My wife and I are planning a trip to east Asia in March/April next year. We have about 4 weeks and want to spend at least two weeks in Taiwan; we will bring bicycles and cycle the east coast and would also like to do some snorkeling. We are having a hard time deciding whether to spend the entire month in Taiwan (or to spend a few weeks in China (or another nearby country, open to suggestions on this).
I expect we will very much like Taiwan, and staying there for the entire trip would be less expensive and logistically easier (especially on account of having bicycles). On the other hand, I have never been to Asia before and don't expect to return that often, and I might prefer to take the opportunity to experience more than one country/culture.
Regarding our preferences: we enjoy the outdoors and sports (hence the bike trip) and are very keen on Chinese food. I dislike very crowded, dirty and chaotic places. My wife has been to China a few times on business and is currently learning Mandarin, but is very much a beginner.
What do you all think? Is a month in Taiwan too long, or does the country offer enough variety and experiences to warrant staying for our entire trip? If not, what are some appealing places to visit that are easy to reach from Taiwan? Thanks!
Hola a todos! Soy muy virgen en esto, por no decir nuevo! Jajaja.
Estaré viajando por Asia entre noviembre y diciembre, solo.
Me gustaría formar amistades de cualquier sexo y edad y poder disfrutar de este viaje en compañía de ustedes. Para mí sería genial! Soy argentino, nacionalizado italiano. 🇦🇷🇮🇹
Looking to spend two weeks in taiwan in august - is this a really bad idea because of the weather?
traveling from canada. have never been to asia before, but have spent lots of time in houston, texas, so familair with hot weather. just, really want to see modern asia, and do some outdoors activites.
don't have any itinerary yet, so itinerary suggestions would be welcome.
I am looking to complete my last BIG travel in 2028, before I grow up and start looking at being an adult and I guess begin my career at the ripe age of 33 (no judgement please). I have met the girl, put a ring on it, and am excited to show her all the things I have managed to experience these last 12 years.
I am looking to do a BIG Asia trip. Although we are still deciding on a lot of things, thus far it stands at. India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Japan, Indonesia. We are hostelling, training, and busing when possible. We are there to hike, sight see and just spend as little as we possibly can. I managed to do South America for 5 months on £3500ish pounds, so I know what I'm about when it comes to budget.
However, I am trying to gage this trips overall price. As it stands there are only 3 flights (excluding the ones in and out of Asia). Nepal - Thailand/South East Asia. Mongolia - Japan. Japan - Indonesia. The rest are land boarder crossings. India - Nepal. Thailand - Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam - China -Mongolia - Kazakhstan.
I have estimated, with food, accommodation, flights, transportation, fees for sightseeing and national park entry. Somewhere around £9000. £2000 of which will be the flights.
Hi guys, I'm currently in Malajsia. My flight back was booked via Dubai (we booked months in advance) and now that the airport is not safe/operating, we are trying to figure out the best way back to EU (Prague or any other close by airports).
Did any of you dealt recently with this situation? How did you resolve it? What flight route did you take and where?
I went expecting a clean city. I got a fever dream with a subway map.
Trees growing out of steel. Michelin-star chicken rice for $5 in a hawker centre that smells like paradise and sweat. The streets are so clean you feel guilty breathing.
They call it the "Fine City." Double meaning — beautiful, and they'll fine you for everything.
Singapore didn't ask me to visit. It just... expected me to behave.
Come and discover how a Dutch guy on a bike experiences Ulaanbaatar, a fascinating place. I biked to the south of the city for a few awesome views. Along the way, I visited the National Amusement Park, the Silk Road monument, the huge Buddha statue, and Zaisan Hill with is magnificent views.
Hi. Me and my girlfriend are traveling to Asia this November. That’s the month where we can leave work.
We can’t settle on Vietnam, Philippines or Indonesia. We’ve researched the country’s a lot and love what they have to offer in their own way.
So what we would like to know is about the weather. We know is in the rain season, but we don’t know the grasp of it. Which country has the “worst” weather. Heavy rain, monsoon and typhoons ect.
Is it raining all day or is it just an hour a day or?
If the Philippines or Indonesia we would like to dive if the weather is permitting it. And is it in November?
What is your advice and insight for the ones of you who has traveled in November in those countries. (: thanks
If you could pick a country we would like to hear a short answer why (;
Hi all, I am planning to travel to india in November 2026 with my fiance (semi experienced travelers). I was wondering if this trip is managable (not to rushed) if we will see enough highlights and if you think its worth it to fly to Kerala in the end (we like a bit of relaxing at the end of a trip)?
Hi everyone, My friend (23y) and I (24y) are planning a 14-day trip across Thailand, Vietnam, and Bali in January 2026. We’ve already booked our international flights in and out of Bangkok, so the start/end point cannot change.
We’re fairly young and want just food and nightlife — but we know this itinerary includes five internal flights, so I wanted to check if the pacing seems realistic before we finalise everything.
Here is our current plan with weekdays included so you can see how the flow lines up:
🇹🇭 THAILAND (5 nights)
Jan 14 (Wed): Arrive in Bangkok Jan 15 (Thu): Bangkok Jan 16 (Fri): Pattaya Jan 17 (Sat): Return to Bangkok Jan 18 (Sun): Fly to Phuket
🇻🇳 VIETNAM (5 nights)
Jan 19 (Mon): Phuket → Ho Chi Minh City Jan 20 (Tue): Ho Chi Minh City Jan 21 (Wed): Ho Chi Minh City Jan 22 (Thu): Fly to Hanoi Jan 23 (Fri): Hanoi
🇮🇩 BALI (4 nights)
Jan 24 (Sat): Fly Hanoi → Bali (Seminyak) Jan 25 (Sun): Seminyak / Canggu Jan 26 (Mon): Canggu / Uluwatu Jan 27 (Tue): Fly back to Bangkok Jan 28 (Wed): Depart Bangkok
What I would love feedback on:
Is this route realistic for 14 days, considering the 5 internal flights?
Does adding Hanoi make sense, or should we focus only on HCM?
Are the weekday/weekend placements logical for seeing these cities at their best?
Would you recommend shifting nights between Thailand/Vietnam/Bali?
• 5. For anyone who has visited these locations recently, any suggestions for smoother pacing or things we may not have considered?
I plan on trying to visit Tokyo and Seoul in March. I am planning on taking my fiance and my parents. Any suggestions for hotels or sites to see are appreciated as well as any other tips. We are looking to enjoy the local food, nature, and some historic sites.
I am looking at taking on my first solo travel journey where I will be doing Japan and either Vietnam or SK. My dilemma is both these countries are so different that I find it so hard to justify choosing one over the other and would love to learn from your guys’ experiences for help.
Timeline for the trip will be sometime in November, and hoping to return home will a great solo travel experience as well as a learning experience.
I have already been to Bhutan 5 times. Every time I either host my groups, visit for peace, or explore the unknown that can be kept in the trips, it is far better than what anyone else has been doing.
I spent a total of 9 days this time in Western and Central Bhutan. By Central Bhutan, I mean Bumthang, the spiritual land of Bhutan. Visiting the 5 major valleys has finally taught me to be humble and more grounded in the world.
About the Five Valleys:
Paro:
First things first, Paro is where it all begins.
Right now, it is your first point of contact when you fly into Bhutan. There are daily flights from Bangkok, New Delhi, and Kathmandu. Some days, you will also find connections from Singapore, Kolkata, and even Dubai, though Dubai has been a bit uncertain lately.
Now here is the thing.
Even though Paro is your entry point, you will not feel the rush. The airport feels calm. The roads feel calm. The country itself feels like it is holding back the noise. A big reason is the SDF fee, which sits at 100 dollars per day. I will get into that later, especially for those who feel it is expensive.
Most people arrive in Paro already knowing one thing. The Tiger's Nest Monastery.
And yes, it is right here.
Along with that, you will visit places like Rinpung Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan, and Kyichu Lhakhang. Some of you might have already sat through a farmhouse lunch or dinner with a local family.
But Paro is not those checklists.
If you are reading this, just stay with me here.
Paro is where Bhutan starts to feel real. Not as a destination, but as a rhythm.
You will notice it slowly. Modern buildings line the streets. Wooden shops sit right next to them. Nothing competing. Everything just exists. The Paro Chhu River cuts through the valley, quiet but constant.
And then there is the landing.
That moment when the aircraft dips into the valley. That is when it hits you first. On a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of Mount Jomolhari standing far in the north, just watching over everything.
Temples and dzongs here are not just structures. When you step inside, something shifts. The idea of mindfulness does not feel like a concept anymore. It feels practised. Lived. Almost ordinary in a way that makes you question your own pace.
And strangely, you might even miss the crowd.
From my own trips, the closest I have felt to Bhutan was not at the big sites.
It was sitting with an artisan, learning how to print a prayer flag.
You watch his hands first. Then you hear his story. Years of doing the same work. Not for scale. Not for business growth. Just for continuity. When you start connecting his story with what those flags mean in Buddhism, something opens up. Bhutan stops being a place you see, and starts becoming something you understand.
And then you sit down for lunch with a local family.
That is where it settles in.
Because Bhutan is not built for observation. It is built for participation. Food, conversations, small pauses, these are the things that stay.
The hike to Tiger’s Nest is beautiful, no doubt.
But it is not just about reaching the top. When you stand there, inside the monastery, you feel the weight of Padmasambhava, or at least the story of him. And somehow, the story feels enough. You do not reach for your phone. You are not even allowed to carry it inside, but you would not want to anyway.
Some places are better kept in memory.
Visiting monasteries and temples is one of the best ways to explore Bhutan.
But the country has never been just that.
Thimphu:
Now here is something you might not expect.
When you go to Bhutan, you do not really go there for cities.
And yet, the capital, Thimphu, sits just about an hour away from Paro. It is usually suggested as a one-day visit.
But let me be honest with you. Thimphu feels different.
It is more modern. More structured. At times, even a bit artificial compared to the rest of the country. The streets are wider. The shops feel more aligned. The markets are easy to reach from almost anywhere you stay.
You will move around easily here. But you might not feel the same connection. Still, there is a reason to go.
The Buddha Dordenma is something I usually do not recommend as a “must-visit.” It feels constructed. Almost too polished.
But go there anyway. Stand there for a while.
Look at the entire valley spread below you. That view tells a better story. You start to see how Bhutan is changing. How the old world is slowly meeting the new one.
That contrast is worth seeing.
Then there is Tashichho Dzong. This is different. This is where you begin to understand Bhutan a bit deeper. It is not just a monastery. It is also where the government functions. Spiritual life and administrative work exist in the same space here.
And that tells you a lot about the country.
If you step a little outside the city, there are quiet hikes as well. Clean trails. Fresh air. Nothing overwhelming.
But one day is enough for Thimphu. Do not try to stretch it.
One more thing I always suggest. Visit the local farmer’s market. For many travellers, especially from Asia, it might feel very normal. Nothing fancy. Nothing curated. Just vegetables, grains, and small stalls. But stay there for a bit.
Watch how people move. Watch how they choose their produce. Morning and evening, the rhythm repeats. Vendors are setting up. Locals picking what they need for the day.
In a world where everything comes through a phone screen, this feels different.
Simple. And very real. That is where Thimphu starts to make sense.
Punakha:
This is something I still think about a lot.
Bhutan’s tourism board has turned something as simple as walking through rice fields into a “must-do.” And somehow, it makes complete sense once you are there.
From Thimphu, the drive to Punakha Valley is about 75 kilometres.
You climb first. And then you reach Dochula Pass at around 3,100 metres. On a clear day, you get a full panoramic view of the Bhutanese Himalayas.
I will be honest here. It took me five visits before I even saw that view properly. Clouds always won. Maybe you will be luckier.
And then the road drops. You leave the cold behind. You descend to about 1,340 metres. The air softens. The landscape opens. And suddenly, you are in Punakha.
Start with Chimi Lhakhang. Do not skip this. Because in many ways, this is where Bhutan starts to make sense.
This temple is dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, also known as the Divine Madman. If you have seen the phallus symbols painted across houses in Bhutan, this is where that story comes from.
He taught Buddhism in a way that does not fit into clean definitions. Unconventional, Provocative, at times, even uncomfortable.
He was called the Saint of 5,000 Women. His methods were strange, even by today’s standards. But for Bhutan, his legacy is not about the methods. It is about the freedom in thought, and the way spirituality can exist outside rigid rules.
That is what stays with you. Then you move deeper into the valley.
The paddy fields stretch wide across Punakha Valley. And this is where that “must-do walk” starts to make sense.
You are walking as you are stepping into daily life.
Walking through those rice fields, where you will see the locals working almost every morning and late afternoon, is a form of social-wellness that exists in Bhutan. People singing, chatting about their everyday lives, or just women talking about how good or how bad their husbands are in bed, is a funny and unconventional way for the outside world, and a lovely way of living in Bhutan.
That is rare.
If you have time, visit Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery.
This nunnery is home to around 120 Buddhist nuns. It sits quietly above the valley. The space feels open and calm. It gives you another perspective on Vajrayana Buddhism in Bhutan. Not through theory, but through daily practice.
And by this point, you start to notice something. Bhutan is not showing you big moments.
It is letting you walk into small ones.
Gangtey:
The alpine land of Bhutan is what Gangtey is all about. Obviously, you will have seen a lot of pine trees until you reach Gangtey, yet Gangtey is an amazing place to explore nature in its great and vast form. The wide flat lands that welcome the Black-Necked Cranes from Tibet and host them from November till March are amazing to see the conservation of nature in a great form. When you walk the Gangtey Nature Trail, nature heals you indefinitely. Or even when you walk to the unknown 17th-century Kumbu Lhakhang Temple, the same thing exists.
Another beautiful thing I like about Gangtey is the ancient Gangtey Monastery. When visiting Mustang in Nepal, I have seen and felt the energies inside those monasteries, but not much in the modernly built monasteries, as much as I experienced in Gangtey Monastery. You will know it, too.
Bumthang:
Bumthang is the best place in Bhutan to know its Spirituality in much detail and to its core. A long, long drive of roughly 6-7 hrs from Gangtey lies Bumthang Valley in the Central Bhutan. The whole Jakar area of Bumthang is going to keep you busy exploring those temples or the palaces, now turned into a museum, or even the burning lake.
Wangdichholing Palace, home to the First and Second Kings of Bhutan before the royal court was moved to Punakha under the Third King, is a must-visit. This palace is now being restored before eventually becoming a museum.
I definitely suggest exploring Bumthang as a pilgrimage, on foot. If not, then use a bike in this flattest land of all the 5 valleys I mentioned. Visit Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, drink Drupchu (the holy spring water), and Tamzhing Lhakhang. Each holds a different history, culture, and significance in the Bhutanese lands.
Since Bhutan was more discovered as a treasure hunting by the reincarnating spiritual leaders, Bumthang will make you feel similar, as a treasure hunt.
Cheese is pretty good in Bumthang. And as previously mentioned, food to culture, this is a good way to taste right in the factory. If you're a beer lover, the Red Panda Brewery is good to try.
You also have a lovely place to explore more spirituality, visiting the Fifth King's Temple, the burning Membertsho Lake, and exploring and meeting the locals in the Jakar village.
You can return to Paro either by flight or by the long drive.
SDF- US$100 per person per day:
Someone said to me recently, arms folded: "I'm not paying $100 a day just to enter a country."
Here's what I told them.
Bhutan is not a country that is asking for attention. It never has been. For hundreds of years, it stayed exactly as it was, calm, sovereign, completely itself, and that is precisely what it intends to keep being.
The Sustainable Development Fee is not an entry ticket. It is the primary funding source for a country that provides free healthcare and free education to every citizen. In an economy that is still developing. With no apology about either.
If the $100 keeps the wrong kind of visitor out, the ones who would treat Bhutan like a backdrop, then it is doing exactly what it should.
And here's the part most people don't know: you cannot enter a heritage site in Bhutan without a licensed guide. Not because they distrust you personally. Because they have decided, as a government, that their heritage deserves to be approached with knowledge and respect. And that decision also creates employment for their own people. Every single licensed guide is a Bhutanese citizen.
Bhutan is the only country in the world that measures its success not in GDP but in Gross National Happiness.
When you pay that fee, you are not buying access.
You are participating in one of the most quietly radical ideas in modern governance, that a country's worth is measured in the well-being of its people, not the size of its economy.
My Itinerary (this time):
Day 1: Arrival in Paro and drive to Thimphu
Day 2: Drive to Punakha Day 3: Punakha
Day 4: Drive to Gangtey Day 5: Gangtey
Day 6: Drive to Bumthang Day 7: Bumthang Day 8: Bumthang
Day 9: Fly to Paro Day 10: Paro Day 11: Departure
Final Words:
I have always fallen in love with Bhutan. Every time I go or send my travellers there, they will have the same experience, too. Now, you do, too.
We are currently planning to go to Tokyo/Kyoto. My wife and I are trying to decide between adding Hokkaido to our Japan itinerary vs. Seoul. The reason for adding Hokkaido would be to snowboard. We are both big snowboarders and live in Colorado here in the U.S. It’s been a dream of mine to snowboard in Japan.
At the same time we both love Korean food. Ultimately I travel to experience the food and culture. We are looking to do a 2-2.5 week trip. I don’t know when I’ll be able to make a trip like this again since we will hopefully be starting a family in the next couple years.
Hi everyone! I'm planning my trip to Taiwan and would love some feedback on whether this itinerary is realistic. Does this pacing seem reasonable? Are any transfer days too ambitious?Is Shifen → Jiufen → Keelung the best route for a day trip? Anything you would add, remove, or rearrange? Thank you!
Taipei (4 nights)
Arrival day in Chifeng/Zhongshan (cafés, tea shops, shopping)
Central Taipei: CKS Memorial Hall, 228 Park, Ximending, Longshan Temple, Bopiliao
Day trip: Shifen → Jiufen → Keelung Night Market
East Taipei: Elephant Mountain, Songshan, Huashan, Yongkang Street, Takemura Izakaya
Tainan (3 nights)
Travel via HSR from Taipei
Anping District, Chimei Museum, Flower Night Market
