Asia travel advice
Language barrier advice
Andy Burt from our supplier, Intrepid, shares his Asia travel advice:
“For me, the interaction with the locals in China is one of the highlights of a trip. It’s hard to anticipate how little language you have in common, yet with body language and a sense of humour you can still have a meaningful interaction with people. A lot of people presume that Chinese people are quite rude and a bit standoffish, but they’re not at all. Where the Japanese are reservedly polite and don’t want to lose face by having bad English, the Chinese don’t care, they just speak Mandarin at you like you’ll understand it, which of course you don’t much to their amusement, but within that you find a way to communicate. There’s a lot of spitting in public in China, it’s just what they do, so leave your cultural baggage at the door and appreciate them for who they are.”
“For me, the interaction with the locals in China is one of the highlights of a trip. It’s hard to anticipate how little language you have in common, yet with body language and a sense of humour you can still have a meaningful interaction with people. A lot of people presume that Chinese people are quite rude and a bit standoffish, but they’re not at all. Where the Japanese are reservedly polite and don’t want to lose face by having bad English, the Chinese don’t care, they just speak Mandarin at you like you’ll understand it, which of course you don’t much to their amusement, but within that you find a way to communicate. There’s a lot of spitting in public in China, it’s just what they do, so leave your cultural baggage at the door and appreciate them for who they are.”
Environmental advice
Richard Goodey, from our supplier Lost Earth Adventures shares his Nepal travel advice:
“The problem with rubbish in Nepal isn’t monumental, but it is an issue. What we advise tourists to do is eat as the locals do: eat the rice, the lentils, the fresh fruit and vegetables. Tourists tend to bring with them plastic water bottles, packets of crisps and chocolate bars for energy, so without thinking, they are adding to the rubbish problem and the Nepalese are picking up on this – if they can sell you a Mars Bar for 50p, to them that’s massive money. It’s fine to eat foods like that, but take your rubbish with you back to Kathmandu and throw in the bin there because up in the Himalaya, they bury it in the ground, or they burn it – and that’s no good.”
“The problem with rubbish in Nepal isn’t monumental, but it is an issue. What we advise tourists to do is eat as the locals do: eat the rice, the lentils, the fresh fruit and vegetables. Tourists tend to bring with them plastic water bottles, packets of crisps and chocolate bars for energy, so without thinking, they are adding to the rubbish problem and the Nepalese are picking up on this – if they can sell you a Mars Bar for 50p, to them that’s massive money. It’s fine to eat foods like that, but take your rubbish with you back to Kathmandu and throw in the bin there because up in the Himalaya, they bury it in the ground, or they burn it – and that’s no good.”
Wildlife advice
Mark Huggins, from our supplier Undiscovered Destinations, shares his Burma travel advice: “Near Kalaw there is a locally-run project which looks after former working elephants. It was one of the best things I did – you learn about the elephants and help wash them in the river, which is amazing – and in a really beautiful setting. It also supports local community projects and microfinance initiatives. The elephants are very well looked after, a vet comes to see them every week, and only a certain number of tourists are allowed to see them every day. It’s not well promoted; the local people are just trying to use the project to protect the forest. After visiting hours, the elephants wander back into the forest, and the mahouts fetch them the next morning. It looked very well done; you can see the medical books for all the elephants with the vets' notes about their conditions.”Itinerary advice
Sophie Hartman, owner of our supplier Chinkara Journeys, who specialise in central India:“Do not attempt to cram in too much in too short a time – road travel in India is not its best feature, so much better to focus on a couple of places and stay there.”
Health & safety
HEALTH
SAFETY
For further information on health and safety in specific countries across Asia, please have a look at our detailed travel guides and visit the FCO or the CDC websites.
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Tips from our travellers in Asia
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Asia travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Asia travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
Sri Lanka is extremely hot in early April, so ensure you use plenty of sunblock. Be prepared for very early mornings and quite tiring drives and boat rides if you are whale or wildlife watching; it is worth it in the end though.![]()
– Chris Rose
“If you’re going to Burma, Bring waterproof clothing in the rainy season and eat authentic curries at local restaurants wherever possible.” – Stephanie Diggon
“Plan what areas you want to visit, discuss with your operator as to what you can see and do within the timeframe of your visit. They will have a better understanding of how feasible your plans are!” – Graham Goddard
“If you’re visiting The Great Wall, be prepared for some scrambling, and a little rock climbing in parts, but for the most be ready for lots of steps of varying heights. You will need plenty of energy, but it well worth the experience!” – Phyllis Ryan
“We did a homestay tour in Kerala and only stayed for 2 nights at each location. With hindsight, maybe 3 nights and fewer stops would have been better to really get a feel for each place.” – Brian Summers
“Plan what areas you want to visit, discuss with your operator as to what you can see and do within the timeframe of your visit. They will have a better understanding of how feasible your plans are!” – Graham Goddard
“If you’re visiting The Great Wall, be prepared for some scrambling, and a little rock climbing in parts, but for the most be ready for lots of steps of varying heights. You will need plenty of energy, but it well worth the experience!” – Phyllis Ryan
“We did a homestay tour in Kerala and only stayed for 2 nights at each location. With hindsight, maybe 3 nights and fewer stops would have been better to really get a feel for each place.” – Brian Summers
Mongolia is a big country with poor infrastructure. Make sure your trip doesn't involve too much driving or you will spend your whole time on a bus. Covering 400km in one day, while possible, is not pleasant.![]()
– Sam Grainne
“In Vietnam, choose Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City unless you are and absolute city junkie. We preferred Hanoi, a mad city but almost manageable and a great insight into how people are flourishing under capitalism. We regretted not spending more time in the mountains.” – Di Bligh
“If you’re heading to Cambodia, consider adding a day at the beginning and/or end of the tour. You'll have a chance to settle in at the beginning, so it doesn't feel rushed, and at the end you can spend the extra day back at Angkor (you get a 3-day pass but only use 2 on the tour) or taking an optional excursion - as we did.” – Richard Evans
“If you’re heading to Cambodia, consider adding a day at the beginning and/or end of the tour. You'll have a chance to settle in at the beginning, so it doesn't feel rushed, and at the end you can spend the extra day back at Angkor (you get a 3-day pass but only use 2 on the tour) or taking an optional excursion - as we did.” – Richard Evans
More Asia articles
Read our guide to find out when the monsoons set in, which festivals to attend, and for tips from our friends in the know.
Our guide does its best to provide responsible travellers with a balance of rated, underrated and overrated things to do.
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Our top walks feature everywhere from Kyoto to Kerala to Everest Base Camp.
Find out where to watch wildlife, as well as the benefits this has for communities living around the habitat of endangered species.
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Find all of our Asia guides in one place, for particular countries and styles of travel, such as cycling.
