Before I arrived in Chengdu, I knew only of the pandas. That was it. It was a stop along the way —
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Asia
From the hustle and modern bustle of Tokyo’s energised streets to the vast steppes of mystical Mongolia, there’s so much intrigue, diversity, tranquility and spirituality across the 48-country continent, it’s difficult to know where to start.
True exploration would take infinite years, which is why many travellers – aka backpackers – opt to begin in the Southeast. But don’t forget the enormous spread: Russia and Turkey have borders that stretch onto other continents.
There are ancient wonders, enchanting landscapes, sensational cuisines and futuristic cities that will satiate your sagacious travel appetites. You won’t leave disappointed.
Browse by Country and Territory
Top Experiences
Flying high above the unusual formations of Turkey's one and only Cappadocia
Observing Indians bathe in the Ganges at Varanasi, metres away from bodies burning on pyres
Riding a stubborn horse through Central Mongolia, en route to Hustai National Park
Walking in ecclesiastical shoes through Jerusalem's primordial streets
Trekking to a remote village in Northern Laos and staying with an Akha family
Experiencing the genuine warmth and hospitality of Sreemangal's local inhabitants, a people in Bangladesh untarnished by tourism
Watching the morning sky erupt above the silhouettes of Angkor Wat
Stumbling across a game of chinlone in Myanmar's Mingun and learning to play with locals
Unwinding in Maldivian paradise surrounded entirely by turquoise resplendence
Taking an emotional walk across the bridge over the River Kwai, built by prisoners of war, in Thailand
Flying high above the unusual formations of Turkey's one and only Cappadocia
Observing Indians bathe in the Ganges at Varanasi, metres away from bodies burning on pyres
Riding a stubborn horse through Central Mongolia, en route to Hustai National Park
Walking in ecclesiastical shoes through Jerusalem's primordial streets
Trekking to a remote village in Northern Laos and staying with an Akha family
Experiencing the genuine warmth and hospitality of Sreemangal's local inhabitants, a people in Bangladesh untarnished by tourism
Watching the morning sky erupt above the silhouettes of Angkor Wat
Stumbling across a game of chinlone in Myanmar's Mingun and learning to play with locals
Unwinding in Maldivian paradise surrounded entirely by turquoise resplendence
Taking an emotional walk across the bridge over the River Kwai, built by prisoners of war, in Thailand
Flying high above the unusual formations of Turkey's one and only Cappadocia
Observing Indians bathe in the Ganges at Varanasi, metres away from bodies burning on pyres
Riding a stubborn horse through Central Mongolia, en route to Hustai National Park
Walking in ecclesiastical shoes through Jerusalem's primordial streets
Trekking to a remote village in Northern Laos and staying with an Akha family
Experiencing the genuine warmth and hospitality of Sreemangal's local inhabitants, a people in Bangladesh untarnished by tourism
Watching the morning sky erupt above the silhouettes of Angkor Wat
Stumbling across a game of chinlone in Myanmar's Mingun and learning to play with locals
Unwinding in Maldivian paradise surrounded entirely by turquoise resplendence
Taking an emotional walk across the bridge over the River Kwai, built by prisoners of war, in Thailand
Flying high above the unusual formations of Turkey's one and only Cappadocia
Observing Indians bathe in the Ganges at Varanasi, metres away from bodies burning on pyres
Riding a stubborn horse through Central Mongolia, en route to Hustai National Park
Walking in ecclesiastical shoes through Jerusalem's primordial streets
Trekking to a remote village in Northern Laos and staying with an Akha family
Experiencing the genuine warmth and hospitality of Sreemangal's local inhabitants, a people in Bangladesh untarnished by tourism
Watching the morning sky erupt above the silhouettes of Angkor Wat
Stumbling across a game of chinlone in Myanmar's Mingun and learning to play with locals
Unwinding in Maldivian paradise surrounded entirely by turquoise resplendence
Taking an emotional walk across the bridge over the River Kwai, built by prisoners of war, in Thailand
Flying high above the unusual formations of Turkey's one and only Cappadocia
Observing Indians bathe in the Ganges at Varanasi, metres away from bodies burning on pyres
Riding a stubborn horse through Central Mongolia, en route to Hustai National Park
Walking in ecclesiastical shoes through Jerusalem's primordial streets
Trekking to a remote village in Northern Laos and staying with an Akha family
Experiencing the genuine warmth and hospitality of Sreemangal's local inhabitants, a people in Bangladesh untarnished by tourism
Watching the morning sky erupt above the silhouettes of Angkor Wat
Stumbling across a game of chinlone in Myanmar's Mingun and learning to play with locals
Unwinding in Maldivian paradise surrounded entirely by turquoise resplendence
Taking an emotional walk across the bridge over the River Kwai, built by prisoners of war, in Thailand
Flying high above the unusual formations of Turkey's one and only Cappadocia
Observing Indians bathe in the Ganges at Varanasi, metres away from bodies burning on pyres
Riding a stubborn horse through Central Mongolia, en route to Hustai National Park
Walking in ecclesiastical shoes through Jerusalem's primordial streets
Trekking to a remote village in Northern Laos and staying with an Akha family
Experiencing the genuine warmth and hospitality of Sreemangal's local inhabitants, a people in Bangladesh untarnished by tourism
Watching the morning sky erupt above the silhouettes of Angkor Wat
Stumbling across a game of chinlone in Myanmar's Mingun and learning to play with locals
Unwinding in Maldivian paradise surrounded entirely by turquoise resplendence
Taking an emotional walk across the bridge over the River Kwai, built by prisoners of war, in Thailand
Flying high above the unusual formations of Turkey's one and only Cappadocia
Observing Indians bathe in the Ganges at Varanasi, metres away from bodies burning on pyres
Riding a stubborn horse through Central Mongolia, en route to Hustai National Park
Walking in ecclesiastical shoes through Jerusalem's primordial streets
Trekking to a remote village in Northern Laos and staying with an Akha family
Experiencing the genuine warmth and hospitality of Sreemangal's local inhabitants, a people in Bangladesh untarnished by tourism
Watching the morning sky erupt above the silhouettes of Angkor Wat
Stumbling across a game of chinlone in Myanmar's Mingun and learning to play with locals
Unwinding in Maldivian paradise surrounded entirely by turquoise resplendence
Taking an emotional walk across the bridge over the River Kwai, built by prisoners of war, in Thailand
Flying high above the unusual formations of Turkey's one and only Cappadocia
Observing Indians bathe in the Ganges at Varanasi, metres away from bodies burning on pyres
Riding a stubborn horse through Central Mongolia, en route to Hustai National Park
Walking in ecclesiastical shoes through Jerusalem's primordial streets
Trekking to a remote village in Northern Laos and staying with an Akha family
Experiencing the genuine warmth and hospitality of Sreemangal's local inhabitants, a people in Bangladesh untarnished by tourism
Watching the morning sky erupt above the silhouettes of Angkor Wat
Stumbling across a game of chinlone in Myanmar's Mingun and learning to play with locals
Unwinding in Maldivian paradise surrounded entirely by turquoise resplendence
Taking an emotional walk across the bridge over the River Kwai, built by prisoners of war, in Thailand
Flying high above the unusual formations of Turkey's one and only Cappadocia
Observing Indians bathe in the Ganges at Varanasi, metres away from bodies burning on pyres
Riding a stubborn horse through Central Mongolia, en route to Hustai National Park
Walking in ecclesiastical shoes through Jerusalem's primordial streets
Trekking to a remote village in Northern Laos and staying with an Akha family
Experiencing the genuine warmth and hospitality of Sreemangal's local inhabitants, a people in Bangladesh untarnished by tourism
Watching the morning sky erupt above the silhouettes of Angkor Wat
Stumbling across a game of chinlone in Myanmar's Mingun and learning to play with locals
Unwinding in Maldivian paradise surrounded entirely by turquoise resplendence
Taking an emotional walk across the bridge over the River Kwai, built by prisoners of war, in Thailand