7 Experiences You Can Only Have In Asia
Asia is epic, wild, and chock-full of incredible moments.
130 places to go, millions of possibilities.
It’s epic. It’s wild. It’s chock-full of incredible moments. One word: Asia.
Whether it’s hanging out with komodo dragons in Indonesia, zip lining across epic Korean mountains, or making besties with the locals at Taiwan’s famous cat village, when it comes to experiences, nothing comes close to Asia. Today we’re taking you there with seven of the region’s most weird and wonderful experiences.
#1 Hang Out With Komodo Dragons In Indonesia
Dragons, you say? That’s right, and while they’re not exactly the fire-breathing type, Komodo dragons are incredible creatures that you need to see at least once. Firstly, they’re huge: up to three metres tall and 70kg, the largest living species of the lizard family.
Secondly, you can hang out with 3000 of them at their home in Indonesia’s Komodo National Park: the world heritage site located inside the Lesser Sunda Islands.
Since 1980, the Komodo has been lapping up its protected life in this hot, dry nook – come for the dragons, stay for the spectacular beauty: if you like picture-perfect blue waters, epic mountain peaks and truly glorious weather, Komodo Island will leave you truly awestruck.
One way to get there is to fly into Lombok and then book a local boat tour to nearby harbour town Labuan Bajo. Prices and times vary according to the tour operator, so it pays to do your research and opt for a reputable operator on the ground rather than booking online.
#2 Get ‘Bhang’ For Your Buck In India
Who doesn’t love thick, green, ancient beverages? For delicacies of this kind, India is your matcha made in heaven.
Locals drink bhang – a mixture of spices, ghee, jusha grass, roses, mangos, milk and cannabis – is a sure-fire way to get your party lit. Brewed as a sacred delicacy for the annual Hindu festival Holi, bhang is a long-time favourite of locals, who have been downing this heady brew to meditate deeply, honour Shiva and wash away their sins since 1000BC. We’ve heard it’s pretty potent, so enjoy it in moderation.
Uttar Pradesh – which is right next door to New Delhi – boasts a slew of licensed bhang shops, though it’s available all over India. For example, you can stop in Pushkar for a cuppa on your way to visiting Jaipur’s incredible Pink City.
#3 Have The Surf To Yourself In Sri Lanka
People come to Asia from all over the world for the awesome surf, but that means the regions most-popular breaks are overrun by savvy tourists in search of surf. Fortunately for those seeking solitude, there’s one destination that frequently falls under the radar: Sri Lanka. Year-round, you’ll struggle to find a more stunning surf experience than Sri Lanka’s white sands and rolling whitewash and, if you’re lucky, you could have it all to yourself.
You’ll find the best waves along the south west coast from October through April (including popular beginner spot Weligama Beach), while April to October is best on the east (including novice breaks Whisky Point, Peanut Farm and Elephant Rock, and perennial favourite Arugam Bay: the choice of advanced grommets from all over the world.
#4 Binge On Authentic Hawker Food In Penang
Like gonzo TV chef Anthony Bourdain says: “Food is the easiest window into a culture and the most direct expression of character and history of a place.” To travel is to eat, and there’s nothing quite like the food you’ll find in Asia. Of all the cuisines in the region, Malaysian hawker food is some of the best.
From the very best (wok-fried Char Kuay Teow, Assam Laksa and Mee Goreng) to the weirdest (deep fried chicken feet, sago worms, and pig’s organ soup), everyone needs to visit hawker HQ in Malaysia’s Penang, where the main city George Town will treat you to a dizzying array of unforgettable stalls and tantalising taste experiences. Selamat menjamu selera!
#5 Release Lanterns In The Sky At Yi Ping Lantern Festival
Of all the wild things there are to experience in Thailand, the night sky at the annual Yi Ping Lantern Festival just might be the most unforgettable.
Held in northern city Chang Mai during the November full moon, Yi Ping Festival brings in Loy Krathong: the festival of lights, where locals honour Buddha by releasing thousands of candle-lit paper lanterns into the sky and across the waters of the Ping River. A night sky full of candlelight under a blazing Thai full moon is a magical travel memory.
#6 Take The Plunge On The Byeongbangchi Zip-Line
Adrenaline junkies, this one’s for you. At 4000ft long, a steady 35-degree angle, and a top speed of 60 mph, Korea’s Byeongbangchi zip-line is Asia’s steepest, longest and most epic zip-line experience.
Take the plunge 300m high over the rivers and mountains of Korea’s gorgeous Jeongseon County. Nowhere else on earth will you feel your heart pump so intensely.
Jeongseon County is around 3.5 hours by bus from Dong Seoul Terminal in the nation’s capital. Look for the Dongseoul-Jeongseon Intercity Bus and you’re away.
#7 Make Friends At The Houtong Cat Village In Taiwan
Cat tourism is alive and well at Houtong, a village in the Ruifang District of Taiwan’s New Taipei.
This town might have been founded as a coal-mining hub back in the day, but since economic downturn transformed Houtong into a ghost town, it’s population swelled with a new breed: hundreds of stray cats.
With the help of local human helpers, Houtong today is cat central, attracting feline-loving visitors from all over the world. Come see and pat the locals, and enjoy a drink and snack at one of Houtong’s best cat cafes.
—
(Lead image: John Shedrick / Flickr)
—
Only AirAsia flies to 130 stunning places across Asia. And with so many amazing places to explore, the possibilities for adventure are endless. Start your adventure and book your flights at airasia.com now!
Fly to Lombok, Indonesia from $263
Fly to Jaipur, India from $361
Fly to Colombo, Sri Lanka from $299
Fly to Penang, Malaysia from $241
Fly to Seoul, Korea from $399
AirAsia. 130 places to go. Millions of possibilities.