AsiaBack to all destinationsView full guideView full guideView full guideView full guideView full guideView full guideView full guideView full guideView full guideView full guideView full guideView full guideView full guideView full guideView full guideView full guideView full guideView full guide
Travel insights for Asian destinations.
From ancient temples and neon-lit megacities to tropical beaches and snow-capped mountains, Asia offers the world's most diverse travel experiences. Whether you're savoring street food in night markets, trekking through misty highlands, diving pristine coral reefs, or soaking in natural hot springs, each destination reveals its own unique culture, landscapes, and adventures waiting to be discovered.
Explore Asia
Discover comprehensive travel guides for destinations across Asia.
Travel Guide to Japan
A practical, in-depth guide to exploring Japan – from neon cityscapes and ancient temples to ski mountains, tropical beaches, hotel costs, visa rules, and the healthcare and insurance details you'll want to understand before you go.
Entry requirements
- Insurance is recommended but not required; proof of coverage may be requested for long-stay visa types.
Travel Guide to South Korea
A practical, in-depth guide to exploring South Korea – from Seoul's modern skyline and ancient palaces to Jeju Island's volcanic landscapes, K-pop culture, incredible cuisine, hotel costs, visa rules, and the healthcare and insurance details you'll want to understand before you go.
Entry requirements
- Most nationalities receive 90-day visa-free entry for tourism.
- K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) required for some nationalities - check latest requirements.
- No insurance required for short-term tourist visits, but strongly recommended.
Travel Guide to Thailand
From bustling Bangkok to pristine beaches, Thailand offers incredible value, rich culture, and diverse experiences. Discover ancient temples, world-class cuisine, and tropical paradise.
Entry requirements
- Most nationalities receive 30-day visa-free entry for tourism.
- Some long-term visas may require proof of insurance coverage.
Travel Guide to China
Explore ancient history, modern megacities, and diverse landscapes across one of the world's largest countries. From the Great Wall to bustling Shanghai, China offers endless discoveries.
Entry requirements
- Most visitors require a visa obtained before arrival.
- Visa applications typically require hotel bookings and itinerary.
- Some cities offer 72-hour visa-free transit for certain nationalities.
Travel Guide to India
A comprehensive guide to exploring India – from the majestic Taj Mahal and vibrant Delhi to Kerala's backwaters, Rajasthan's palaces, Himalayan peaks, diverse cultures, spiritual traditions, incredible cuisine, hotel costs, visa requirements, and essential healthcare and insurance information for navigating this vast and captivating country.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport with 6+ months validity
- Tourist e-Visa or regular visa obtained in advance
- Proof of sufficient funds (credit card or bank statement) may be requested
- Return or onward ticket (may be checked)
- Travel insurance strongly recommended but not legally required
Travel Guide to Malaysia
A comprehensive guide to exploring Malaysia – from Kuala Lumpur's iconic Petronas Towers and vibrant street food to Penang's colonial heritage, Borneo's rainforests and orangutans, tropical islands, diverse cultures, modern infrastructure, hotel costs, visa requirements, and essential healthcare and insurance information for navigating this multicultural Southeast Asian gem.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport with 6+ months validity
- Return or onward ticket (may be checked)
- Proof of sufficient funds (rarely checked but officially required)
- Separate entry stamp required when traveling to Sabah or Sarawak from Peninsular Malaysia
- Travel insurance recommended but not legally required
Travel Guide to Philippines
A comprehensive guide to exploring the Philippines – from pristine white-sand beaches and world-class diving spots to vibrant Manila, chocolate hills, rice terraces, Spanish colonial heritage, tropical islands, warm Filipino hospitality, hotel costs, visa requirements, and essential healthcare and insurance information for navigating this archipelago of over 7,000 islands.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport with 6+ months validity
- Return or onward ticket (strictly enforced - you may be denied boarding without this)
- Proof of sufficient funds (rarely checked but officially required)
- Travel insurance strongly recommended, especially for diving and typhoon season
Travel Guide to Singapore
A comprehensive guide to exploring Singapore – from Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay to hawker centers, Sentosa Island, multicultural neighborhoods, ultra-modern architecture, strict laws, exceptional safety, hotel costs, visa requirements, and the healthcare and insurance details you need before you go.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months remaining).
- Completed SG Arrival Card (online, up to 3 days before arrival).
- Proof of sufficient funds for stay.
- Return or onward ticket.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if arriving from endemic countries).
Travel Guide to Cambodia
A comprehensive guide to exploring Cambodia – from the magnificent Angkor Wat temples and vibrant Siem Reap to bustling Phnom Penh, tragic Khmer Rouge history, pristine beaches, ancient Khmer culture, affordable travel, street food, temple complexes, hotel costs, visa requirements, and essential healthcare and insurance information including critical safety warnings about scams, harassment, and petty crime for navigating this captivating Southeast Asian kingdom.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport with 6+ months validity and blank pages
- Tourist visa (e-visa or visa-on-arrival)
- Passport photo (1 for visa-on-arrival, digital for e-visa)
- Sufficient funds (rarely checked but officially required)
- Return or onward ticket (may be requested but rarely checked)
- Travel insurance strongly recommended but not legally required
Travel Guide to Vietnam
A comprehensive guide to exploring Vietnam – from the iconic Ha Long Bay UNESCO karst landscape and ancient Hanoi Old Quarter to the lantern-lit charm of Hoi An, pristine beaches in Da Nang and Phu Quoc, rice terraces of Sapa, the Mekong Delta floating markets, vibrant Ho Chi Minh City energy, imperial Hue, Vietnamese cuisine from pho to banh mi, motorbike culture and accident risks, visa on arrival, hotel costs, healthcare, and essential travel insurance information for this rapidly developing Southeast Asian nation.
Entry requirements
- E-visa or visa on arrival required
- Valid passport 1+ months
- Proof of onward travel (varies)
- Yellow fever vaccination recommended
Travel Guide to Indonesia
A comprehensive guide to exploring Indonesia – from the temples and beaches of Bali and the rice terraces of Ubud to the ancient Borobudur temple, Komodo dragons, world-class Raja Ampat diving, the Gili Islands, and volcanic adventures across Java and Lombok. Covering major cities and islands, Indonesian cuisine, hotel costs in IDR, visa requirements, healthcare considerations, and essential travel insurance information for this remarkable archipelago nation.
Entry requirements
- Most nationalities receive visa on arrival (VOA) at major Indonesian airports and ports of entry.
- Visa-free entry available for citizens of 90+ countries including US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand.
- Valid passport with 6+ months validity required.
- Proof of onward/return travel may be checked.
- No yellow fever vaccination required, but vaccination recommended for some regions.
- Travel insurance with diving coverage strongly recommended for divers.
Taiwan Travel Insurance Guide
Taiwan is extremely safe (Level 1) with world-class affordable healthcare, but travel insurance is crucial for typhoon season disruptions, earthquake risks, and medical evacuation needs. Natural disaster coverage is essential for visits between May-November when typhoons and flooding commonly occur.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport required - US/Japan citizens need validity for duration of stay only; UK/Canada/Australia citizens need 6 months validity
- US/UK/Canada/Australia citizens: Visa-free entry for up to 90 days
- Confirmed onward/return travel ticket required upon arrival
- UK and Canadian citizens can extend stay to 180 days for free after arrival
- US and Australian citizens cannot extend beyond 90 days
Sri Lanka Travel Insurance Guide
Sri Lanka requires comprehensive travel insurance due to Level 2 terrorism advisory, dengue fever risks (45,000+ cases in 2025), common tourist scams, and potential civil unrest. Medical evacuation coverage is essential as emergency services are limited outside Colombo, and landmine areas remain in the north and east.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport required
- Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or visa required for stays up to 30 days
- US/UK/Canada/Australia: Visa-free policy announced July 2025 for 30 days (verify current status as policy was temporarily revoked in October 2025)
- If ETA required: Apply online at eta.gov.lk before travel (limited facilities at Colombo airport)
- Business travelers need Business ETA from Sri Lankan embassy/consulate before arrival
Nepal Travel Insurance Guide
Nepal requires comprehensive travel insurance with mandatory trekking coverage and helicopter evacuation benefits. Following civil unrest in September 2025, the US raised the advisory to Level 3 (Reconsider Travel). Altitude sickness affects 1 in 3 trekkers above 4,000m, and helicopter rescue costs $5,000-$10,000. All trekking permits now require proof of insurance.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport required (must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date)
- At least one blank visa page required for entry visa stamp
- US/UK/Canada/Australia citizens can obtain visa on arrival or e-Visa
- Visa on arrival: Available at Tribhuvan International Airport and land borders
- E-Visa: Can be applied online in advance at visa.immigration.go.np
- Tourist visa fees: 15 days ($30), 30 days ($50), 90 days ($125)
Israel Travel Insurance Guide
Israel requires specialized high-risk travel insurance with terrorism coverage due to ongoing conflict. As of January 2025, all US citizens must obtain Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) before entry. The US maintains Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) advisory with Level 4 (Do Not Travel) for Gaza and areas within 4km of Lebanese/Syrian borders. Standard policies exclude war and terrorism; specialized coverage essential.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport required (must be valid for at least 90 days from entry for ETA-IL; 6 months for visa)
- Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) required as of January 1, 2025 for US/UK/Canada/Australia citizens
- ETA-IL application fee: 25 Israeli Shekels (approximately $6.80 USD)
- Apply at israel-entry.piba.gov.il at least 72 hours before departure
- ETA-IL valid for multiple entries over 2 years or until passport expires
- Entry permitted for tourism, business, or short-term study for stays up to 90 days
Hong Kong Travel Guide
Hong Kong travel insurance is essential despite not being legally required for entry.. The Level 2 advisory necessitates coverage for civil unrest, while expensive private healthcare (HK$800-HK$3000 per day for hospitalization) makes comprehensive medical coverage critical for visitors to this world-class destination.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport required (must be valid for at least 1 month beyond intended stay; 6 months recommended)
- US/UK/Canada/Australia citizens: No visa required for stays up to 90 days (UK: up to 6 months)
- Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) required for some nationalities - check immigration.gov.hk
- Proof of onward/return travel may be requested at immigration
- Sufficient funds for duration of stay (credit card or cash)
Oman Travel Insurance Guide
Oman travel insurance is highly recommended despite not being legally mandatory. The Level 2 advisory and expensive private healthcare (required for all tourists) make comprehensive coverage essential. Medical costs can be high, and visitors may be prevented from leaving the country until medical debts are settled.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport required (must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date)
- Visa required for most nationalities - available on arrival or via e-Visa system
- Tourist visa fees: 10-day visa (OMR 5 / $13 USD), 30-day visa (OMR 20 / $52 USD)
- E-Visa can be applied online at evisa.rop.gov.om in advance
- Proof of onward/return travel required
- Hotel booking confirmation or sponsor letter may be requested
Qatar Travel Insurance Guide
Qatar requires mandatory health insurance for visitors obtaining prior entry visas, though visa-on-arrival travelers are exempt for the first 30 days. The Level 1 advisory indicates low risk, but insurance is still essential as the mandatory policy (QAR 50/month) provides limited coverage, and comprehensive policies offer better protection for medical emergencies and trip cancellations.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport required (must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date)
- Visa required - most nationalities can obtain visa on arrival or via Hayya platform
- US/UK/Canada/Australia citizens: Visa-free entry for up to 90 days (waiver program)
- Mandatory health insurance required for visitors with prior entry visas (not required for visa-on-arrival for first 30 days)
- Proof of onward/return travel may be requested
- Hotel reservation confirmation recommended
Coverage priorities
Visa requirements
Many Asian countries require proof of insurance for visa applications and entry.
Healthcare costs
Medical costs vary widely across Asia, from affordable in Southeast Asia to premium in Japan and Singapore.
Adventure activities
Coverage for diving, trekking, and other adventure activities popular in Asian destinations.