Take for example, the country of China, which has always been one of the places that easily come to mind when you think of Asia travel. Must-sees while you're in China are the Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Great Wall of China, Tiannamen Square, however, these are all just from the Northern part of China, there's still so much to see in the other parts of this huge country, like the futuristic city of Shanghai and the cuddly pandas that abound in the city of Cheng and the wholesale markets in Guangdong where a lot of the fashion accessories that you see in malls may have come from. Visiting China may be fairly cheap - but it does depend on which city you go to, small cities like Dongguan may have a low cost of living as opposed to the bustling city of Shanghai, which is very similar to the very cosmopolitan city of Hong Kong.
Of course, engaging in some Asia travel practically requires you to immerse yourself with the local culture. One great example is China's local food culture, which is definitely a lot different from what people are used to in Chinese restaurants abroad. Some people say that enjoying Chinese cuisine is an acquired taste, especially when it comes to the street food. Expect to see all sorts of animal parts and insects, cut up into little pieces and skewered on sticks - as snacks. Unique treats like fermented tofu and mung bean soup are also something for the more adventurous.
But what about other countries to explore for Asia Travel? Well, if you are the beach bunny type then you might want to check out the lovely beaches of Bali in Indonesia or the relaxing waters of Phuket in Thailand. Both are very budget-friendly Asia travel destinations by the way, from the accommodations down to the food, you will surely get more bang for your buck at these places.
For city slickers however, there is the lovely city of Singapore which is just beside the equally charming Malaysia where tourists can find the city of Kuala Lumpur. It is interesting to note that as neighbors, there are a lot of similarities between these two countries like the huge ferris wheel. As for hotels though, expect Singapore to offer higher rates - even for backpacker hostels. In order to make the most of the great shopping opportunities in both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, schedule your trip starting from May to August wherein there are myriad of shopping sales available.
Of course, there are definitely a lot more places to explore while you are in Asia, like the tropical country of the Philippines and the ever-vibrant city of Tokyo in Japan, among others. While Asia is a continent which is fairly safe to travel to, do keep in mind that you should always be aware of your surroundings and take caution in whatever you do. Do not keep your money in just one place, make sure that you keep your passport in a secure place, and don't just trust strangers - especially the ones who are very eager to take you someplace. Don't forget to bring your credit card in case of emergencies, an updated guide book and map, as well as list of the local emergency numbers - just in case.
At roughly half the size of the 48 contiguous United States, Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, with spectacularly diverse geography and no shortage of places to visit. Northern forests gradually turn into wide flat steppes to more arid regions and finally to deserts in the south. Kazakhstan is rich in minerals and has large oil and gas reserves.
Islam and Christianity are the dominant religions, though religious tolerance is the widely recognized norm and, as a holdover from the Soviet era, many people profess no religious affiliation at all. The national characteristic of the Kazakh people is hospitality. Stemming from the country's longstanding nomadic culture, strangers are treated as honored guests. Respect for guests and the elderly as well as tolerance and peacefulness are ingrained from childhood.
Almaty, in the east, is the country's largest city and commercial capital. The ancestral home of the world's apples has been traced to this region. In fact, "Alma" means "apple." The Great Silk Road caravans came through this ancient city carrying spices, porcelain, silk and civilizing influences from the cultured Orient to the more barbaric west.
An over night train trip to the west takes you to the Baykonur Cosmodrome, home of the Russian space program. Once a secretly guarded location, Baykonur is now open to visitors where it is possible to tour the birthplace of space flight, visit the complex where the original cosmonauts trained and where today Russian flights to the International Space Station are launched.
About 100 miles (160 km) east of Almaty are the natural wonders of Altyn-Emel National Park. The region contains rare animals such as Siberian mountain goats, ancient Scythian burial mounds, rock drawings from 3500 years ago and the Kyzyl-Auyz Gorge where there grows the "stone tree" which has bark so hard that it resists an axe. The park also contains otherworldly "lunar" landscapes and the unforgettable "Singing Dunes," which make the sound of an organ in dry weather. Imperceptible movement of grains of sand sliding down the face of the dune in dry weather creates a vibration that becomes electrified in dry conditions, which coupled by resonant conditions in the surroundings, produces powerful sound waves that can be heard miles away.
Here too is Charyn Canyon, referred to as the younger brother of America's Grand Canyon, with deep, colorful gorges, spectacular rock formations and some of the world's finest hiking, canyoning and water rafting.
Tajikistan
This mountainous land is the smallest country in Central Asia but is the traditional on ramp to the Silk Road from China. Three primary caravan routes ran through Tajikistan's Tien-Shan and Pamir mountain ranges.
Only around 7% of the land is arable, nearly all of in the fertile Fergana Valley in the north, which produces the major agricultural crop, cotton, which, along with aluminum, are country's major exports.
Tajikistan's capital and largest city is Dushanbe, modern and European styled, with broad tree-lined boulevards and a spectacular backdrop of snow capped mountain peaks. The city features numerous squares and monuments commemorating the Persian influences of the past and its surroundings contain many recreational areas, mountain parks and gorges, one with a 100 foot waterfall.
The National Museum of Archaeology contains the 1600 year old 'Tajik Buddha,' now thought to be the largest statue of its kind in Central Asia. The museum also houses displays of Zoroastrian and Buddhist artifacts.
Khujand is the country's second largest city and an ancient Silk Road trade center. Located at the entrance to the fertile Fergana Valley, Khujand is cited as the easternmost city established by Alexander the Great. As such, it has a rich history and many preserved architectural and cultural sites. It also happens to be a popular mountaineering center in a country where half the land lies higher than 9,000 feet above sea level and which has a number of peaks taller than 20,000 feet.
Near to the border with Uzbekistan is Penjikent, which lay on the only route from the East to Samarkand and flourished from the 5th Century. Arabs destroyed the city in the 8th Century and the ruins were discovered in the last hundred years. Today, the excavation site has been turned into a memorial reserve where tourists can visit a medieval citadel, palace, public buildings, dwellings and a necropolis.
Midway between Penjikent and Dushanbe lies the emerald gem Iskander Kul (lake). The lake is at an elevation of 7,000 among the 4,000 plus peaks of the Fan mountains, which contain many other hiking, fishing or skiing spots for Dushanbe's residents.
To the east is the larger Kara Kul situated amongst high, barren highlands that, with their errie atmosphere and yak herds, are reminiscent of Tibet. The lake is often accessed from Kyrgyzstan, heading west from Osh.
Both Sivakorn Siricharoensataporn & Julia Feydman are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Sivakorn Siricharoensataporn has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family Travel, Travel and Leisure and Skin Care. More Asia Travel Information Guide include Australia for Planning Your Next Holidays.. Sivakorn Siricharoensataporn's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
Julia Feydman has sinced written about articles on various topics from Travel and Leisure, Religion and Travel and Leisure. Julia Feydman, has always been fascinated by the rich history of Central Asia. Over time, her passion as well as many memorable trips to the area have grown into a successful, U.S. based travel agency - East Site, Inc.. Julia Feydman's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.