Asia can be anything you want it to be – go for the people and the massive diversity of culture and religion. Go for the ecology – the huge mountains, the beautiful beaches and islands, the lush jungle and the absurdly exotic wildlife. Go for the food – the curries, the noodles and the local delicacies. Go to backpack Southeast Asia. Or simply go for sun and relaxation.
View my travel tips and backpacking guide to Asia and get ready to fall in love with this incredible continent.
Asia Travel Booking Resources
These are my favourite companies to use when I travel to Asia.
• Search cheap flights with Skyscanner.
• Find the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
Asia Tours
• Browse small group adventure tours with G Adventures or Contiki.
• Book city sightseeing tours & attraction tickets on GetYourGuide or Viator.
Top Destinations
• Brunei
• Cambodia
• China
• Japan
• India
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Mongolia
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Philippines
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Sri Lanka
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Tibet
• Vietnam
Popular Cities
• Bangkok
• Beijing
• Hanoi
• Seoul
• Hong Kong
Best Things to Do in Asia
There are literally hundreds of amazing places to visit when travelling in Asia, here are just some of the highlights.
Backpacking Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is a mecca for young travellers eager to experience new and exciting cultures. From the hustle and bustle of Bangkok to the calmness of Halong Bay, Southeast Asia has an abundance of adventure activities, landmarks, temples, history and elephants. Not to mention the beaches! Travel here is easy, and some of the cheapest in the world. Explore the temples in Laos, relax on the beaches of Thailand and experience the chaos of Vietnam.
Island Hop in Thailand
Thailand is famed for its beautiful beaches – in fact the country has around 8,000 islands with alluring shores just waiting to be explored. And while some beaches are undoubtedly more popular than others, if you take the time to venture a little you’re sure to find a tranquil pocket where you can relax and enjoy the beauty of Thailand. The longer you have, the higher the chances of you being able to discover the lesser known areas that are away from the popular haunts such as Koh Samui and Krabi (although they are beautiful too!) Some of the best are Bamboo Island, Koh Muk Island and Koh Phayam Island, and of course, Phuket.
Discover the Beauty of the Taj Mahal
A jewel of India, if not the world, the Taj Mahal is the ultimate declaration of love. Shan Jahan built this mausoleum for his wife who sadly passed away. It is the most exquisite of designs, built with marble and precious stones. Have you been lucky enough to get a photo in front of the reflecting pool?
See Sunrise over Angkor Wat
Is there anyone who has been to Cambodia but hasn’t visited Angkor Wat? This incredible temple complex is the world’s largest religious monument and one of the most important archaeological sites. The whole temple is breath-taking and incredibly detailed with beautiful carvings and intricate icons to uncover. One of the most iconic views is when you first arrive and the sun rises over the ponds in front of the temple.
Climb to the Top of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka
Known as ‘Lion’s Rock’ for the huge stone paws that guard the stairway, Sigiriya in Sri Lanka was a former fortress of an ancient king. The top of the rock was home to the palace and gardens which you can explore today. Ascend the steps and reach the top for incredible views over Sri Lanka.
Cruise on a Junkboat in Halong Bay
Known as the ‘Bay of Descending Dragons’ Halong Bay in Vietnam boasts spectacular landscapes with huge limestone cliffs and hidden caves. Board a Chinese sailing vessel known as a junkboat and spend the night soaking up the tranquility. You will be able to explore the caves, take a dip in the bay and even practice a spot of tai-chi on board.
Cycle the Ruins of Bagan
Bagan in Myanmar is one of the most impressive ancient archaeological sites in the world. It is home to over 2200 Buddhist temples and the best way to see them is own two wheels. Cycle around the ruins and discover each unique structure, the interiors of which are free for you to explore.
Walk Along the Great Wall of China
The longest wall in the world, the Great Wall of China could not have been missed off this list. Originally a structure built for defense, it is a winding trail that is also home to fortresses and watchtowers. Hundreds of thousands of tourists have explored the wall and admired the impressive views from atop.
See the Cherry Blossom of Japan
Japan is where the past meets the future. Stunning temples stand proud showcasing centuries of tradition, while Tokyo has a reputation for the weird, wacky and ultra modern. From sushi to street-food, traditional dance shows to robots, Japan is unique to any other country in Asia. Travel in April to see the best of the beautiful cherry blossom season, where the country is covered with a pink hue from the trees.
Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Trekking to Everest isn’t just for mountaineers: the fit will find it a life-changing experience. There are lots of ‘Base Camp Treks’ that put the world’s greatest mountain in perspective, exploring Kathmandu and taking the time to meander through the Sherpa people’s homeland, with porters to take the strain of heavy luggage and simple, atmospheric tea-house accommodation. Weeks on the ‘Roof of the World’ finishes all-too-quickly, with a spectacular flight from Lukla.
Explore Lhasa, Tibet
The Potala Palace is Tibet’s largest building, a home to generations of Lamas and the best-preserved chapels and temples in the country. Explore the Lhasa and Tibet in depth, and follow ancient caravan trails through valleys to exotic towns huddling on the ‘Roof of the World’. Meet the Tibetan people, insulated for so many centuries from the outside world, in a life changing journey.
Cruise the Mekong, Laos
One of the world’s greatest rivers, the Mekong brings snowmelt waters from Tibet to feed the diverse cultures of China, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Perhaps the best place to experience life on the river is in Laos, a calm Buddhist society where western visitors are still a rarity, but welcomed like exotic friends. Kumuka’s ‘Hill Tribes and River Rides’ travels from Thailand into Laos, using the river as an atmospheric lifeline into the heart of an ancient culture.
Help Elephants in Northern Thailand
If you would like to do some unique consider volunteering in Thailand, there are lots of projects where you can help elephants at wildlife sanctuaries in places like Chiang Mai. Thailand’s north is also the setting for some of the world’s finest trekking and hiking opportunities, with the chance to travel through an unspoilt region where different tribal groups still maintain their traditional beliefs and way of life.
Relax in the Maldives
Is there a more beautiful destination in the world in terms of islands and beaches? I struggle to think of many better than the Maldives. And visiting this country really doesn’t have the cost a fortune.
See Orang-utans in Borneo
Travel to Borneo, a remarkable blend of cultural and natural history. Come face to face with primeval rainforests, undiscovered tribes and exotic animal species. It is also recommend to see wild orang-utans here soon, as sadly due to deforestation, they might not be here much longer.
Experience Paradise
Go off the beaten track and book a trip to the lesser known Andaman and Nicobar islands. Discover one of the most beautiful regions in the world, with very few other tourists.
Asia Travel Tips
Getting Around
There are lots of ways to navigate Asia, including public transport, private tourist buses, trains, low cost airlines and also organised tours.
Food and Drink
Anyone who’s been to Asia comes back raving about the local food. From classics like the much loved Pad Thai to exotic Laskas and delicious Singapore style noodles, the cuisine in this part of the world takes some beating. But where can you get your hands, or chopsticks, on the best stuff? Where can you hang with the locals and enjoy a right old knees up? Check out my country/city destination guides with recommendations for favourite streets, markets and restaurants to dine on the very best local dishes!
Tipping
Tipping in countries like Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand isn’t compulsory but it’s definitely appreciated. If you’ve received awesome service, eaten a to-die-for pho or chowed down on a plate of heavenly red tree ants with holy basil, round up your bill to the nearest dollar. There’s no need to tip your taxi or tuk tuk driver, but it’s nice to leave some change.
Language
There are over 2,000 languages spoken in Asia and although becoming fluent in all is pretty impossible, I do recommend you learn at least the basics of your destination language. Its not hard to learn hello, how are you, please and thank you, and it will be really respectful and appreciated if you do.