top of page
A magnifying glass focuses on the word "Asia" on a map, highlighting countries like China and Vietnam, perfect for those seeking closer lives or alternative living.

Asia: Discover Diverse Cultures, Landscapes, and Endless Adventures

Your Guide to the Continent of Contrasts

โ€‹Our first ever visit to the Asian continent began in December 2022 with a week in Japan, before going to Thailand for Christmas. We did not expect to spend a year in Asia, but we loved our experience so much that we ended up visiting 12 countries throughout 2023! We used Chiang Mai as a base to explore most of the south-east; the likes of Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia, before spending the later part of the year checking out the more central and northern areas, with Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea and even China making our list. It was perhaps quite apt that we finished the year back in Japan, before we heading back home for Christmas. It was an epic year, which also included several stays in one of our favorite countries, the Philippines, and even 3 weeks in India! Check out our blogs and vlogs for all of our travel tips and recommendations, with plenty of fun, facts and epic destinations to be found! We hope this can be your one-stop shop to plan your adventure in remarkable Asia!

Countries Visited (13)

Rectangular flag with three horizontal stripes: red in the center, blue on the top and bottom, and a white depiction of Angkor Wat temple in the middle. This is the national flag of Cambodia.
A red flag with one large yellow star in the top left corner and four smaller yellow stars in a semicircle to its right. This is the national flag of China.
The flag of Georgia, featuring a large red cross in the center with four smaller red crosses in each white quadrant.
The image shows the national flag of India with horizontal stripes of orange, white, and green, and a blue Ashoka Chakra (24-spoke wheel) in the center.
A horizontal bicolor flag with a red top half and a white bottom half, the national flag of Indonesia..
A white rectangle with a large red circle in the center, representing the national flag of Japan.
The flag of Malaysia featuring 14 red and white horizontal stripes and a blue square in the upper left with a yellow crescent and a 14-point star.
The flag of the Philippines, featuring a horizontal blue stripe on top, a red stripe below, and a white triangle at the hoist with a yellow sun and three yellow stars.
A red and white flag with a white crescent moon and five white stars in a circle on the top left corner of the red section. This is the national flag of Singapore.
The flag of South Korea featuring a red and blue yin-yang symbol in the center, surrounded by four black trigrams on a white background.
A flag with a red field, a navy blue rectangle in the top left corner, and a white sun with twelve rays centered inside the blue area. This is the flag of Taiwan.
The flag of Thailand, featuring five horizontal stripes in red, white, blue, white, and red from top to bottom, with the central blue stripe being twice as wide as the others.
A red rectangle with a large yellow five-pointed star centered in the middle. This is the national flag of Vietnam.

Quick Navigation

Share This Guide

Photo Gallery

Tap Any Photo For More Information

Graphic promoting traveling in Asia over 12 months to 12 countries, featuring an embellished globe and rice fields in the background.

Traveling in Asia: 12 months Exploring 12 Countries on this Epic Continent

Join us as we recount our whirlwind journey that spanned 12 countries in 12 months, chronicling the highs and lows, the unexpected delights, and the occasional challenges of traversing the vast and varied tapestry of Asia.

Country Guides

Check out our comprehensive Country Guides with all you need to know before you go, including our latest posts, must-see places, interesting facts, and key information about health & safety, transport, local customs, cuisine, connectivity, visa information, useful links and much more!

Interesting Facts

Here are 15 interesting facts about Asia. Some may just surprise you!

1. Asia is the Largest Continent on Earth: Covering about 30% of the Earth's land area, it spans from the Arctic Circle to the equator.


2. Asia has the Highest Population: Over 4.7 billion people live in Asia, accounting for nearly 60% of the global population.


3. The Himalayas Contain the Worldโ€™s Highest Peak: Mount Everest, at 8,848 meters, marks the border between Nepal and China.


4. Asia is Home to More Than 50 Countries: From Russia and Turkey to tiny island nations, Asia has incredible diversity in cultures and landscapes.


5. The Silk Road Originated Here: This ancient trade network connected Asia with Europe and Africa, fostering cultural exchange.


6. Asia Has Some of the Worldโ€™s Oldest Civilizations: Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and Ancient China are among the earliest human civilizations.


7. Religions Originated in Asia: Major world religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism all began in Asia.


8. Asia Has Vast Natural Diversity: From deserts like the Gobi to rainforests in Southeast Asia and arctic tundra in Siberia, Asiaโ€™s environments are incredibly varied.


9. The Largest Desert Outside the Poles is in Asia: The Arabian Desert stretches across several Middle Eastern countries.


10. Asia has the Worldโ€™s Most Populous Cities: Tokyo, Delhi, Shanghai, and Mumbai are among the largest urban areas on the planet.


11. The Great Wall of China is the Longest Man-Made Structure: Stretching over 21,000 km, it is visible from space with the right conditions.


12. Asia is the Birthplace of the Internet: The first web page outside Europe and North America was hosted in Asia, showing its tech growth.


13. Asian Cuisine is Highly Diverse: From sushi and dumplings to curries and kebabs, Asiaโ€™s food culture is vast and influential.


14. Asia is Home to the Worldโ€™s Deepest Lake: Lake Baikal in Russia holds 20% of the worldโ€™s unfrozen freshwater.


15. Asia Hosts the Worldโ€™s Largest Rainforest: The Southeast Asian rainforests are biodiversity hotspots and critical to global ecology.

A person sitting on a cliff edge with a laptop and coffee, set against a turquoise sky. Text reads: "Global adventures, local coverage. Ensure youโ€™re covered no matter where you go." Logo: Nomad Insurance by SafetyWing.

Latest Posts

Travel Resources

Book Your Transport E-Tickets with 12Go

โ€‹12Go specializes in transportation options in Southeast Asia and Europe, offering a wide range of travel choices including trains, buses, ferries, and even flights.

Discover the World with Klook!

Unforgettable experiences await with Klook, your go-to platform for booking amazing activities, attractions, and transportation worldwide.

Need the Perfect Travel Resources? We've Got You Covered!

Over the past four years of full-time travel, we've booked countless accommodations, flights, and activities while also navigating the world of earning online.

 

These are the tools we rely on to plan and book our adventures, and now, you can too!

GigSky eSIM: World Mobile Data

International eSIM Data Plans. Local Prices. No Roaming. Fastest Networks. Available in over 200 countries, with GigSky youโ€™ll have cellular data the moment you arrive.


Save 10% on your first order with code CLOSERLIVES10

Smiling woman in a hat holds a blue smartphone outdoors. Text overlay reads "GIGSKY Low Cost Global Data Plans" with must-see destinations in the blurred cityscape background and a blue sky overhead.

FAQ's

Most Frequently Asked Questions about Asia

  • 01
  • 02
  • 03
  • 04
  • 05
  • 06
  • 07
  • 08
  • 09
  • 10

YOUTUBE

Discover more from Asia and join 15k+ on our YouTube channel at Jenn and Leon Travel

Popular Videos

Popular Videos

Popular Videos
All Categories
Travel & Events
What Really Happens When You Visit China for the First Time?

What Really Happens When You Visit China for the First Time?

12:54
Our INCREDIBLE FIBA World Cup Experience! Philippines vs China 2023 GILAS PILIPINAS for the WIN ๐Ÿ† 4k

Our INCREDIBLE FIBA World Cup Experience! Philippines vs China 2023 GILAS PILIPINAS for the WIN ๐Ÿ† 4k

13:15
FIRST CLASS Vande Bharat Express Indian Train Travel ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ New Delhi to Agra

FIRST CLASS Vande Bharat Express Indian Train Travel ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ New Delhi to Agra

24:24
FIRST TIME trying RAMLY BURGER in KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ Is it really the BEST in THE WORLD!?

FIRST TIME trying RAMLY BURGER in KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ Is it really the BEST in THE WORLD!?

14:42

As entrepreneurs and full-time slow travellers our goal is to see as much of this beautiful planet as we can!

โ€‹

By subscribing to our channel you will get notified of our latest videos, so you will never miss out!

Our Engagement Story

Discover Aphroditeโ€™s Rock, the legendary birthplace of the goddess of love, and our engagement spot! Find out more about our story, how it all happened, and all you need to know about visiting this incredible location (and also Leon's ancestral homeland).

Jenn & Leon at Closer Lives

We plan to see, learn, love and share as much of the world with others as possible.


That is why we created Closer Lives, to create a community for like-minded individuals and to help bring the world a little closer together through poetry, history, storytelling, healing, art, purpose and togetherness.


If you'd like to join us please sign up to our website; the social part is still in the process of being developed but currently you are able to post, share and interact. We'd love to have you here with us!


PLUS when you sign up you will receive a welcome bonus of 20% off ANYTHING from our Travel & Lifestyle Emporium.


Shop our inspirational range of suitcases, backpacks, phone cases, clothing and more, exclusively designed by us, with worldwide delivery.

At Closer Lives, We Explore More Than Maps - We Journey Through Mindsets

CHECK OUT OUR SOCIALS

  • Black and white Instagram logo with a camera icon inside a circle on a dark background.
  • White Facebook app logo on a black background, featuring the letter "f" in bold.
  • A black rectangle with a white play button in the center, resembling the YouTube logo.
  • White Pinterest app logo on a black background, featuring the letter "p" intertwined with an oval.
  • White Threads app logo on a black background, featuring the letter "a" intertwined with an oval.
Visa logo with the word "VISA" in blue capital letters; the "V" has a yellow accent on the upper left. The background is light gray with a slight gradient.
MasterCard logo with two overlapping circles, one red on the left and one yellow on the right, on a blue background. The word "MasterCard" appears in white across the center.
Discover logo with the word "DISCOVER" in black letters, except for the letter "O," which is orange and resembles a sunburst. The background is white with an orange curve at the bottom right corner.
Logo featuring two overlapping blue circles with the word "Cirrus" in white letters across the center, set against a dark blue background.
VISA Electron logo with white text on a blue background and a yellow curved stripe under the word "VISA.
A purple square icon features a white circle with a black and white swirling "S" design in the center. Below the circle, the word "SOLO" appears in bold white letters.
Maestro logo with two overlapping circles, one blue on the left and one red on the right, and the word "Maestro" in white text across the center on a dark blue background.
A geometric logo featuring the word "DELTA" in white letters on a blue triangle, with yellow and red triangles overlapping in the bottom left corner on a white background.
Black and white Direct Debit logo featuring a stylized "D" symbol to the left and the words "DIRECT Debit" in bold font to the right.
American Express logo featuring the words "AMERICAN EXPRESS" in bold white letters on a blue, rectangular background.
UnionPay logo featuring the word "UnionPay" in black and red text over three vertical stripes in red, blue, and green.
JCB logo with white letters "J", "C", and "B" on blue, red, and green vertical rectangles, respectively.
PayPal logo featuring a stylized overlapping double "P" in blue tones, followed by the word "PayPal" in blue and light blue text.
Pay Samsung Pay logo on black background for mobile payment services
Google Pay logo with a multicolored "G" followed by the word "Pay" in gray text.
Apple Pay logo featuring the Apple icon followed by the word "Pay" in black text on a white background.
Logo featuring the text "Closer Lives" with "Jenn & Leon travel & lifestyle" underneath, set against a black background with a white circular outline and a bright light flare.

Est 2021 | © 2025 Closer Lives Inc. All rights reserved.

bottom of page