From the towering peaks of the Himalaya’s to the pristine beaches and islands of South East Asia, the vast Asian continent has long been a well-trodden path for backpackers and solo travellers thanks to promises of adventure, spirituality and intrigue.
It’s no coincidence that a trip to South East Asia is almost seen as a rite of passage for most young travellers. The relatively low prices combined with ease of travel and a well-worn route mean that the combination of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam are often combined in single itineraries for gap year trips and first-time backpacking adventures.
Pan-Asian travel is nothing new though. Historic trade routes have wound their way eastwards for countless centuries, giving rise to great empires, some long since gone, others only just getting started.
While two of the world’s oldest civilisations, China and Japan, call Asia home, their storied history is nothing compared to the sprawling 24-hour cities that they now host. Futuristic Tokyo is a must for anyone intrigued by the Japanese culture that many of us consume on a daily basis – from video games to anime and Manga – while those looking for cosmopolitan cool should look no further than Bangkok or Singapore.
Other cities can be a little more chaotic and all the more enthralling for it. There is a real thrill in navigating the urban sprawl of Asia’s more hectic epicentres. Nothing beats tearing through Ho Chi Minh City by moped or finding a bargain in the chaos of a New Delhi market.
Most of the best meals I have ever eaten have been in Asia, whether sitting at a table in a fancy restaurant or crouching on a stool on a street corner and shoveling food into my mouth with my fingers. Seemingly every nation has managed to successfully export its cuisine into takeaways and restaurants across the globe and now, no matter where you are in the world, there’s a good chance you will be able to pick up a bowl of pad Thai or a spice-filled curry, but obviously it is always better to eat it at its source (preferably on a roadside stool).
Many of history’s greatest empires rose – and eventually fell, in Asia – leaving behind a rich and varied history that can still be seen in crumbling temples, exquisite palaces and spell-binding monuments.
The temples of Angkor in Cambodia are top of the bucket list for most travellers, along with witnessing the morning sunlight bounce of the gleaming white marble of the Taj Mahal in India and walking sections of China’s Great Wall, but everywhere you look on the continent, you’re likely to stumble upon an ancient wonder.
The snow-capped peaks of the rugged Himalayas that arc their way through Nepal, Tibet, Pakistan, and India provide ample hiking opportunities for adventurous trekkers, but away from South Asia’s enormous mountains, the continent has landscapes to suit any travel preference; from the vast, desolate dunes of the Gobi that straddles China and Mongolia, jungles that host wild tigers, and the luxurious islands of the Indian ocean.