Asia holds the titles for being both the largest and most populated continent in the world. It’s also rich with history. And that’s all before we get to Asia’s beaches and, of course, Asia’s delectable food.
Don’t be fooled, however. While Asia might sit as one gigantic land mass (with plenty of Asian islands), the various countries are very culturally distinct. From Japan and China in the north to Indonesia and Thailand further south, you could spend a lifetime exploring Asia’s different cultures and sights.
Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Beijing will no doubt grab the attention of city lovers but the Thai beaches, Cambodian temples, Vietnamese food and Myanmar‘s Asia of yesteryear deserve separate trips all in themselves. But don’t worry, this easy to navigate continent makes it possible to combine a few countries into one trip.
For those of you looking to spend time backpacking in Asia, you’ll be thrilled to find that travel is pretty budget-friendly in these parts.
As for me, I’ve visited Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong and China, The Philippines and, most recently, Myanmar.
There’s still so much to see and I have some favourites I will return to time and again.
In my posts, I tend to cover things to do in Asia as well as what to eat, where to go, suggested itineraries and the occasional travel story about the downright odd and amusing things that happen while you travel…like that time I found a snake in my room in Vietnam. Don’t worry, ‘this never happens’ the hotel lady told me. Personally, I hear that a lot, but it’s all part of the story.
So, get stuck in. I hope there’s some Asia travel inspiration in here for you to enjoy.
Vietnam is nothing short of magical. A southeast Asian country that is one long stretch of coastline, you can expect everything from huge cities to swathes of beaches, dramatic islands and hill tribe communities. For me, Vietnam holds a very special place in my heart. It was one of the first countries I visited solo, … Read more
So, you’re thinking of visiting Vietnam? Excellent choice. It was one of the first trips I took to South East Asia, combined with Cambodia and I loved it so much, I went back and spent a few months there. Whether you want to explore the colonial architecture, historic monuments, beaches, floating markets and Vietnamese food … Read more
Vietnam is an incredible country and a popular tourist destination for a reason. The rich culture, good food, and lush nature are perfect for any traveler. Each city in Vietnam is unique, with different sights to see and food to taste. It might be hard to decide where to go. Here are ten must-visit cities … Read more
This story started on the Great Wall of China. Stick with me. I was showing my dad around China in a whirlwind two week trip that involved moving location every other day. So, it’s fair to say, we did several guided tours in China. And I planned to do the same thing in Chengdu. Because, … Read more
In this article I’ll explain the best things to do in Myanmar. At the end, I include suggested itineraries for 7 days, 10 days, 2 weeks and 3 weeks in Myanmar. I’ve written more detailed guides to most of these locations and will include links below. Yangon Things to do in Yangon The above is just … Read more
I loved my 3 weeks exploring Myanmar but there is no denying that the country with it’s new tourist infrastructure can be exhausting at time. So, by the time I hit the end of my exploration of Myanmar I was beyond ready for some beach time. I spent four nights in Ngapali Beach and did … Read more
In this article you will find out the best things to do in Yangon, Myanmar, together with recommendations for where to eat and sleep. I’ve also created a map with Google maps showing all of the majors sights mentioned here. You’ll find that at the end. For many visitors, Yangon will be the first interaction they’ll have … Read more
There are thousands of pagodas in Bagan – I know, because I’m pretty sure I saw them all. Ok, maybe not but swinging by almost 20 of them made it feel like I’d seen every pagoda that exists in the city. While it may have been exhausting at the time, it gave me a good basis … Read more
Once upon a time, Bagan was under a siege of development. Between the 11th and 13th centuries over 10,000 temples, pagodas and monastaries were built in the city. Today, around 2,000 of them still exist; all crammed into a 13 by 8 kilometres area that has become the Bagan Archeological Zone. So, it’s safe to … Read more
There was no way I could go to Myanmar (formerly Burma) and not travel the road to Mandalay. Rudyard Kipling had all but demanded it in his iconic poem about the city. O the road to Mandalay,Where the flyin’-fishes play,An’ the dawn comes up like thunder outer China ‘crost the Bay Rudyard Kipling, Mandalay (1890) … Read more