Asia is home to about 60% of the world’s people and an astonishing range of landscapes and cultures. One trip can include a bullet train through Tokyo, a boat ride in the Mekong Delta or a trek in the Himalayas. The biggest planning decision is where to focus.
Choosing a region
- East Asia (Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan): Highly organized, with excellent public transport, great food and a mix of old temples and ultramodern cities. Costs are higher, especially in Japan and Korea.
- Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia): Affordable, easy to travel, with islands, ancient temples and street food. A common first Asia trip.
- South Asia (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka): Intense, colorful and varied. It takes more patience, but rewards with spectacular history, mountains and cuisine.
- Central Asia and the Middle East: Silk Road cities, deserts and ancient ruins. Less visited and increasingly accessible.
What makes Asia special
Temples and heritage
Angkor Wat, Borobudur, Kyoto’s shrines, the Forbidden City and India’s forts and palaces. Many temples require covered shoulders and knees, and shoes off at the door.
Modern cities
Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore and Shanghai show how a city can run on dense, efficient transport and offer constant novelty. They are great for food, shopping and nightlife.
Food
Street food is a highlight of travel here. Some basic rules keep you healthy:
- Choose busy stalls with high turnover and food cooked in front of you.
- Be cautious about raw salads, ice of unknown origin and tap water in some countries.
- Carry hand sanitizer and basic stomach remedies.
- Try regional dishes: pho in Vietnam, pad kra pao in Thailand, ramen and sushi in Japan, bibimbap in Korea, and thali in India.
Getting around
- Trains: Japan’s Shinkansen, China’s high-speed network and Korea’s KTX are fast and comfortable. India’s trains are an experience in themselves, so book ahead.
- Budget flights: AirAsia, Scoot, VietJet and others link Southeast Asia cheaply.
- City transport: Metros in Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore and Bangkok. Grab, Gojek and similar apps in Southeast Asia, and Uber or Ola in India.
- Road safety: Traffic in many countries is chaotic. Be careful if renting scooters, and check your insurance covers it.
Money and connectivity
- ATMs are widely available, but check fees. Carry some cash in Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and India.
- Many places in China depend on mobile payments, so set up a foreign-card-compatible app before you go.
- eSIMs are cheap and convenient. Check whether services like Google, WhatsApp and others work in China.
Respect and etiquette
- Dress modestly at religious sites.
- Don’t touch people’s heads in Thailand, and don’t point your feet at Buddha images.
- In Japan, be quiet on public transport and don’t tip.
- Ask before photographing people.
When to go
Weather varies widely by region and season. See our guide to the best time to visit Asia, but a rough rule is November–March for Southeast and South Asia, and spring or autumn for East Asia.
Building a first trip
Two to three weeks in one region gives you time to go deeper. For example, Japan for two weeks, or Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam for three. Start in a big city to recover from jet lag, and finish somewhere relaxing, like a beach or a mountain town.
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