East Asia Travel Guide

After roaming around over 50 countries around the globe, East Asia is one region I never miss a chance to return to. My first foray onto the continent, and even after finding myself back here about half a dozen times, it’s always on my radar for a return.

From the moment you set foot in it, East Asia dazzles in the grandest way possible. From ancient moss-covered temples to futuristic neon-splattered cities, some of the most memorable travel experiences of your life await when you choose to venture here.

What I love most about East Asia, though, is how easy it is to travel here. (Well, mostly.)

Of course, the language barriers can be deep, but many of the annoyances you’d encounter elsewhere in Asia aren’t as “in-your-face” here. Throughout the most developed parts of the region, public transportation is quick and efficient. And, unlike places elsewhere on the continent, you won’t be harassed by persistent and aggressive touts.

Especially if you’re tight for vacation time, East Asia is the perfect introduction to the continent. Spend two weeks exploring Japan, roaming the Korean Peninsula, or doing a round-the-island tour of Taiwan, and I guarantee that both your taste buds and eyeballs will thank you.

Ready to plan your trip to this fascinating corner of the world? Dig in with our quick & easy East Asia travel guide for first-time visitors, including itineraries and attractions guides for some of our favorite countries and cities in the region!

When to visit East Asia

There’s no single, satisfying answer for the best time to visit East Asia. By the time you factor in the immense landmass of China, this “sub-region” spans nearly the entire continent of Asia, along with all its weather intricacies.

In East Asia’s eastern fringes—particularly Korea, Japan, and parts of mainland China—we find a four-season climate that’s not so different than many parts of Europe.

Winters in these areas can get cold. (I learned that the hard way while teaching in South Korea!)

Summer, on the other hand, is insanely hot and humid. (And after traveling to the region a couple of times in the summer months, I can say it’s not the most pleasant time to travel here.)

Spring, especially during cherry blossom season, is lovely, and is, in my opinion, one of the best times of year to visit East Asia. Visiting in autumn, when the full fall colours come out to play, is an equally enchanting experience.

As we venture further south in East Asia, we find a different story. Destinations like Taiwan and Hong Kong see less seasonal temperature variation, offering a more sub-tropical than temperate climate. Islands like Okinawa in Japan and Jeju in Korea may even fool you into thinking you’re somewhere in the South Pacific!

For choosing when exactly to go, I would recommend looking more deeply into the weather in each of the destination you’re planning to visit. Here are some weather guides for a few of our favorite spots in East Asia:

Where to go in East Asia

Even with only a handful of countries occupying it, East Asia’s travel destinations are among the world’s best. On my half-dozen-or-so trips to the region, I always love the chance to explore some of the world’s most electric cities, walk among meticulously laid-out tea plantations, or chill on semi-tropical white-sand beaches.

China

Backed up by a civilization thousands of years in the making, China is one of the most satisfying travel destinations on the planet.

As you sweep through modern cities, hiding ancient secrets, and hop between rural villages in the shadows of karst landscapes, you’ll quickly discover the immense diversity of this mammoth-sized country.

Compared to other countries I’ve visited in East Asia, traveling in China isn’t always simple. Distances are vast, language barriers are deep, and comforts that are taken for granted elsewhere start to disappear the deeper you dig in.

Despite the difficulty of traveling in China, though—or perhaps because of it—there’s hardly a place on earth where your wanderlust will be more stoked.

Traversing this vast country means embracing the breadth of an entire continent—both in terms of its size and its diverse landscapes, cultures, people, and languages.

Hong Kong

However you slice it, the former British stronghold and world financial center of Hong Kong makes an impression. For many travelers, Hong Kong’s a love-hate destination. Not everyone is enamoured by the busyness that grips you as soon as your feet hit the pavement. In my experience, Hong Kong takes getting used to. But once you embrace the chaos, this densely-packed micro-state is a hard place to leave.

Like other big cities in East Asia, Hong Kong assaults the senses. And while you’re guaranteed beautiful views and to experience weird and wonderful smells as you wander around the city, no sense is more catered to than taste.

After spending plenty of time in more than my fair share of culinary destinations, Hong Kong is truly one of the world’s finest food cities I’ve yet to visit. The city is famous for its Cantonese cuisine, landing it on the bucket list of every gourmand on the planet. In Hong Kong, eating is practically a religion; if you’re not spending much of your time exploring the city through your taste buds, you might want to second-guess your travel plans.

As much as I love Hong Kong’s big city buzz, I didn’t truly and fully appreciate it until I escaped to its quieter corners. Within a stone’s throw of the chaos of Kowloon or Central, you can find yourself roaming around quiet traditional fishing villages or clambering along rugged hiking trails serving up sweeping seaside vistas.

Japan

No travel destination enters my mind more than Japan. From the overwhelming neon signs blazing through the streets to the mouth-watering culinary delights, I couldn’t imagine anyone ending a lifetime without having experienced Japan at least once.

Of all the countries in East Asia, Japan rolls as easily into a travel plan as an expert sushi chef wraps maki. Language barriers notwithstanding, navigating Japan is quick and easy thanks to its well-developed transportation infrastructure.

Every corner of Japan seems to flash a unique view, each more compelling than the last. For electric urban experiences like no other, immerse yourself in the modern chaos of Osaka and Tokyo. Or to see Japan’s modernity fuse with its ancient history, head to the former Japanese imperial capital of Kyoto. With its spiritual soul on display at every corner, Kyoto isn’t just one of East Asia’s most compelling cities, but one of the world’s must-see destinations.

Lesser known are Japan’s more “hidden” gems. From skiing in Hokkaido to relaxing on sub-tropical beaches in Okinawa, traveling across all of Japan can jam in a lifetime of experiences over a few short hops around the country.

Korea

In an odd twist, it wasn’t love at first sight for me in Korea. Moving to a random Korean town to teach English without any sort of primer was, in hindsight, not the best move for me at that time in my life. Long story!

Fortunately, after using this not-so-pleasant experience as a springboard to explore Korea, I developed a strong taste for the country, and quickly discovered what I was missing living in the relatively rural fringes of Gangwon-do.

Fast forward to today, and I would put Korea into the mix as one of the most intriguing countries in Asia. Negotiating the commuter chaos of Seoul puts some of the nation’s coolest tourist attractions and most compelling foods at your fingertips. And even if the slightly grimy port city of Busan can’t hold a candle to the capital, its rawness is surprisingly refreshing in a region where appearances are sometimes deceiving.

And, of course, in between Korea’s urban delights are other less obvious moments. For many the experience of hiking to a mountainside temple around Gyeongju or watching the sunrise from an extinct volcano in Jeju will become forever etched in your memory.

Macau

Even if its tourism board isn’t spouting off lines like “What happens here, stays here,” the small autonomous Chinese territory of Macau sits alongside Las Vegas as one of the two Meccas if the gambling world. Unlike Vegas, however, Macau shows off a storied Chinese and European colonial history that places it among the most unique & surprising places to discover in East Asia.

While the casinos and luxury hotels along the glitzy Cotai Strip take centre stage, it’s in the backstreets where Macau’s most interesting moments shine. As you walk through the city, you’ll stumble upon a smattering of Portuguese-influenced architecture, reflecting 300 years of colonial rule, alongside Chinese temples & old merchant houses that’ll keep you grounded to exactly where you are.

Much like in nearby Hong Kong, only 45 minutes away by ferry, Macau’s Portuguese influences extends beyond its looks. Macanese cuisine is among the continent’s most unique, fusing regional classics like dim sum with Portuguese favourites like pastéis de nata (egg tarts) and bacalhau (salt cod).

Taiwan

Lest we forget the small & diverse island nation of Taiwan. Taking a trip around Taiwan is perhaps the easiest and cheapest introduction to East Asia. And maybe even one of the most fulfilling.

Whereas its other neighbours get by on their name recognition, Taiwan is one of the East Asia’s less obvious travel destinations. That’s bound to change. More and more travellers are discovering the island once named Formosa by a certain European seafaring power who felt compelled to point out its beauty.

With its compact size, there’s no question that exploring Taiwan should start by landing in Taipei. Not that it’s a bad thing. While the Taiwanese capital doesn’t quite sport the dynamism of Tokyo, Seoul or Hong Kong, it’s a fantastic place to visit in its own right. There’s a ton to do here whether its admiring temples, plying through hiking trails or stuffing yourself at night markets.

Even though you could spend your entire trip exploring Taipei and the barrage of nearby destinations, moving about in Taiwan can’t be beat. The secondary cities of Tainan and Kaohsiung are pleasant and interesting enough for a quick visit, but the country’s real drawcard is its natural destinations. Explore the craggy landscapes around Taroko Gorge or the seaside delights of Kenting National Park to get a taste of just how diverse this pretty little island can be.

Transportation in East Asia

Getting there

By air

Unless you want to embark on an epic overland journey from elsewhere on the continent, you’ll most likely travel into East Asia by air. The region is home to several major airports with flights to & from major cities all around the world. The most popular gateways to East Asia include:

• Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
• Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)
• Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
• Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)
• Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
• Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
• Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

When I book my flights to East Asia, I often find the best deals for flights into Tokyo, Seoul, or Hong Kong.

Even if you’re planning to go elsewhere in the region (or even elsewhere on the continent), I’d recommend playing around with layovers in these hubs. You can often lower your flight costs while adding on a day or two in one of these exciting cities!

Getting around

By train

By far, my favorite way to get around East Asia is by train. In the more developed parts of the region, trains are often the quickest, most convenient, and most comfortable way to get around between major destinations.

My favorite train routes in the region include the shinkansen (bullet train) routes between Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto in Japan, the high-speed Korail lines between Seoul and Busan in South Korea, the Beijing-Shanghai HSR route in China, and the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) between Taipei and Kaohsiung.

By bus

In more rural areas of East Asia, buses may be a better (or only) option to get to your next destination. This holds particularly true the further you move from major population centers.

In general, buses tend to be less expensive than trains. They are, however, a tad more confusing to navigate, in my experience.

(Hong Kong was the exception here, but, then again, I might have just got lucky.)

My recommendation on taking buses in East Asia? Get local advice before setting out. Write down the name of the destination in the local language in case you need to explain where you want to get off to the driver. Most will happily help you out.