Asia Travel
Asia is the world’s largest continent.
Within its loosely bound confines, lie dozens of countries with unique cultures, histories, languages and identities.
Writing an Asia travel guide is futile. Perhaps more futile than than writing a guide to any other continent. For what is Asia? Where are its borders? How can one create a resource that highlights the top places to see in a place that is so varied and vast? From Indonesia, to Tajikistan, to Japan, to Oman, the continent is truly diverse. It boasts dense rainforests, iconic skylines, paradisaical beaches, lonely windswept deserts, and the tallest mountains in the world.
Though I have traveled quite extensively in Asia, I have by no means explored all that the continent has to offer.
In fact, I’ve yet to even visit India.
Still, I’ve traveled to Asia enough times to put together a rough outline for what one might come to expect in various parts of the continent. And while it is in no way exhaustive of the multitude of places to visit in Asia, it may be a useful start.
Traveling to Asia
When planning a trip to Asia, it is best to break the continent into its main geographic regions. Like Africa, Asia as a whole is not suitable for European-style backpacking trips (though particular areas certainly fit the mold better than others). It is a continent that caters to a wide range of budgets, interests, and travel styles.
And the best places to visit in Asia is a hugely subjective topic. It largely depends on whether you prefer beaches or mountains, cities or temples, off-the-beaten-path secrets, or world class wonders.
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is a common destination for backpackers and budget travelers. It is easy to navigate, inexpensive, and replete with historical richness and geographic beauty.
From the beaches of Thailand to the volcanoes of Java to the urban metropolis of Singapore, it encompasses a wealth of stunning natural and cultural attractions.
A popular backpacker circuit in Southeast Asia—deemed the Banana Pancacke Trail—passes by many of the region’s top tourist attractions.
East Asia
East Asia is the most developed region in Asia. It is also culturally and historically one of its most influential. Encompassing China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula, its historical importance has influenced (and continues to influence) places that lie far outside the area’s boundaries.
East Asia is considerably more expensive than Southeast Asia, though the rewards of visiting the region certainly justify the elevated costs.
South Asia
My travels in South Asia are limited to the jewel-like island of Sri Lanka. So, unlike other parts of the continent, I do not have enough personal experience to give my two cents on the area as a whole.
From my understanding, however, South Asia is a rewarding, colorful, inexpensive, and vibrant region of the world. It is culturally rich, visually stunning, and geographically diverse.
Sri Lanka alone embodies many of the characteristics that I ascribe to the region. The country contains historical relics, religious monuments, natural wonders, and friendly people.
Central Asia
Central Asia was once at the crossroads of great civilizations. Today, it ironically lies firmly off the trodden tourist trail and is largely ignored by tourists planning trips to Asia.
Most of Central Asia’s countries end with the suffix of ‘stan’. And lack of knowledge about the region, coupled with instability in Afghanistan and Pakistan, has resulted in travelers completely dismissing countries that share the four letter suffix.
This dismissal is, in my opinion, is an absolute shame. The ‘stans‘ are historically rich, culturally fascinating, and geographically magnificent.
The Middle East
The Middle East has such a distinct identity, that it is often put into its own category. The region is fascinating, welcoming, and largely misunderstood.
I spent six months living and traveling through the Middle East in 2011. In that time, I quickly learned that the region’s reputation in the West is both undeserved and categorically false.
Yes, the Middle East has endured a an onslaught of bad press in relation to its ongoing wars and conflicts. But there are also islands of calm that have the misfortune of being lumped in with places that have grabbed media headlines.
Even the places often associated with violence are undeserving of their reputations.
10 Unforgettable Asia Travel Experiences
Asia is vast and diverse. Its regions are so distinct from one another, that it is impossible to categorize Asia as a whole. Due to its breadth, the continent is home to thousands of unique cultures that have little in common with one another.
But, for the sake of narrowing down a list, here are ten top travel Asia travel experiences (in no particular order).
1. Temples of Kyoto
Kyoto is known as the city of ten thousand shrines. The elegant imperial city is one of the most beautiful in Asia. It houses an unparalleled wealth of monuments, including a whopping 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and many of Japan’s most beloved icons.
There is no doubt that Kyoto is both Japan’s cultural capital, and and one of the top places to visit in Asia.
2. Angkor Wat Temple
The temples of Angkor Wat are among the world’s greatest archaeological wonders. For lovers of ancient history, there are few places on Earth that can rival the staggering and mysterious beauty of Angkor Wat. A sprawling temple complex of crumbling palaces, ruined sculptures and holy places of worship, it is the world’s largest religious structure and an enduring example of humanity’s devotion to its deities.
3. The Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka
The Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka is the crucible of early Sinhalese civilization. An essential part of any Sri Lanka itinerary, the triangle’s three points mark the island’s three historic capitals: the hill country’s capital of Kandy, the medieval city of Polonnaruwa and the ancient Sinhalese center of Anuradhapura.
4. Pamir Highway in Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan
The soaring mountain peaks in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are some of the most spectacular on Earth. A road trip along the infamous Pamir Highway allows travelers to traverse barren yak-speckled landscapes and jawd-ropping valleys.
A Pamir road trip is not an easy journey.
But for travelers willing to put up with a little discomfort, it provides some of the most beguiling landscapes on Earth.
5. Temples of Bagan
The temple-speckled Bagan plane is one of Southeast Asia’s most magical destinations. The Bagan temples are especially spectacular at sunrise and sunset—when their silhouettes pierce the vibrant and colorful sky.
6. Nabetean City of Petra
Petra is one of the seven wonders of the world and, undoubtedly, the most magnificent place to visit in Jordan. An ancient rock-hewn city that dates back to the 5th century BC, it is a place that should stand near the top of every Asia bucket list.
7. Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a beguiling and magical city that is both hotly contested and spiritually magnetic. It holds great importance for adherents to the world’s three monotheistic faiths. Travel to Jerusalem is an overwhelming sensory experience. The city interlaces complex history, clashing cultures, and fraught identity into its unique multi-textured fabric.
8. Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China dates back 2,000 years. It is one of the most astonishing human-engineered creations on Earth. The massive fortified wall spans over 13,000 miles across China—weaving its way between verdant mountains, through dense forest, and past shifting desert sands.
Though I have not yet written about the Great Wall since I visited prior to to beginning my blog, it remains a highlight of my travels in Asia.
9. Lhasa Tibet
As with the Great Wall of China, I visited Lhasa Tibet long before I began writing this blog.
Still, it is a place that remains vividly ingrained in my memories.
Lhasa is a fascinating city crowned by the whitewashed walls of the Potala Palace. My memories of the city invoke images of spinning prayer wheels, incense-filled markets, and a stunning mountain backdrop.
10. Java Island, Indonesia
While most travelers to Indonesia choose to spend a significant amount of time in Bali (and they should, the island is beautiful), they often do so at the expense of other places in Indonesia.
I urge Indonesia-bound travelers to dedicate some time to the island of Java as well. For the island is home to many of Indonesia’s most incredible marvels—including the ancient ruins of Borobudur and Prambanan, and the fascinating volcanoes of Bromo and Kawah Ijen.
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There are a million different things to do in Asia, and this list of ten top places to visit is in no way exhaustive. The continent is vast, diverse, and filled to the brim with things to see.
I cannot wait to discover more of its popular attractions and hidden gems.
