What You Must Know When Backpacking Travel in Asia

Asia is a destination that travelers from Europe, US, and Australia find fascinating, vibrant, beautiful, and exotic. It is certainly one of best places in the world to backpack; many find themselves going back for more.

No seasoned traveler or aspiring to be one can afford to miss the beautiful destinations of Asia, and you should definitely try this. However, just like any place on earth, there are pitfalls that lurk here and there when you travel in Asia, particularly to Taiwan. If you want a safe travel in this continent, it pays to know some tips when backpacking travel in Asia.

Here are a few things to have a pleasurable adventure in the region, and avoid common snags along the way when backpacking travel in Asia:

  • Don't be too hard when it comes to schedules.

Be flexible and make allowances for delayed transport, for drivers extending more time than usual in accommodating passengers, for old public transport breaking down in the middle of nowhere.

  • Fly only when covering great distances.

If you want to see the countryside, meet people, experience their customs and traditions, and taste local cuisine, there is nothing like taking local rides or going on foot. Nevertheless, expect riding with people from all walks of life, varied smell and even some animals sharing the bus with you. Renting bicycles and hitchhiking can be exhilarating, but unpredictable and risky too.

  • Bring a phrase book of the local language.

Learn a few words that can elicit warmth and good disposition among the locals. Expect misunderstandings and get ready to use "hand signals" to get your message across. Knowing a few words can go a long way so exert effort to learn some.

  • Travel light and carry a backpack.

Traveling on uncharted paths and taking footpaths with a wheeled suitcase is a very bad idea. A 20-kg backpack is the best choice especially when taking roads that are potholed and dusty or murky if it rains.

  • Walk around to find a good and cheap accommodation.

You need not make any reservation or book in advance especially when you are traveling during the off-peak tourist season. Walk around, do some sightseeing, meet, and converse with the locals. These people are the best sources of inexpensive accommodation and the best places to taste Taiwanese foods. This can even provide you more flexibility and less stress. Just do your research and have fun exploring destinations on foot. Take night buses to save time.

  • Treat people and their culture and traditions with respect.

Asia is a continent of a wide array of faiths, customs, languages, traditions, cultures, etc. It is home to ancient civilizations - Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Hindu, etc.

  • Learn the art of haggling.

In Asia, prices of goods and services are never fixed. Practice haggling in night markets in Taiwan and you can stretch your dollar. Without bargaining before making a deal, you might be ripped off every now and then. Avoid dealing with obviously anomalous transactions.

When backpacking travel in Asia and anywhere else in the world, some rules do not change. You can't be too careful; clips can still happen. Always be cautious. Things and people are not always what they seem to be; explore deeper and politely decline offers. Nevertheless, if you lose some bucks dealing with the wrong people, it is not the end of the world. Enjoy your adventure just as you intended.