Asia

Asia is almost too massive and diverse to conceptualize as a single travel destination. Even defining the borders of the continent is difficult—from the mountains around the Black Sea in the west to the snow fields of Siberia in the east, there are more people and cities in Asia than outside of it. Asia’s highest point is Mount Everest, which rises 29,028 feet above sea level on the border of Nepal and China. In contrast, the lowest point is the Dead Sea, whose surface lies 1,312 feet below sea level between Israel and Jordan.

The longest river in Asia is the Yangtze, which runs 3,915 miles through China. The largest lake is the 149,200 square mile Caspian Sea, which is surrounded by several central Asian nations. Asia is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east, by Australia to the southeast, and by the Indian Ocean to the south. The Red Sea lies to the southwest, Europe is to the west, and the Arctic Ocean is to the north.

There are a wide range of travel options, from the desert ruins and modern malls of the Middle East to the magnificent monuments of South Asia; from the beach bungalows and jungle treks in the Southeast to the megacities and technology capitals of East Asia.

The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly known as Kampuchea, is a Southeast Asian nation bordered by Vietnam to the east, Laos to the north, Thailand to the northwest and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. Cambodia is the successor state of the once powerful Hindu and Buddhist Khmer Empire, which ruled most of the Indochinese Peninsula between the 11th and 14th centuries.

Increasing numbers of visitors are now rediscovering Cambodia's striking temples and beaches. Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor, now sports luxury hotels, chic nightspots, ATMs, and an airport fielding flights from all over the region. Other tourist hot spots include Sihanoukville in the southeast, which has several popular beaches, and the nearby area around Kampot, including the Bokor Hill Station. Travel beyond the most popular tourist destinations is still an adventure.

The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly known as Kampuchea, is a Southeast Asian nation bordered by Vietnam to the east, Laos to the north, Thailand to the northwest and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. Cambodia is the successor state of the once powerful Hindu and Buddhist Khmer Empire, which ruled most of the Indochinese Peninsula between the 11th and 14th centuries.

Increasing numbers of visitors are now rediscovering Cambodia's striking temples and beaches. Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor, now sports luxury hotels, chic nightspots, ATMs, and an airport fielding flights from all over the region. Other tourist hot spots include Sihanoukville in the southeast, which has several popular beaches, and the nearby area around Kampot, including the Bokor Hill Station. Travel beyond the most popular tourist destinations is still an adventure.

The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly known as Kampuchea, is a Southeast Asian nation bordered by Vietnam to the east, Laos to the north, Thailand to the northwest and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. Cambodia is the successor state of the once powerful Hindu and Buddhist Khmer Empire, which ruled most of the Indochinese Peninsula between the 11th and 14th centuries.

Increasing numbers of visitors are now rediscovering Cambodia's striking temples and beaches. Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor, now sports luxury hotels, chic nightspots, ATMs, and an airport fielding flights from all over the region. Other tourist hot spots include Sihanoukville in the southeast, which has several popular beaches, and the nearby area around Kampot, including the Bokor Hill Station. Travel beyond the most popular tourist destinations is still an adventure.

The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly known as Kampuchea, is a Southeast Asian nation bordered by Vietnam to the east, Laos to the north, Thailand to the northwest and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. Cambodia is the successor state of the once powerful Hindu and Buddhist Khmer Empire, which ruled most of the Indochinese Peninsula between the 11th and 14th centuries.

Increasing numbers of visitors are now rediscovering Cambodia's striking temples and beaches. Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor, now sports luxury hotels, chic nightspots, ATMs, and an airport fielding flights from all over the region. Other tourist hot spots include Sihanoukville in the southeast, which has several popular beaches, and the nearby area around Kampot, including the Bokor Hill Station. Travel beyond the most popular tourist destinations is still an adventure.

The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly known as Kampuchea, is a Southeast Asian nation bordered by Vietnam to the east, Laos to the north, Thailand to the northwest and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. Cambodia is the successor state of the once powerful Hindu and Buddhist Khmer Empire, which ruled most of the Indochinese Peninsula between the 11th and 14th centuries.

Increasing numbers of visitors are now rediscovering Cambodia's striking temples and beaches. Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor, now sports luxury hotels, chic nightspots, ATMs, and an airport fielding flights from all over the region. Other tourist hot spots include Sihanoukville in the southeast, which has several popular beaches, and the nearby area around Kampot, including the Bokor Hill Station. Travel beyond the most popular tourist destinations is still an adventure.

The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly known as Kampuchea, is a Southeast Asian nation bordered by Vietnam to the east, Laos to the north, Thailand to the northwest and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. Cambodia is the successor state of the once powerful Hindu and Buddhist Khmer Empire, which ruled most of the Indochinese Peninsula between the 11th and 14th centuries.

Increasing numbers of visitors are now rediscovering Cambodia's striking temples and beaches. Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor, now sports luxury hotels, chic nightspots, ATMs, and an airport fielding flights from all over the region. Other tourist hot spots include Sihanoukville in the southeast, which has several popular beaches, and the nearby area around Kampot, including the Bokor Hill Station. Travel beyond the most popular tourist destinations is still an adventure.

The Kingdom of Cambodia, formerly known as Kampuchea, is a Southeast Asian nation bordered by Vietnam to the east, Laos to the north, Thailand to the northwest and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. Cambodia is the successor state of the once powerful Hindu and Buddhist Khmer Empire, which ruled most of the Indochinese Peninsula between the 11th and 14th centuries.

Increasing numbers of visitors are now rediscovering Cambodia's striking temples and beaches. Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor, now sports luxury hotels, chic nightspots, ATMs, and an airport fielding flights from all over the region. Other tourist hot spots include Sihanoukville in the southeast, which has several popular beaches, and the nearby area around Kampot, including the Bokor Hill Station. Travel beyond the most popular tourist destinations is still an adventure.

Laos, formally the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), is one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia, but also is one of the most beautiful. A mountainous and landlocked country, Laos shares borders with Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west and Myanmar and China to the north.

The Lao National Tourism Administration uses the epithet “Jewel of the Mekong” to describe the country and its landscape of thick forests and rugged mountains, which draws many backpackers, spelunkers and ecotourists. Laos is also home to some of the most spectacular animal species in the world, most notably the Indochinese tiger, the giant gaur and the Asiatic elephant.

Laos boasts a few grand attractions, especially around the capital Vientiane and its former French colonial capital Luang Prubang in the north, as well as some surreal attractions, like the enigmatic Plain of Jars in Xiang Kong province. However, many traveleres are simply drawn by the laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to knock back a few cold Beerlao while watching the sunsets on the Mekong. These visitors explain the country’s appeal by revealing that the true meaning of “Lao PDR” is Lao—Please Don’t Rush.

Laos, formally the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), is one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia, but also is one of the most beautiful. A mountainous and landlocked country, Laos shares borders with Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west and Myanmar and China to the north.

The Lao National Tourism Administration uses the epithet “Jewel of the Mekong” to describe the country and its landscape of thick forests and rugged mountains, which draws many backpackers, spelunkers and ecotourists. Laos is also home to some of the most spectacular animal species in the world, most notably the Indochinese tiger, the giant gaur and the Asiatic elephant.

Laos boasts a few grand attractions, especially around the capital Vientiane and its former French colonial capital Luang Prubang in the north, as well as some surreal attractions, like the enigmatic Plain of Jars in Xiang Kong province. However, many traveleres are simply drawn by the laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to knock back a few cold Beerlao while watching the sunsets on the Mekong. These visitors explain the country’s appeal by revealing that the true meaning of “Lao PDR” is Lao—Please Don’t Rush.

Laos, formally the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), is one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia, but also is one of the most beautiful. A mountainous and landlocked country, Laos shares borders with Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west and Myanmar and China to the north.

The Lao National Tourism Administration uses the epithet “Jewel of the Mekong” to describe the country and its landscape of thick forests and rugged mountains, which draws many backpackers, spelunkers and ecotourists. Laos is also home to some of the most spectacular animal species in the world, most notably the Indochinese tiger, the giant gaur and the Asiatic elephant.

Laos boasts a few grand attractions, especially around the capital Vientiane and its former French colonial capital Luang Prubang in the north, as well as some surreal attractions, like the enigmatic Plain of Jars in Xiang Kong province. However, many traveleres are simply drawn by the laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to knock back a few cold Beerlao while watching the sunsets on the Mekong. These visitors explain the country’s appeal by revealing that the true meaning of “Lao PDR” is Lao—Please Don’t Rush.

Laos, formally the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), is one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia, but also is one of the most beautiful. A mountainous and landlocked country, Laos shares borders with Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west and Myanmar and China to the north.

The Lao National Tourism Administration uses the epithet “Jewel of the Mekong” to describe the country and its landscape of thick forests and rugged mountains, which draws many backpackers, spelunkers and ecotourists. Laos is also home to some of the most spectacular animal species in the world, most notably the Indochinese tiger, the giant gaur and the Asiatic elephant.

Laos boasts a few grand attractions, especially around the capital Vientiane and its former French colonial capital Luang Prubang in the north, as well as some surreal attractions, like the enigmatic Plain of Jars in Xiang Kong province. However, many traveleres are simply drawn by the laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to knock back a few cold Beerlao while watching the sunsets on the Mekong. These visitors explain the country’s appeal by revealing that the true meaning of “Lao PDR” is Lao—Please Don’t Rush.

Laos, formally the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), is one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia, but also is one of the most beautiful. A mountainous and landlocked country, Laos shares borders with Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west and Myanmar and China to the north.

The Lao National Tourism Administration uses the epithet “Jewel of the Mekong” to describe the country and its landscape of thick forests and rugged mountains, which draws many backpackers, spelunkers and ecotourists. Laos is also home to some of the most spectacular animal species in the world, most notably the Indochinese tiger, the giant gaur and the Asiatic elephant.

Laos boasts a few grand attractions, especially around the capital Vientiane and its former French colonial capital Luang Prubang in the north, as well as some surreal attractions, like the enigmatic Plain of Jars in Xiang Kong province. However, many traveleres are simply drawn by the laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to knock back a few cold Beerlao while watching the sunsets on the Mekong. These visitors explain the country’s appeal by revealing that the true meaning of “Lao PDR” is Lao—Please Don’t Rush.

Laos, formally the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), is one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia, but also is one of the most beautiful. A mountainous and landlocked country, Laos shares borders with Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west and Myanmar and China to the north.

The Lao National Tourism Administration uses the epithet “Jewel of the Mekong” to describe the country and its landscape of thick forests and rugged mountains, which draws many backpackers, spelunkers and ecotourists. Laos is also home to some of the most spectacular animal species in the world, most notably the Indochinese tiger, the giant gaur and the Asiatic elephant.

Laos boasts a few grand attractions, especially around the capital Vientiane and its former French colonial capital Luang Prubang in the north, as well as some surreal attractions, like the enigmatic Plain of Jars in Xiang Kong province. However, many traveleres are simply drawn by the laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to knock back a few cold Beerlao while watching the sunsets on the Mekong. These visitors explain the country’s appeal by revealing that the true meaning of “Lao PDR” is Lao—Please Don’t Rush.

Laos, formally the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), is one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia, but also is one of the most beautiful. A mountainous and landlocked country, Laos shares borders with Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west and Myanmar and China to the north.

The Lao National Tourism Administration uses the epithet “Jewel of the Mekong” to describe the country and its landscape of thick forests and rugged mountains, which draws many backpackers, spelunkers and ecotourists. Laos is also home to some of the most spectacular animal species in the world, most notably the Indochinese tiger, the giant gaur and the Asiatic elephant.

Laos boasts a few grand attractions, especially around the capital Vientiane and its former French colonial capital Luang Prubang in the north, as well as some surreal attractions, like the enigmatic Plain of Jars in Xiang Kong province. However, many traveleres are simply drawn by the laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to knock back a few cold Beerlao while watching the sunsets on the Mekong. These visitors explain the country’s appeal by revealing that the true meaning of “Lao PDR” is Lao—Please Don’t Rush.