Asia is not one destination. This page is the map of it: eleven countries we plan, six interests that cut across them, and three regions with three different calendars. Use it to decide where, then go to the country page for what.
By country
Japan
Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, the Alps, Hokkaido and the onsen towns.
- Cherry blossom and autumn colour
- Shinkansen between cities
- Ryokan stays
- Visa-free for Australians
Bali and Indonesia
Ubud, the beach clubs, Uluwatu, Nusa Penida, volcano sunrises — and Java, Lombok and Komodo beyond.
- Six hours from the east coast
- Dry season May–September
- Private drivers
- See the Indonesia guide
Taiwan
Taipei, Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, Tainan and the east coast.
- Night markets
- Hot springs
- Cycling
- High-speed rail
Thailand
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, the Andaman and Gulf coasts, Ayutthaya and Sukhothai.
- Two coasts, opposite seasons
- Islands and beaches
- Golf
- Family-friendly
Vietnam
Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon and the Mekong — north to south.
- Three climate zones
- Street food
- Reunification Express
- 21-day north–south route
Cambodia
Angkor and Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Battambang and the southern coast.
- Angkor Wat at sunrise
- Easy add-on from Vietnam or Thailand
- Dry season Nov–March
- Tonlé Sap
Laos
Luang Prabang, the Mekong, Vang Vieng and the Plain of Jars.
- Slowest pace in Asia
- Laos–China railway
- Alms-giving at dawn
- Best Nov–Feb
South Korea
Seoul, Busan, Jeju and Gyeongju.
- Direct flights
- Pairs with Japan
- Spring and autumn
- Visa-free for Australians
China
Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Guilin and the Yangtze.
- Great Wall and Terracotta Army
- High-speed rail
- Visa required
- Group and private
India
The Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, Kerala and the Himalayan north.
- Taj Mahal
- Palace hotels
- Oct–March
- Escorted tours recommended
Borneo
Sabah and Sarawak: orangutans, Mount Kinabalu, Sipadan diving and the Kinabatangan River.
- Wildlife first
- Direct from Perth
- Sepilok and Danum Valley
- Rainforest lodges
By interest
Beaches and islands
Bali, Thailand’s two coasts, Vietnam’s central beaches, the Philippines and Okinawa — and which month each is actually good.
- Season by coast
- Snorkelling and diving
- Family beaches
- Quiet alternatives
Temples and heritage
Angkor, Borobudur, Kyoto, Bagan, Ayutthaya, Luang Prabang — the great sites and how to see them without the crowds.
- UNESCO sites
- Dress and etiquette
- Sunrise timing
- Guided vs self
Food
Street food, night markets, cooking classes and the dishes to seek out in each country.
- Where it is safe
- Spice levels by country
- Market walks
- Cooking classes
Family holidays
The destinations that work with children, the ones that do not, and how to pace them.
- Bali, Japan, Thailand
- Flight times
- Kids’ clubs and villas
- Health notes
First time in Asia
Which country to start with, what to expect, and the mistakes first-timers make.
- Easiest entry points
- Culture shock, honestly
- Money and safety
- What to book ahead
Itineraries
Tested routes for one, two and three weeks, single-country and multi-country.
- 7, 14 and 21 days
- Japan + Korea
- Vietnam + Cambodia
- Bali + Java
By region
Asia divides into three travel regions with different seasons and logistics. East Asia — Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China — is four-season, rail-connected and best in spring and autumn. South-East Asia — Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore — is tropical, monsoon-timed and best in the northern-hemisphere winter. India and South Asia — India, Sri Lanka, Nepal — is a destination of its own, best from October to March. The best time to visit page lays the three calendars side by side.
Practical pages
Getting to Asia covers flight times, direct routes and the hubs from each Australian city. Where to stay explains the accommodation types — ryokan, villa, boutique, resort — and what they cost. The Asia travel guide is the hub for all of it, and the Asia tours page is where we show how we turn the plan into a booking.
Where this leads
Blog attracts, things to do informs, tours convert — in that order.