This travel guide is full of tips on how to plan your incredible holidays in Asia. This amazing part of the world is famous for having the most diverse cultural heritage, spiritual architecture, tropical island paradise and the richest cuisine. The truth is that Asia is where the time slows down and people truly enjoy a simple yet happy life.
Table of Contents
What to Visit in Asia
Thailand 
Vietnam
Asia is the largest continent covering around 44,579,000 square km. It’s also the most populated with over 4 billion people living there. Every country has a lot to offer but travelling solo in North Korea and Tibet is not allowed and you can only do it as part of organised tour trip after obtaining a special travel permit.
Other Things to See in Asia
When travelling to Asia, it’s worth exploring the Great Wall of China, the Mont Everest in Nepal and Tibet, China (the highest peak of the world), the Dead Sea in Jordan and Israel (the lowest place on the surface of the Earth), plus the Lake Baikal in Russia which is the deepest one anywhere on the planet. Taking the junk boat around the Ha Long Bay in Vietnam or sleeping on the houseboat in Kerala waters in India is an unforgettable experience.
Those looking to admire the best Asian architecture should see the Taj Mahal in India, the temples of Bagan in Burma or Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The sun seekers are sure to find their paradise on the beaches of Thailand, Maldives and Bali in Indonesia. The climbers and hikers should try reaching the top of the active volcano mountains in Indonesia or Mount Fuji in Japan.
The history fans are welcomed to visit the Stalinist countries of Turkmenistan or North Korea. They should, however, do so on the guided tours after obtaining a special permit. If travelling to Russia, the Trans Siberian Railway from Moscow to Vladivostok is the ride to take.
Don’t leave Asia without seeing:
- Ha Long Bay – cruising in Vietnam
- Kerala – houseboating in India
- Taj Mahal – Indian monument in Agra
- Mont Everest, K2 – world’s highest peaks
- Borneo – oldest rainforest on the Earth
- Lake Toba – volcano in Indonesia
- Mount Fuji – symbol of Japan
- North Korea – communist country
- Jerusalem – holy place in Israel
- Petra – hiking trail in Jordan
- Dead Sea – lowest place on Earth
- Maldives – turquoise blue ocean
- Thailand – beaches and Buddhist temples
- Bali – dense jungle and volcanic mountains
- Trans Siberian Train in Russia
- Registan – Silk Road in Uzbekistan
- Borobudur – temples in Java, Indonesia
- Great Wall of China
- Philippines – island hopping
Hiking in Asia
The highest peak in Asia is Mont Everest (8,849 m) located between Nepal and Tibet which is an autonomous region of China. There are many mountain ranges in Asia, but the major ones include:
- Al Hajar (Oman, UAE)
- Alagalla (Sri Lanka)
- Alay (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan)
- Alborz (Iran)
- Atlai (Russia, China, Mongolia, Kazahstan)
- Annamite (Laos, Vietnam)
- Mount Apo (Mindanao, Philippines)
- Sierra Madre (Philippines)
- Aravalli (India)
- Western Ghats (India)
- Asir (Saudi Arabia, Yemen)
- Barisan (Indonesia)
- Cardamom (Cambodia, Thailand)
- Caucasus (Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey)
- Taiwan Mountains
- Crocker Range (Malaysia)
- Titiwangsa (Malaysia)
- Haraz (Yemen)
- Hijaz (Saudi Arabia)
- Himalaya (Nepal, Bhutan, China, India, Pakistan)
- Japanese Alps
- Kunlun Mountains (Tibet)
- Mount Carmel (Israel)
- Salt Range (Pakistan)
- Taurus Mountains (Turkey)
- Toba Kakar (Afghanistan, Pakistan)
- Ural (Russia, Kazakhstan)
Hiking Trails in Asia
The best hiking trails in Asia are the Tiger Leaping Gorge in the Yunnan Province of southwestern China, the Snowman and Druk Path Treks in Bhutan, the Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia, Lantau Peak in Hong Kong, Everest Base Camp in Nepal, Chadar Trek and Manali in India, Mount Batur Volcano Trek in Bali (Indonesia), Mount Fuji in Japan, MacRitchie Reservoir in Singapore, Doi Inthanon in Thailand, Mt Pulag and Banaue/Batad Rice Terraces in Philippines, Luang Prabang and Luang Nam Tha in Laos, Cardamom Mountains in Cambodia and Sapa in Northern Vietnam.
Read more: The Best Hiking Trails in Asia
Beaches in Asia
The Asian continent is surrounded by waters of the Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea. It was the coastline of roughly 62,800 km.
The most beautiful beaches in Asia are located on the islands such as Koh Tao and Koh Lanta in Thailand, Langkawi in Malaysia, Macleod Island in Myanmar, Koh Rong in Cambodia, Cát Bà Island in Vietnam, Komodo, Raja Ampat and Bali in Indonesia, Palawan, Boracay and Cebu in Philippines, Havelock Island and Andaman Islands in India, Akajima in Japan, Meeru in Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Read more: The Most Beautiful Islands in Asia
Where to Stay in Asia
If you want spend your holidays in Asia, there are five main regions you can visit: the East Asia (Far East), the West Asia (The Middle East), the Central Asia (The Stans), the South Asia (Indian Subcontinent), the Southeast Asia (East Indies and Indochina) and the North Asia (Siberia). The Asian continent is home to 49 UN countries, 1 UN observer and 5 other states.
| East Asia | China (Hong Kong, Macau, Tibet), Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan |
| West Asia | Turkey, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Abkhazia, Armenia, Artsakh, Azerbaijan, Georgia, South Ossetia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Iran, Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Cyprus, Northern Cyprus, Egypt |
| Central Asia | Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan |
| North Asia | Russia (Siberia, Ural) |
| South Asia | Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka |
| Southeast Asia | Indochina (Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) and East Indies (Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India, Indonesia (except Western New Guinea – a part of the Australian continent), East Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Philippines, East Timor, Christmas Island, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands) |
Asia Travel Guide – Cost and Budget
How much you are going to spend on your Asian holidays really depends on which part of this huge continent you wish to visit and of course your budget preferences. My travel guide is full of guidance on how to save your budget when exploring Asia.
Travel Budget in Central Asia
Central Asia (the Stants) is the cheapest part of Asia in terms of accommodation, food and transport. That’s where your daily budget should roughly be £22. In countries like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan you can travel for as little as £20 per day. The cheapest country is Uzbekistan where all you need to survive a day is £7.
Travel Budget in North Asia
In North Asia, which basically covers the whole of Russia, your daily budget should be around £85. You will spend most of you money on accommodation as it starts from £20 for a shared hostel room up to £60 for a standard night in Moscow.
Travel Budget in East Asia
In East Asia be ready to spend up to £150 a day. In countries like China, North and South Korea your typical day will cost you around £100. The budget for China will increase if you travel to Tibet to see the Mont Everest (you can do it without trekking by reaching the base camp by car). The most expensive country in East Asia is Japan where you’re likely to spend £150 a day. In cities like Tokyo you may end up paying up to £80 per night for a standard hotel room. Taiwan however, seems to be much cheaper and traveling will cost you £70 a day. The cheapest country in East Asia is Mongolia where £15 seems enough to get you through a day.
Travel Budget in West Asia
West Asia, known as the Middle East, is definitely the most expensive part of Asia. So, if traveling to countries like Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia or Oman you will pay from £200 to £400 a day. In countries like Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Cyprus or Egypt you’re likely to spend between £40 to £90 daily. The cheapest countries in the Middle East are Armenia, Georgia and Syria where you can travel for £10 to £15 a day.
Travel Budget in South Asia
In South Asia you’re likely to spend between £20 and £75 a day. The average daily budget of £40 to £80 should be enough in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Maldives. Traveling to Nepal, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will cost you from £20 to £40 a day. If you want to see the Mont Everest in Nepal, you can only do it by trekking but it will definitely increase your budget.
Travel Budget in Southeast Asia
In Southeast Asia you’re likely to spend between £20 and £90 a day. The most expensive country in Southeast Asia is Singapore so be ready to pay up to £90 a day. Travelling to Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia will cost you around £50 daily. The cheapest parts of Southeast Asia are Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines where you’re likely to spend from £20 to £40 a day.
| Hostel | Hotel | Food | Transport | Attractions | Avg Daily Cost | |
| East Asia | £15-£30 | £30-£90 | £15-£30 | £10-£20 | £25-£30 | £15-£150 |
| West Asia | £5-£20 | £20-£140 | £5-£60 | £5-£20 | £5-£30 | £10-£400 |
| Central Asia | £5-£10 | £10-£15 | £3-£5 | £1-£2 | £3-£5 | £22 |
| North Asia | £20-25 | £40-£60 | £10 | £10 | £15 | £85 |
| South Asia | £5-£10 | £15-£60 | £10-£20 | £10-£15 | £10 | £20-£75 |
| Southeast Asia | £5-£10 | £20-£120 | £7-£15 | £3-£10 | £10-£30 | £20-£90 |
Asia Travel Guide – Best Time to Visit
Asia is located in the northern hemisphere and follows a seasonal weather patterns. Some parts of Asia have a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons, others experience four changing seasons throughout the year. In Asia the summer is from June to August, autumn from September to November, winter from December to February and spring from March to May.
When to Go to East Asia
Best time to go to East Asia is between March to May (spring) and September to November (autumn). Those months bring mild temperatures between 10°C to 23°C. In countries like China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea and Taiwan you’ll get to experience both, warm spring and autumn. One exception is Mongolia, which is best visited in summer between June and August. Generally, the summer is the East Asia can be is quite hot and rainy with the average temperatures up to 28°C between June and August.
When to Go to West Asia
Generally, best time to go to West Asia (the Middle East) is from October to May. The winter months (October to February) bring the temperatures between 12°C and 23°C and the spring (March to May) between 17°C and 26°C. Some exceptions like Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Georgia, Armenia and others are better to explore in spring between March and May. The summer in the Middle East runs from June to August bringing extremely hot weather and temperatures between 29°C and 32°C which some might find difficult to bear.
When to Go to Central Asia
Central Asia is popular to visit between April and September during spring, summer and autumn. Those months bring the temperatures between 15°C and 29°C. The Stans look gorgeous when you hike the blooming mountains or walk around colourful trees when they start loosing their leaves. Usually, the summer in Central Asia is quite hot and the winter is cold with freezing temperatures going down to -9°C in January.
When to Go to North Asia
North Asia, which basically covers the whole of Russia, is perfect to visit from March to October. The Russian spring is from March to June and brings lots of the green scenery and temperatures between -10°C to 15°C . The Russian summer runs from July to August and can be as hot as the Mediterranean with the average temperatures between 16°C and 18°C. The fall arrives from September to October colouring the Russian landscape. The typical temperature in autumn starts from 13°C and goes down around 0°C in October. The winter in Russia runs from November to February and brings the freezing temperatures between -9°C to -18°C.
When to Go to South Asia
The South Asia is popular to visit in winter during the dry season. You should go to Pakistan, Maldives (North Malé Atoll), Bangladesh and India between November and March. Sri Lanka can be tricky as it depends on what part of island you want to visit. Best time to go to Nepal is in autumn from September to November and spring from February to April. In Bhutan, it rains all year around but the months with fewer showers are between March and May (spring) and September to November (autumn).
When to Go to Southeast Asia
Best time to travel to Southeast Asia is during the dry season between November and February. It’s recommended you go to Bali in Indonesia from April to October, Malaysia from January to March and June to September, Singapore between January to October, Thailand (Bangkok November to January, Chiang Mai November to February, Koh Samui from January to September and Phuket between November to January), Vietnam (Central Vietnam from January to May, Hanoi between March to April or October to December, Ho Chi Minh from March to May).
Asia Travel Guide – Average Monthly Temperatures
Generally, Asia is the hottest during the dry season and this one varies from country to country. The hottest month in the East Asia is July (28°C) and the coldest is January (2°C). The West Asia (the Middle East) experiences the highest temperatures in July (32°C) and the coldest in January (13°C). Central Asia (the Stants) is the hottest in July (29°C) and the coldest in January (-9°C). In the North Asia July is the hottest (18°C) and January the most freezing (-18°C). The South Asia is the hottest from April to June (35°C) and the coldest in January (24°C). The hottest months in Southeast Asia are from March to June (38°C) and the coldest is December (24°C).
| Avg °C | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| East Asia | 2 | 4 | 11 | 16 | 22 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 10 | 6 |
| West Asia | 12 | 13 | 17 | 22 | 26 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 27 | 23 | 17 | 13 |
| Central Asia | -9 | -7 | -3 | 15 | 21 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 21 | 13 | 1 | -5 |
| North Asia | -18 | -16 | -10 | -2 | 8 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 0 | -9 | -15 |
| South Asia | 24 | 27 | 31 | 34 | 35 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 25 |
Asia Travel Guide – Average Monthly Precipitation
When it rains in Asia, it rains a lot! The wet monsoon season typically starts when the summer is over. So, if you travel during the wet season, you will notice the temperatures are still pleasantly warm and the heavy showers usually don’t last long. Plus, there are regions in Asia that are amazing for anyone wishing to see the snow.
Wet Season and Winter in East Asia
The East Asia is the wettest during the hot summer from June to August. Those months bring a lot of humidity (28°C) and the rainfall between 146 and 190 mm per month. The winter in the East Asia falls between December and February. Those months bring cold temperatures between 2°C and 6°C and snowfall of up to 50 mm in December.
Wet Season and Winter in West Asia
The rain is hardly ever seen in the West Asia. That’s because the Middle East enjoys the sunny weather almost all year around. The wettest places are mainly around the Mediterranean and Turkish seaside and rains the most between January and April (24 mm per month). The countries like North Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Israel and Jordan get cold during winter from December to February (13°C) and snow can be seen in the mountains.
Wet Season and Winter in Central Asia
Central Asia has the moderate amount of rainfall during the year (18 to 32 mm a month). The Stants experience light showers in spring, summer and autumn but they normally disappear fast. The winter in Central Asia is between December and February. Those months bring temperatures between -5°C and -9°C and the snowfall up to 22 mm a month which is perfect for skiing.
Wet Season and Winter in North Asia
North Asia (Russia) is the wettest and also the hottest in July (18°C) with 69 mm of rainfall in a month. The winter in Russia falls between December and February. Those months bring the freezing temperatures of -18°C in January and the heavy snowfall that can be felt all over Russia, although Siberia is the coldest.
Wet Season in South Asia
The summer in South Asia means high temperatures and the beginning of the monsoon season. Wet season in South Asia is between May and October bringing a lot of rain to Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives (North Malé Atoll) and India. If you want to escape it, you can hike Indian Himalayas from May to November. There’s also a snowy winter in Bhutan from December to February to take advantage of.
Wet Season in Southeast Asia
The rainy season in Southeast Asia varies from country to country as it’s marking the end of summer. The wet season in Malaysia and Singapore is between October to December but may last until Feb in Borneo. The rainy season in Indonesia (Bali) is from December to February. As for Thailand, it rains a lot in Bangkok and Chiang Mai from June to October, in Koh Samui between October and December and around Phuket from May to October. The wet season in central Vietnam is June to December but Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh see the highest rainfall from May to August.
| Avg mm | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| East Asia | 30 | 40 | 79 | 96 | 120 | 190 | 168 | 146 | 120 | 77 | 56 | 49 |
| West Asia | 22 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 13 | 19 |
| Central Asia | 22 | 19 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 25 | 32 | 22 | 18 | 26 | 25 | 22 |
| North Asia | 28 | 21 | 23 | 29 | 41 | 57 | 69 | 68 | 54 | 45 | 37 | 32 |
Asia Travel Guide – Practical Information
This travel guide has plenty of practical tips on what to expect during your travels around Asia. For more information on language and local time, religion, electricity plug, internet, currency, visa, safety and health matters in Asia, just follow my comments below.
Population and Language – Over 4,3 billion people live in Asia. There are over 2,300 languages and most Asian countries speak more than one native language. English might be a problem in some countries.
Religion – Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese folk religion (classified as Confucianism and Taoism), Judaism and others.
Local Time – There are 11 time zones in Asia from UTC+4 hours to UTC+10 hours.
Electricity – Most countries in Asia run on 220/240 volt electricity with a variety of the plug types. Getting an adapter is recommended.
Internet – The internet in Asia works well. Most of the hotels offer a free wi-fi and there are many places around big cities (cybercafes) where you can access the internet. In the rural areas the internet might be a bit of a problem but it’s always recommended to buy a cheap local sim card and mobile internet on arrival.
Money and Currency in Asia
Money – ATMs are common in Asian big cities but outside it’s good to have some cash. Visa Debit and Credit Cards are accepted but street sellers will only accept cash so make sure you have enough.
Currency – There are around 59 local currencies in Asia. The US dollar ($) is widely accepted.
Visa Requirements for Asia
Visa – the UK and EU citizens need to apply for a visa when entering some Asian countries. The visa fee varies and depends where exactly you want to travel.
The British and Polish citizens DON’T need a visa for the following countries in Asia: Hong Kong (3 months), Japan (90 days), South Korea (90 days), Taiwan (90 days), Turkey (eVisa for 3 months), Bahrain (eVisa for 14 days), Kuwait (eVisa for 3 months), Oman (eVisa for 30 dasy), Qatar (PL-eVisa for 90 days, GB-eVisa for 30 days), Saudi Arabia (eVisa for 90 days), United Arab Emirates (PL-90 days, GB-visa on arrival for 30 days), Armenia (180 days), Azerbaijan (eVisa for 30 days), Georgia (1 year), Israel (3 months), Jordan (visa on arrival), Lebanon (visa on arrival for 1 month), Palestine, Iran (PL-visa on arrival for 30 days, GB-visa required), Cyprus (Schengen Zone), Northern Cyprus (3 months), Egypt (eVisa for 30 days), Kazakhstan (30 days), Kyrgyzstan (60 days), Tajikistan (visa on arrival for 45 days), Uzbekistan (30 days), Bangladesh (visa on arrival for 30 days), Maldives (visa on arrival for 30 days), Nepal (visa on arrival for 90 days), India (PL-eVisa for 180 days, GB-eVisa for 1 year), Pakistan (eVisa), Sri Lanka (eVisa for 30 days), Myanmar (eVisa for 28 days), Thailand (30 days), Malaysia (3 months), Laos (eVisa for 30 days), Cambodia (eVisa for 30 days), Vietnam (eVisa for 30 days), Indonesia (30 days), Brunei (90 days), Singapore (90 days), Philippines (30 days).
Safety and Emergency in Asia
Safety Travelling in Asia is generally safe. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to the following areas: Yemen, Armenian border with Azerbaijan, South Ossetia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza in Israel, Syria, Iran, Russian border with Ukrainian Donetsk, North Burma. The rest of Asia has a political stability but local scams such as pick-pocketing and stealing happen occasionally.
Emergency Numbers – Emergency services in Asia are different from what you are used to in Europe. In case of robbery, attack or medical accident you should always call the police or ambulance and hopefully they will respond fast. For the insurance purpose you need to report everything.
Health and Travel Vaccinations in Asia
Health – The World Health Organization recommends that all travelers are covered for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, hepatitis B, hepatitis A regardless of their destination.
Additional recommended vaccinations for Asia – rabies and typhoid,malaria, cholera, Japanese encephalitis, meningococcal meningitis, tick-borne encephalitis, tuberculosis.