Asia is the biggest continent on the planet, and you’ll find a whole lot of diversity among its countries, cultures, and cuisines to experience. We are sharing our Asian 2019 travel bucket list with you now so that you can get a head start on planning a journey for 2019.
South Korea
South Korea is a place that we think deserves more positive attention. Split from its neighbor to the north, the small country is brimming with history, culture, and kimchi (fermented cabbage), which Koreans enthusiastically share with visitors. The bustling capital Seoul is a high-energy city of skyscrapers and shiny lights. When the day turns to night, roam the crammed lanes of the Namdaemun Market to fill your stomach with all types of tasty treats and snag goodies to take back home. Feel like royalty during a visit to the centuries-old palaces. Dress up in a traditional hanbok outfit and watch the live music and dance performances, or shop until you drop at one of the many boutiques. South Korea is a country for travelers seeking both the ancient and the avant garde.
Nepal
Sluggish to emerge on the globetrotter’s map after a devastating earthquake in 2015, Nepal deserves a moment on Asia 2019 travel lists. Soaring mountains, sub-tropical lowlands, and serene Hindu temples and Buddhist shrines make Nepal a fascinating choice for travelers wanting to go off the beaten path. Where else can you hike in such high Himalayan extremes and see single-horned Asian rhinoceros and the Bengal tigers? The country’s capital, Kathmandu, is a hive of activity. It seems as though the city hovers just below the heavens. After all, it is over 4,000 feet above sea level. Just like its southern neighbor (India) Kathmandu will bombard your senses with its chaotic streets, flavorful momos (dumplings filled with meat or vegetables), the smell of spices, and the vivid shapes and carvings on the domes in the UNESCO-listed Durbar Square.
Vietnam
There’s a reason the children of Vietnamese immigrants are now flocking back to discover their homeland. Ho Chi Minh City is turbo-charged with new energy. Formerly known as Saigon, the city is a hodge podge with traces of its former French rule. Find boisterous markets and colonial architecture alongside new glass and steel skyscrapers. Outside the city, the countryside is an emerald treasure of rice paddies, the indigo Mekong River, and turquoise beach escapes.
China
China has so much to see and do that it feels nearly impossible without the help of a trusted travel expert. Its diversity is astounding; booming cities brim with upscale restaurants, fashion boutiques, and luxury hotels. The hinterlands are a traditional expanse with mountains, deserts, flowing rivers, and tiny villages. Historical sites abound: there’s the impressive Great Wall snaking up steep hills and the opulent palaces of the Forbidden City. As the fourth largest country in the world, geographically speaking, there’s a lot of ground to cover in China and we want to get you to the right places in this endlessly-fascinating country.
Ready to fly off to these exotic lands for Asia 2019 travel? Contact your luxury travel expert to get started.