Asia

Getting a Visa to Visit Asian Countries

To travel to Asian countries for tourism or business purposes, you may need a visa, e-visa, visa-on-arrival, or travel authorization. Visa requirements depend on your nationality as well as the country of destination. You can check out the visa policies of Asian countries below:

• Armenia
• Bahrain
• Brunei
• Cambodia
• China
• Cyprus
• Georgia
• Indonesia
• Iraq
• Israel
• Japan
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Nepal
• North Korea
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Largest part of Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Sri Lanka
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Largest part of Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• United Arab Emirates
• Uzbekistan
• Vietnam

Asia is the largest of all seven continents making up for 30% of the world’s landmass and almost 60% of the world’s population. It is considered by many to be one of the most diverse continents as well; Asian people have different customs, lifestyles, religions, philosophies, politics, art, architecture, music, and literature.

Tourist destinations in Asia – like the ancient temples of Fukuoka in Japan, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal in India – are some of the most visited in the world.

Quick Facts About Asia

Here is a quick overview of Asia:

Area	44.57 million km²
Number of countries	51 (49 recognized by the UN)
Population	4.561 billion
Number of languages spoken	2,300 languages across the continent
Biggest country (by area)	China (9.6 million km²)
Most populated country	China (1.4 billion)
Highest mountain	Mount Everest
Longest river	Yangtze (Cháng Jiāng) in China
Largest lake	Baikal Lake in Russia

Countries in Asia

There are fifty-one (51) countries in Asia:

Country	Capital	Area km2	Population (2021)
Afghanistan	Kabul	652,864	39,835,428
Armenia	Yerevan	29,743	2,968,127
Azerbaijan	Baku	86,600	10,223,342
Bahrain	Manama	760	1,748,296
Bangladesh	Dhaka	147,570	166,303,498
Bhutan	Thimphu	38,394	779,898
Brunei	Bandar Seri Begawan	5,765	441,532
Cambodia	Phnom Penh	181,035	16,946,438
China (PRC)	Beijing	9,596,961	1,444,216,107
East Timor	Dili	14,874	1,343,873
Georgia	Tbilisi	69,700	3,979,765
Hong Kong	City of Victoria	2,755	7,552,810
India	New Delhi	3,287,263	1,393,409,038
Indonesia	Jakarta	1,904,569	276,361,783
Iran	Tehran	1,648,195	85,028,759
Iraq	Baghdad	438,317	41,179,350
Israel	Jerusalem (disputed)	20,770	8,789,774
Japan	Tokyo	377,915	126,050,804
Jordan	Amman	89,342	10,269,021
Kazakhstan	Nur-Sultan	2,724,900	18,994,962
Kuwait	Kuwait City	17,818	4,328,550
Kyrgyzstan	Bishkek	199,951	6,628,356
Laos	Vientiane	236,800	7,379,358
Lebanon	Beirut	10,400	6,769,146
Macau	Macau	115	658,394
Malaysia	Kuala Lumpur	329,847	32,776,194
Maldives	Malé	298	543,617
Mongolia	Ulaanbaatar	1,564,116	3,329,289
Myanmar	Naypyidaw	676,578	54,806,012
Nepal	Kathmandu	147,181	29,674,920
North Korea	Pyongyang	120,538	25,887,041
Oman	Muscat	309,500	5,223,375
Pakistan	Islamabad	881,913	225,199,937
Palestine	Ramallah	6,220	5,222,748
Qatar	Doha	11,586	2,930,528
Russia	Moscow	17,098,242	145,734,038
Saudi Arabia	Riyadh	2,149,690	35,340,683
Singapore	Singapore	697	5,896,686
South Korea	Seoul	100,210	51,305,186
Sri Lanka	Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte	65,610	21,497,310
Syria	Damascus	185,180	18,275,702
Taiwan	Taipei	36,193	23,855,010
Tajikistan	Dushanbe	143,100	9,749,627
Thailand	Bangkok	513,120	69,950,850
The Philippines	Manila	343,448	111,046,913
Turkey	Ankara	783,562	85,042,738
Turkmenistan	Ashgabat	488,100	6,117,924
United Arab Emirates	Abu Dhabi	83,600	9,991,089
Uzbekistan	Tashkent	447,400	33,935,763
Vietnam	Hanoi	331,212	98,168,833
Yemen	Sana’a	527,968	30,490,640

Map of Asia

Languages Spoken in Asia

More than two thousand languages are spoken across Asia. But, the ten most widely spoken native languages are Chinese Mandarin, Hindi, Russian, Indonesian, Arabic, Bengali, Persian, Japanese, Punjabi, and Filipino:

Language	Regions	Number of speakers
Chinese Mandarin	China Singapore	1,2 billion
Hindi	India	550 million
Russian	Russia Abkhazia Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan South Ossetia Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan	260 million
Indonesian	Indonesia	240million
Arabic	Bahrain Iraq Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Oman Palestine Qatar Saudi Arabia Syria UAE Yemen	230 million
Bengali	Bangladesh	230 million
Persian	Afghanistan Iran Tajikistan	130 million
Japanese	Japan	120 million
Punjabi	India Pakistan	100 million
Filipino	Philippines	93 million

Best Countries to Visit in Asia

Asia has something for everyone: whether you are looking for adventure, a relaxing vacation, or to enjoy the expansive and ancient culture of the continent. So, the best country to visit depends on your preference. However, these are the most popular countries to visit in Asia:

• China – 65.7 million visitors in 2019. As one of the four ancient civilizations, China has a rich history going back 3,000 years. Combining the endless source of cultural and ancient heritage sites with the breathtaking natural wonders and delicious cuisine, it is no wonder China attracts so many tourists from all over the world
• Thailand – 39.8 million visitors in 2019. Thailand boasts over 40,000 Buddhist temples, representing different eras, dynasties, and architectural styles. Other than culture and heritage, Thailand is also popular for its serene beaches, nature, nightlife, and delicious food.
• Japan – 32.2 million visitors in 2019. When visiting Japan, tourists can enjoy both its rich, ancient culture as well as some of the most innovative technology in the world. But other than the temples, shrines, castles, and bullet trains, without a doubt, the most quintessentially Japanese attraction is the stunning cherry blossom season.
• Malaysia – 26.1 million visitors in 2019. Malaysia attracts visitors with its modern architecture, cultural diversity, pristine beaches, as well as many natural attractions. You can also take guided tours to one of its national parks to see the diverse wildlife in its natural habitat.
• Hong Kong – 23.8 million visitors in 2019. Hong Kong is a perfect mix between traditional and modern. Tourists are attracted as much to the endless shopping options and skyscrapers as to the festivals and delicious street food.

Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Asia

Asia is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery, be it natural or man-made: from Mount Fuji to the Taj Mahal, to modern skyscrapers. Although difficult to contain them on a list, these are only some of the most popular tourist attractions in Asia:

• Paro Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan. The Paro Taktsang Monastery is a sacred Buddhist temple sitting on a cliffside in Paro valley in Bhutan. It is one of the most famous destinations in Bhutan, and what makes it special is that it is isolated and can only be accessed by hiking.
• Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century to be the Khmer Empire’s state temple. It was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, and it is the largest temple in the world, and one of Cambodia’s main tourist attractions and points of pride (it also appears on the national flag). With the intricate, centuries-old architecture, is certainly a sensation to see.
• Pink Beach, Indonesia. The Pink Beach in the Komodo Island, Indonesia gets its titular color from microscopic organisms Foraminifera, which leaves a red pigment on the reefs and tints the sand a soft pink. Along the crystal-blue waters, the Pink Beach is the perfect backdrop relaxing – and taking a few pictures.
• The Royal Grand Palace, Thailand. Built in 1782, the Royal Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand served as the main residence of the Thai royal family until the early 20th century. The residence is a complex of intricate and impressive buildings, showcasing the craftsmanship of the Thai people, and it’s considered the most sacred site in Thailand.
• Gardens by the Bay, Singapore. The Gardens by the Bay is a 250-acre nature park in Singapore. It was built to improve the quality of life through the use of greenery. It is one of the main attractions in the city, having received more than 50 million visitors since it opened in 2005. Gardens by the Bay houses several waterfront gardens as well as the biggest greenhouse in the world, the Flower Dome.
• Sakura Season (Cherry Blossoms), Japan. The cherry blossoms are one of the most iconic images associated with Japan. During springtime, the pink petals erupt across the country; the views are so spectacular, they draw visitors from all over the world. Some of the best spots to take in the Japanese cherry blossoms include Hirosaki Park, Goryokaku Park, Chidorigafuchi Green Way, etc.

Are There Any Visa-Free Travel Agreements in Asia?

Yes, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an economic and political union that strives to foster cooperation, free trade, and economic integration among its member countries, and has subsequently broadened its scope to include visa-free movement between member states and other forms of political cooperation.