Asia

GOOD TO KNOW ABOUT ASIA

Asia is the largest continent in the world by land area and population. The continent covers one-third of the Earth’s surface. In 49 countries live more than 4.7 billion people (as of 2022) and speak around 2.300 languages. In this huge continent are also a lot of different cultures practiced. Asia is home of the third longest river in the world, Yangtze, and the highest mountain in the world, the Mount Everest.

Did you know that Asia has a very varied climate? Some parts of the continent are very cold like Siberia, whereas you find a tropical weather in Vietnam. This means that the flora and fauna in Asia is also very varied. You can find endless snowy deserts, tropical flowers, polar bears and monkeys in Asia. In Asia you will find a colorful bouquet of dramatic mountains, steppes, deserts, dream beaches and wild jungles. So it’s definitely worth a visit.

BEST TIME TO VISIT ASIA

As the largest continent in the world, there is no general best time to travel to Asia. It really depends on where you want to travel. Regardless of your destination, be careful not to visit Asia during the rainy season. The rain showers are very intense and can sometimes last for a long time. But keep in mind that the rainy season is not so popular with tourists. So there is less going on and the costs for hotels, accommodation and flights are cheaper.

Here are a few of the most popular travel destinations in Asia and their best times to visit. The best time to travel to Bali is from April to September. It is best to visit Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet from October to November. The best time to travel to Dubai and Singapore is in the winter months from November to February, when the temperatures are slightly more pleasant. The Maldives has the best weather from Mid-November to early April. From October to March you can easily go to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand or Vietnam.

HOW TO GET AROUND IN ASIA

Once you are in Asia, it is very easy and inexpensive to travel from one country to the next. There are many cheap flights between the most popular Asian destinations. In one country you can use private taxi apps such as Grab, Uber, Ola, Didi Kuaidi or the official taxi app Blue Bird. Alternatively, you can find TukTuks on the streets everywhere. Just hop in and the adventurous ride begins. Many accommodations will also be happy to organize a private driver for you who will take you anywhere you want for one or more days for a moderate price.

TYPICAL COSTS WHEN TRAVELING IN ASIA

Asia is a very budget friendly country. That’s why many backpackers like to travel to Asia. Accommodation as well as food, flights and transportation are generally quite affordable. But there are also popular travel destinations in Asia for which you should budget a little more money. Singapore, Dubai, Maldives and Japan, for example, are significantly more expensive. It’s better to travel there outside of the peak season to save some money.

MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES IN ASIA

Asia offers a lot instagrammable spots. Some destinations like Bali are famous for its countless photogenic places. Asia is a lot about wild green nature, rice terraces, sandy beaches, romantic sunsets, vibrant metropolises and atmospheric temples. Here are my favourite instagrammable places in Asia you shouldn’t miss:

Kyoto and the cherry bloom in Japan
Hagia Sophia in Turkey
Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
Taj Mahal in India
Petra in Jordan
Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia
Jeju Island in South Korea
Bali and Nusa Penida in Indonesia
Great Wall in China
The Forbidden City in China
Grand Palace in Thailand
Burj Khalifa in Dubai

WHAT TO WEAR IN ASIA

It’s best to pack lots of airy clothing such as dresses, wide trousers, shorts and loose T-shirts in your suitcase for Asia. It is often very humid and hot in Asia, so you will sweat a lot. The light clothing makes the whole thing a little more comfortable. The sun shines very strongly in Asia, so sun protection like a hat is not a bad idea.

If you plan to visit temples, remember to bring clothes that cover your knees and shoulders. A light cloth is often enough for this. You can usually borrow a so-called sarong for free at the entrance to the temple, which you can swing around your hips. Many Asian countries do not have a strict dress code. But it’s better to inform yourself explicitly about the country you’re traveling to before your visit.