We’ve all heard about the pristine, white sandy beaches of Bali, the bustling streets of Bangkok, and the incredible culture of Japan, but there’s much more to Asia than is reported in travel magazines.
The largest continent in the world, home to over 4 billion people, has a few tricks up its sleeve.
Here are some delights you may not have considered if you want to expand your bucket list.
Nepal
Nestled in the heart of South Asia, Nepal is a landlocked country near the Himalayas, including part of the mighty Mount Everest.
Positioned immediately north of India, it’s packed tightly between the highest mountain range in the world and the largest country by population, but it has plenty to offer itself.
Kathmandu’s capital is a fascinating city filled with historic religious monasteries and temples. Surrounding views of the Himalayas and even of Mount Everest on a clear day provide an amazing spectacle for travelers all year round.
Nepal has some of the best hiking and climbing trails in the world if you’re an outdoor enthusiast.
Vietnam
Running down the east coast of the Indochinese peninsula,
Vietnam is a country steeped in global and indigenous history. With an evident north-south divide due to its history as two separate countries, the experiences you can have here are scintillating.
A trip through Vietnam lets you experience a wide range of climates, terrains, and cultures.
Hanoi’s capital sits far north of the narrow, long landmass. Ho Chi Minh, previously named Saigon, sits in the far south. Both have distinct feels and cultures, but everywhere in Vietnam has a fascinating blend of influences from years of colonization and occupation.
The charming fishing town of Hoi An is a firm favorite with tourists if you’re in the center of the country.
Sri Lanka
Sat off the south coast of India, Sri Lanka is a country often lingering in its neighbor’s shadows. However, it’s got just as much to offer tourists and in a much more compact land mass, making comprehensive trips and tours that much easier.
With historic coastal cities, diverse rainforests, plateaus, and mountainous regions, this little island sure packs a punch.
The ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya, near the town of Dambulla, is a marvelous attraction to look at, let alone climb to the top of.
For a taste of Sri Lankan living, the tea plantations stretching across highland slopes are a sight to behold, and they still pluck leaves from the bushes by hand!
Malaysia
Often overwhelmed by tourist attraction to neighboring Thailand, Malaysia is a relatively small, geographically-divided country that’s split between the island of Borneo and the Malay Peninsula.
It boasts a diverse landscape from stunning beaches to thick, tropical jungles, as well as a range of languages and cultural influences from the likes of China, India, and European settlers.
The capital city, Kuala Lumpur, is a sprawling metropolis with famous spectacles like the Petronas Twin Towers and Batu Caves.
Excellent street food is something many people rave about in the city and across Malaysia.