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Map of Asia

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The world’s most populous continent packs a mighty cultural punch. From the seething chaos of megacities like Delhi and Tokyo to the serenity of Southeast Asia’s hilltop temples and rice paddies, it’s a colourful, often spiritual place that defies expectations and nourishes the soul. Our map of Asia is the perfect place to start.

Few parts of the world are better suited for adventure. Asia is home to gasp-inducing Himalayan peaks, as well as subaquatic wonderlands that teem with kaleidoscopic marine life. Add in balmy beaches and the dense jungles of Sumatra , Borneo and northern Laos , and the possibilities for connecting with nature are never-ending.

Foodies too will get a kick out of exploring. Everywhere from the simplest food carts to five-star restaurants, Asian cuisine tickles the taste buds with a mix of fiery and fragrant flavours.

Follow the Silk Road , the Mekong River or the Banana Pancake Trail – or simply go your own way altogether. Asia is where life-changing journeys begin.

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written by Lottie Gross

updated 01.09.2023

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Maps of Asia

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• Jinxian County
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All related maps of Asia

• Map of Asia
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Asia throughout the year

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Description

Asia is the largest and most populous continent in the world, sharing borders with Europe and Africa to its West, Oceania to its South, and North America to its East. Its North helps form part of the Arctic alongside North America and Europe. Though most of its continental borders are clearly defined, there are gray areas. Europe and Asia are technically located on the same overall landmass, and combined the two are referred to as Eurasia. As a result of its porous land border, some countries on Asia’s western border have been at times referred to as part of Europe’s East. Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are sometimes referred to as Asian and other times as European. Russia and Turkey tend to be cut into regions. Russia is generally split along the Ural Mountains, with its western half called “European Russia” and its East as simply “Russia.” The land between Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul, and its direct borders with Bulgaria and Greece is at times referred to as a part of Europe called “Thrace,” while the rest of its territory is called “Anatolia” and is part of Asia.

On the other side of the continent, the islands which separate Asia from Oceania can also be difficult to delineate. Indonesia and parts of the Philippines are sometimes categorized as part of Oceania rather than as Asian. This being said, it is important to note that these divided regions do not constitute separate countries or autonomous regions claiming sovereignty (such as the cases of Hong Kong or Palestine). “European Russia” and “Russia” are both simply Russia, and the “Thrace” and “Anatolia” parts of Turkey are both undisputedly part of Turkey, but sometimes the regions are shaded differently on maps in order to help delineate the borders between Asia and Europe.

Countries within West Asia include Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Just northeast of Turkey lies the Caucasus, a mountainous region wedged between the Black Sea to the West and the Caspian Sea to the East. The Caucasus includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and parts of Russia. Central Asia is located just north of Iran and Afghanistan and south of Russia, consisting of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. East Asia defines the region between Central Asia, Russia, and the Pacific Ocean roughly up to the beginning of the Tropic of Cancer.

The countries of East Asia include China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and Mongolia (as well as Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan). South Asia is also referred to as the Indian Subcontinent, separated from East Asia by the Himalayan Mountains between China and India and defined largely by the Indian Tectonic Plate on which its countries largely rest. South Asian countries include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Lastly, the Southeast Asian region defines the tropical and equatorial countries between South and East Asia to the North and Oceania to the South. The countries of Southeast Asia include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (or Burma), the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor (or Timor-Leste), and Vietnam.

It is worth reiterating that these regional borders are as porous as Asia’s continental borders, and some countries can be organized differently. Pakistan can be West instead of South Asian, Afghanistan can be Central or South rather than West Asian, and so on. Finally, it is also worth noting that Russia is not included in any of these regions. As it is the largest country in the world, Russia’s territory actually stretches across the entirety of Asia’s border from East to West. It cannot be categorized into any of these regions alone and so is kept separate.

There are also several unrecognized and partially recognized states within Asia. Palestine, which is made up of the Gaza Strip and West Bank regions in and around Israel, declared its independence in 1988 and is currently recognized as independent by 134 countries, though it is not an official member of the United Nations and is not considered to be its own country by every G-8 nation except Russia. Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and South Ossetia are all located in the Caucasus and all declared their independence during the 1990s, with limited recognition internationally.

Northern Cyprus declared its independence in 1983 but is only recognized as a sovereign state within the UN by Turkey, with every other member considering it as simply part of Cyprus. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are all considered by China to be a part of its territory, but each see themselves as either entirely independent (in the case of Taiwan) or fully autonomous (in the cases of Hong Kong and Macau), operate largely autonomously in terms of currency and government, and have varying degrees of international recognition as separate states. Taiwan actually operates under various names as a result of its contested statehood: it refers to itself officially as the Republic of China (or ROC), invoking the state which governed the mainland until the Chinese Civil War and takeover of power by the Communist Party of China in 1949, and today’s mainland China (officially the People’s Republic of China, or PRC) calls it Chinese Taipei, but internationally it is most commonly called Taiwan (the name of the state’s largest island).

Asia’s immense size lends itself to a variety of different geographical landscapes, depending on its region. West Asia has some of the highest temperatures on the planet as a result of its warm desert climate. Factoring in the heat index and wind speeds, summers in the region have risen to dangerous temperatures, with parts of Iraq and Iran having recorded feel-like temperatures of over 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius). Inversely, Asia is also home to the coldest weather in the populated world (excluding Antarctica), which was recorded as -90 degrees Fahrenheit (-67.7 degrees Celsius) and occurred in two Russian towns: Verkhoyansk and Oymyakon. Most of the northern half of Russia is characterized by continental subarctic climates similar to Alaska and much of Canada, and its far north is classified as an arctic tundra comparable to the far north of the Canadian territories or the coasts of Greenland.

Both extremes in precipitation can also be found on the Asian continent. Some of the driest places on Earth are located in the desert climates of West Asia, the steppes of Central Asia, and parts of China and Mongolia. At the same time, the northeast Indian village of Mawsynram is the absolute wettest place on Earth, with an average of 467.4 inches (11,872 millimeters) of rainfall per year. South Asia has a mixture of the monsoon weather which lends itself to such heavy precipitation along with tropical savannas with intense heat. Climate patterns involving the Indian and Pacific Oceans cause much of East Asia to have temperate weather with a heavy monsoon season, particularly in Eastern China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, South Korea and most of southern Japan. Much of continental Southeast Asia has a savannah climate similar to some of the drier parts of South Asia, while its island portions between Asia and Oceania are distinct for their tropical rainforests.

The Syrian and Arabian Deserts of West Asia count among the world’s largest deserts, as does the Gobi Desert between China and Mongolia, in Central Asia. It is also worth noting that many of these massive landscapes are actually the underlying causes of Asia’s various weather patterns. The height of the Himalayas, for example, blocks rainclouds coming from the Indian Ocean and pushes them back into the Indian Subcontinent while simultaneously keeping northern cold air from travelling any farther south, accounting for both the hot monsoon weather of South Asia and the cold deserts and steppes of Central Asia.

The largest continent on Earth, Asia’s total size is roughly 17,212,048 square miles (44,579,000 square kilometers), or 30% of the planet’s total landmass. The largest countries of Asia include Russia (6.6 million square miles or 17.1 million square kilometers), China (3.7 million square miles or 9.6 million square kilometers), India (1.3 million square miles or 3.3 million square kilometers), and Kazakhstan (1.05 million square miles or 2.7 million square kilometers). Asia’s smallest countries are Maldives (120 square miles or 300 square kilometers), Singapore (278 square miles or 719 square kilometers), Bahrain (295 square miles or 765 square kilometers), and Brunei (2,226 square miles or 5,765 square kilometers). If Hong Kong and Macau are recognized as separate countries, then Macau (12.1 square miles or 31.3 square kilometers) is the smallest country in Asia and Hong Kong (1,064 square miles or 2,755 square kilometers) is the fourth-smallest.

Due to its immense size and diverse populations, it is nearly impossible to offer a unified history of Asia. The continent is the birthplace of nearly all major religions in the world today, as well as a vast number of technological and civilizational advancements. West Asia is at times called the “Cradle of Civilization,” as it was here that Neolithic humans first began its transition from a nomadic to a sedentary lifestyle, inventing the wheel and basic agriculture in order to do so. The West Asia was also home to the first known human civilizations, such as Ancient Sumer and the ancient Assyrian, Babylonian, and Akkadian empires. Meanwhile, the Indus Valley Civilization (or Harappan Civilization) was the first known civilization formed in South Asia, and in East Asia the Xia Dynasty would be the first recorded account of Ancient China.

Demographics

With a population of roughly 4.4 billion, or 62% of the global population (about 7.1 billion), Asia is by far the most populated continent on the planet. The most populous countries in Asia are China (1.4 billion people), India (1.3 billion people), Indonesia (259 million people), and Pakistan (193 million people). Asia’s least populated countries are Maldives (341 thousand people), Brunei (412 thousand people), Bhutan (771 thousand people), and East Timor (1.2 million people). If Hong Kong and Macau are included as countries, then Macau (647 thousand people) becomes the third-least populous country in Asia.

Several different religions are widely spread throughout the Asian continent. This being said, Islam is followed by about 1.1 billion people, or 25% of the continent, making it the most popular religion in Asia. Islam is particularly popular in West Asia, where it is the sole official religion of many countries and is practiced by close to 100% of the populations of countries like Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. However, most Muslims actually live in South and Southeast Asia. Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan have Muslim populations of well over 100 million, while the Southeast Asian country of Indonesia has more adherents to Islam than any other country, with over 200 million Muslims. The second-largest religion in Asia is Hinduism, which follows close behind Islam with roughly 1 billion adherents. Hinduism is strongest in India and Nepal (where it is followed by over 80% of the population), but it also has strong minority populations in several Southeast and West Asian countries. Christianity is also fairly widespread, with the majority of people in Armenia, Georgia, and Russia following various Orthodox churches, East Timor and the Philippines adhering to Roman Catholicism, and South Korea largely following Protestantism (though with a sizeable minority of Roman Catholics).

Other notable religions in Asia include Sikhism and Jainism (which are found mostly in India and Pakistan), Judaism (with Israel being the only country in the world with a majority Jewish population), and Zoroastrianism (the first Iranian religion and still practiced in parts of modern Iran and other countries). After Islam and Hinduism, however, irreligion technically counts as the third-widest “religion” in Asia. Roughly 21% of the continent claims not to have any particular religious affiliation, especially in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and North Korea. This fact can be partly explained by Communist state policies in China and North Korea regarding religion, but also by the nature of the traditionally prevalent religions of East Asia. Confucianism and Taoism (or Daoism) are more akin to philosophical traditions than the organized religions practiced in other societies, and indeed the Chinese state promotes some specifically Confucian tenants, while Japan’s Shinto belief system involves a relatively disunified set of religious traditions and folkloric tales. Thus it is the case that much of China’s population can be considered as somewhere between Confucian, Taoist, or irreligious, and that roughly 80% of Japanese citizens practice Shinto but less than 5% can really be called “Shintoist.”

Asia is home to a staggering number of languages ranging from local tongues spoken by only a few inhabitants to international languages used in entire regions. Regarding international languages, the most widely spoken language on the continent is Mandarin, which is spoken by 1.3 billion people and is an official language in China, Singapore, and Taiwan. Russian also crosses official language borders, being the official language of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan (alongside various other state and regional languages) and having roughly 260 million speakers. Arabic is perhaps the third major international language, recognized as official in most of the countries in West Asia and spoken by about 230 million people. It is also worth mentioning that English is internationally popular throughout Asia. Though it does not have many recognized native speakers, it is recognized as an official or regional language in Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Singapore. For languages concentrated around specific countries, Hindi is India’s national language (though it recognized a plethora of regional tongues), and with roughly 400 million speakers it is also the second-most popular language in Asia. Other populous national languages include Indonesian (240 million speakers), Bengali (150 million speakers), Japanese (120 million speakers), and Filipino (90 million speakers), though most other countries in Asia also have their own national languages.

Additional Asia Geography Notes

Burma: Military authorities have promoted the name Myanmar since 1989 as the conventional name for their state. That decision was not ( and is not ) approved by any sitting legislature in Burma , and is not accepted by the U.S. government. However, Myanmar is widely accepted by numerous countries, and by the United Nations.

European Russia: The Russian landmass west of the Ural Mountains is commonly referred to as European Russia in most educational atlases, and by the vast majority of geography experts. It is not a separate country , but rather called that because of its political, cultural and geographical blendings with Europe. For reference purposes it is shown above to the west of the dashed-line, however, the entire country ( as a whole ) is still considered part of the continent of Asia.

Middle East: Countries considered part of the Middle East (or West Asia) are shown in a lighter shade of gray. Note that they are all still a part of the continent of Asia.

Opinions vary as to what countries make up the modern definition of Asia and the Middle East. Historically, Armenia and Azerbaijan have been long associated with the Middle East, but in recent years, some sources now consider them to be more closely aligned with Europe based on their modern economic and political trends. We have moved in that direction, and the same can be said for the island country of Cyprus.

Taiwan is still considered by China to be its 23rd province, and not an independent country. Very few other country governments accept China's claims of sovereignty over Taiwan.

Turkey is officially, politically and geographically considered part of both Asia and Europe. The small northwestern portion of Turkey named ( Thrace ) is a recognized part of Europe, while the largest part ( Anatolia ) is located in the Middle East, a part of Asia.

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From the nomadic steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic streets of Hanoi, Asia is a continent so full of adventure, solace and spirituality that it has fixated and confounded travelers for centuries.

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Asia and beyond

• 3 Other destinations
• 4.1 Geography
• 4.2 History
• 6.1 By plane
• 6.2 By train
• 6.3 By boat
• 6.4 On foot
• 7.1 By plane
• 7.2 By boat
• 7.3 By train
• 7.6 Local transport
• 8.1 Natural places
• 8.2 Cultures and religions
• 8.3 Itineraries
• 8.4.1 Asian Games
• 13.1 Armed conflicts
• 13.3 Natural disasters
• 14 Stay healthy

Asia is the world's largest continent by land area and population, home to 4.4 billion people, more than half of the world's population.

The continent is too massive and diverse to conceptualize as a single digestible travel "destination". Travel options range widely, from the desert ruins and modern mega-malls of the Middle East to the magnificent ancient monuments and giant mountains in South Asia , from the beach bungalows and jungle treks of Southeast Asia to the mega-cities and technology capitals of East Asia .

Asia gets a tremendous number of travellers, both for tourism and business. Many of the world's most-visited cities are in Asia, including Bangkok , Beijing , Dubai , Hong Kong , Jerusalem , Mumbai , Seoul , Singapore , and Tokyo .

Asia offers intriguing destinations for every type of traveller, be they a novice or an experienced road-warrior. Easier options include modern, prosperous countries like Japan and the East Asian Tigers of Singapore , Hong Kong , Taiwan , and South Korea , where people enjoy very high standards of living.

There are also poor Asian countries with significant levels of malnutrition, such as Cambodia , Afghanistan , Laos , and East Timor . Some countries are well-established on the budget tourist trail, including Thailand , Vietnam , and Indonesia .

There are countries that strictly restrict tourism to certain regions or types of tourism, such as Bhutan and the Maldives . North Korea and Turkmenistan , easily the world's most isolated and repressive states, take it even further, with constantly-watched group tours dedicated to their "great leaders".

Of course, there are also many countries lying somewhere in the middle, which is where one might place the emerging powerhouses of China and India ; those huge, populous lands make wonderful travel destinations in themselves due to their long history, traditions and diversity.

Regions [ edit ]

The traditional Asia–Europe border through Russia is the Ural Mountains and the Ural River. For cultural and historical reasons, some parts of the Caucasus are considered European. The Bosphorus bisecting Istanbul is also regarded as the border between Asia and Europe. Sinai is geographically in Asia but politically a part of Egypt. And at the other end of Asia, the continental plate of Australia also includes parts of Indonesia , which is generally counted as part of Southeast Asia . Similarly, the island of Cyprus is geographically part of Asia, but usually considered part of Europe.

Cities [ edit ]

• 13.75 100.516667 1 Bangkok — Thailand's bustling, cosmopolitan capital with temples, nightlife and fervor
• 39.90403 116.407526 2 Beijing — the capital of China with Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and many cultural sights.
• 25.269722 55.309444 3 Dubai — the most modern and progressive Emirate in the UAE, developing at an unbelievable pace
• 22.278333 114.158611 4 Hong Kong — a truly world-class metropolis with a unique mixed Chinese and British heritage
• 31.778889 35.225556 5 Jerusalem — containing the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old City, sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims
• 19.075833 72.8775 6 Mumbai — the financial heart of India is an extraordinarily diverse, busy and cosmopolitan city, known for its nightlife and for being the capital of Bollywood.
• 37.56 126.99 7 Seoul — with beautiful palaces, great food and a hopping nightlife, Seoul is a frenetic way to experience the Asia of old and new
• 1.3 103.8 8 Singapore — a modern, affluent city-state with a medley of Chinese, Indian, Malay and British influences
• 35.683889 139.774444 9 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 [ edit ]

These are some of the largest and most famous destinations apart from major cities.

• 13.4333 103.8333 1 Angkor Archaeological Park — the magnificent remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire
• 31.5207 35.4845 3 Dead Sea — stay afloat in this extremely salty lake
• 40.416667 116.083333 4 Great Wall of China — several thousand kilometers long, its condition ranges from excellent to ruined
• 53.302778 108.004722 5 Lake Baikal — the biggest and deepest freshwater lake in the world, containing over one fifth of the world's supply
• 27.988056 86.925 6 Mount Everest — the world's tallest mountain straddling the border of Tibet and Nepal
• 30.328889 35.440278 7 Petra — an ancient city carved out of sandstone and one of the new Seven Wonders
• 39.654722 66.975833 8 Registan — the impressive historic heart of Samarkand, a major trade city on the Silk Road
• 27.174167 78.042222 9 Taj Mahal — the incomparable marble tomb in Agra

See also UNESCO World Heritage List#Asia .

Understand [ edit ]

Asia is the birthplace of eleven major religions : namely, Hinduism , Buddhism , Islam , Christianity , Judaism , Zoroastrianism , Sikhism , Shintoism, Taoism, Jainism and the Baha'i Faith , not to mention countless other tribal faiths. It is also home to the world's fastest growing cities, a wide range of exotic cuisines, the world's highest mountain ranges and some of the world's most ancient cultures.

Geography [ edit ]

Asia is by far the largest continent and as such is extremely varied geographically. Asia contains virtually every possible climate and terrain from the frozen plains of Siberia to the jungles of Indonesia to the deserts of Arabia.

Asia's (and the world's) highest point is Mount Everest, in the Himalayas along the border of Tibet and Nepal , which rises to 8,848 m (29,029 ft) above sea level. Its lowest point is the Dead Sea , located at the meeting points of Israel , Palestine and Jordan , whose surface is 400 m (1,300 ft) below sea level. Asia's longest river is the Yangtze , which runs 6,300 km (3,900 mi) through China all the way from the high Tibetan Plateau to Shanghai . Its largest lake is the 386,400 km² (149,200 square mile) Caspian Sea, which is surrounded by several Central Asian nations. Asia is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east, by Australia to the southeast, and by the Indian Ocean to the south. It is bordered by the Red Sea to the southwest, by Europe and the Urals to the west, and by the Arctic Ocean to the north.

East Asia (China, Japan, Korea) is relatively temperate with distinct seasonal differences. South and South East Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, India, Burma etc.) has a monsoon climate. Generally hot all year round but with a wet and dry season. Most of Asia's rainforests and beaches are to be found here. West Asia (Iran, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon etc.) is hot and often dry. Winters can be mild but summer can be extremely hot. Central and north Asia have continental climate with the coldest winters outside Antarctica and hot summers; in some places the difference between all-time highs and lows can be over 100°C.

History [ edit ]

The history of Asia is long, complex and diverse enough that some universities have whole departments devoted to it and a full account would be a multi-volume work. Even a reasonable summary would be much more than a travel guide could sensibly attempt.

Most of our country articles, and some region or city articles, include summaries of the relevant history. Consult those for basic information, or see Wikipedia, other sites, or a library for more detail. Most Wikivoyage articles include a link to the corresponding Wikipedia article; it is found in the menu to the left of the text.

Also, some articles here cover historically important things in Asia:

• Asian empires: Ancient Mesopotamia , the Persian Empire , Alexander the Great , the Caliphates , the Ottoman Empire , the Mughal Empire , Imperial China , the Mongol Empire , pre-modern Korea , pre-modern Japan , the Khmer Empire
• Colonial empires: British Empire , Russian Empire , Japanese colonial empire , Dutch Empire , Portuguese Empire , Spanish Empire , French colonial empire
• Routes: Silk Road , On the trail of Marco Polo , On the trail of Kipling's Kim , and Istanbul to New Delhi over land
• 20th century: Soviet Union , Chinese Revolutions and Pacific War

All the UNESCO lists — World Heritage , Intangible Cultural Heritage , Biosphere reserves , Geology parks and Creative Cities — include sites in Asia. So do the Wikivoyage articles on Archaeological sites , Historical travel , Architecture , and Old towns .

Talk [ edit ]

English proficiency varies widely between countries and regions. English is the main working language in Singapore , and widely spoken as a second language by educated people in many former British and American colonies such as Malaysia , Brunei , the Philippines , Hong Kong , most of South Asia , the small Arab states of the Gulf , Jordan and Israel . Elsewhere, English proficiency is rudimentary at best. Refer to the guide for individual countries for how well you are likely to fare.

It is not possible to list all the languages and dialects throughout Asia. We can however detail the major groups you are likely to encounter:

• Sino-Tibetan — The Chinese languages ( Mandarin , Cantonese , Minnan etc.), Burmese , Tibetan , Dzongkha and some languages in North-Eastern India .
• Turkic — Turkish , Azerbaijani , Uyghur , Turkmen , Kazakh , Kyrgyz , Uzbek , Tatar and several local languages throughout Siberia
• Semitic — Arabic is spoken in Arab countries throughout the Middle East, and Hebrew is spoken in Israel .
• Iranian — Persian , Pashto , Tajik , and Kurdish are widely spoken in the Middle East and Central Asia. Also includes the Ossetian language in the Caucasus , and some minority languages in Xinjiang , China.
• Indo-Aryan — the descendants of Sanskrit , including Hindi , Urdu , Bengali , Punjabi , Marathi , Gujarati , Sinhala , Sindhi and Nepali are found through much of the Indian sub-continent .
• Armenian is the official language of Armenia , and also spoken by the ethnic Armenian minorities in neighbouring countries such as Turkey , Iran , Iraq , Syria and Russia .
• Russian , spoken in Russia and serving as a lingua franca in much of the Caucasus and Central Asia . Also the most widely spoken foreign language in Mongolia
• Portuguese is an official language in Macau and East Timor , where it is spoken by a significant minority. It is also spoken by a small, mainly upper class, community in Goa , while a Portuguese-based creole is spoken by the Portuguese Eurasian community in Malacca .
• Dravidian — A distinct language group of South Indian languages including Tamil , Kannada , Malayalam and Telugu . These are completely unrelated to the north Indian languages such as Hindi and Urdu, though they contain a number of loan words from Sanskrit.
• Tai–Kadai — Thai and Lao are spoken in Thailand and Laos respectively. Other languages in this family are spoken by ethnic minorities in Myanmar, Vietnam and China.
• Austroasiatic — Vietnamese and Khmer are spoken in Vietnam and Cambodia respectively. Other languages in this family are spoken by ethnic minorities in Myanmar, Thailand and China.
• Austronesian — Malay and Indonesian are mostly mutually intelligible; most other local languages in Malaysia and Indonesia such as Javanese , Sundanese , Balinese , Iban and Kadazan are not mutually intelligible, but also belong to the same language family. Most languages of the Philippines — the most important are Tagalog and Cebuano — are also in this group. Tetum , the main language spoken in East Timor , also falls in this family. Other Austronesian languages are spoken in Madagascar , throughout the Pacific islands, and by the indigenous Taiwanese.
• Mongolic — Mongolian , as the name suggests, and some minority languages in Russia such as Buryat and Kalmyk

Asia has a few significant isolated languages not proven to be related to others including Korean , Japanese (except the Ryukyuan languages spoken in the Ryukyu Islands ) and Georgian .

Some linguists group Japanese, Korean, the Mongolic languages, the Tungusic languages (e.g. Manchu , Xibe , Evenki , Even , etc.) and the Turkic languages into a single language family called the Altaic or Transeurasian languages, but this is controversial. All these languages share similar grammatical structures, which make the others easier to pick up if you already know one of them.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

Asia's busiest airports include Hong Kong ( HKG  IATA ), Dubai ( DXB  IATA ), Beijing ( PEK  IATA , PKX  IATA ), Singapore ( SIN  IATA ), Kuala Lumpur ( KUL  IATA ), Bangkok ( BKK  IATA ), Seoul ( ICN  IATA ), Tokyo ( NRT  IATA , HND  IATA ) and Jakarta ( CGK  IATA ). If you're heading to anywhere in Asia, chances are that you'll pass through at least one of these airports whether in transit or as a final stop. Fortunately for those with long transit times, they are some of the best equipped airports in the world, known for their efficient service and ample distractions. Additionally, Shanghai ( PVG  IATA ) and Guangzhou ( CAN  IATA ) are major hubs for travel to China, and New Delhi ( DEL  IATA ), Mumbai ( BOM  IATA ) and Chennai ( MAA  IATA ) for the Indian sub-continent. For the Middle East, Doha ( DOH  IATA ) and Abu Dhabi ( AUH  IATA ) also have reasonably good connections.

By train [ edit ]

If you are coming to Asia by train, you'll likely be coming in through Russia or Turkey , although other options may exist. For an interesting experience, try the Trans-Siberian Railway , or alternatively some of the lines from Moscow to Central Asia.

By boat [ edit ]

Asian ports are cruise destinations, and various companies such as Royal Caribbean and Princess [dead link] run cruises from Australia , while Holland America travels across the Pacific from North America . Freighter travel is another option, including if you wish to travel to ports in the Asian part of Mediterranean. Coming from Africa sea piracy is a threat to take seriously. Piracy in the Strait of Malacca has declined, but may still be relevant.

As the Bosporus is considered to be the boundary between Europe and Asia, one of the various ferries in Istanbul can also get you into Asia.

There is ferry access from Asia to Africa and reverse via Jordan and Egypt. As of 2019 Ferries still connect African Egypt with Asia via ABMarine. However you will not be permitted to leave Sinai into the rest of Africa unless you take the Nuweiba, Egypt ferry from Aqaba, Jordan. Leaving Asia to Africa via Israel, will cause you to not be able to leave Sinai into the rest of Africa as you can not get permission to go further into Africa when using the Israeli borders or even the Taba, Egypt port as well. The Nuweiba ferry is the only way to go if you want to travel via ferry and land to Africa. If you enter Asia this route, several nationalities can enter visa-free as long as you exit Jordan via the same city within 30 days because of the AZEA Trade Agreement.

On foot [ edit ]

Some cities, including Yekaterinburg are built across what is commonly considered the dividing line between Europe and Asia and you can comfortably walk across that line if you are in the city already. Istanbul is also nominally in this category, but pedestrians aren't normally allowed in any of its intercontinental bridges and tunnels.

Get around [ edit ]

Air travel is a good mode of transport between this large region's many travel destinations. Fares are lower on average than in Europe or America, and low-cost airlines in Asia are rapidly expanding their networks particularly in Southeast Asia. In addition, Asia is also home to some of the world's best regarded full service airlines, such as Singapore Airlines , Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific , South Korea's Korean Air and Asiana Airlines , Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) , Taiwan's EVA Air and the big three Middle Eastern airlines Emirates , Qatar Airways [dead link] and Etihad Airways , which make good options for those willing to spend some extra money to fly in relative comfort with better service.

Ferry services connect China , South Korea and Japan in East Asia . There are also very many international and domestic ferry services for the island nations in South East Asia including the Philippines , Indonesia , Singapore and Malaysia .

There are highly developed train networks in India , China , South Korea , Taiwan and Japan , as well as less developed services throughout South East Asia . Most of these countries, but especially China have also been investing a lot in high speed rail , and even for longer distances trains might be a worthwhile option not only in terms of views and comfort but also in terms of price and speed, especially if you figure in the time and money saved while you sleep on sleeper services. In Russia and India, big parts of the country are mostly served by slow rail and it is a superb way to get into contact with locals (bring a phrasebook) or just see the country pass by the window. China and Japan are expanding their high speed networks, with China even planning to build international links to South East Asia and possibly North or South Korea. South Korea's relatively young network of high speed lines is also planned to expand within the next decades, however due to the political situation, international links are unlikely in the immediate future.

By bus [ edit ]

Travel by bus is an option for the budget conscious traveler in most Asian countries, and often a good way to come into contact with locals. Quality of services ranges wildly from luxurious buses on par with or even more comfortable and faster than some trains to beat up old school buses where you might conceivable actually sit next to a live chicken. (Hence their nickname "chicken bus")

By car [ edit ]

As Asia has a high population density in many places and new road construction has not always kept up with growing traffic, congestion is a major problem, especially in urban centers. That being said a car is often a good and sometimes the only way to explore more remote areas. Keep in mind that bringing a car might necessitate a number of forms and permits; you will probably need an international driving permit and for some countries a Carnet de Passages for the vehicle.

Mainland China (excluding Macau and Hong Kong) does not accept international drivers licenses . If you want to go to or through China by car, you need to either obtain a local drivers license or hire a driver; see Driving in China for details.

Local transport [ edit ]

Many places have taxis, many of the major cities have good urban rail or bus systems, it is possible to walk or bike in some places, and some travellers will get around mainly on tour buses. While Japan has had world class (if expensive) urban rail for decades, China but also some more unlikely countries have followed suit and are still expanding and improving vast light and heavy rail networks. Where those exist they are usually the best option for tourists and locals alike.

However in many places other options are available as well, and often these are what the locals mainly use. If "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" is part of your travel philosophy, then you should definitely consider these. In much of Asia there are various sorts of truck or van modified to carry passengers: angkots in Indonesia, jeepneys and UV Express in the Philippines, marshrutka in the ex-Soviet states, songthaews in Thailand, or similar vehicles elsewhere. In many places there are also pedal-powered or motorcycle-based tricycles, see Thailand#Tuk-tuk , Philippines#By_tricycle or India#By_auto-rickshaw .

Some areas also have motorcycle taxis, each with their local names ( habal-habal in the Philippines, ojek in Indonesia, xe ôm in Vietnam). These are too risky and uncomfortable for many travellers, but some like them.

See [ edit ]

Natural places [ edit ]

While all continents have a huge number of things to see, what sets Asia apart is the incredible variety of things to see . From the desolate Siberian tundra and taiga in the far north to colorful Indian street scenes, from ruins along the Silk Road to glitzy, futuristic metropolises and from the camels in the Arabian Desert to the Komodo dragons roaming the jungles of Flores , it is safe to say that Asia has something for everyone.

Stretching from the Arctic all the way beyond the Equator, Asia is home to virtually every kind of climate and ecosystem that exists in the world and a corresponding number of different plants and animals. Almost all parts of Asia feature iconic animals, such as pandas, brown bears, tigers, monkeys, elephants, crocodiles, camels, and birds – though many of them are threatened in the wild. While north and central Asia is part of the palearctic region , south and southeast Asia makes up the Indomalayan region . There is also no lack of amazing landscapes either. Vast boreal forests cover the northern part of the continent interspersed by some of the longest rivers in the world. Further south, Asia is dominated by an enormous system of mountain chains reaching from the highlands of Turkey across Iran , Pakistan and Central Asia into China where it forks into a northern section including the Altai mountains and continuing all the way through the Russian Far East , and into a more southerly section including Himalayas , which feature the world's highest summits, and then the highlands of Southeast Asia. Many mountains in the easternmost parts of the continent are volcanic , and Indonesia and Kamchatka are indeed great destinations for volcanic tourism. Central Asia features steppe, which turns into desert when traveling south, and if you've always wanted to experience a desert environment , the Middle East is definitely a good choice. Another large desert is the Gobi at the borders of Mongolia and China. Finally, tropical Asia covering a part of East and most of South and Southeast Asia , where not cultivated or urbanized, is dominated by various kinds of tropical forests and thousands of beaches ranging from secluded paradise islands like the Maldives to some of the world's most popular beach resorts in Thailand .

Cultures and religions [ edit ]

Home to more than half of the world's population, the birthplace of all major world religions and using all the most widespread writing systems in the world, the different peoples and cultures you may encounter on this continent are likely even more varied than the landscapes. Almost all regions of Asia have ruins of some of the oldest civilizations in the world, often stretching back several millennia. The Holy Land of the Abrahamic religions can be found in the Middle East. Similarly, the Indian subcontinent is the wellspring of Hinduism , Buddhism , Sanamahism , Sikhism and Jainism, and East Asia of Confucianism, Taoism and Shinto. Asia also bears witness to the spread of the great religions in the form of amazing religious architecture , including the ancient tombs and houses of worship in Angkor Wat , Borobudur , Samarkand , the Taj Mahal and countless thousands of others. There are also other kinds of historical sites such as the Great Wall , Petra , Ayutthaya and the royal and imperial palaces of both present and past dynasties. Even in the latter case the royal traditions may be experienced as in the royal change of guards at the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul .

Colonial influences aren't as prominent as in Africa, the Americas or Oceania, but this doesn't mean that they aren't there. Virtually all of South and Southeast Asia were for centuries ruled by various European empires who introduced things like western architecture and foodstuffs (some of it from the Americas), as well as Christianity, European languages and the Latin alphabet. We should not forget Russian Asia as well as Central Asia which was part of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union for a century and a half. 20th- and 21st-century history , though for much of Asia featuring many wars and other sad things, are also present in memorials and museums. Finally if you want to plunge into modern cities with most the world's tallest buildings, glass, steel and huge LED-screens, extensive and modern transportation systems, and entertainment and amusement centers, Asia is the place to go too, especially the Gulf States and East Asia.

Itineraries [ edit ]

• Istanbul to New Delhi over land
• Hajj , the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca
• Ho Chi Minh City to Shanghai overland
• Karakoram Highway , China to Pakistan
• Moscow to Urumqi
• On the trail of Kipling's Kim
• On the trail of Marco Polo
• Trans-Siberian Railway
• Russia to Japan via Sakhalin

Sports [ edit ]

Asian games [ edit ].

The Asian Games [dead link] are an international multi-sport event similar to the Olympics, albeit with participation restricted to Asian countries, as well as some dependent territories in Asia. The games were first held in 1951, and following that were held every four years starting from the 1954 games, two years apart from the Summer Olympics, and feature all Olympic sports, as well as several non-Olympic sports such as tenpin bowling, Asian martial arts and squash. Mind sports such as Chess , Go and Xiangqi , and even e-sports are also included.

The previous edition of the Asian Games was held in Hangzhou , China in 2023 (one year delayed due to COVID-19), while the next edition will be held in Nagoya , Japan in 2026.

Do [ edit ]

• Cruise between the dramatic limestone Karsts, islets and islands, in the emerald blue sea of Ha Long Bay .
• Sleep on board a houseboat in the backwaters of Kerala in India .
• Experience the architecture of the Taj Mahal Agra in India .
• See Mount Everest , the highest point of land on earth ( Nepal ) or K2 , second highest, in Gilgit-Baltistan .
• Explore Borneo , an island divided between Indonesia , Malaysia and Brunei that contains one of the oldest rainforests in the world.
• Take a Tour to Yogyakarta , Indonesia's Cultural hub, and gateway to see the magnificent Buddhist temple Borobudur and Hindu temple of Prambanan .
• Explore Lake Toba , The largest volcanic lake in Indonesia and the world.
• Climb Mount Fuji , an icon of Japan
• Asia has a huge number of dive sites from snorkeling to scuba, with much interesting undersea life and quite a few wrecks. For details, see Scuba diving#Asia .
• Visit Cox's Bazar , the longest sea beach in the world, and the Sundarbans , the largest mangrove forest of the world, in Bangladesh and India .
• Watch a sumo wrestling match live in Japan.
• Go shopping for Persian rugs in the Central Asian bazaars.
• Gamble in some of the world's largest casinos in Macau .
• Experience the old Silk Road caravanserais like Samarkand in Uzbekistan .
• Relax on a beach in the Maldives .
• Visit the Holy Land in Israel and Palestine .
• Ride the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Vladivostok and experience Siberia from the comfort of a train car.
• Travel through the Asian cradles of civilisation, in the Indus River Valley , Yellow River Valley , and Ancient Mesopotamia .
• Go dune bashing in the Empty Quarter .

Eat [ edit ]

Asian cuisine is incredibly diverse, from Turkish kebabs to Arabic pita bread to Indian curries and Chinese noodles, there is really no shortage of different food that you can try. Rice, in its many varieties, is a very common staple throughout Asia. Street food is also available almost anywhere in myriads of variations. Southeast Asia offers a great variety of tropical fruit and wonderful food at inexpensive prices.

Wikivoyage has in-depth guides to various cuisines of the continent: see Middle Eastern cuisine , South Asian cuisine , Thai cuisine , Chinese cuisine , Korean cuisine , Japanese cuisine , Filipino cuisine , Malaysian cuisine , and Indonesian cuisine . Many parts of Asia have also developed their own unique takes on Western food that cannot be found in their respective areas of origin; most of these are covered in the respective regional cuisine articles, but see Western food in Asia for an overview of these.

Drink [ edit ]

Tea is the most common beverage, especially in both South Asia and East Asia . In tropical areas, enjoy fresh fruit and coconut juices. Fresh sugar cane juice is readily available in many cities in India. It can be served plain or with ginger and lemon. In some areas, fresh water and clean drinking water may not easily be available. Yoghurt-based drinks are common in some areas, lassi in India and Pakistan and doogh in some western parts of Asia like Iran and Armenia .

Alcohol is widely available throughout North, Southeast and East Asia. Often the larger cities or tourist areas have a modern nightlife scene. Alcohol is illegal in some parts of India and in some countries in the Middle East. While beer is commonly available in the countries that serve alcohol it often uses rice as the basic grain which affects taste somewhat. Another common beverage - especially in Japan, Korea and China - is "rice wine" (closer to beer as it contains more starch than sugar) sold and produced under various names and with a range of variations on the basic recipe.

Sleep [ edit ]

Depending on where you are everything from a tent with only the most basic facilities (if any) to a full blown five star hotel is available. Prices tend to reflect that.

There are all kinds of traditional local lodging too: try a ryokan in Japan , a yurt in Mongolia , a caravanserai along the Silk Road, or a Bedouin tent in Israel . Any of these is not just a place to lay your head, but a unique cultural experience.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Armed conflicts [ edit ]

Due to the vast size, safety in Asia varies wildly. It is a safe place in general and most tourist attractions on the continent are far from conflict, There are, however, some regions in which conflict and/or general lawlessness exists. The most obvious examples are Afghanistan , Syria , Yemen , and big parts of Iraq . Afghanistan's government controls only parts of the country and also Iraq is in a state of continued armed conflict. There are full-scale civil wars in Syria and Yemen . These countries are considered no-go areas and should be completely avoided by travellers (if you absolutely must go, consult War zone safety and the authorities of your country beforehand).

Although much of the Middle East can be visited without any major risks, it is known for its political tensions and there are no-go areas, for the moment especially Syria. The Gaza Strip is at times a war zone between Palestinian factions and the Israeli army, and kidnappings of foreigners have occurred. Israel has coped with missile attacks as well as suicide bombings by radical militant groups, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, but mostly in areas close to the Gaza Strip and Lebanon (and attacks from Lebanon happen only occasionally), and by far the biggest threat in most of the country is from dangerous drivers. Lebanon and the West Bank (Palestinian National Authority) generally cope with an unstable political situation and internal conflict.

Some regions of the Caucasus are considered dangerous due to active insurgent groups, particularly the North Caucasus ( Chechnya ), Abkhazia and South Ossetia .

Bahrain has experienced some political violence in the past, so check on current conditions before you go.

More dangerously, Pakistan is active in a full-scale war in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas , both of which should not be visited. Kashmir , claimed by both Pakistan and India, is also a region with tens of thousands of casualties since 1989 due to political strife and insurgency. In 2009, the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency in India has resurfaced, particularly in some parts of Chhattisgarh and other parts of Eastern India . Northeastern India also copes with dozens of insurgent groups, some of which have armed factions. The safest areas of Indian for all travellers including women travelling solo are in the Western Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand .

Southeast Asia is a major travel region and most of it is perfectly safe to visit. A notable exception is Myanmar , which has longstanding ethnic and political conflicts, and is in a state of civil war, particularly in the border regions. But even in some popular countries, there are some areas that should be avoided. Bangsamoro , a Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao in the south of the Philippines , is an area of conflict between the government and the Muslim separatist movements. The rest of the country is safe. Thailand , the most visited country in Southeast Asia, is generally safe with the notable exception of four deep southern provinces , where fighting between the Thai military and Islamic insurgent groups still continues, though tourists are rarely if ever the targets of violence. Indonesia is a very diverse country, with armed groups fighting for independence in Papua , while Maluku and Aceh are relatively safe now.

East Asia is generally the safest area in the continent for visitors, but political tensions also exist in this region. You should be aware that North Korea and South Korea are still officially at war and hostilities could in theory resume at any time, although the border between them is still a worthwhile tourist destination in its own right (check current conditions if you plan a visit). Some visitors have also been arbitrarily arrested in North Korea, and less often, China. China , a vast and diverse country, is a very safe destination with regard to violent crime, yet the restive provinces of Tibet and Xinjiang still often bar foreigners at any hint of trouble.

Crime [ edit ]

Refer to the specific country pages and the authorities of your country for more information. As a precaution, always know the address of embassies, and notify in case of any issues faced.

Natural disasters [ edit ]

Being the largest continent by far, practically every thinkable natural disaster is a risk at least somewhere in Asia. The area approximately along the Silk road is prone to earthquakes , and areas along the Pacific "Ring of Fire" — Kamchatka , Japan , the Philippines and Indonesia — have both volcanoes and quakes. Especially in South and Southeast Asia monsoon rains often result in massive floods. Tropical storms ( typhoons and cyclones) are a risk in much of tropical Asia during Northern Hemisphere summer and autumn. Smog and dust storms often occur especially in the northern part of China, making it very unpleasant for people with breathing difficulties.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

Many areas of Asia, especially Southeast Asia and South Asia, are humid tropical, and there are health risks attached to travel in those regions. See tropical diseases and the country articles for specific information.

Parts of Asia, such as Mongolia and Siberia , have extremely harsh winters. See cold weather and country or region articles for details.

In some areas, such as Tibet , travellers will need to take precautions against altitude sickness .

Connect [ edit ]

Some of the world's best and cheapest internet connectivity is to be found in parts of Asia, with extremely fast speeds in South Korea , Japan , Singapore and many other countries on both fixed line and mobile. Conversely many countries also lag behind, and connections may be hard to come by.

Censorship is a big issue for connectivity in a handful of countries including China , North Korea , and Turkmenistan , where many websites and social networks are actively blocked from use.

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Asia Travel Guide

Looking for an in-depth Asia travel guide ?

Then you’re in the right place!

Asia is the world’s largest continent, and home to many memorable travel experiences. Hike up to Bhutan’s breathtaking Tiger’s Nest temple , explore well-preserved culture on Japan’s Taketomi Island , trek Nepal’s Mohare Danda Eco-Trek in the Annapurna Himalayas, or enjoy the beauty of Goa’s Palolem Beach .

These are just a few of many things to do in Asia!

Keep reading to dive into resources that will help you with planning a trip to Asia.

Note: This guide to Asia travel contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Bhutan Travel Video

Best places to visit in china, best destinations in india, india travel video, bali travel tips, japan food trip, nepal travel video, taiwan food trip, thailand trip advice, best places to visit in vietnam.

Use this map of Asia to get started with your travel planning:

Click here for an interactive Google Map version of the above Asia travel map.

Bhutan Travel Guide

Best places to visit in bhutan.

Exploring Bhutan’s Phobjikha Valley, Land Of The Rare Black-Necked Crane

Exploring Jakar, The “Switzerland” Of Bhutan

There’s A Place In Bhutan That’s Obsessed With Penises (Punakha)

10 Amazing & Immersive Experiences To Have in Thimphu, Bhutan

How To Hike To Bhutan’s Breathtaking Tiger’s Nest

Bhutan Travel Tips

What Everyone Should know About Planning A Trip To Bhutan

Is Bhutan Worth The $250 Per Per Person Per Day Fee?

10 Reasons Why Bhutan Should Be Your Next Travel Destination

Bhutan Trip Reflections

6 Highs & 6 Lows From A Trip To Bhutan

13 Things That Make Bhutan Unlike Any Place In The World

China Travel Guide

Macau: China’s First & Last European Colony

Butterfly Valley, China: Where Visitors Become Family

China Highlights: Biking & Rafting In Yangshuo

Hiking The Longji Rice Terraces In China

A Unique Adventure Destination In Asia: The Altai Mountains

Hiking, Culture And Cuisine In China’s Sichuan Province

India Travel Guide

5 Must-Visit Places To Experience The Best Of India

Traveling Northern India: 12 Experiences Beyond The Temples & Taj Mahal

10 Reasons Why Kerala Should Be Your Next Trip

10 Amazing Places For A Solo Trip From Delhi, India

India Adventures

Love hiking, cycling, and active adventures? Don’t miss:

Dzükou Valley Trek: Your Ultimate Guide To India’s Famous Hike

South India Travel Guides: Kerala

An Organic Farmstay Experience In Kerala, India

Houseboating Through Kerala’s Backwaters

Cycling The “Scotland Of Asia” To An Organic Farm In Kerala, India

Cycling Kerala’s Cardamom Trail

Ascending Tall Peaks & The World’s Highest Organic Tea Garden In Kerala

Why Kerala’s Silent Valley Is One Of The World’s Best National Parks

Cycling Kerala’s Culturally-Immersive Canal Route

South India Travels In Goa

Great Goa: Yoga, Dolphins & A Dose Of Clarity On Palolem Beach

A Disappointing Spice Farm Day Trip In Goa (& What To Do Instead)

Tips For Northern India Travel

India’s Unique Karni Mata Temple Is Devoted To Worshipping Rats

10 Unforgettable Things To Do In Delhi, India

How To Get High (Legally) In Varanasi, India

The Secret To Finding Peace In India Can Be Found In Bundi

Exploring Northern India Through Food

Tips For India Travel

Ayurverdic Massage In India: Not For The Modest

10 Reasons Why You Need To Visit India

5 Amazing Ways You Can Explore India’s Spiritual Side

9 Essential Travel Tips For Southern India

20 Unforgettable Solo Female Travel Destinations In India

India Travel Stories

How India Broke Me (& Why I’m Thankful For It)

That Time I was Charged By An Elephant In India

Indonesia Travel Guide

Bali Solo Travel: How To Have An Amazing Time When Visiting Bali Alone

12 Best Flower Baths In Bali

Best & Worst Time To Travel To Bali

7 Day Bali Itinerary (With Map!)

Mount Agung Trekking: The Ultimate Guide

3 Day Ubud Itinerary (With Map!)

2-Week Bali Itinerary (Super Detailed!)

15 Best Waterfalls Near Ubud, Bali (With Map!)

Japan Travel Guide

Best places to visit in japan.

Japan Travel: 5 Reasons To Visit Taketomi Island In Okinawa

An Enchanting Deer Experience In Nara, Japan

A Tale Of Two Japans: From Cosmopolitan Tokyo To Okinawa’s Tropical Islands

8 Reasons Japan’s Kansai Region Should Be Your Next Trip

Islands Of Adventure: Jungle Trekking On Okinawa’s Iriomote Island

Kyoto Day Trip: Amanohashidate, Japan’s Scenic Sandbar

Finding True Love At The Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto

Sipping My Way Through Kagurazaka, Tokyo’s Speakeasy Neighborhood

Japan Culture Experiences

Weaving, Shiisa, Ishiganto: Experiencing Culture On Taketomi Island, Okinawa

Taking Part In A Traditional Tea Ceremony In Tokyo, Japan

Culture Shock: My First Onsen Experience In Japan

Tradition In Okinawa: What Is Shiisa?

Japan Travel Advice

Essential Japan Travel Tips (With Helpful Planning Lists Included)

What To Know Before Eating The Deadly Fufu Fish In Japan

Learning The Art Of Soba Making In Japan

Having A Shabushabu Experience In Gion, Kyoto

4 Do-It-Yourself Dining Experiences Near Namba Station In Osaka

Malaysia Travel Guide

Malaysia Solo Travel: The Ultimate Guide (With Map!)

Mongolia Travel Guide

18 Best Places To Visit In Mongolia

The Perfect 2 Week Mongolia Itinerary

An Unforgettable Adventure In Mongolia’s Altai Mountains

10 Festivals In Mongolia Worth The Trip

Best Time To Visit Mongolia

Nepal Travel Guide

Best places to visit in nepal.

Mohare Danda Trek: A Stunning Annapurna Region Trekking Route

Nepal Food: A Kathmandu Cooking Class + Local Food Tour

Taiwan Travel Guide

Best places to visit in taiwan.

Active Exploring In Taiwan’s Taroko National Park

Cycling Sun Moon Lake In Taiwan

Hiking In Taiwan’s Dramatic Yehliu Geopark

13 Best Hiking Trails In Taiwan You Shouldn’t Miss

Taiwan Travel Advice

How To Have A Quirky Stay At Hi-Lai Plaza Hotel’s Hello Kitty Room

Unusual Excursions: Traveler’s Guide To Quirky Taiwan

Solo Travel In Taiwan: How To Have An Amazing Trip On Your Own

Eating Loofah In Taiwan

Unusual Discoveries In A Taiwanese Fish Market

Thailand Travel Guide

Best places to visit in thailand.

Offbeat Thailand: Amazing Ways To Explore Chiang Mai Beyond The Guidebook

Solo Travel, Local Culture & Going Beyond The Guidebook In Thailand

Discovering The Meaning Of Buddhism In Thailand

How To Spend A Year In Thailand

Thailand Travel: How To Use The Free Bangkok Airport Shuttle

Turkey Travel Guide

These Turkey travel tips, destinations, and itinerary suggestions will help you plan the perfect trip!

Cruising The Mediterranean: Turkey & Greece

Okey & Turkish Tea In A “Men Only” Hangout In Istanbul

Antalya: Luxury, History & Culture On The Turkish Riviera

Tracing The Heritage Of Delicious Turkish Dolma [Recipe Included]

Solo Travel In Istanbul: The Ultimate Guide (With Map!)

Vietnam Travel Guide

Stunning Images From The World’s Largest Cave In Vietnam

Solo Travel, Local Culture & Going Beyond The Guidebook In Vietnam

My Unwanted Paparazzi Moment On Cat Ba Island In Vietnam (Important Lesson Included!)

Asia Travel Tips

Traveling to Asia ? This Asia travel advice can help you plan the perfect trip!

Top 10 Vacation Destinations In Asia

5 Amazing Ways Solo Travel In Southeast Asia Changed Me

25 Best Places To Travel Solo In Asia

Top Asia Tours

Enjoy the best of Asia travel and tours through the following experiences.

• Tour of Jewish Shanghai (China) led by a Jewish History Expert
• 9-Day Bhutan Cultural Tour with Day Hikes
• Taroko Zhuilu Old Trail Tour in Taiwan
• Phi Phi, Bamboo & Rang Yai Islands in Thailand Snorkeling Trip with Lunch by Speedboat

Click here for a full list of Asia travel tours .

Asia Hotels

Click here to browse the best hotels in Asia!

Prefer self-contained stays? 

Click here to check out unique local rentals!

You can also use this map to search for local stays:

Asia Travel Insurance

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling solo or with a group on an Asia tour. When visiting Asia — or any other destination in the world — make sure to get travel insurance to protect your health and safety.

In my opinion, the best travel medical insurance for travelers is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

With coverage, you’ll have peace of mind as you embark on your Asia itinerary.

Click my referral link here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

Asia Travel Guide FAQ

Below, find answers to frequently asked questions about traveling Asia .

Q: What is Asia famous for?

Along with being the largest continent on Earth, Asia is known for its delicious food, holistic wellness practices, well-preserved cultural traditions, and for being home to 14 of the world’s tallest mountains.

Q: Where should I travel in Asia for the first time?

When considering the top places to visit in Asia , it’s tough to narrow it down to just one. Many travelers choose to backpack through Southeast Asia and visit many countries, though other worthwhile options include island hopping in Indonesia (and doing a relaxing Bali flower bath !), shopping in Hong Kong, eating your way through Singapore, going back in time at Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple complex, or immersing yourself in the cultural traditions of Japan.

Traveling alone? There are also many great solo female travel destinations in India !

These are just a few of many ideas when it comes to Asia travel!

Q: What is the best country in Asia to visit?

According to the United Nations, there are 48 countries in Asia — though, narrowing this list down to the best places to travel to in Asia is challenging, as each offers something unique and special. That being said, a few popular countries to visit include Thailand , South Korea, Sri Lanka, China , Vietnam , Indonesia, India , and Japan .

While the above list is in no way exhaustive, these destinations hopefully provide a good starting point for your travel plans. These are also great places to visit if you’re planning a solo trip to Asia .

Q: What is the cheapest country to travel in Asia?

A few of the cheapest countries to visit in Asia include Nepal , India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, and Pakistan (which is physically located in South Asia but is also considered part of the Greater Middle East).

Q: How much money do you need to travel around Asia?

The cost of traveling to Asia will depend on numerous factors, such as where you’re visiting, where you’re flying from, and your travel style. That being said, once you book your flights and get your travel insurance , you can generally start with a budget of $40 per day per person and adjust it from there.

Keep in mind, depending on where you’re going you may need to allot extra money for visa fees.

Q: What are the most beautiful countries in Asia?

A few of the most beautiful countries in Asia include the Maldives, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.

Q: Where is the best place in Asia to go to learn to meditate?

If you’re interested in wellness travel , particularly meditation, don’t miss visiting Rishikesh in India. This is known as the birthplace of yoga, which meditation is an important part of.

Q: What are the top tourist attractions in Southeast Asia?

A few of the top tourist attractions in Southeast Asia include Angkor Wat (Cambodia), Hồ Chí Minh/Saigon (Vietnam), Ha Long Bay (Vietnam), Kuang Si Waterfall (Laos), Inle Lake (Myanmar/Burma), and the Batu Caves (Malaysia).

What would you add to this Asia travel guide?

It is easy to see why Mount Fuji is one of the most popular destinations for locals and tourists alike. This stunningly iconic mountain with its snow-capped peaks is a cultural and spiritual symbol of Japan. The country’s tallest mountain, it attracts climbers, hikers, and those who just want to relax and admire its beauty….

The Dead Sea is a large (605 km²) salt lake on the border of Israel, Jordan and the West Bank. It is 10 times saltier than the open ocean and this gives the water a high density so floating is easier however it can not support animal or plant life.

Huangguoshu Waterfall

Huangguoshu Waterfall, situated in the province of Anshun in China, is the tallest waterfall in Asia at 255ft (77.8m) high and 331ft (101m) wide. It’s name, ‘Huangguoshu’, literally translates to ‘yellow fruit tree’. The falls and the surrounding area form ‘Huangguoshu Waterfall National Park’, which is rated by the Chinese Tourism board as AAAAA, the…

Bali is a famous Indonesian island located in western Indonesia just a few miles east of Java. Bali covers approximately 2160 square miles (5600 sq. km), with a mountainous interior of lush forests and clear lakes that complement the gorgeous beaches, which ring the island. Bali is known for its distinctive and unique culture that…

Koh Lipe is a tiny island about 43.5 miles (70km) southwest of Thailand in the Andaman Sea near the Malaysian border. The island is within the Tarutao National Marine Park and is known for its pristine beaches, unspoiled landscapes and laid-back atmosphere. It is a premier scuba diving and snorkelling destination as 25 percent of…

Dhaulagiri Mountain

Dhaulagiri, the seventh highest mountain in the world, is situated in Nepal and forms part of the Dhaulagiri mountain range. Its name is derived from Sanskrit, where it means ‘white beautiful mountain’. First ascended in 1960, the mountain has since been climbed successfully hundreds of times. Interesting facts about Dhaulagiri Dhaulagiri is the highest mountain…

Stone Forest National Park

Situated close to the bustling city of Kunming in China’s Lunan Yi Autonomous province, Stone Forest National Park is a scenic area boasting an array of captivating limestone formations. Bewitching, dove grey stones, shaped like trees, animals and even fungi, rise up from the earth and point into the heavens, casting eerie shadows. Unsurprisingly, the…

Japanese Alps

Japanese alps facts Where are the Japanese alps? The Japanese Alps (Japanese Nihon/Nippon or Arupusu) are three geographically distinct mountain ranges all on the largest island of Honshu; Northern Alps / Hida Sanmyaku. Their area: 1,740 sq. km (671 sq mi). Mount Hotaka is the highest peak at 3,190 m (10,470 ft). Central Alps /…

Komodo National Park

Where is Komodo National Park? Komodo National Park, situated in the heart of the Indonesian archipelago, is composed of three large islands (Komodo, Rinca and Padar), and numerous smaller ones, all of volcanic origin. Perhaps the most dramatic of all Indonesian landscapes, the park features rough hillsides of dry savannah, green thorny vegetation, perfect sandy…

Andaman Islands

Turquoise seas lapping up on soft white beaches fringed with palm trees set against a backdrop of mangrove and tropical rain forests certainly fits many people’s idea of a holiday paradise especially when coupled with a tropical island climate. The Andaman Islands, set in the Indian Ocean certainly have much to offer but they have…

This beautiful string of coral islands in the Indian Ocean must surely qualify as being an earthly paradise and most visitors to the Maldive islands enjoy a warm welcome and experience a true feeling of peace and tranquillity. These islands, however, are noted for their stormy past both physically and politically and even in recent…

Mount Kailash

Tibet is a remote and forbidding land sometimes referred to as “the roof of the world” due to its extreme altitude high in the Himalayas. Despite its inaccessibility and history of tumultuous political unrest, the area has, for thousands of years, attracted visitors who come not only to enjoy the incredible mountain scenery but also…

Palawan Island

Palawan Island is the largest island in the province of Palawan in the Philippines. It is a long island, the fifth largest in the Philippines, running in a north-east to south-west direction with the South China Sea to the north-west and the Sulu Sea to the south east. It is around 450 kilometres long and…

Mount Damavand

On a clear day, the snow-covered peak of Mount Damavand can be seen in the distance from the Iranian capital Tehran. This snow covered peak is as famous and well loved by the people of Iran as is Fujiyama by the Japanese. It is immediately obvious from its steep-sided conical shape that this is not…

Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park covers 443 square miles (1148 sq. km) in Nepal’s Khumbu region, and features the tallest peak in the world, Mount Everest, along with several other renowned peaks such as Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Thamerku, Kwangde, Kangtaiga and Gyachyung Kang. Declared a national park in 1976, Sagarmatha is famed not just…

Arabian Desert

The very name Arabian Desert evokes a sense of mystery and romance. It is often portrayed as a forbidding wasteland devoid of life but throughout history it has retained a sense of fascination for travellers and is of course the backdrop for the fabulous Arabian Nights stories featuring such characters as Ali Baba, Aladdin and…

Taklamakan Desert

The Taklamakan Desert, also known as the “Place of Ruins” or the “Sea of Death”, is the largest desert in China, at over 620mi (1000km) long and 250mi (400km) wide. Lying between the Tien Shan and Kunlun mountain ranges, the Taklamakan Desert is a waterless death trap, experiencing an average annual rainfall of just 0.4in…

Thar Desert

The Thar Desert is the largest desert in India which is why it is also called the Great Indian Desert. The desert covers more than 77,000 square miles (200,000 sq. km). Where is the Thar desert located? The Thar desert is located in Asia and sits on the border between India and Pakistan. The map…

Mount Everest

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world with a peak that soars 29,028ft (8847m) above sea level. Situated on the border of Nepal and Tibet in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayan Mountains, the natural beauty of Everest is unrivaled. Incredibly, all 14 of the world’s peaks measuring over 8000 meters can be…

Gobi Desert

The Gobi Desert spans portions of both Northern China and Southern Mongolia, covering a total area of 0.5 million square miles (1.29 million sq. km). A cold desert; Gobi has one of the world’s most extreme climates, featuring rapid temperature changes, both seasonally and daily. Summer months bring temperatures of up to 122°F (50°C) whilst…

Kathmandu, Nepal Perched high in the Himalayas on the roof of the world, Nepal has long been regarded as a mysterious country steeped in history and legend. For many years it remained cut off from the rest of the world adding to its attraction for many would-be visitors. It has even been suggested that Nepal’s…

Fans of Bollywood movies may wonder just where the film makers find such incredible backdrops and the sight of primitive boats traversing a mirror-like lake complete with the reflections of immense snow-covered mountains seems to be a million miles away from most people’s idea of modern India but Dal Lake is unlike any other place…

Lake Baikal

Valleys can be formed in various ways such as by erosion from the passage of water or ice but the world’s largest valleys are created by tectonic movements where the land mass is literally torn apart by immense forces leading eventually to the formation of new seas and continents. Such a “rift valley” has been…

Puerto Princesa Underground River

The underground caves stretch for more than 24km and they contain the last 9km of the Cabayugan River before it spills out into the Philippine Sea. The caves are a breathtaking combination of stalactites, stalagmites, caverns, waterfalls, domes and rivers. Major new discoveries have been made as recently as 2010. The best way to see…

The Wadi Rum consists of 278 square miles (720 sq. km) of desert wilderness. Commonly called ‘The Valley of the Moon’, Wadi Rum is a protected southern Jordan valley featuring sand varying in color from light tan to brick red and narrow canyons that cut deep into the huge granite and sandstone mountains, many concealing…

Reed Flute Cave

Reed Flute Cave is a natural limestone cave in the Guangxi province of China. Its name is derived from a variety of naturally abundant reed that grows throughout the area, which can be used to make flutes. The Reed Flute Cave boasts bodies of water, extraordinary stalagmite and stalactite formations, as well as a number…

Majlis al Jinn Cave

Majlis al Jinn, which translates to “Meeting Place of the Spirits”, is one of the world’s ten largest cave chambers. It is situated in Oman, southeast of Muscat, and is notable for its isolated and relatively inaccessible location. The only entrances to Majlis al Jinn are small openings formed by rainwater erosion atop the remote…

The Mulu Caves are part of the remote Gunung Mulu National Park in the State of Sarawak, Malaysia. Situated in the heart of Borneo, the Gunung Mulu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of the most diverse species of birds, plants, animals and marine life in the world. Gunung…

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge, set to the backdrop of the majestic Jade Dragon and Haba Snow Mountains of China, is one of the deepest gorges in the world. The Jingsha River flows through its beautiful 10mi (16km) length, nestled between towering cliffs of up to 12,795ft (3900m). At its narrowest point near the mouth of the…

Laila Peak is a 20,000ft (6096m) high mountain, part of the Karakoram mountain range in Pakistan. Well known for it’s beautiful, distinctive spear-like shape, Laila Peak has only been climbed a few times. Unsurprising given that it’s dramatic northwest face features a 45-degree slope for more than 4900 vertical feet (1500m). Only the most experienced…

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is an area of extraordinary natural beauty, situated in Vietnam’s Quang Ninh Province, close to the Chinese border. Thousands of islands and islets are scattered in the region, surrounded by pristine, crystal-clear waters. Whilst comparisons are sometimes made with Guilin in China, or Krabi in Thailand, in reality, Ha Long Bay is…

Jeita Grotto

Jeita Grotto, the longest cave in the Middle East, is situated approximately 11 miles (18km) north of Beirut. It consists of two separate, but interconnected, limestone caves, and boasts a length of 5.6 miles (9km). One of the worlds most amazing agglomerations of stalactites and stalagmites, Jeita Grotto is widely considered to be the pride…

The Arctic Circle

The Arctic is one of the Earth’s great un-spoilt wildernesses and everyone knows that at its centre is the North Pole. It is bounded by an imaginary line known as the Arctic Circle. Rather than simply being defined as a simple line of latitude, the position of the Arctic Circle is dependent on the degree of…

K2 Mountain

K2 is the second highest mountain in the world, with a peak rising 28,251 feet (8611m) above sea level. Situated on the border of Pakistan and China, it is commonly known as the ‘Savage Mountain’ due to its difficult ascent and high fatality rate. The first successful ascent was by an Italian expedition in 1954,…

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Discover the World

15 Best Countries to Visit in Asia

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on October 2, 2023

The largest continent on Earth, Asia stretches all the way from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Its vast landmass encompasses everything from epic mountain ranges such as the Himalayas to the dry and desolate Arabian and Gobi deserts. Steamy jungle can also be found in Southeast Asia, as well as paradise islands and beautiful beaches.

In addition to its colossal size, Asia is remarkably home to more than half of the world’s population. With so many different cultures and languages for you to delve into, the continent’s dazzling diversity defies definition. As each country has its own unique history and heritage, Asia’s many natural wonders and hidden treasures could take a lifetime to unravel.

15. Maldives

Made up of 1,200 or so islands and atolls, the Maldives boasts some of the best and most breathtaking beaches in the world. Nestled away in the Indian Ocean, the glamorous getaway is renowned for its luxurious resorts, many of them with their own private island.

While each idyllic island in the archipelago appears more stunning than the last, the Maldives is also noted for its underwater riches. As such, it is a fantastic place to go scuba diving or snorkeling, with lots of colorful coral reefs and shimmering shoals of fish to discover.

With so many picture-perfect white-sand beaches for you to check out, this serene and secluded honeymoon destination is not to be missed out on.

14. Malaysia

Consisting of Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia , this incredible country is home to some of the oldest rainforest on Earth. Its national parks boast lots of fantastic trekking and wildlife in addition to the marvelous nature and scenery on show.

Very multicultural and diverse, Malaysia’s thriving cities and capital Kuala Lumpur are home to Chinese, Indians, and ethnic Malays. Amongst the modern skyscrapers, impressive historical and cultural landmarks can be found, and its restaurants serve up lots of delicious local cuisine.

With you can find idyllic islands and pristine beaches in Malaysia , seeing an orangutan up close in their natural habitat is probably the highlight of any visit.

13. Cambodia

Tucked away in between Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam in Southeast Asia, Cambodia is awash with astounding historical ruins and archaeological sites.

This is because the mighty Khmer Empire built lots of amazing temples, monuments, and palaces around the country between the 9th and 15th centuries. Of these structures, the undoubted highlight is the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat.

Besides the vibrant cities of Siem Reap and the capital Phnom Penh, Cambodia also boasts plenty of delightful nature. With picturesque paddy fields, jungle-clad mountains, and fabulous tropical islands for you to explore, Cambodia has something for everyone to enjoy.

12. Sri Lanka

An increasingly popular tourist destination, Sri Lanka is set in the Indian Ocean just off the south of India. While its fabulous beaches are one of its main attractions, the island has a rich history and culture for you to delve into.

As its history dates back around 2,500 years, Sri Lanka has lots of impressive archaeological sites and historic and cultural landmarks to check out. Ranging from ancient temples to colonial-era forts, many of these can be found in the enthralling cities of Anuradhapura, Galle, and Kandy.

In addition to this, Sri Lanka also has some spectacular scenery and incredible wildlife for you to enjoy. Offering up the perfect mix of beaches and culture, history, and nature, Sri Lanka has it all.

Steeped in history, the Sultanate of Oman’s unique culture, traditions, and heritage are visible wherever you go. Indeed, the proud identity of its people and their welcoming nature is in part what makes the country so charming to visit.

Unlike many of its neighbors, Oman hasn’t erected any skyscrapers or modernized dramatically. This means its desert oasis towns and the capital Muscat still exhibit lots of lovely old architecture, and their skyline has remained unchanged for centuries.

While its souks and medinas are captivating in their beauty, the country’s desolate landscapes are no less alluring. Home to spectacular mountains, a gorgeous coastline, and lots of scenic sand dunes, Oman is a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered.

10. The Philippines

As the Philippines are made up of over 7,000 different islands, it should come as no surprise to learn that it is a very popular beach holiday destination. Its inviting waters make for some fantastic surfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, with Boracay and North Palawan particularly great places to enjoy watersports.

While some islands are coated in lush rice fields or tropical rainforest, others are home to hidden lagoons and smoking volcanoes. Dotted about its varied landscapes, you can find chaotic yet colorful cities, such as Cebu and the capital Manila.

The cultural make-up of the country is varied; while traveling around, you’ll notice Spanish, American, and traditional influences, amongst others. As you can see, the archipelago has much more to offer than just sun, sea, and sand.

9. South Korea

The home of K-Pop and Kimchi, South Korean culture is currently very much in vogue around the world. This represents a marked change, as for much of its history, it has been overlooked and outshone by its larger and more powerful neighbors China and Japan.

What makes traveling around the peninsula so fascinating is that the nation boasts a rich and unique history, heritage, and culture. It has, however, modernized rapidly. You’ll find centuries-old palaces and temples alongside skyscrapers and gigantic shopping malls.

Deceptively mountainous, South Korea also has lots of marvelous national parks for you to explore, with beautiful islands and beaches hugging the shore. Of these, Jeju Island is the most popular to visit among locals and tourists alike.

With so much astounding history, culture, and nature, Vietnam is one of Asia’s most rewarding destinations. The country encompasses lots of different landscapes, and its idyllic coastline hugs the South China Sea.

Many visitors rent a motorbike and explore the Ho Chi Minh trail. This takes you from the colorful yet chaotic capital Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh city, guiding you past the ancient capital of Hue on the way. Ha Long Bay is another must-see sight due to its stunning seascape and breathtaking limestone islands.

The picturesque coastal town of Hoi An is also well worth checking out, while the hill tribes around Sa Pa showcase some of the nation’s cultural and ethnic diversity. Regardless of where you go, Vietnam’s fabulous cuisine is sure to be a treat.

Due to its strategic location between Africa, Europe, and Asia, Jordan in the Middle East has long welcomed travelers and traders to its lands. Armies also passed through, and over the millennia, rulers and empires left behind crusader castles, Roman amphitheaters, and of course, Petra.

Majestic to behold, the ancient Nabataean city is sure to be unlike anything you’ve seen before. Set amid the desert and carved out of rock, it is undoubtedly the highlight of any visit to the country.

While Petra is justifiably the main attraction, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum’s desert landscapes are also well worth exploring. The safest country to visit in the region, Jordan’s many charms and Middle Eastern hospitality will surely beckon you back in no time at all.

One of the best places in the world to go trekking and mountaineering, Nepal is a breathtakingly beautiful country full of amazing scenery. Dominated and defined by the Himalayas, the mountain nation is home to many of the tallest peaks on Earth. Of these, Mount Everest stands head and shoulders above them all.

While many people come to hike the Annapurna Circuit, Nepal also boasts a rich cultural heritage. Centuries-old temples, shrines, monasteries, and palaces dot the country, with Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini being the most famous. It is here that the Buddha was born some 2,500 years ago.

Known as the ‘City of Temples’ due to its many religious sites, the capital Kathmandu is not to be missed out on.

5. Indonesia

Made up of more than 18,000 islands that span some 4,700 kilometers from east to west, Indonesia covers a huge area. As such, the nation is one of the most diverse places on Earth – whether that’s in terms of people, culture, and languages or landscapes and wildlife.

In many ways, the archipelago defies definition. For instance, its small, secluded sleepy settlements are in stark contrast to the teeming and chaotic capital of Jakarta. One of the most populous nations in the world, its customs, traditions, and cuisines also vary dramatically depending on where you go.

Lying between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, its islands’ habitats are just as diverse. While in Bali you can find beautiful beaches, Borneo has wonderful wildlife and awe-inspiring orangutans. With so much to see and do, the ‘Emerald of the Equator’ definitely warrants a visit.

Home to one of the world’s richest and oldest civilizations, India is awash with different cultures, religions, peoples, and traditions. It is this diversity that makes it so mesmerizing to explore.

While the Himalayas dominate the north, steamy jungle, picturesque tea plantations, and gorgeous beaches can be found in the rest of the country. Tucked away among these varied landscapes are millennia-old archaeological sites and colorful yet chaotic cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi.

From temples to cuisine and history to wildlife, the world’s second-most populous country has something for everyone. The only question is where to begin.

Although it consists of almost 7,000 islands, most of Japan’s main sights and tourist attractions can be found on Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. These are the four largest of them.

Lying to the east of mainland Asia, the island nation is a fascinating place as old and new collide wherever you go. While the futuristic metropolises of Tokyo and Yokohama are full of skyscrapers and neon lights, Kyoto and Nara instead boast traditional palaces and age-old temples.

Covered in mountains and forests, the country is also home to some delightful nature and scenery. This explains why the vast majority of its large population is found in the densely populated cities that hug its long and indented coastline.

2. Thailand

Thanks to its breathtaking beaches, glittering temples, and welcoming population, Thailand is a very popular tourist destination. Fittingly enough, it is often called ‘the Land of Smiles.’

While Bangkok has lots of fantastic cuisine and nightlife on offer, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are home to some of the nation’s most famous temples. Further afield, you can find wild jungle, picturesque paddy fields, and quiet and secluded towns and villages.

Lying in between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, its golden sands and underwater marvels attract hordes of people every year. Many also come to party in its beachside towns, visit idyllic islands such as Ko Tao , or enjoy the stunning scenery at Krabi.

Dominating Asia in terms of both its size and population, China boasts one of the world’s oldest civilizations. As such, incredible historical and cultural landmarks are on show wherever you go.

While the Great Wall of China is obviously its main attraction, the Terracotta Army in Xi-an and the Forbidden City in Beijing attract just as many people. Others come to enjoy China’s beautiful scenery that includes towering mountains, endless rice terraces, and the desolate Gobi Desert.

The most populous nation on Earth, China is home to many rapidly modernizing cities that are enthralling to visit. Its age-old traditions and customs remain, however. A continent of a country, China and its vast and varied landscapes, cities, and cultures could take a lifetime to explore.

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Asia Map is presented below showing all the countries and there geographical location in this region. Check out Asia Travel Map.

Asia Map - Map of Asia shows all the countries in this region with there exact location. The map shows China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam with other major destinations of Asia.