The Rough Guide to First Time Asia (Rough Guide First-time)

INTRODUCTION Every year, millions of visitors set off on their own Asian adventure. Some want to see for themselves a few of the world’s greatest monuments – to stroll along the Great Wall of China or stand beside India’s Taj Mahal. Others are drawn by the scenery – the soaring Himalayas and the chance of viewing Everest at close quarters; the kaleidoscopic coral reefs of Southeast Asia, where you’ll find yourself swimming amongst sharks, manta rays and turtles; the steamy jungles of Malaysia and Indonesia, with the prospect of spotting orang-utans, elephants, even tigers. Few people would say no to a week or two on the dazzling white-sand beaches of the Philippines or pass up the chance to watch the sunrise over the Khyber Pass.

But perhaps the greatest draw is the sheer vitality of daily life in Asia, much of it played out on the streets. You can watch Thai boxing in Bangkok and trance dances in Bali; learn yoga in Varanasi and drink rice whisky in Vientiane; eat dim sum in Shanghai and satay sticks in Penang; buy silver in Hanoi and bargain for mangosteens in Manila.

Nearly all these things are affordable even for low-budget travellers, because most of Asia is enticingly inexpensive. Western money goes much further here than it does in Africa or South America. Not surprisingly, this has put Asia firmly at the heart of the backpackers’ trail, and many cities and islands already boast a lively travellers’ scene, attracting young adventurers from all over the world. Few travellers leave Asia without experiencing at least one of its fabled hot spots: the beaches of Goa, for example; the guesthouses of Kathmandu; or one of Thailand’s notorious full-moon parties.

However, Asian travel can also be a shocking and sobering experience. Few people forget their first sight of a shanty-town slum or their first encounter with an amputee begging for small coins. Many first-timers are distressed by the dirt, the squalor, and the lingering smell of garbage and drains in some Asian cities. They get unnerved by the ever-present crowds and stressed out by never being able to mingle unnoticed among them. And then there’s the oppressive heat to cope with, not to mention the unfamiliar food and often unfathomable local customs. There’s no such thing as a hassle-free trip and, on reflection, few travellers would want that. It’s often the dramas and surprises that make the best experiences, and we all learn by our mistakes.