Travel in Asia

The truth is that Asia has something for everyone. It's really just a matter of deciding what you're after. The low prices (outside Japan, Hong Kong, Bhutan) make most activities and journey financially feasible for visitors on the lowest budgets. Surprisingly though, much of Asia is still relatively untouched by the travel circuit, and if you're willing forego the comforts of the backpacker infrastructure, it's yours to discover.

Key attractions to recommend are: Angkor Wat (Cambodia), Great Wall (China),Himalayas (Nepal), Taj Mahal (India), Varanasi (India).

The timing: In northern Asia, spring (mid Feb - May) and autumn (mid Aug - Nov) are ideal, summer can get stifling, but the harsh winters (mid Nov - Feb) make travelling the most uncomfortable. Which is fine, because that's great time to be in Southern Asia, the India subcontinent in particular. In Nepal, September to December is widely regarded as the best trekking season, but October to November is so popular that the crowds can easily disrupt the enjoyment and make it more like a weekend queue for the Louvre. The famous monsoon of India could keep you hot and drenched from June to September, but it is not as severe as in Combodia, Loas, Thailand or Vietnam.

Cost: Asia has the cheapest and most expensive countries in the world. Outside the most expensive cities, where you can probably find dormitories, you'll be able to save funds by sharing a double room with someone.

Air Transportation: Some domestic flights are surprising cheap, so before you head off to bus station for another long hours journey, consider taking a peek at some local air fares. You may decide it's worth the extra US$20-US$70, or whatever the difference may be. For instance, from Bangkok, you can fly nearly anywhere is Asia for about US$75-US$200. Domestic one-way tickets in China cost US$100-US$300 and in India about US$200.

Visa: Laos. Philippines and Vietnam are the countries requiring most travellers to get a visa for a one-month stay or longer, but double check with embassies. Sometimes this differs when arriving by air or overland. Nearly all countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months from your date of entry, and that you have proof of onward travel and/or sufficient funds to finance your stay and your trip home. Usually, a major credit card will help demonstrate this.