including the endangered Niligiri Tahr, ruddy mongoose and 120 bird species.’’