Read the introduction to Asia
Only the beauty of Asia compares to its size. Rice fields, Forbidden City in Beijing, Thai cuisine, and Angkor Wat are just a few terms synonymous with the world's largest continent. With 48 countries spread throughout nearly 45 million km2 (17 million mi2), Asia is a wanderer's paradise.
Why Should You Travel to Asia?
The continent is home to some of the oldest civilizations in history (ancient Mesopotamia, Indus Valley, and China). Moreover, it prides itself on many world's highest peaks (Mount Everest, K2, and more) and the earliest religions (Hinduism, Taoism, and Buddhism, among others). Also, traces of colonial times, embodied in churches, architecture, and some customs, are many throughout Asia.
Asian Tourist Highlights
China boasts the Great Wall—the world's longest fortification—and the Forbidden City, the marvel of engineering and art. To see Giant Pandas, go to Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province. In Tibet, visit Lhasa, the world's highest capital, on your way to Mt Everest and the Himalayas.
Taj Mahal in India is perhaps the most impressive monument to love ever built. Furthermore, Angkorian temples near Siem Reap, Cambodia, are relics of the mighty Khmer empire. Those near Bagan, Myanmar, testify about the rise and fall of the Pagan Kingdom.
Visit Dubai, a prosperous metropolis risen from the desert sand, in the United Arab Emirates. To put your luck to the test, go to Macau, the Las Vegas of Asia. To visit some of the most sacred places of three historic religions (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism), travel to Jerusalem, Israel.
Asia abounds with the marvels of nature, as well. Tourists travel to Halong Bay in Vietnam to tour forested islands and tall rocks rising from the sea. Borneo Island (split between Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei) features immense flowers. Rice fields of Bali—an Indonesian island—and Sapa Province, in Vietnam, are among the most photogenic sites in Asia.
Finally, go to the Garden City of Singapore to stay both in nature and a city.
How to Travel in Asia?
Due to long travel distances and road and weather conditions, among other reasons, most travelers resort to airlines when traveling Asia. However, you may opt for a railway (Trans-Siberian, China Tibet Train, and Eastern & Oriental Express) to admire attractive landscapes. You can even opt for this solution to commute efficiently between cities in China and South Korea.
Cruisers and boats navigate many Asian rivers, including the Mekong, the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), and the Tonle Sap. Road conditions range from very poor (Bangladesh) to exceptional (most of the Friendship Highway connecting Tibet and Nepal), depending on the destination.
With all things considered, traveling the world's largest continent is like plunging into a well full of surprises. Thus, plan as much time as possible for your trip to the world's largest continent.
