Asia is a continent with 48 countries and is divided in 5 subregions. The countries within this part of the world can be incredibly different from each other. For example, East Asia includes countries like China, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong. South Asia includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Nepal but also Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bhutan! The most visited by backpackers, Southeast Asia is where Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam amaze millions of tourists every year. Western Asia is often referred to as the Middle East and the countries include Turkey, Syria, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Qatar and others.
What is important to know before traveling to Asia?
Since Asia is made up of more than 40 countries, it’s hard to specify what’s important for each one of them. However, some information about Asia for tourists is always valid: Squat toilets are common in Southeast and East Asia and you’ll need to bring your own toilet paper. Insect repellent and sunscreen will make your trip a lot better. Remember to respect the different religions and dress appropriately whenever indicated, for example take your shoes off at temples. Visit a doctor at least 5 months before traveling. Some countries require vaccinations to grant a visa.
Asia can be a quite cheap destination. You can use Worldpackers to save even more money by exchanging work for accommodation in Asia. Make a profile and check our hosts for free! We offer hosts in the main destinations of Asia, like India, Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal, Malaysia, Cambodia, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Japan, Philippines, China and many others. Once you have a profile and a list of skills, you can explore all five regions of Asia by becoming a member of the Worldpackers community.