🌏 Why Asia Is So Special
Asia is impossible to summarize neatly. It includes some of the richest countries on Earth, some of the most difficult visas, some of the world's biggest cities, remote mountain regions, island nations, ancient trade routes, and places where tourism feels completely different from one border to the next.
For me, Asia was where the every-country project often felt the most varied. One week could mean a highly organized city-state like Singapore or Brunei, and another could mean complicated permits, political restrictions, or remote mountain roads in Central or South Asia.
🗺️ Countries in Asia
These are the 49 countries in Asia. To see the Middle East, click here.
🧭 Asia Travel Guides
I have travelled across every country in Asia. These are the Asia country guides currently live on the 195 Blog, with personal stories, route notes, photos, practical travel details, and the parts of each trip that stayed with me most.
🇦🇫 Afghanistan
Three weeks in Kabul before the Taliban takeover, teaching juggling at a circus school and experiencing daily life in the city.
🇧🇳 Brunei
Bandar Seri Begawan, Kampong Ayer, Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, quiet city walks, and Southeast Asia's oil-rich sultanate.
🇲🇻 Maldives
Male, Thoddoo Island, the overnight fruit ferry, local guesthouses, and visiting paradise on a student budget.
🇾🇪 Yemen
A mainland Yemen day trip from Salalah in Oman, with Hawf, border logistics, local food, and completing the Middle East.
Get Travel Insurance for Asia
Asia is one of the easiest regions in the world to travel, but it is also a place where insurance matters. A trip can include scooters in Thailand, volcano hikes in Indonesia, remote islands in the Philippines, high-altitude trekking in Nepal, long bus journeys in Central Asia, and expensive private hospitals in major cities.
For Asia, I usually compare two different types of travel insurance: SafetyWing for longer, more flexible trips, and Heymondo for fixed-date holidays with clearer start and end dates.
SafetyWing
Best for backpackers, digital nomads, remote workers, and longer trips across several Asian countries.
- Good for open-ended travel
- Useful if you do not know your exact return date
- Works well for multi-country Asia routes
- Subscription-style coverage for long-term travelers
Heymondo
Best for regular vacations, family trips, honeymoons, and fixed-date Asia itineraries where you want a policy built around one specific trip.
- Good for trips with fixed dates
- Useful when you want cancellation options
- Often strong for medical coverage limits
- Flexible add-ons depending on the trip
The simple rule: if you are traveling around Asia for weeks or months, check SafetyWing. If you are booking a specific Asia trip with set dates, check Heymondo.
✈️ Practical Notes for Asia Travel
Asia can be incredibly easy or surprisingly complicated depending on where you go. Some countries have world-class transport and simple visa rules, while others require permits, guides, invitation letters, or careful timing around political and seasonal restrictions.
- Do not assume nearby countries feel similar; Asia changes dramatically across borders.
- Check visa rules early for Central Asia, South Asia, and politically sensitive destinations.
- Use major hubs like Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Doha, Dubai, and Istanbul strategically.
- Plan around weather, especially monsoon seasons, mountain roads, and island ferries.
- Leave space for food, markets, temples, mosques, trains, and slow wandering.
For what I actually pack on my trips, see my travel packing list.