Backpacking around East Asia is one of the best places to truly find yourself, as you get the chance to experience what life is like on the other side of the globe. You can witness sights that you never thought were possible, as you travel from one location to the next with just the help of your trust backpack that can hold everything you need to enjoy a fulfilling journey. Seeing these is one thing, but being able to turn these into long lasting memories will be what really makes you treasure your time backpacking East Asia.
In this guide, we will explore how you can make lasting memories during your backpacking trip around East Asia, explaining what each destination can offer you and why they’ll give you the best possible experience. Continue reading to find out more.
Making Memories Backpacking East Asia
Choose the Right Locations
Choose East Asia locations based on your daily budget, travel pace and weather preferences, as this will give you the best chance of planning the best backpacking experience. While Southeast Asia averages a $20-$40 daily spend, East Asian countries require larger budgets and longer transit times so make sure to keep this in mind. You will need to align your interests with the chosen destination's unique travel styles, as this will ensure that you do the things you want to do without missing out on anything.
If you choose the iconic budget routes of Southeast Asia like Thailand and Vietnam, you will experience bustling street markets, ancient temples and stunning tropical landscapes on a highly affordable budget. Alternatively, heading into Japan or South Korea rewards you with really safe travel routes and amazing mountain trails that will leave you speechless.
Stay in Hostels While Backpacking East Asia
Staying in hostels when backpacking East Asia is the best way to travel on a shoestring budget, costing between £5 to £15 per night for a dorm bed. It’s the best accommodation if you want to save money on your travels. They also offer a lot of social opportunities to meet other travellers, who you can then continue the rest of your adventures with. You’ll find very like-minded people in these hostels, so you won’t be short on chances of making new friends.
They are often located right in the heart of cities and towns across East Asia, so they aren’t difficult to find. You also don’t need to plan in advance, as most backpackers often book hostels as they come across them.
Travel with Friends
You feel as though you aren’t confident enough to do solo backpacking and meet new people. If this is the case, ask around your friend group to see if anyone would be interested in coming along with you. It’s a good chance to further grow your friendship and share memories that will last a lifetime. This can also make you more confident in speaking to new people, as you’ll always have your friend there for support.
Eat Local Cuisine While Backpacking East Asia
The best culinary experiences you’ll find when backpacking around East Asia rarely happen in fine-dining restaurants, as it’s often the street food that are the stars of the show. Join the locals at street-side stalls, try exotic delicacies and embrace the rhythm of the city, as this will give you a real feel about what East Asia is about. Even if you don’t like the food, at least you can say that you’ve given it a try.
The best indicator of authentic, delicious food is a long queue of locals or a packed dining room. If you don’t see anybody wanting to eat it, then it’s probably best to avoid it.
Volunteering While Backpacking East Asia
Helping out the areas you’re travelling to will be a great experience and will make you feel like you’ve done your part. Look for short-term opportunities that benefit the community without exploiting local resources, so you can make a positive impact on the local area. Backpacker hubs in cities like Kyoto or Taipei frequently need volunteers to manage social events and run front desks, giving you the chance to sharpen up on your language skills.
There’s also elephant casualties in countries like Thailand and Cambodia that can always do with a helping hand, as well as sea turtle conservation opportunities.
Keep a Travel Journal
While you’re backpacking, make sure to carry a disposable camera with you to take beautiful shots of the landscapes and any fun activities you do. These can then be put into your travel journal or photo album book, so you can look back on your photographs and remind yourself of all the wonderful things you got up to in East Asia. You can also make some notes about things you did, so you never forget them.
If you’re going with friends, you can all create your own travel journal and compare them at the end of your trip to reminisce about your experiences.
WRITTEN BY
After completing a University degree in Journalism, Darcy Fowler has dedicated a lot of time to travelling around the world and experiencing a variety of cultures. Darcy is determined to provide interesting and insightful content with the hope of inspiring others.