A Far East travel guide for beginners: where (and when) to go

All the countries that fall under the umbrella of Far East Asia (also commonly called the Asia-Pacific region) have a certain unique character to them. Several of them are best explored in groups of two or more, to create truly immersive cultural and leisure experiences. With that (among other things) in mind, we’ve crafted a Far East travel guide to help you decide your ideal path through this special region. We’ll also highlight some of our prearranged travel tours in Asia that could be just what you’re seeking — but don’t forget that customized itineraries are always an option.

Exploring Far East Asia: the gems of East Asia

Japan: a perennial travel favorite in Far East Asia

Even if you don’t get to it on your first trip to the continent, anyone interested in seriously exploring Asia should take a trip to Japan eventually.

The country often feels closer to the future than many nations yet also deeply reveres its past and natural wonders. For example, with all the hyper-modernity of Tokyo’s main districts, it’s easy to forget the number of stunning parks and gardens within the city limits.

Ueno Park features many of Japan’s legendary cherry trees and houses the city’s prestigious National Museum. Not far off, you can glimpse into Japan’s shogunate past by visiting the East Gardens at the Imperial Palace ruins.

And don’t forget more remote destinations: Mito is home to one of Japan’s three Great Gardens, Kairaku-en, and various fascinating Edo-era landmarks, while seafood lovers will love the fishing villages on the Noto Peninsula or the island of Hokkaido.

Read more: Spotlight Q&A: Japan travel tips from a local expert

When to go: Spring and fall are the best times to visit Japan, with the former season especially important for seeing the cherry blossoms at their peak. Keep in mind that these are also the busiest times, so plan carefully alongside your local travel expert to make the most of your time there while enjoying fewer crowds and gentler prices.

China: iconic landmarks and hidden gems

As one of the world’s oldest civilizations and largest countries, China delivers as a vacation spot based on any category you could name. For modern wonders and renowned nightlife, Shanghai and Hong Kong fit the bill. Meanwhile, a city like Beijing offers all the convenience of a contemporary city along with legendary historical sites like the Summer Palace and Great Wall. And for natural wonders, the mountains of Zhangjiajie and stalactite formations at Reed Flute Cave in Guilin may make your jaw drop.

China is just as interesting off the beaten path. For instance, Nan Lian Garden gives a serene glimpse of Tang Dynasty horticulture just outside the bustle of Hong Kong. Elsewhere, the Hanging Temple at Mount Hengshan and Great Mosque in Xi’an showcase elements of China’s diverse culture that don’t always make it to Asia travel guides in the West.

Read more: China’s most beautiful landscapes

When to go: The best time to visit China varies widely due to the spectrum of climate and terrain. Northern China, including Beijing, is best seen in September, while March is ideal for visiting cities south of the Yangtze River like Hángzhōu and Yángzhōu.

Mongolia: adventure travel and cultural wonders

Once the center of an empire that encompassed much of the known world, Mongolia is an intriguing, often rugged world travel destination.

Adventure travelers of all interests will find much to love in this exceptional part of Far East Asia. Climbers and hikers will thrill to the imposing Bayanzag cliffs and colossal canyons in Baga Gazriin Chuluu or Yoliin Am. Meanwhile, the various dunes and steppes (to say nothing of the paths surrounding the Gobi Desert) offer views of austere, almost alien landscapes.

The cultural highlights of Mongolia are no less intriguing. Ulaanbaatar, for example, offers glimpses into the Mongol Empire of centuries past as well as more modern history in Sukhbaatar Square. Out in more remote areas like Orkhon Valley and Dungdovi Province, you can observe the customs of nomadic tribes and solemn rituals of Buddhist monks.

Read more: A beginner’s guide to Mongolia

When to go: Summer is the best time to visit Mongolia (from June to August), as its seasons are fairly short compared to the long, cold winter. A visit in early September might allow you to dodge some of the bigger crowds.

Highlights of Southeast Asia

Exploring Vietnam in a nutshell

For a relatively small country, Vietnam features diverse climates and geography. In April, for example, you can visit Ho Chi Minh City and legendary beaches like Long Hai in the warm south without overheating. Conversely, it’s quite comfortable in the northern Sa Pa mountains, or in beautiful Central Highland preserves like Yok Don National Park.

All regions of Vietnam offer fascinating cultural sites, from Hanoi’s Old Quarter to the onetime imperial city of Hue. It’s also a great start (or second leg) of multi-country journeys along with Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.

Read more: The best things to do in Vietnam

When to go: Vietnam’s unique geography means a wide range of weather conditions, and instead of having four seasons, it experiences three distinct regional climates that vary from north to south. Explore northern Vietnam in spring and fall (March-April and September-November), enjoy central Vietnam’s dry season from January to August, or make for southern Vietnam during its dry season from November to April.

Cambodia and Laos: destinations steeped in spirituality

Angkor Wat, just outside the Siem Reap city limits in Cambodia, is justly considered one of the world’s most important spiritual and historical sites. But it’s hardly the only cultural attraction worth seeing Cambodia (or any Far East travel packages that include it).

Siem Reap alone also features the ruins of Sambor Prei Kuk (which predate Angkor) and the unique temples amid the crashing waterfalls at Pnhom Kulen National Park. In Battambang, you can see wonders both natural and man-made (the massive fruit bat colonies and 11th-century Ek Pnhom Temple, respectively).

For a sobering reminder of more turbulent Cambodian history, Phnom Penh has multiple sites addressing the horrific Khmer Rouge — but also the calming temple at Wat Phnom.

Read more: The best temples in Cambodia

To the north, Laos parallels much of central and northern Vietnam, divided by the Mekong River. Luang Prabang is a uniquely spiritual city, with temples like Wat Xieng Thong and the mysterious Pak Ou caves. It’s equally vibrant as a secular cultural hub — home to the legendary Night Market of artisan wares and particularly renowned for its dyed textiles.

Vientiane serves as a vivid window into Laos’ past as a Chinese and French colony, evidenced in much of the architecture. Yet it’s also home to symbols of Laotian (and Buddhist) pride like the sacred stupa of Pha That Luang and Wat Si Saket temple. For a completely different experience, get out of the cities and see the traditional bamboo huts in Nam Nern and the Plain of Jars monument in Phonsavan. The protected wilderness habitats at Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park are also a must-see.

Read more: Spotlight on Laos: travel tips from a local expert

When to go: Like many areas of continental Southeast Asia, the dry season from November to April is the best time to visit Cambodia and Laos, either individually or as a multi-country trip. (Choose times at the very beginning or end of this period to reduce tourist traffic.)

The Philippines: island-hopping and feel-good fun

Most visitors to the Philippines arrive in Manila or Cebu. Both offer fascinating urban experiences (with Manila’s nightlife being especially well-known) and remarkable cultural attractions. Manila’s walled city of Intramuros and Cebu’s Santa Niño’s Church are the two biggest examples, both colonial vestiges that are nonetheless revered by native Filipinos.

But the best way to experience this nation of many islands is hopping across quite a few of them. Cacnipa, San Antonio, Shimizu Island, Bulog Dos, and Siargao Island are just a few of the most notable examples.

Virtually all Philippine islands have a unique (and fascinating) distinguishing characteristic. Shimizu, for example, is known for its underwater caves and marine life — everything from sea turtles and trumpet fish to (non-stinging) jellyfish). Bulog Dos and Cacnipa feature world-famous beaches (with the latter much quieter than the former). Finally, Siargao’s winds make it ideal for surfers.

Read more: Take your family to the Philippines

When to go: The most comfortable time to visit much of the Philippines is the December-to-February dry season. However, nearly all those months are packed with visitors. If you can stand some extra heat, consider early March, or go during May for lower temperatures at the edge of the rainy season. On the other hand, if you plan to surf, conditions are best in November just at the rainy season’s end.

Malaysia and Indonesia: multisensory adventures

These two multi-island (archepelagic) nations — the latter being the largest of its kind in the world — are effectively joined at the hip. In fact, on Borneo, this is quite literally true, with Indonesia holding about 75% of the island and the remainder comprising the Malaysian states Sabah and Sarawak.

As such, it only makes sense to visit them together if you can and time allows. You could spend entire trips solely exploring one island in each country, so you have to pick your spots carefully, but one of our local experts can help you in this regard.

With Malaysia, you logically want to pick Sabah and Sarawak (especially the stunning caves in the latter’s Mulu National Park), as well as the beachgoer’s paradise Pangkor Laut and the state of Penang, known for its rich colonial heritage and culinary offerings.

Read more: Discover the highlights of Malaysia

For Indonesia, it depends on the experience you’re seeking. Bali is a world-famous natural paradise with stunning beaches, while Sumatra features verdant forests, imposing volcanoes, and a glimpse into the peaceful life of Batak culture. Conversely, Java offers an intriguing blend of urban bustle in Jakarta, natural wonders like the Sikidang Crater, and far too many cultural sites to count (the most famous being the Arjuna Complex).

Read more: Our guide to the main islands of Indonesia

When to go: The best time to visit Malaysia and Indonesia depends of course on which experiences you’re after and your exact itinerary, but the dry season is generally considered a fine period for enjoying a wealth of activities – whether that’s wildlife-watching, beach relaxation, or city sightseeing. Indonesia’s dry season is roughly from April to October while Malaysia’s dry season is typically between May and September, though be mindful of regional differences.

Planning multi-country travel in the Far East

Essential travel tips for exploring Far East Asia

We’ve touched on the best times to visit the nations described above, but you’ll want to be more prepared than knowing the weather and crowd volume.

• Bring a variety of clothing: Many of the countries you’ll visit, especially China, Mongolia, and (to an extent) Vietnam, have climates that range from swelteringly hot to quite cool, depending on your location. Be sure to bring apparel for several different temperatures and habitats, including long pants if you’ll be in any jungle territory.
• Bring hiking and swimming gear: In all of these nations, you’ll have as many opportunities to hike as you will to swim. Pack accordingly.
• Do your research: There are some similarities between some of these countries and their customs (e.g., Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos). But they’re all unique nations with rich histories and customs. Learn as much as you can about each country on your trip before embarking.
• Be respectful: Any tour in Asia that brings you through multiple countries will have cultural norms that can vary widely even on a region-to-region basis. For example, both Malaysia and Indonesia are majority-Muslim countries, while most of Southeast Asia is Buddhist. But no matter what, you’ll likely visit many sites that are either sacred or otherwise immensely important to the country’s native populations. Be mindful of this in how you speak, act, and (in some cases) dress.

Make it happen

This multifaceted region of Asia is full of surprises. There’s so much to explore beyond the highlights we’ve touched on here. If you want to learn more and seriously start planning a Far East Asia getaway, get in touch with our local guides.

TravelLocal’s experts in each of the Far East Asia countries we’ve discussed have remarkable knowledge of everything from must-see attractions to local customs. They’ll help you come up with the ideal itinerary for a vacation you’ll never, ever forget.