2023 Travel Guide to Asia

Asia Travel Guide for 2023
Asia continues to captivate millions of international travelers each year with its diverse gastronomy, unique cultures and rich histories. This region of the world is poised to finally reopen fully this year, and that’s why many are anticipating this region to be one of the most popular among international travelers this year. From the bustling streets of some of the world’s most populous cities to the gentle lifestyle of a Buddhist monastery or Shinto shrine, there’s something for everyone to discover in Asia.

Check out this slideshow to learn about the region’s best destinations, attractions and events of the year.

Best Destinations
Asia is a huge, culturally, linguistically, gastronomically and geographically diverse region of the world. That means you can find pretty much any type of travel style there, from the serene beaches of Bali to the adrenaline-inducing Himalayas and the culturally rich destinations of South Korea, China and Japan.

This year, the best destinations are ones that are just leaping onto the scene, like South Korea, which boasts a lively pop culture that is spreading across the world and introducing millions to the small country’s culture and cuisine through television and music; or the ones that we’ve been deprived of visiting these past few years, including Japan, which has attracted people for decades with its long-held connection between traditional culture and cutting-edge technology and innovation.

Best Attractions
The best attractions in Asia really depend on the traveler: the Himalayas might be an ideal adrenaline-inducing attraction for mountain climbers, while the charming Tokyo Disneyland park might have exactly the type of whimsy another traveler needs. In 2023, though, we hope travelers can spend time learning about other cultures through visiting historic sites and monuments, as well as thinking sustainably while they travel. From the bamboo forests of China to Indonesia’s beautiful beaches and Japan’s green tea plantations, there are plenty of attractions in Asia that reconnect travelers with nature, too. Be aware that not all animal sanctuaries in Asia are alike; do your research and use reputable resources to help make your decision.

Must-See 2023 Events
Countries in Asia offer some of the best annual events, from Lunar New Year celebrations in China to Japan’s celebrations of the turning of the seasons (like the supremely popular Cherry Blossom Festival) and India’s colorful Holi festival on March 8 this year, or its later Diwali festival.

No matter where you go in Asia, there’s sure to be an annual calendar of events, and they’re expected to be celebrated this year in full force. Travelers wanting to visit a specific destination for a specific festival or event should plan their travel as early as possible this year to avoid losing out on availability, as many are likely going to enjoy record numbers of turnout, from travelers as well as residents.

Best Places for Families
Travelers with children heading to Asia can find plenty of family-friendly destinations and accommodations wherever they go, and while places like Macau or Bangkok might not be the best for children, families can enjoy destinations from Phuket to India to Japan and elsewhere.

In fact, Indonesia and Thailand offer some great family-friendly resorts, and like in the Caribbean, they often offer kid’s clubs, water parks and other fun activities for kids. Japan, India, or South Korea offer distinct learning opportunities for kids, from language to history and more (they’re also great places to test your child’s willingness to try new foods)! Japan is most notable as the theme park king, with attractions like Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studios Japan, Ghibli Park, Super Nintendo World and more.

Best Places for Couples
There are no destinations off-limits to lovers in Asia, though some offer distinct advantages over others. The cities and countryside of Japan have been visited by many couples celebrating new marriages and decades-long marriages alike, both for its serene natural landscapes and glittering cityscapes. Meanwhile, couples can also visit destinations like Bali along the southern coastline of Asia for a more relaxing resort vacation. And more active couples can enjoy visiting destinations like Mongolia, Nepal, China or India.

Best Places for Group Travel
Travelers in groups, whether it be groups of friends or extended family members, can enjoy visiting plenty of destinations in Asia, though each destination offers different things. The first thing to consider about traveling to Asia is travel style and price: resorts are probably going to be located in Southeast Asia, in Thailand or Vietnam, whereas travelers whose price is not a large consideration can enjoy making lifelong memories in places like Japan.

Furthermore, wellness groups will enjoy visiting Cambodia, India, Nepal, Thailand or Indonesia, which all offer great wellness-centric resorts and retreats. Group tours are offered throughout Asia, but some countries offer special experiences found nowhere else, such as South Korea’s Templestay program, which allows groups and solo travelers to stay at a Korean Buddhist temple experiencing the daily life and meditations of a monk.

Best Places for Solo Travel
Three key considerations for solo travel are safety, language barrier and affordability. That’s why South Korea and Singapore top our list. South Korea consistently rates as one of the best in the world for safety and healthcare, and it’s a much more affordable destination to visit than neighboring Japan.

The island-city of Singapore is a multicultural business and science powerhouse, and therefore offers a great place for solo travelers to feel welcome. Both places have English speakers and great public transit systems, though we always recommend solo travelers to learn a bit of the language wherever they decide to travel, especially if they’re staying for a month or more.

Best Foodie Destinations
You can’t go anywhere in Asia without being invited to discover new foods, from umami-rich udon in Japan to South Korea’s unputdownable fried chicken to spicy curries in India. That’s why there’s no single destination for foodies on this list. We encourage travelers thinking of traveling to Asia this year to consider any dietary restrictions they may have, from a spicy food intolerance to a peanut allergy, gluten intolerance or shellfish allergy, and then research each prospected destination’s cuisine to make sure there’s enough to discover without worrying about an allergic reaction.

For example, while South Korea is known for spicy foods, not all traditional Korean fare is spicy. The same can be said of Japan. The chances of finding a lot of foods made with shellfish will be much higher along the coasts. And the destinations that are known for using rice as their main grain of choice are going to offer less traditional foods containing gluten than, say, India. Of course, we also encourage travelers with severe allergies to carry an EpiPen with them wherever they travel, just in case.

Best Places for Adventure Travel
Adventure abounds in Asia! Home to the tallest mountain range in the world, some of the most exciting animal species (Asian elephants, tigers and pandas, oh my!) and incredibly diverse geography, from the Gobi Desert’s sand dunes to India’s biodiverse mangrove forests and the bamboo forests of East Asia. This makes this region of the world a great place to visit for a variety of adventure activities, including bucket-list ones, such as hiking the Himalayas, walking an ancient pilgrimage route in Japan or sand-surfing in the Gobi.

Yet even this continent’s big cities can offer something of an adventure for travelers who aren’t used to some of world’s largest metropolises, from large food markets to labyrinths of markets selling everything from gold jewelry to perfume to clothing and more. While not a physically adventurous journey, the new experiences to be had in these mega-cities are sure to satisfy any lingering pandemic-era wanderlust.

Best Places for Sports Enthusiasts
Soccer or football lovers can enjoy matches pretty much everywhere in Asia, while Japan and South Korea have adopted America’s pasttime, baseball, into their sporting repertoire. A Japanese signature sport that is a must-experience for travelers visiting Japan for the very first time is Sumo wrestling. India is known for cricket and, along its coastline, boat racing. Additionally, travelers to Singapore in November can delight in the annual Formula One Grand Prix at The Float at Marina Bay Sands. These, of course, are only a few of the sporting events and popular sports in Asia; there are many more to discover, from fast cars to international sporting events, martial arts and more.

Unique to Asia
The Asian continent boasts some of the most marvelous ancient wonders, from the ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia to the Great Wall of China and more. In fact, UNESCO lists 277 World Heritage Sites in the Asia and Pacific region, which is about a quarter of the world’s total number of sites. Since ancient times, cultures in Asia have created and maintained rich heritages of art, culture, and literature, not to mention the sheer diversity of their gastronomies. Today, Asia is home to 60 percent of the world’s total population and is where many of the world’s largest cities are located.

Safety Index Check-In
While some Asian countries offer differing levels of safety for travelers, solo or otherwise, some Asian countries consistently rank as some of the safest countries in the world. Japan, South Korea and Singapore are three of these countries, with low rates of gun violence, very low rates of break-ins and thefts, and low numbers of other crimes.

It should also be noted that as of February 1, 2023 Hong Kong is prohibiting the use of and the possession of CBD in all its forms, so travelers heading to the island state should be aware that they face imprisonment if they are found with CBD in their possession.

Additionally, travelers heading to Indonesia should know that the country recently banned sex outside of marriage or cohabitation outside of marriage. Bali, one popular Indonesian destination, has already announced it will not ask the marital status of couples checking into hotel rooms together. Travelers should do their due diligence in researching the laws of the country in which they will visit.