Solo travel can be daunting. Setting foot on your own in a foreign country for the first time, having to do everything yourself. Getting from A to B, staying safe, minding your belongings, knowing who you can trust, planning your flights/itinerary it’s all on you.
The last thing you want when you touchdown on your first solo trip is to have to worry about things like scammers, crime, dodgy transport and being a stress case. This is why some countries are more suitable for new solo travellers than others. So here are my 5 best Asian countries for new solo travellers to help you ease into this travel style.
1. Japan
Oh Japan what a place. From the futuristic Neon lit city of Tokyo, to the incredible and peaceful temples and shrines of ancient Kyoto. The satisfyingly tasty bowls of ramen to the art form of fresh sushi. The izakaya bars full of work colleagues still in their suites relaxing from the pressures of work and the maid cafes, yeah I’ll leave it at that. Real life Mario cart, karaoke, skiing, onsen hot spring with random naked people? Is there anything you can’t do in Japan?
Japan makes a great location for first time solo travels as it one of the safest countries in the world. I felt safer walking around the streets of Tokyo at 3 am then I do in my home city.
Not only the safety but the public transport system is incredible. It can be a little intimidating at first but once get the gist of it you’ll be navigating around the country in no time, yeah the trains are that quick you can do so.
The one thing to keep in mind is that Japan is no South East Asia in terms of budget friendliness. In saying that there are plenty of great hostels I recommend Imano hostel Shinjuku if you are staying in Tokyo. Also the 7 – Eleven game is on a whole other level in Japan so you’re never short of cheap yet dam good food.
2. Singapore
Singapore has a special place in my heart. I have been here twice and it’s a city/country that fascinates me. The fact that there is a man-made beach on Sentosa Island or that it’s one the wealthiest countries in the world especially for its size. The architecture of the iconic Marina Bay Sands still amazes me. The cleanliness of the city, the mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian and western influences makes the food scene diverse and inexpensive at the many hawker centers.
There is so much to do in Singapore, some of the main attractions include Gardens by the bay where you’ll find huge super trees which look like they came out the film Avatar. A flower dome and a cloud forest with a waterfall and nightly light show.
Sentosa Island is known as “the state of fun” and certainly delivers on that. Some of the many activities on this island include: The S.E.A. Aquarium, IFly Singapore, Universal Studios, Mega Zip, zip lining, Skyline Luge, music festivals and a lot more.
Clarke Quay is the spot to experience Singapore’s awesome nightlife. The riverside location makes it a great place to enjoy a meal and unwind. The night life at Clarke Quay ranges from big name EDM clubs, live music bars, beer pubs, high end clubs and restaurants.
Aside from all the things to do I believe Singapore is a great country for first time solo travelers because it is very safe and also has a great public transport system. It’s also helpful when most people speak English!
3. Hong Kong
Hong Kong is an amazing city to say the least. You have so many towering skyscrapers in fact the most for any city in the world. The city is surrounded by mountains including Victoria peak which offers breathtaking views of the incredible skyline, harbor and surrounding islands of Hong Kong. This densely populated concrete jungle of neon lights is often said to be the New York of Asia.
There are four main areas of Hong Kong: Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, New Territories and Outlying islands. Most of the action takes place in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
Hong Kong Island is the financial district of Hong Kong. One of the main attractions on this island is Victoria peak. Take the tram up the 552m mountain and be blown away by not only the skyline but the harbor and surrounding islands. You will realise Hong Kong is more than the concrete jungle many think. Lan Kwai Fong is the nightlife capital of Hong Kong. Here you’ll find everything from Michelin-starred restaurants, rooftop bars, EDM clubs, drinking bars and a mix of locals and tourists from all around the world.
Kowloon Island is great for shopping, you have luxury brands in Tsim Sha Tsui but if you’re not ballin that’s ok as there are some great markets: Mong Kok for sneakers, The Ladies Market for well, ladies stuff like clothes and handbags and the Temple Street Night Market which is the largest of them all. Head towards the Kowloon pier and be amazed by the nightly Symphony of lights show that starts at 8pm.
Don’t forget Lantau islands, visit the huge Tian Tan Buddha. Take the Ngong 360 cable car with the glass floor and enjoy the views of Lantau Island.
4. Malaysia
Malaysia is often overlooked by neighboring Thailand. Malaysia has so much to offer from its pristine beaches, peaceful islands, wildlife filled rainforests, expansive mountain ranges and the innovative and diverse capital of Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur is home to one of the most iconic buildings in the world, the Petronas twin towers. Admire the architecture and head to the Sky Bridge where you can walk across the two buildings at a height of 175m or go all the way up to the 86th floors observation deck.
The Batu Caves is a must when in Kuala Lumpur. The 42m high golden statue of Lord Murugan, the God of war will blow you away. After you’re finished taking photos with the huge golden statue of Lord Murgan you can begin the 272 step trek up the limestone cliff where you will discover three different caves, hindu shrines and be entertained by the small monkeys roaming around.
When in Malaysia you must fill up on the local cuisine. Nasi Lemak would have to be the national dish of Malaysia. It is made from rice cooked in coconut milk and usually has a hard boiled egg, meat, peanuts, chili sauce and vegetables. Chicken satay is a must try street food which has been perfected in Malaysia.
Compared with other South East Asian countries such as Thailand, The Philippines and Vietnam, Malaysia is a breath of fresh air in terms of not having to always be on guard for scammers. This is not to say its ok to let your guard down but in my experience you will feel safer and not encounter anywhere near the amount of scammers you do in other South East Asian countries.
5. South Korea
Kimchi, fast internet, the better Korea and K-pop. This is probably what comes to your head when you think of South Korea. But there is so much to explore in this fascinating country. Seoul is a city of the future where skyscrapers and technology meet temples and history.
Take a temple tour, or a step into North Korea—yeah, you literally can with a DMZ tour. Experience one of the worlds craziest fish markets and eat baby octopus, which still have their tentacles wriggling around. If that doesn’t sound appetizing, you can instead eat your way through traditional markets sampling Korean street food. Or, go to a trendy shopping mall made from huge blue shipping containers, your not going to get bored in South Korea.
Book your DMZ tour here: DMZ Tour
When in Korea do yourself a favor and eat all the street food. Some recommendations are: Gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), Korean BBQ skewers, tornado potato, tteokbokki (spicy rice cake), Korean French Fry Hot Dog and KFC (Korean Fried Chicken).
Seoul is a city that never sleeps. Koreans put in the long hours of study and work but they also know how to play hard. With Korea’s strong drinking culture and the high number of universities in the city, this combination makes for some next level nightlife.
You may notice a trend of countries that are safe and provide great public transport and South Korea is no exception. The subway system is convenient, efficient, reliable, cost effective and in my opinion not as difficult to master as Tokyo’s subway system. The low crime rates, exceptional nightlife, endless activities, beautiful nature, delicious food and the Korean culture make this a great destination for first time solo travelers.
