Overview
Asia is one of our all-time favourite continents and we’ve travelled it extensively. It’s been our go-to holiday destination for many years, and we’ve spent months at a time exploring new countries and harder to get to spots.
It’s the backpacking centre of the world and for good reason. It’s made up of 48 countries, so it’s hard to narrow down where to begin your visit, but when you finally do you will certainly be back for more.
It would take years and years to explore every corner of this diverse continent, but most travellers begin in Southeast Asia.
If you want to get a little more of the usual trail then try China or Nepal. You won’t regret it!
Sri Lanka Travel Guides
Nepal Travel Guides
India Travel Guides
What To Expect
Central Asia: Central Asia is made up of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Little travelled, if you want to get really off the beaten track then try heading to Central Asia.
East Asia: China, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Macau. East Asia is a popular destination for international travellers and there is an awful lot of ground to cover here! East Asia boasts some of the top city break destinations in the world, and is brimming with natural and man made wonders, like The Great Wall of China and Mount Fuji
South Asia: South Asia is where you will find some of Asia’s top destinations, like Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, and the Maldives. It’s a great place to head if you love trekking and culture, with some of the best hiking in the world, and historic wonders like The Taj Mahal in India and The Sigiriya Fortress in Sri Lanka.
Southeast Asia: A great place to head for if you want to travel on a budget. It’s divided into 15 countries with some of the most popular being Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. It’s well set up for travel on a shoestring, with easy transport links and super cheap accommodation. But there are also plenty of luxury options here too, and South East Asia is a popular honeymoon destination.
The Best Time To Visit
Asia boasts some of the world’s best beaches, dense rain forests, historic temples, and bustling markets. We have visited at all different times of the year and never been let down by its beauty.
The only thing you need to keep in mind when planning a trip to Asia is the monsoon season. It is different for every country, so look it up before you go!
It’s up to you whether or not you mind travelling in the rain, and there are pros and cons to being their when monsoons hit.
If you’re on a budget then you will find great deals during the monsoon seasons in Asia, but it can also make it harder to travel, with flooding, landslides and hidden mountain views.
Top Tips
Visas
Check visa requirements before you go. Every country has slightly different rules when it comes to entry, some require you to get a visa well in advance and have strict rules to follow, so do your research and go prepared!
Street Food
Don’t be scared to try the street food. It’s cheap, delicious, and totally safe to eat if you’re careful! Street food is a huge part of the Asian culture, and usually much more tasty than the things you’ll find in touristy restaurants. If you’re worried, then stick with something veggie to be on the safe side!
Cultural Norms
Take note of the local customs. You will be required to cover up and dress respectfully when visiting many of the temples and shrines in Asia. It’s wise to carry a scarf with you on days out. Understand that haggling is a huge part of the culture in Asia, and not something to be shy of!