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Eco-friendly travel guide to Asia advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to travel in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Asia.

Arakurayama Sengen Park and the Chūrei-tō pagoda in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi


  • Air quality: 1.0 - 4.0 / 5
  • Bus connections: 3.0 - 5.0 / 5
  • Train connections: 3.0 - 4.5 / 5
  • Hitchhiking: 2.0 - 4.0 / 5
  • National parks: 3.0 - 5.0 / 5
  • Outdoor activities: 2.5 - 4.0 / 5
  • Locals' English level: 2.0 - 4.0 / 5
  • Safety: 2.5 - 3.5 / 5
  • Accommodation: US$10 - $800
  • Budget per day: US$20 - $1000

Responsible Travel

Asia is the biggest continent in the world and it leads the numbers on various fronts, right from having the largest share of human population to the widest differences in climatic conditions and the sheer variety of biodiversity. As a continent, Asia has an extensive range of places to be discovered, all of them exhibiting a different experience to the traveller visiting. The rich cultural heritage of the continent itself is a marvel and one can travel to this beautiful continent to not only discover and connect with nature but also discover the roots of several formative civilisations as well. As an eco-friendly tourist, there are plenty of offbeat destinations and major cities that will captivate your imagination. While most of it does seem like an exciting prospect, every tourist will have his/her fair share of responsibility to ensure that they do not end up polluting the environment or harming it in any way. The entire Asian landmass is home to almost 4.5 billion people with two of the most populous nations in the world being neighbours. These along with many smaller nations have developed by leaps and bounds but this development has come at a massive cost to the environment, often depleting the resources and even outright polluting them. These 4.5 billion people collectively do burden the available resources and ensuring a decent lifestyle for most of them does lead to exploitation. Hence, as tourists visiting Asia, you must take quite a few steps to minimise the impact of your trip and avoid further burdening the continent. Given below in this section of the article are more details that shall guide you to be a ‘responsible tourist’ in Asia.

  • Use of Public Transport: As a vacationer, you can start your eco-friendly journey in Asia by utilising public transportation. The city and large numbers of its occupants are known to utilise the public transportation consistently, not exclusively is it practical, it is a lot greener as it decreases the carbon impression of every individual while voyaging extensively. A large number of the distinctive public transportation modes are known to be eco-friendly as they either utilise electric energy or run on CNG.
  • Shop local and try the local food: Another method by which you can travel mindfully in the continent of Asia is by eating local food.A huge part of the local culture is the traditional food that is offered at the local traditional restaurants and by street food vendors. Instead of just sticking to international fast food franchises that contribute to so much waste being produced in the world, you should try the local options. Not only will it help the local economy but also will directly help the families whose sole source of earning are these small food businesses.
  • Shop sustainably: You will be pleasantly surprised after learning about the eco friendly shopping options in Asia. There are so many zero waste brands who are working with skilled artisans living in the rural areas of Asia and creating exclusive pieces that you will not find anywhere else in the world. Places like Singapore, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Japan and Malaysia are at the forefront of this trend. Instead of opting to buy from the same fast fashion brands, venture out to find these brands and support local business who are making a difference.
  • Choose and eco friendly accommodation: One of the best ways to be sustainably travelling is to stay in eco friendly hotels. As per the United Nations, the hotel industry is responsible for 1 percent of global emissions. You will find plenty of eco friendly accommodation options and green hotels in Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan etc.


Air Quality and Pollution

Asia has countries with different climatic conditions. Ranging from icy and subarctic in Siberia to tropical climates in southern India and Southeast Asia. It is clammy across southeast areas, and dry across a significant part of the inside. The absolute biggest day by day temperature ranges on Earth happen in western segments of Asia. The monsoons rule across southern and eastern areas, because of the presence of the Himalayas driving the development of a warm low which draws in dampness throughout the late spring. Southwestern segments of the landmass are hot. Siberia is one of the coldest spots in the Northern Hemisphere and can go about as a well spring of icy air masses for North America. The most dynamic area on Earth for hurricane movement lies upper east of the Philippines and south of Japan.

The problem of Air pollution is very real in Asia. To put things into perspective, from the 100 most polluted countries in the world, 99 are from Asia. While cities like Beijing which was once infamous for its toxic haze have improved their air quality quite dramatically, countries like Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Mongolia and Afghanistan are still dealing with a massive pollution problem. The Asian landmass is home to each of the ten capital urban communities with the most noteworthy convergences of small, perilous particles known as PM 2.5. Man-made components assume a greater part and there are a ton of them: consuming biomass, for example, food waste or cow excrement for cooking, high reliance on coal for power, nonattendance of guidelines on mechanical emanations, open burning of farming items especially crop burning at the end of the harvest and numerous other such components are the main culprits. What's more, numerous Asian urban areas are quickly urbanising, with more individuals cramming into tight spaces, building high rises and parkways, and purchasing vehicles, all of which leads to air contamination. Local governments have instituted a few guidelines to manage discharges, however many aren't implemented.

Hence, keeping the above in mind, tourists need to ensure that they take all the necessary precautions before heading to Asia. Right from packing their bags for the likely climatic conditions to arming oneself with appropriate medications considering the weather and the high levels of pollution in most Asian cities. Those tourists who have severe breathing ailments must avoid the crowded hubs of Asia and carry protective gears such as masks. While those who can manage the pollutions must also take suitable precaution to avoid any mishaps.


Respect the Culture

One of the most surreal things about going to a new continent is the opportunity to explore different cultures and heritage while attempting to mix in with the group. Travelling is not just about visiting different places and exploring seeing scenic areas but it is also about observing the different culture, lifestyle, norms and values of people with whom we share the planet. For example, Asia is a melting pot of different cultures, ethnicities, norms and values. Be that as it may, while some of them are very intriguing and some might be strange for travellers as well. Visiting Asia can feel like you have stepped in a whole new world. From the different cuisines to art, music and history you will find that there is a lot to learn and a lot to see. This is also means that there are some cultural practices that are important to people in Asia and therefore you should respect those.

For example, the basic Western handshake has become amazingly predominant all through Southeast Asia, however it is in no way, shape or form the accepted way of greeting There are a plenty of customary welcomes, for example Thai people greet each other with a two hand bow gesture known as the Wai. This gesture is also for saying thank you or apologising.

In Muslim culture, for example, it is not acceptable for opposite genders to have physical contact when greeting. In interpersonal circles in unequivocally Buddhist territories (Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand), it assists with adopting a delicate strategy to human relationships. An individual demonstrating outrage or irritability would be respected with shock and dissatisfaction. A delicate approach will take you a lot further.

In nations with huge Muslim and Hindu cultures (Malaysia, Singapore, and Bali), use your right hand in social interaction. Customarily, the left hand is utilized uniquely for individual cleanliness. In addition to the fact that you should eat with your right hand and give and get all blessings with your correct hand. Other than it is considered impolite to point at people so avoid doing that and do not touch the head of other people.

On a comparable note, in Buddhist and Hindu cultures, the head is viewed as the holiest part of the body; thusly, don't nonchalantly contact someone else's head and this incorporates patting children. Other than it is considered impolite to point at people so avoid doing that and do not touch the head of other people. One of the most important don’t in these two culture has to do with the feet. The feet are considered as the lowest and dirtiest part of the body. Raising your feet higher than someone’s head or simple putting your feet on a desk or a chair is considered to be extremely rude.

Dress modestly but it is okay to dress in whatever you are comfortable in touristy places like resorts or for example, Bali's Kuta and Thailand's seashores, foreigners showing navels, chests, or shoulders, or wearing short shorts or short skirts, is pretty normal. Despite the fact that shorts and swimsuits are acknowledged on the seashore, try not to march around in them somewhere else, regardless of how hot it is. Always try to dress appropriately when visiting religious sites etc.

In case you're welcome to someone's home for a meal, it's standard to bring a wrapped blessing. It's significant, in any case, to pick your wrapping paper tone cautiously. White, blue or dark paper, for instance, are related to memorial services in Singapore. In Thailand, the tones to evade are green, beat up though yellow or gold is good. In the Philippines, there are no shading restrictions by any stretch of the imagination. In Indonesia, red and gold are viewed as fortunate. For all the effort you put into your wrapping, notwithstanding, know your host won't open the blessing until after you leave so as not to offend those forgotten about. While it's mainstream in Western culture to bring an endowment of food,It is suggested that you stay with boxed treats or send an organic fruit crate as a gift. To give a food-related gift upon invitation infers you think your hosts are poor.

Test a tad bit of all the food that others offer to you. If you have severe dietary contemplations, you should figure out how to clarify that in the local language.

Remove your outdoor shoes while you're inside. You likewise shouldn't wear your shoes inside holy places. Fold your legs or let the bottoms of your feet face others. Attempt to keep the two feet on the floor.

Beyond this, all tourists must remember that Asian cultures are sensitive and you should think twice before making any sweeping statements. Discussing religion, politics and sports is not advisable as many people feel passionately about it and are unwilling to listen to views about the same from an outsider. These are also sensitive issues and could lead to fistfights and full-blown arguments. It is also vital that you make a connection by indulging in small talk. Simple discussions including pop culture, music and movies shall help you break the ice easily. Showing respect to elders and women is also a good way to easily establish your good faith to the local people of almost all countries in Asia.

A Confucian ritual ceremony in Jeju, South Korea


Top 10 Places to Visit

Asia is home to some of the most beautiful and scenic countries in the world and the ones that are definitely worth visiting are listed below:

  • China: Ruling Asia as far as size and population is concerned, China is considered to be one of the world's most established civilisations. There are so many places to explore in this beautiful and culturally rich country. While the Great Wall of China is clearly its principle fascination, the Terracotta Army in Xi-an and the Forbidden City in Beijing draw in similarly as numerous individuals. Others come to make the most of China's lovely landscape that incorporates transcending mountains, unending rice porches, and the ruined Gobi Desert. The most crowded country on Earth, China is home to numerous quickly modernising urban communities. Its deep-rooted conventions and customs make it an even more captivating. A landmass of a nation, China and its tremendous urban areas, and cultures could take a lifetime to explore.
  • Thailand: On account of its stunning seashores, sparkling sanctuaries, and inviting populace, Thailand is a well-known traveller destination. Fittingly, it is frequently called 'the Land of Smiles.' While Bangkok has bunches of incredible restaurants and nightlife on offer, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are home to a portion of the country's most celebrated sanctuaries. Further abroad, you can discover the wilderness, pleasant paddy fields, and tranquil and isolated towns and villages. Lying in the middle of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, its brilliant sands and submerged wonders draw in crowds of individuals consistently. Numerous additionally come to party in its beachside towns, visit pure islands, for example, Ko Tao, or appreciate the dazzling view at Krabi.
  • Japan: In spite of the fact that it comprises of very nearly 7,000 islands, the greater part of Japan's primary sights and vacation spots can be found in Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. These are the four biggest of them. Deceiving the east of territory Asia, the island country is an entrancing spot as old and new impact any place you go. While the cutting edge cities like Tokyo and Yokohama are brimming with high rises and neon lights, Kyoto and Nara rather gloat of conventional royal residences and age-old sanctuaries. Canvassed in mountains and woods, the nation is additionally home to some superb nature and view. This clarifies why by far most of its enormous populace is found in the thickly populated urban communities that embrace its long and indented coastline.
  • India: Home to one of the world's most extravagant and most seasoned human advancements, India is inundated with various cultures, religions, people groups, and customs. It is this variety that makes it so hypnotising to explore. While the Himalayas overwhelm the north, wilderness,beautiful tea estates, and lovely beaches can be found in the remainder of the country. Concealed among these shifted scenes are centuries-old archaeological destinations and brilliant yet disorganised urban areas, for example, Mumbai and New Delhi. From sanctuaries to food and history to natural life, the world's second-most crowded nation has something for everyone. The solitary inquiry is the place where to start.
  • Indonesia: Comprised of over 18,000 islands that range exactly 4,700 kilometres from east to west, Indonesia covers a colossal region. The country has an assorted range of everything – regardless of whether that is individuals, culture, and dialects or scenes and natural life. From numerous points of view, the archipelago opposes definition. For example, its little, detached tired settlements are as an unmistakable difference to the abounding and riotous capital of Jakarta. One of the most crowded countries on the planet, its traditions, conventions, and food changes significantly relying upon where you go. Lying between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, its islands' natural surroundings are similarly as assorted. While in Bali you can discover lovely beaches, Borneo has awesome natural life and amazing primates. With such a huge variety of things to see and do, the 'Emerald of the Equator' certainly demands a visit.
  • South Korea: The home of K-Pop and Kimchi, South Korean culture extremely popular around the globe especially right now. It might appear that places like Japan and China over shine South Korea but the pop culture and the country itself has a cult following. What makes going around the landmass so captivating is that the country flaunts a rich and interesting history, legacy, and culture. It has, nonetheless, modernised quickly. You'll discover exceptionally old royal residences and sanctuaries close by high rises and monstrous shopping centres. Misleadingly hilly, South Korea additionally has bunches of superb public parks for you to explore, with excellent islands and beaches embracing the shore. Of these, Jeju Island is the most mainstream to visit among locals and tourists the same.
  • Maldives: Comprised of 1,200 or so islands and atolls, the Maldives brags of some of the best and most stunning beaches on the planet. Settled away in the Indian Ocean, the alluring escape is eminent for its sumptuous retreats, a large number of them with their own private island. While each ideal island in the archipelago shows up more staggering than the last, the Maldives is additionally noted for its submerged wealth. It is an incredible spot to go scuba diving or swimming, with bunches of vivid coral reefs and shining sandbars of fish to find. With so many truly amazing white-sand beaches for you to look at, this quiet and confined honeymoon destination isn't to be passed up.
  • Philippines: As the Philippines are comprised of more than 7,000 unique islands, it should come as nothing unexpected to discover that it is a mainstream beach destination. Its enticing waters make for some phenomenal surfing, scuba jumping, and swimming, with Boracay and North Palawan particularly incredible spots to play some water sports. While a few islands are covered in rich rice fields or tropical rainforest, others are home to concealed tidal ponds and smoking volcanoes. Dabbed about its differed scenes, you can discover clamorous yet vivid urban communities, for example, Cebu and the capital Manila. The social make-up of the nation is differed; while going around, you'll notice Spanish, American, and customary impacts, among others. As should be obvious, the archipelago has considerably more to bring to the table than simply sun, ocean, and sand.
  • Oman: Saturated with history, the Sultanate of Oman's remarkable culture, customs, and legacy are obvious any place you go. For sure, the magnanimous personality of its kin and their inviting nature is in part what makes the nation so beguiling to visit. In contrast to a considerable lot of its neighbours, Oman hasn't raised any high rises or modernised significantly. This implies its desert spring towns and the capital Muscat actually show loads of beautiful old design, and their horizon has stayed unaltered for quite a long time. While its souks and medinas are dazzling in their magnificence, the nation's forlorn scenes are no less charming. Home to awesome mountains, a beautiful coastline, and bunches of picturesque sand rises, Oman is a concealed diamond simply holding back to be found.
  • Jordan: Because of its location between Africa, Europe, and Asia, Jordan in the Middle East has since quite a while ago welcomed voyagers and dealers to its territories. Armed forces additionally went through, and throughout the long term, rulers and realms gave up crusader palaces, Roman amphitheatres, and obviously, Petra. The antiquated Nabataean city offers views that you might've never seen before. Set in the midst of the desert and cut out of rock, it is without a doubt worth a visit. While Petra is legitimately the fundamental fascination, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum's desert are well worth exploring. The most secure nation to visit in the area, Jordan's numerous charms and Middle Eastern neighbourliness will without a doubt coax you back instantly by any stretch of the imagination
Beijing skyline from northeast 4th ring road of Beijing CBD, Chaoyang Park, and east 4th ring road at dusk


Explore

There is literally no dearth of places to explore in the largest continent of the world. Asia is home to several interesting parks, beaches, landmarks and museums, given in the sections below are more details about the same.


City Parks

Asia is home to some of the most magnificent city parks in the world, these are a living testament of how nature can co-exist with development whilst being sustainable. Given below is a list of some of the most exotic city parks that you must visit in Asia:

  • Gardens by the Bay, Singapore: This monstrous garden, renowned for futuristic exotic trees and natural art installations is a reason in itself to visit Singapore. The outside gardens are partitioned into three parts - Central, East and South Garden - and can be visited free of charge. They incorporate totally open sparkling green yards just as naturally shaded regions with palms and different trees. The gardens are an ideal spot for a pleasant family trip – apart from the professional flowerbeds, there is the Children's Garden with a decent water jungle gym and furthermore a number of cafés and restaurants to keep your stomaches full.
  • Safa Park, Dubai: It is one of the most renowned parks in Dubai. The premises comprise of a vast and lush green lawn which is accompanied by three tranquil lakes. You can enjoy boating in these beautiful lakes. Those who love outdoor activities and sport can give their endurance a shot running tracks, playing on football fields or heading to the volleyball courts.
  • Maruyama Park, Japan: It is known to be a famous location in Kyoto especially for watching cherry blossoms. The most important attraction in the park is the Shidarezakura (which translates to the weeping cherry tree), which is lit up post-sunset and tourists often visit for a romantic stroll or to try their hand at photography. Try not to pass up this spot during different seasons, by the same token. The second most loved period to visit it is New Year's Eve when festivities dominate and everyone comes here to have a good time, attend exhibitions, drink different refreshments and appreciate the street food. This spot is ideal for when you are a traveller with a careful spending plan and you need to discover a spot to unwind and appreciate real Japanese atmosphere, frequently supplemented by road artists, wearing conventional attire, playing the flute and different instruments.
  • Lumphini Park, Thailand: With a history that can be traced back to the 1920s, it is presumably the oldest park in Bangkok. It is named after the origination of the Lord Buddha in Nepal. Walk around the huge man-made lake or simply unwind in the shade of trees, read a book or have a cookout. The park offers a gigantic public space for different open-air exercises - individuals come here to go running, cycling, do Thai-chi, yoga or heart stimulating exercise.
  • Habima, Israel: It is a popular new region with head social establishments such as theatres, an amphitheatre and display space. A Perfectly reestablished place, particularly unbelievable when its blossom beds are in sprout! Being a part of Tel Aviv's White City, structures coating this square are real treats in the form of the surrounding architecture.
The Supertree Grove Trees from the Lily Pond at Gardens by the Bay


National Parks

Asia is renowned globally for the wide biodiversity existing on the continent. Spread across different nations with different climatic conditions, one can certainly try exploring the popular national parks in Asia as they shall house some of the most striking species of flora and fauna. Given below is a list of some of the national parks that you can consider:

  • Ranthambore National Park, India: Head towards the south of Jaipur in Rajasthan, towards the Ranthambore National Park. The area is acclaimed for its tigers, which can regularly be seen slinking among the archaic remains or in the shallows of the lake. The draw of such fascinating natural life has guaranteed that Ranthambore has become India's most visited national park. Tickets for safaris, which happen either early morning or late night, are carefully restricted, in spite of the fact that you ought to have the option to get hold of some through your lodging. Visiting the park happens either in a jeep or in an open-top transport. Notwithstanding the huge felines (there are likewise panthers), the park underpins blackbuck, hyena and gazelle. Ranthambore is additionally something of a focal point for bird watching, with many species having been recorded.
  • Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Japan: The delegated gem of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is covered up in the name: Mt Fuji. Clearing up from the Pacific to frame an almost wonderful even cone, its superb pinnacle arrives at 12,388 feet (3,776 meters) into the sky, and is snowcapped in any event, throughout the mid-year months. The climbing season for Fuji-san starts on 1 July and finishes on 31 August. The mountain cottages and administrations found along the path to the top are open just during this period..
  • Ang Thong National Marine Park, Thailand: Situated amidst the clear blue waters, around 31km (19 miles) northwest of Ko Samui, the 42 practically uninhabited islands of Ang Thong National Marine Park make up an archipelago that extends across 100 sq kms (39 sq miles). This sensational territory of land and ocean frames a flawless climate that bolsters a wide variety of verdure, including macaques, langurs and screen reptiles. The swimming experience at Ang Thong can be at the northern tip, around the islet of Ko Yippon where the shallow waters make it simple to see beautiful corals and caverns occupied by sea snakes, stingrays and plenty of exotic fish.
  • Gunung Mulu National Park, Malaysia: It is without a doubt one of Malaysia's most important encounters. Located in the territory of Sarawak, the park is home to a gigantic assortment of blossoms, orchids, growths, greeneries and plants, however, Mulu is maybe most popular for its staggering organization of caverns. Set against a wilderness scenery, these unpredictable biological systems are abounding with untamed life, including a huge number of bats, and remember probably the most assorted limestone outsides of all of Southeast Asia. Short boat rides, bluff embracing pathways and wilderness plankwalks lead guests to caverns including the superb Clearwater Cave framework that is out and out amazing in its scale and unpredictability. Inside its moist limits lies the world's biggest characteristic cavern chamber, purportedly large enough to hold 16 football fields. Just four of the 25 gives in so far explored are available to people in general, however, this is effectively enough for guests to have the option to acquire a thought of the framework's monstrosity and to wonder about its sufficiently bright stalagmites, tapered rocks and amazing limestone formations.
Aerial view of the Ang Thong National Marine Park


Beaches

Asia as a continent has ocean/sea facing land in abundance and these lands are home to some of the most scenic beaches in the world. Given in this section of the article are a few popular beach destinations that you must visit on your trip to the continent:

  • Langkawi, Malaysia: Approximately thirty kilometres off the bank of Malaysia lies Langkawi, an archipelago of 104 islands, known as the Jewel of Kedah. With exotic scenery, archaeological landmarks, golden sand beaches, and a very happening nightlife, Langkawi is a hidden gem that you need to explore on your trip to Malaysia. Dataran Land(also known as the Eagle Square) is a 12-meter-tall raised design of a monstrous bird with its wings spread wide, normally making it a very popular tourist spot. The Langkawi Sky Bridge provides a stunning aerial perspective of practically all well-known spots in Langkawi and the encompassing ocean at an elevation of 700 meters over the ocean level.
  • Maldives: It is probably the most popular (rightfully so) choice when it comes to beaches. It is like a little slice of heaven on earth. A bunch of 1200 little islands and 26 atolls . The biggest city and most visited part of Maldives is the Male Atoll. Among a large group of attractions, Male atoll likewise has an artificial seashore made explicitly for ocean swimming and water sports.These atolls are surrounded by calm azure coloured lagoons. With some of the most serene, romantic and wildly scenic beaches, Maldives is definitely worth a visit. These pristine, white sand stretches that travellers spend long days luxuriating on are the ideal spot to relax. Some of the most notable ones include Velagandu island, Como Coco Island, Huruvalhi. In the nights, huge fires sprout on the delicate white sand with local groups some of the time gracing the scene outside numerous cafés. Sun Island is well known for its tropical blossoms, and striking greenery. The island has a number of luxury hotels, spas.
  • Bali, Indonesia: Known as the Island of the Gods, Bali is a piece of paradise on Earth. Sapphire blue oceans, brilliant sunny beaches, a centre of history and culture, watersports, surfing, food and skipping around, Bali has everything. For the seashore sweethearts, Kuta Beach is simply the best spot - get a towel, some sunscreen, e a beach chair and table, an umbrella and forget about all your worries and all your concerns for the following many hours. Kuta Beach is the best spot for surfers, with boats and surf-loads up promptly accessible for the first timers just as for the seasoned surfers. An adrenaline-filled encounter anticipates you and your family at the Treetop Adventure Park with a number of exciting rides in the woods.
  • Phuket, Thailand: Another pearl to be found for beach darlings in Thailand is the emerald island of Phuket. Thailand's biggest island, Phuket is spread more than 550 square kilometres in the Andaman Sea and is home to numerous profoundly sought-after oceanside retreats, spas and cafés. Out of the multitude of radiant beaches on this Island, an outright should visit is the moderately out of reach, confined, sickle formed Banana Beach on Coral Island. Go through your days exploring Phang Nga Bay and Phi Island, all the nighttime fun at Patong's Bangla Road, the quiet Big Buddha at Chalong, the various fishing towns, Cabaret shows and elephant safe-havens. The Similan Islands are another amazing option. A group of nine little islands, this World Heritage Site are the ideal spot for those needing to see its rich and different marine life, tropical woods, and sandy white beaches.
  • Havelock, Andaman Islands: Far away from the south-east shore of India, in the confinement of the Bay of Bengal, lie the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With a rich social and provincial history, just as favoured grand excellence, the islands have consistently been an amazing spot for the travel industry, rest and revival. The most visited of the Andaman Islands, just as one of the top beach destinations in Asia are the Havelock Islands. The alleged USP of Havelock is that the islands are essentially undiscovered, and you will encounter the nearness to nature firsthand. Radhanagar Beach has been evaluated as the best in Asia by the Times (2004). With plush white sand, woods on the background, and turquoise blue waters tenderly gracing the shoreline, this beach makes certain to remain etched in your memory, and your camera roll, for a long time. The delights of this island can be summarised in the best way by saying that this is a chance to enjoy the untainted, impeccable rushes of nature's brilliance; far away from the boisterousness of human progress
The magnificent beach at the Bathala island in Maldives


Landmarks

With no dearth of landmarks in Asia, given below is a list of some of the must-visit landmarks for every tourist to explore on his/her journey to the continent:

  • Mount Everest, Nepal: Situated in both Nepal and China, Mount Everest is the world's most noteworthy mountain above ocean level with a height of 8,848 m (29,029 ft), making it one of the best and most known Asian landmark that ought to be on each voyager's list. The most entrancing reality about Mount Everest is that it's actually developing at a stature of around 40 centimetres (16 inches) every century making it reach new heights after every century. In spite of the fact that Mount Everest has a number of climbing trails (17 to be definite), it is not easy to climb the Everest. Conquering Mount Everest is the holy grail of mountaineering. More people are attempting the climb every year but the Mountain has also claimed so many lives. Most people are killed by avalanches or frost bite on the Everest. It is one of the most remote places so it will take you ten days to get to the base camp alone from Nepal. The expedition is also pretty expensive and will require you to cough up around $30,000. This still hasn’t stopped people from trying to attempt the climb.
  • The Great Wall of China, China: Built more than 2000 years a go with the underlying aim of shielding China's domain from its adversaries, the extraordinary wall of China has become one of the significant Landmarks in Asia getting more than 10 million visitors consistently. It's really the most visited fascination in China. The extraordinary wall of China covers a territory of 21,196 kilometres (13,171 miles) in length, making it the longest design ever worked by on people, well that is a great construction that it's even difficult to see every last bit of only one segment in a day. The great perspectives from standing at one of the numerous lookouts make the different climbs to the wall justified, despite all the trouble. The climbs present different challenges however the end is compensating as you will value this fantastic Asian milestone which is likewise one of the New 7 wonders of the world.
  • The Taj Mahal, India: It has more than 7-8 million visitors consistently making it the most visited landmark in India. The fact that it is a symbol of love and was built to honour the dead wife of emperor Shah Jahan, Mumtaz Mehal should be reason alone for visiting it but there's way more to it than that. Additionally, its heavenly excellence and significance drove it to not exclusively be engraved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and additionally one of the New 7 Wonders of the world. The Infusion of the Muslim, Indian and Persian architecture makes the Taj Mahal one of the most excellent structures in Asia – no big surprise it is one of the most captured landmarks of Asia. What's more, what makes the Taj Mahal significantly more amazing is the capacity to change tone contingent upon the time of the day.
  • The Angkor Wat Complex, Cambodia: Situated in Cambodia, it is the biggest religious landmark on the planet making it one of the most popular tourist spots of Asia that merits visiting. This colossal Buddhist temple that was initially built in the twelfth century as a devotion to Hindu God, Vishnu was subsequently changed into a Buddhist temple before the finish of the very century making it the biggest Buddhist temple in Asia as well as the whole world. At present, it is not a functioning temple, however, has become one of the popular landmarks in Asia getting more than 2.5 million international guests a year. Other than the strict significance that Angkor Wat has, the engineering of the whole intricate is one to wonder about
The Angkor Wat Complex


Museums

With a rich history like no other continent in the world, Asia does have the perfect museums to tell its story to all visiting tourists, right from art to culture, and even historical events, you shall see the true ethos of the continent at some of the museums that are listed below:

  • The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Indonesia: Barely astounding that a city like Jakarta has a particularly wonderful scene for modern art. The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Museum MACAN) is the first of its sort in the nation, bragging a critical assortment of noticeable works from Indonesia, Europe, North America, and China for over 25 years. With a huge space to work with, the museum has a functioning system of shows and occasions, including the monstrously famous Yayoi Kusama display a year ago.
  • Ho Chi Minh's War Remnants Museum, Vietnam: War museums are never the simplest to visit due to the pain and suffering on display through the various exhibits, however, no museum in Southeast Asia uncovered the detestations of battle as intensely as Ho Chi Minh's War Remnants Museum. Here, the severe impacts and outrages of the Vietnam War are shown in full, from photos of the famous My Lai Massacre to reproductions of the 'tiger enclosures' that were utilized to secure Viet Cong prisoners. Odds are you'll come out with goosebumps all finished, however, hello, it's set of experiences.
  • Islamic Arts Museum, Malaysia: You really don’t need to be a Muslim in order to appreciate Islamic art. Adorned with Islam-inspired details throughout its facade, the shrine-like Islamic Arts Museum traces the religion from its birth in the Middle East and Iran to China, India, and of course, Southeast Asia. Attend a workshop to learn about Islam is practised in different parts of the world, or be stunned by their vast display of Islamic art, books, and artefacts, including intricate pieces of fine jewellery and massive models of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.
  • Peranakan Museum, Singapore: The first of its sort in Southeast Asia, the Peranakan Museum in Singapore gives itself to the dynamic Straits-conceived Chinese individuals, a subculture of intermarriage exceptional to the district. Walk around three stories of splendidly curated displays about their conventional clothing, strict locales, and even porcelain flatware and mixed trimmings. The features? A decorative spread made with over 1,000,000 glass globules and anecdotes around 12-day long weddings.
  • National Museum, India: One of the biggest museums of India, National Museum has assorted articles from the wonderful old time. It was developed in 1949 at the intersection of Janpath in the energetic city of Delhi. It is the best spot to visit as one becomes more acquainted with about the extravagance mentors of trains, which were quite a while ago utilized by the incredible rulers. It houses an assortment of assortments that incorporate gems, compositions, reinforces, enhancing arts and original copies. There is additionally a Buddhist area where one can discover top of a Buddha sculpture, and Buddha Stupa having remainders of Gautam Buddha, developed in third century BCE by Sovereign Ashoka.
The Khayma (خيمة) or tent from an exhibition at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia


Eat

Asia is huge and the assorted variety of cuisines available is shocking. The continent incorporates Turkey towards the west and Japan toward the east, and Kazakhstan and Mongolia toward the north and the islands of Indonesia and East Timor toward the south. Similarly as the cultures of Asia are assorted, so are the culinary conventions. In Northeast Asia, rice is the fundamental staple food and noodles are generally eaten. Side dishes frequently use meat and vegetables, and when arranged, they are enhanced utilising bean glue, soy sauce, fish sauce, flavours and an assortment of different fixings. Notwithstanding a variety of flavours going from sweet, hot and pungent to harsh, Asian food likewise has an assortment of scents and shading.

The methods of eating can be separated into two fundamental techniques: the chopsticks and spoon culture of Northeast Asia, and the bare hands' culture of West Asia. The spoon and fork culture of Southeast Asia created in the middle of these two significant districts. While thinking about this, it tends to be said that the culinary customs of Asia are strikingly powerful and different. These attributes are what characterises Asia and its cooking styles. Chinese food, Korean food, Thai food, Vietnamese food, Indian food, Turkish food—there is an inclination to call cooking styles utilising the name of the nations where they began, which can frequently be deceiving. This is on the grounds that, for example, the contrasts between Turkish food and Greek food are not satisfactory cut and curry, which is regularly considered as Indian food, is really classified by locale and not as cooking illustrative of the whole country. Hence, as a tourist, you can enjoy everything from Döner kebabs to Indian curries, and all the rice and noodle-based dishes including gravies made of various vegetables, fish, and meat. More towards the east, you shall find Sushi in Japan which is a dish that most westerners are also familiar with and many even enjoy on a regular basis.

Authentic Bengali meal


Drink

About a portion of all Asians come up short on a functioning catalyst what separates acetaldehyde, a harmful synthetic got from ethanol found in many types of liquor. Thus, when they drink they frequently become ill to their stomach or turn humiliated. Most westerners have this catalyst, and therefore they need to drink substantially more to become inebriated or turn red. A few Asians turn brilliant red after a couple of tastes of liquor. In the event that they keep drinking they regularly upchuck in light of the fact that their bodies reject the liquor. Brews generally were presented by the colonial powers, who presented their provincial tastes, and some were adjusted for local inclinations. There are some intriguing Asian brews. In the Himalayan realm of Bhutan, the Bumthang Brewery makes an unfiltered wheat lager called Red Panda. At the Archipelago Brewery in Singapore, ostracise American brewer Fal Allen utilises lemongrass, Chinese orange strip and ginger in his plans. Scotch is extremely well known in Asia, where it is viewed as a premium drink. In addition to these alcoholic drinks, you can find toddies and wine to be popular in some regions of Asia. However, the most popular beverage of Asia is tea which is cultivated here and exported all across the globe. There are different types of teas and these come in various forms often boiled with water or mixed with milk and sweeteners.


Tap-water

In most of Southeast Asia water from the tap isn't consumable. Contingent upon the sort of convenience you decide for your visit, the accessibility of consumable water will change. As a rule, hotels, hostels and guesthouses will give you one or two ½ litre jugs of free mineral or decontaminated water every day. From that point forward, you have the decision of purchasing extra filtered water from your inn, which can rapidly add up and become expensive. Your next option is to go to the closest 7 Eleven or local shop store and get a huge jug of water. Know that sometimes, the exercise centre at your hotel probably won't give sifted water nearby. Ask before you work out as you may have to buy filtered water ahead of time.


Activities

Asia is an incredibly diverse continent and as a tourist, you certainly can enjoy the different activities that are available here. Right from climbing mountains and enjoying the peaks such as Mount Everest or heading to the numerous beach destinations to enjoy snorkelling, sailing, kayaking, jet-skiing and much more. An adventurer can even go into the wilderness and explore the jungles and wildlife sanctuaries.


Accommodation

Being the most vital continent on the planet it is no secret that one can find the best accommodation options here. Right from cheap rooms with almost no amenities to some of the best hotels and villas, you can find it all, and they come in a wide variety of locations, all at different prices, so pick according to your budget and convenience, given in the sections below are a few options worth considering.

The Oriental Club at the Mandarin Oriental Singapore


Green Hotels

Green hotels have increasingly become popular across the globe and some of the best ones that you could check-in in Asia are listed below:


Hostels and Guest Houses

Hostels are the perfect choice for solo tourists who are looking for a place to stay and don’t want to splurge much either. Given below is a list of some of the best hotels across the major countries of Asia:


Apartments

Leasing apartments on your excursion to the crowded cities of Asia is an alternative on the off chance that you incline toward them over lodgings or worth your protection and opportunity or you have a couple of companions going with you. Most likely enough, Airbnb is very mainstream here alongside a couple of other comparative entries yet the approaches are somewhat stricter and you should peruse the fine print prior to making a booking.


Couchsurfing

In a continent that is as densely packed as Asia, you will discover numerous hosts who are offering Couchsurfing openings. While the safeness of this might be easy to refute, however, on the off chance that you have confirmed contacts as hosts and proposals from known voyagers, at that point you could take the risk. The people, in general, are warm and friendly in Asia, especially if you pick the right neighbourhoods in the bigger cities and towns.


Camping

Asia is home to some of the most scenic beaches, coastlines, and mountains. It is no surprise that owing to this the Asian people love camping and often explore the various suitable places to pitch a tent. You too could do the same, right from Mount Rinjani in Indonesia to Phnom Kulen in Cambodia, you have plenty of options including desert camping in the famous Rann of Kutch in India.


Regions

Map of Asia's regions and countries
Central Asia (Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan)
East Asia (China (including Hong Kong & Macau), Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan)
Middle East (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen)
Russia and the Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Russia)
Russia's a huge country of vast, empty expanses comprising much of Asia, while the Caucasus is densely populated, warm and friendly, but with some dangerous parts
South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka)
Southeast Asia (Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam)


Cities

  • Bangkok — Notorious and famous capital city of Thailand.
  • Beijing — capital of the People's Republic of China with the Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
  • Dubai — most modern and progressive emirate in the UAE, developing at an unbelievable pace.
  • Hong Kong — a truly world-class metropolis with a unique mixed Chinese and British heritage.
  • Mumbai — most eclectic and cosmopolitan city of India, well-known for the Bollywood film industry.
  • Seoul — beautiful palaces, great food and a hopping nightlife, Seoul is a frenetic way to experience the Asia of old and new in South Korea.
  • Singapore — modern, affluent city-state with a medley of Chinese, Indian, Malay and British influences.
  • Tel Aviv - the center of Israel's economy and modern culture. Known as the "White City" for its Bauhaus architecture, it is full of skyscrapers, beaches, markets, and nightclubs.
  • Tokyo — the world's largest city brings a huge, wealthy and fascinating metropolis with high-tech visions of the future side by side with glimpses of old Japan.

Other Destinations and Cities

  • Bali — unique Hindu culture, beaches and mountains on the Island of the Gods in Indonesia.
  • Guangzhou (广州) — one of the most prosperous and liberal cities in the south China, near Hong Kong.
  • Kolkata — formerly known as Calcutta. The cultural capital of India, Kolkata is home to numerous colonial buildings.
  • Delhi — New Delhi is the capital of India and is situated within the larger area of Delhi. The neighboring towns of Delhi form an urban continuity with Delhi, and they are Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Faridabad, etc.
  • Shanghai (上海) — famous for its riverside cityscape, a major commercial centre with many shopping opportunities.
  • Jakarta — the perennially congested capital which is also the largest city of Indonesia.
  • Phnom Penh — the capital of Cambodia.
  • Manila - the national capital of Philippines, is one of the most densely populated cities in the world - with all of that implies in terms of pollution, crime, urban poverty and traffic jams - with few parks.
  • Ho Chi Minh City — Vietnam's largest city.
  • Taipei - the capital of Taiwan.


Getting There and Moving Around

Getting to Asia will be quite straightforward when you are visiting the major cities, towns and even a few small districts. These are often well connected to international destinations via the common means of transportation. It is when you are travelling to the slightly remote and less accessible places in Asia that you may have to work hard and take more than a few different means of transportation. Given in the sections below are a few options.


Air

Reaching the major Asian destinations by air is very easy, boarding a flight to any of these is possible from major American and European cities and the fares are also quite decent. In most cases, the airports are well equipped with amenities and are connected to the cities via various means of transport.

Beijing Capital International Airport


Bus

Asian countries especially Hong Kong, Bahrain, Malaysia and Singapore have some of the best bus networks in the world. This is a great indicator of the kind of bus transport that is available in the continent, However, countries like Cambodia, Laos and India have some pretty disappointing bus networks. The fares are economical and the rides though bumpy in some areas ensure door to door transport.

Local bus in Singapore


Train

The Asian Rail network may not be as strong as Europe while connecting various countries to one another but intra-country travel is exemplary in most Asian nations. Countries with the most vast Train systems include China, Japan, India and Turkey.

A JR East 205-600 series 4-car EMU on the Nikko Line


Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking across Asia is an option worth considering but the risks attached are quite real and one must try their absolute best to avoid taking trips with valuables on them, hitching at night, and much more.


Others

Beyond the above means of transport, one can always rent their own vehicle and drive to their destination, reaching via cruise ships is also an option but these are only viable for those having a lot of time on their hands.

A mechanised traditional inter-island dhoni stripped of its sails in Maldives


Sustainable Shopping

Asian culture has evolved over the years but sustainable shopping has always been a huge trend in Asia. Procuring fresh produce from local markets, sustainably made clothes etc has always been common So you can also get some of the local attires, jewellery, various items that exhibit the culture and craftsmanship that give you an excellent opportunity to ditch mega-brands and shop sustainably.

Traditional Rajasthani garments from Jaipur, Rajasthan


Recycling

Asia is a mixed bag when it comes to recycling, many of the major nations of Asia are recycling large volumes of waste but there is scope for improvement and development of efficient techniques considering the large amounts of waste generated by the 4.5 billion people residing on the continent.


Waste

Waste collection and segregation is not at its efficient best in Asia especially in comparison to Europe and North America but with increasing awareness, a change is just around the corner. Some of the countries are responsible for a massive amount of waste being dumped. According to a study China was the world’s worst offender along with five countries in South-East Asia — Indonesia, which ranked second; Philippines, third; Vietnam, fourth; Thailand, sixth; and Malaysia, eighth.


Work and Study Abroad

Despite the large population and tough competition, there are plenty of people who come here to work and study especially in major cities of the biggest countries. As a young dreamer, you too could try your luck here.


Exchange Student

The biggest countries of Asia are absolute powerhouses when it comes to education, hence, one can certainly see a large number of exchange students in some of the premier institutes of Asia. The most popular countries for exchange students in Asia include:


Au Pair

The concept of an Au Pair is popular only in certain pockets of Asia, so as a tourist you are recommended to analyse your chances by looking at the online listings in your city.


Volunteering

With a large population and several ecological challenges, one can certainly find a cause to volunteer for in Asia. This can be done online or by contacting NGOs directly.


See Also

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