Asia Tour Packages

1. Geography Facts About Asia
2. Cultural Facts About Asia
3. Most Visited Country In Asia (2023)
4. Least Visited Countries In Asia (2023)
5. Most Popular Cities In Asia
6. Most Visited Tourist Attractions In Asia
7. Most Notable Festivals In Asia
8. Common Etiquette To Remember When Visiting Asian Countries
9. Common Must-Try Delicacies In Asia

• Asia is the largest continent and home to over 60% of the world’s population.
• Asia covers 30% of the Earth’s land area.
• The continent is home to the world’s deepest & oldest lake – Lake Baikal.
• The Persian Gulf is home to over 50% of the world’s oil reserves.
• Asia is home to the largest bay in the world – The Bay of Bengal.
• The Bay of Bengal is also the largest delta in the world.
• China alone has more flower species than North and South America combined.
• Asia is home to the highest (Mt. Everest) and the lowest (Dead Sea) points in the world.
• Asia is home to the only carbon-negative country in the world – Bhutan.

• The continent is home to the world’s largest Muslim country – Indonesia.
• Asia is the birthplace of all major religions.
• It is home to the world’s oldest civilisation – Mesopotamia.
• The Angkor Wat is home to the world’s largest religious monument.
• Mandarin is one of the top 10 languages by number of native speakers.

Source: unwto.org

Turkey stands at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, borrowing cultural and historical influences from both continents. The combination of breathtaking natural beauty, ancient sites, architectural marvels, rich Ottoman heritage, flavourful cuisine, and warm hospitality makes it one of the most popular tourist attractions on the continent. Check our Turkey tour packages for more information.

With over 700 islands and 180 beaches, Thailand is a beach lover’s paradise. However, the beautiful islands of Ko Samui and Ko Tao aren’t the only reasons tourists visit this tropical paradise. People flock to the island country for its delectable cuisine, traditional festivals and temples, and pampering spa retreats. If you’d like to visit Thailand, call 9940882200 to check our Thailand tour packages.

Ever since Saudi Arabia opened its country, the kingdom has seen a surge of tourists who would love to explore its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and modern marvels. While Muslim pilgrims performing their Hajj are a major source of the tourist population, the country also attracts tourists looking to explore Saudi Arabia’s natural attractions, like the Rub’ al Khali, and heritage sites like Al Ula and Hegra.

Japan is a country of contrasts—on the one hand, it is modern and flashy, with neon lights, fast trains, and high-end shopping malls. Conversely, it has pristine natural scenery, a rich and well-preserved cultural heritage, and incredible food. The country is equally famous for its historic temples, exciting festivals, and unique castles. Not to mention the famous Sakura Season or cherry blossom season. Visit us if you are looking for affordable Japan tour packages.

Malaysia is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic country famous for its rainforests, beautiful islands, fascinating wildlife, and sumptuous food. It is also a popular pilgrimage destination for Tamils who revere the Batu Murugan in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is a great shopping destination and the best place to buy bags, purses, accessories, electronics, and batik-print clothes. If you want to visit this beautiful country, check out our Malaysia tour packages.

If you want to visit Disneyland on a budget, you must definitely visit Hong Kong. The city is a great shopping destination with plenty of street stalls selling electronics, clothes, porcelain, jade products, and other Chinese handicrafts. Besides Disneyland, tourists visit Ocean Park, a marine-life theme park with thousands of fish. Not to mention the sumptuous food in Hong Kong’s streetside stalls and restaurants. If you’d like to visit the city, check out our Hong Kong tour packages.

Source: onestep4ward.com and ceoworld.biz

It’s no surprise that people don’t want to visit Afghanistan. Decades of conflict and the risk of falling foul with the Taliban have made this once beautiful Central Asian country off-limits for ordinary tourists. But it does attract a few adventurous souls who want to experience life at its most basic. Some famous attractions in the country include the Khogiani Valley, Herat Mosque, and the Khyber Pass.

This Southeast Asian country, which borders Indonesia in the west and Australia in the south (separated by the Timor Sea), doesn’t see many tourists for various reasons. For one, it is not easy to get there. Since this is an underdeveloped country, public transport is poor, making it difficult for tourists to get around. Similarly, there are not many accommodation options. Gang violence and gender-based violence can also be a problem. This is sad because East Timor is a beautiful country with incredible natural beauty.

Bhutan is probably the only country in the world that has deliberately made itself inaccessible to tourists. The country does not view tourism as a money-making exercise but values preserving its environment and culture. Bhutan charges $300 per day as an entry fee, i.e., a fee-only stay in the country. We’re not counting accommodation, meals, or travel expenses. This beautiful Himalayan country is famous for its monasteries, valleys, and sumptuous food.

Mongolia is a landlocked Central Asian country and part of the Great Steppe or vast flat grassy plains. The country is home to one of the world’s last remaining pastoral nomadic tribes relying on their animals for survival. While the Mongols are hospitable people, the rugged terrain and lack of amenities make it difficult for regular tourists to visit. But it is an excellent place for adventure travellers who don’t mind the vast and empty natural landscapes.

Bangladesh is a population-dense country with inadequate infrastructure and political instability. Also, the country isn’t as promoted as other South Asian countries like Sri Lanka, India, or Nepal. This is really sad because Bangladesh is home to the beautiful Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world and cultural heritage sites like Kantanagar Temples.

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a fantastic city full of temples, street food markets, and shopping malls. It also boasts of a vibrant nightlife. Tourists also love to visit the city during Songkran, a festival celebrating Thai New Year, where people splash water on each other, sparing no one, including tourists. Explore this beautiful city with Bangkok tour packages from GT Holidays.

Tokyo is an innovative city with a unique culture that blends tradition with modernity. Its neon-lit streets and high-energy metropolitan vibes starkly contrast with natural splendours like Mount Fuji and heritage sites like Senso-ji. Tokyo is also an excellent destination for food connoisseurs who can dine at the many izakayas and sushi-yas.

Bali is famous for its unique mix of Chinese, Indian, and Hindu influences, differentiating it from the rest of Indonesia. While the beaches are captivating, the island’s cuisine is equally special. Not to mention the possibility of adventure activities like surfing, hiking, and whitewater rafting. Check our Bali tour packages if you’d like to explore this exotic island.

Dubai offers a world-class shopping experience with out-of-this-world shopping malls with ice rinks, aquariums, ski slopes, and thousands of stores. But the city combines modern architecture with tradition beautifully with its souks, which sell everything from spices and gold to textiles and even perfumes. If you’re looking to travel to this Middle Eastern city, check out our Dubai tour packages.

Singapore is unlike any other place in the world and a city of superlatives – from the world’s tallest indoor waterfall to the largest orchid garden and the first nocturnal zoo. It’s also a paradise for food lovers, with offerings ranging from world-class restaurants to hawker fare and everything in between. Not to mention the city’s multicultural atmosphere where people celebrate festivals in style and fanfare. To visit Garden City, check out our Singapore tour packages.

Kuala Lumpur is truly the melting pot of Southeast Asia, where different cultures, religions, and ethnicities live harmoniously, making it a vibrant place to visit. Not to mention its sumptuous food and glitzy nightlife. The festivals are equally colourful, with Malaysians celebrating everything from Chinese New Year to Thaipoosam and Ramzan to Christmas with equal enthusiasm.

If you are looking for a perfect place with splendid beaches, delicious food, and magnificent temples, Phuket is your dream destination. There are also plenty of entertainment options, thanks to the city’s vibrant nightlife and street markets. If you are looking for affordable vacation options, check out our Thailand tour packages.

As one of the oldest cities in the world, Istanbul is home to several cultural and historical attractions, including the Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern. Not to mention the centuries-old hammams like Kılıç Ali Paşa and Zeyrek Çinili, which the Ottomans once visited. The city is equally famous for its bazaars selling lamps, antique jewellery, and textiles.

Angkor Wat extends over 400 sq km and consists of hundreds of temples built in the early 12th century by the Khmer King Suryavarman II. It is one of the largest temple complexes in the world and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Angkor Wat is often labelled the 8th Wonder of the World and features relics depicted in the Ramayana and King Suryavarman’s life.

The Great Wall of China is one of the world’s greatest wonders, known for its massive construction and unique architectural style. Built over 2700 years ago, it spans 15 regions in China and covers approximately 5,000 miles. Construction started in 300 BCE and was finished during the Ming dynasty in the 18th century.

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The tomb is built in a 42-acre complex with a mosque, a guest house, beautiful gardens, and water features. The structure stands for eternal love and is considered a masterpiece of Mughal architecture.

Wat Phra Chetuphon, or Wat Pho, is famous for its stunning architecture and is home to the reclining Buddha statue. The temple was built by King Rama I so that monks could learn about Phra Pariyat Dhamma. It is the oldest and largest complex in Bangkok and is even believed to host a Bodhi tree, which could be the descendant of the original Bodhi tree where Buddha attained enlightenment.

Gardens by the Bay is an incredible man-made nature park spread over 101 hectares and hosting over a million plants worldwide. The garden has the largest glass greenhouse in the world and even has a climate-controlled biomass equivalent to the size of four football grounds.

Disneyland is one of the most popular theme parks in Asia. It offers classic Disney attractions like thrilling rides, live shows, mystical museums, and the Seven Wonderlands. Some of Disneyland’s major attractions include the Castle of Magical Dreams, Mystic Manor, and Hyperspace Mountain.

Standing at 3776 metres, Mount Fuji is Japan’s tallest mountain peak and one of the country’s iconic symbols. The mountain was formed due to volcanic activity around 100,000 years ago. It is also one of Japan’s holiest sites, especially for the Shugen-do sect, which combines mountain worship with Buddhism.

Sigiriya is one of Sri Lanka’s most famous monuments, built during the reign of King Kashyapa around the late 5th century. It is an ancient palace built on a monolith surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, gardens, and canals. The palace also served as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. The palace gets its name from the main entrance on the northern side of the rock, which resembles a giant stone lion.

The lush emerald rice terraces are not only scenic but also built on the Balinese principle of harmony with nature, fellow humans, and God. Thanks to their deep cultural significance for the Balinese, they are protected under the UNESCO World Heritage scheme. Some of the notable rice terraces include Jatiluwih, Tegallalang, and Sidemen.

The Lunar Festival or Spring Festival is a major festival celebrated in China and other Asian countries with an ethnic Chinese population. These include Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia. The festival involves elaborate ceremonies and festivities that span several days, with traditions like family reunions, feasts, and traditional games. Another important aspect of the festival includes offering red envelopes with money to children, lighting lanterns, and setting off fireworks.

Minor traditions differ from one country to another. For instance, in Korea, people wear traditional hanboks and play traditional games, while in Vietnam, people decorate their homes with kumquat trees and peach blossoms.

Diwali, or Deepawali, is also called the Festival of Lights, and it is celebrated by millions of Indians and Hindus across Asia, including Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, Indonesia, and even Thailand. Hindus celebrate Diwali by lighting lamps, symbolising the victory of good over evil. People welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Prosperity. Some popular Diwali traditions include wearing new clothes, setting off fireworks, distributing sweets to friends and family, and decorating the home with flowers and rangoli.

Thais celebrate Songkran as part of their New Year festivities. The festival now attracts tourists from around the world to witness the water fights, during which people throw water on everyone, including tourists. Water is believed to wash away bad luck from the previous year and welcome good fortune during the New Year. Besides pouring water over one another, people also bathe images of Buddha, play games, and sample traditional Thai dishes like prawn pad Thai and mango sticky rice.

Onam is a 10-day harvest festival celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam (August – September). It is also associated with the legend of King Mahabali, a beloved king who is believed to have visited his subjects on the final day of Oman, called Thiruvonam. People of all communities and religions gather to welcome Mahabali with Athapookolams or flower rangolis, boat races, and folk dances like pulikali, thumbi thullal, thiruvathira, and kummattikali. Oman celebrations culminate in Onam Sadya – a vegetarian feast that includes not less than 15 side dishes, 5 curries, and a minimum of 3 desserts. If you’d like to experience Onam first-hand or watch the famous boat race, check out our Kerala tour package.

While Malaysia is a multicultural society, its population is predominantly Muslim, making Hari Raya or Eid a major festival. Eid-al-Fitr marks the end of the month-long fasting during Ramadan. Malaysians celebrate the festival by decorating their homes with lights, lanterns, and traditional floral arrangements called bunga rampai. This is also a great time to enjoy traditional Malay food, including rendang, satay, ketupat, and serunding. Another tradition common during Hari Raya is giving duit Raya or gift money for celebration by elders to children.

Cherry blossom season in Japan starts at the end of March and lasts until the middle of April, although it could continue until May. Hanami, or the Cherry Blossom Festival, is celebrated to welcome the fleeting beauty of the cherry blossoms. In fact, Hanami is not planned until the announcement of the blossom forecast. Hanami is deeply rooted in Japanese tradition, dating back to the Nara Period from 710 to 794. Some traditions associated with the cherry blossom festival include gathering together for a feast, handing paper lanterns on trees, and drinking sake or tea.

The Bali Kite Festival is celebrated yearly from July to August and could extend up to October. This Hindu religious festival is to thank the gods for an abundant harvest. Kite-flying fans from across the world visit Sanur in Bali to compete with each other. Kites are significant to Balinese culture, and people have passed down the art of kite-making for generations.

Nowruz is a 6th-century Zoroastrian festival celebrated across Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Iran. It is also celebrated in countries with an ethnic Persian or Parsi population, viz., Pakistan, India, and Iran. While originally associated with Zoroastrianism, this spring festival is still observed by many Muslims, especially in Turkey and Afghanistan. While traditions and customs related to Nowruz change from one country to another, certain unifying features exist. For instance, rituals involving fire and water are a standard feature.

• Holi, the Festival of Colours in India
• Dragon Boat Festival in China
• Gion Matsuri in Japan
• Nowruz – Across Central Asia
• Durga Puja – West Bengal, Odisha (India)
• Kandy Perahara – Sri Lanka
• Vesak – Sri Lanka
• Thaipusam – Malaysia
• Yee Peng or Festival of Lanterns in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

• Remove your shoes & hats before entering temples.
• Dress modestly in religious places. Some places in South India require men to remove their shirts and women to carry a shawl or scarf.
• Ask permission before taking pictures of Buddhist monks, temple deities, etc. Photography is mostly prohibited in Indian temples.
• Use your right hand when shaking hands, eating, offering or receiving a gift, etc.
• In Japan, China, and other Southeast Asian countries, always give and receive cards, gifts, or other valuables with both hands.
• Hierarchy and titles are very important across Asia, influencing many things, including dinner table arrangements and business meetings.
• Asians are afraid of sounding rude and hence say yes, even when they don’t want to say no. As a result, they make excuses to avoid confrontation.
• In Hindu countries, cow is sacred, and not everyone eats beef.
• Similarly, in Islamic countries, people do not eat pork.
• In countries where the fork is a common cutlery, remember not to place it upright as it is considered rude.
• In Buddhist countries, women may not touch the monk.
• PDAs are best avoided as most Asian countries are conservative.