Organizing a trip in Asia can be a thrilling adventure full of plenty of activities and experiences to enjoy. Perhaps one of the best parts of taking a trip to Asia is the opportunity to go backpacking. Backpacking is a fantastic way to enjoy travel because it offers so much freedom and flexibility.
However, backpacking also comes with plenty of challenges along the way. To help you prepare for your trip and get the most out of it, here are some tips you should know ahead of time.
Research and Plan Ahead
Regardless of where you’re traveling to, one of the most important things you should do is research ahead of time. Get to know where you want to go and what you want to do. Whether you look for art lessons in Taipei or the best-rated restaurants in Shanghai, get to know where you’re going.
Planning ahead can make a world of difference in your overall experience. Researching and planning ahead doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t be flexible, either. It simply helps create a loose road map of your trip so that you don’t scramble at the last minute trying to figure out what you should do.
Besides activities, planning ahead is important also because it will play a role in preparing for things like visa requirements or required vaccinations. Lastly, you may not be aware of particular times of the year which may be rainy or have an abnormal surge of tourists which could affect your trip.
Pack Lightly
When backpacking, remember, you’re going to be carrying everything you bring with you on your back. As such, it’s critical that you don’t overload your bag with more than you can handle. Not only can it be irritating hauling around too much stuff, but it can lead to a sore back. The last thing you want to do is find yourself on a backpacking trip with a bad back. This could be inconvenient and painful all at once.
Another advantage to packing lightly is that you won’t have to pay extra luggage fees. Sometimes all it takes is one extra pound to get hit with a significant luggage fee.
Respect Local Cultures
One of the most wonderful parts about Asia is that it’s full of plenty of culture and diversity. However, with this also comes certain cultures that you should respect. This is particularly important when you’re visiting religious sites. Being mindful and respectful in these areas is critical if tourists hope to continue to be welcome in these spaces.
As with anywhere you travel, it’s polite to learn a few basic phrases like “hello” and “thank you” as a form of respect. After all, Americans are known for being ethnocentric, so there’s no reason to perpetuate this stereotype. Carrying around a little pocket language book can go a long way!
