Plan Your 2022 Adventure in Asia

2022 is approaching faster than anything and that means the change of seasons, different festivals in multiple countries, and of course -traveling! If you are dying to finally get out and travel again after sitting in lockdowns and exploring the different countries in Asia we have a not-so-typical guide and with a few out of the box countries to suggest for your next revenge travel! 

 

7. South Korea

Kicking things off with South Korea, known for their unique delicacies such as Kimchi and popularising K-Pop with Seoul being its capital city surrounded by mountains. This beautiful country has a bunch of unique cafes and street food and is also a shopping haven for most tourists.

A walk-in Seoul Palace, Seoul, South Korea

When you are in the capital city – Seoul, or visiting other provinces in South Korea, be sure to sample some of their well-known street food such as hotteok, corn dog (think of your usual corn dogs but 100x better and filled with gooey mozzarella cheese and loads of topping options) and Odeng.

Another must-visit part of the country is Jeju-do or simply Jeju Island, a stunning self-governed island with views of the volcanic mountains and one of the natural heritage centers. 

Jeju-do, Jeju-si, Hallim-eub, Geumak-ri, 금오름-1, South Korea,

 

6. Vietnam

Vietnam is a stunning combination of natural wonders and cultural diversity. The scenery ranges from rugged peaks visible from twisting mountain routes to luscious paddy fields. One of the most popular UNESCO world heritage sites is filled with limestones islands in Halong Bay.

There is an abundance of caves that you can explore such as the Hang Sung Sot, if cave exploration is too “Indiana Jones” for you then simply soak in the sun rays by cruising the bay. 

Another great place to visit is the Cu Chi tunnels if you’re an avid reader and interested in historical landmarks. The tunnels were built in 1948 and stretch over 250km in length stretching all around Ho Chi Min City. 

Hạ Long, Vietnam

5. India

This immensely vibrant country might seem a bit overwhelming at first glance, what to visit? And where to start? Well, the northern part of the country has stark differences from the south in several aspects such as architecture, spoken language, food, and geography. 

If seeing nature is your priority then head over to the north and venture into Himachal Pradesh’s peaks and the Indian Himalayas in Ladakh. For a more beachy setting, Goa and Kerala are well-known spots for most locals and tourists. 

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

A little packing tip for women is to bring a few light scarves to cover your head or chest depending on which area you are visiting, and of course, a general rule is to bring comfortable shoes to stroll around the city.

 

4. Oman

The sultanate of Oman isn’t really the first country that pops in mind when it comes to Western Asia, compared to its counterparts this exotic country filled with operas and sinkholes is quite underrated! You will be charmed with the Omani’s hospitality as soon as you step foot into the country. 

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman

If you’re tired of city life, visiting a small village like Misfat al Abryeen will feel refreshing, this mountain village consists of orange and brownstone structures with a steep path leading up the mountain where you may walk among the buildings and observe the banana trees and lush flora.

Bimmah Sinkhole, Oman

3. Japan

The best time to visit Japan is definitely during the spring season where the Sakura or cherry blossoms have started to bloom, the Japanese would often have picnics around the park to view the Sakura trees and the activity itself is called “Hanami”.

Mount Fuji, Japan

This island country consists of 47 prefectures, each boasting its own unique culture and heritage. You might want to head over to Hokkaido to sample some of the dairy products or the historical city of Kyoto to marvel at the beauty and scale of its temples, and shrines. 

 

2. Bali

The island of the Gods is a no-brainer when it comes to digital nomadism, it is a very affordable place to live in with a huge community of nomads and ex-pats.  There are a bunch of different things you can do on the island and the holy grail guide to Bali has got it covered.

A typical day would consist of surfing or snorkeling, going to brunch at the coolest cafes, working, and partying at iconic locations on the island such as Omnia, La Favela, Potato Head, and so much more!.

Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali, Indonesia

If you want to save some bucks on living costs try to find a co-living space or a guest house, they’re generally very clean and have beautiful pools. If you’re ready to spend a few extra bucks on accommodation then a villa would be a great alternative.

You can find a beachfront one in Uluwatu, Seminyak, and Canggu or a rice paddies front in Ubud and Canggu.

 

1. Pakistan

This country might come as a surprise since it is one of the most underrated countries that have a lot of hidden beauty. It might be a bit overwhelming at first trying to navigate your way but a general overview would be: most mountains are situated in the north, and the sea is in the south.

Hunza Valley, Hunza, Pakistan

The national language of Pakistan is Urdu and learning a few phrases beforehand will definitely be handy -the locals would be very happy. Pakistanis are also known for their hospitality, oftentimes if you are hosted by a friend or family, or even strangers they would always put your comfort before their own.

Here are some of the overview on where you can start your trip to Pakistan

Islamabad 

The capital city is filled to the brim with museums, restaurants, monuments, and overall a very colorful and vibrant place.

Lahore 

Deemed as the UNESCO city of literature, it is also known as the city of gardens. The Mughal architecture is also apparent in some parts of the city. 

Hunza Valley 

The Ruby Mines are a well-known tourist destination, as well as the snow-capped and rugged mountains of the Hunza valley, three of the world’s tallest mountain peaks may be seen from Karimabad: Bublimotin or Ladyfinger Peak, Ultar Sar, and the magnificent Rakaposhi.

Skardu 

Skardu is known for the abundance of waterfalls, lakes, and some of Pakistan’s most famous mountains, including K2. It is located in the Gilgit-Baltistan area.

Unnamed Road, Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, Balakot

There is a bunch of destinations you can also choose from the top 12 bucket list countries for digital nomads that you can check out, each of these countries is rated by their accessibility, access to the internet, cost of living, and how big of a digital nomad community that they have.

So what are you waiting for? Plan your next co-working trip and find like-minded travel buddies with JoinMyTrip or simply join a trip with our TripLeaders who will do all the planning for you and make your stay memorable.

For a more adventurous trip, one of our Pro TripLeader Lisa is planning a month-long travel and volunteer trip in an Animal Sanctuary in Bolivia.