Marvel at these stunning road trips in Asia

The iconic road trip is a must experience travel style for wanderers of all ages. As the fundamentals of the road trip are in-line with long-term travel, we've researched what we're calling the top 5 must experience road trips in Asia.

The Karakoram Highway (Pakistan and China)

Often hailed as the highest road in the world, this trip is as much an amazing engineering feat as it is a tourist attraction, and there are many people who travel long distances to be able to drive or ride a motorbike over the Himalayas on this road connecting China and Pakistan.

There are some stunning scenic areas with beautiful lakes and mountain views along this road that are well worth stopping to enjoy. Many people also use this route to gain access to some of the best mountain climbing spots in the world. The road rises to higher than 15,000 feet, so be conscious of the potential for altitude sickness and how it could affect you during the trip.

The Hokkaido Scenic Byway (Japan)

Hokkaido is one of Japan's four main islands, and many people also consider it to be the most beautiful regarding the scenery. Driving the Hokkaido Scenic Byway will take you through a series of routes around the island that offer beautiful sights.

With stunning coastal and mountain views, this route is a breathtaking one, and it offers plenty to see and do along the way. Consider rolling down the windows as you drive through the  fragrant lavender fields or stopping at one of hot springs along the way.

Golden Road to Samarkand (Uzbekistan)

Uzbekistan is a country that is well off the tourist trail for most people, but it has an interesting history (the city of Samarkand was once the capital of the large empire of Tamerlane), and it's a fascinating place to explore.

Although there isn't a formal route, most visitors will fly into the capital city Tashkent, and then transfer to Bukhara. This beautiful, old city is home to many historic sights, and from there, you can follow an historic Silk Road route to Samarkand. The historic ruin of the Rabati Malik caravanserai (inn) is a wonderful place to stop along the way. After arriving in Samarkand, you can explore the history of the city by visiting a few landmarks, such as the Registan square or the Ulugbek observatory.

The Mountain Tunnels of Guoliang and Xiyagou (China)

The Taihang Mountains have been a remote part of China with limited access for centuries. Even though most of the country's road system is publicly funded, it was decided that it was uneconomical to build roads in this region, so the locals ended up blasting their own roads out of the cliffs.

Driving through these tunnel roads is a remarkable experience, as they are inside the cliffs, and the windows along the route have spectacular views over the surrounding mountain scenery. These two tunnels are connected by a road that takes you through the Taihang Mountains on a relatively short stretch of 60 kilometers. Most visitors get to the area by going through the city of Xinxiang.

Nha Trang to Quy Nhon (Vietnam)

This 134-mile stretch of highway is spectacular—it's got mountain scenery on the inland side of the road and stunning sea views with golden beaches on the ocean side of the road. It is easy to stretch this road trip into a vacation to stop in the many towns and villages along the way. Plus, you'll find plenty of places to relax on a beach.

Every two years, there is a week-long festival where visitors drive the route together and take part in a large celebration. If you want a memorable experience between Nha Trang to Quy Nhon, consider joining in that celebration.

See more: 5 best multiple-country trips in Asia

Source: Internet

Da Nang, a worth-living city in Vietnam

For the foreigner travelers, Da Nang might fall insignificant due to its lack of long-standing and unique cultural attractions than its neighbors – Hoi An and Hue. However, if you ask the locals if they want to travel to Da Nang, most of the time, the answer will be “Yes.” Now, let’s find out why this city is so loved even it seems to be low-key and unpopular.

The Da Nang people are always proud of their city “Da Nang – my city”

If the people in Ha Noi love the antiqueness and the traditional lifestyle of their city, and the Saigon people love their city’s sleepless nights and nonstop lighting buildings, the Da Nang people love their food, their local government, their beautiful coastal city.

They are proud of everything they have, from the local food to the culture. Together with their proud, they always want to improve their hometown. This is an extremely valuable love for their city.

Watching the “super bridges” at night

The bridges in Da Nang are highly appreciated by their beauty as well as their investment and the ideas, therefore, many people have said that “Da Nang city is the place of the super bridges in Vietnam”. Typically, the Dragon Bridge can breathe fire and water, the Han River Bridge can be rotated 90 degrees. Visiting Da Nang without contemplating these bridges is really a shortcoming.

Out-of-earth seafood

One thing that cities like Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh could not afford is seafood. As a coastal city, Da Nang has a wonderful scene of seafood. The fish are fresh, you can even buy fishes and other sea creature right after it is caught. If you can make it to the beach, there would be nothing better with 100% fresh food which is available on the beaches for you to choose. You can also enjoy seafood with an open view of the beach. That is “luxurious.”

A feeling of “Ha Noi in Da Nang”

While travelling in Da Nang, you can easily meet your acquaintances, your cousin, your friends, or your ex here, which make you think that this is Ha Noi. You wonder why? The answer is very simple. In recent years, Da Nang has developed rapidly with a lot of famous buildings and works that attract more and more tourists from everywhere, especially the youth in Ha Noi. Whenever they come here, Da Nang atmosphere always makes them feel comfortable and satisfied. Therefore, that is a big reason for many people want to come here again and again. Da Nang is considered the number 1 city that attracts people to come back after visiting.

Non-stop entertainment

If lazing on the beach is not for you, it is easy to keep entertained while in Da Nang. The city is home to plenty of young locals and expats who are always looking for a good time and organised events such as beach yoga, language exchanges, lunch meet-ups and board game nights are all weekly occurrences.

Da Nang also boasts a wide variety of fun and interesting attractions including a small ice-rink, several museums, a concert venue and Asia Park, one of the largest theme parks in South East Asia. Thrill-seekers can get a kick out of the roller-coasters and other fast-paced rides here before taking it down a notch on the 115 metre-high Sunwheel. Meanwhile, party animals eager for a night on the town should look no further than Bach Dang Street that is lined with dozens of lively bars, restaurants and late-night venues.

Read more: The fascinated spots in Da Nang

Source Internet

The unique experiences you can only have in Laos

Laos is full of undiscovered riches, mysterious legends and secluded wonders. You do not have to try very hard to find something, or somewhere, so far outside of the realms of conventional tourism that no postcard will do it justice. Almost everything in Laos is a unique experience. Here are some favourite experiences that are unique there.

Take boat from the border to Luang Prabang

If you are entering Laos from the Lao-Thai border in the north, Nagi of Mekong offers a two-day river cruise on a 118 foot (36m) traditional Lao river boat. Start in Houay Xai, stay overnight in a guest house, and arrive in Luang Prabang the next day. Cruises are available upstream from Luang Prabang to Houay Xai as well.

Sleep nestled in the jungle canopy

The well-known Bokeo Nature Reserve lies just outside the town of Huay Xai. It was discovered here, thanks to the regions ongoing conservation work, that the black-cheeked gibbon, thought previously to be extinct, was rediscovered. Nowadays, the park is a protected area staffed with exerts tasked to increase gibbon numbers. The park also allows you to spend the night in vertigo-inducing tree houses which give visits a bird eye view of the forest canopy below, allowing you to catch a glimpse of the elephants, bears, birds, tigers and buffalo who call Bokeo home.

Soak up the island life on Si Phan Don

Si Phan Don, as known as “Four Thousand Islands”, is a valuable destination for anyone looking for some laid-back days in their Lao trip. Accessing to some of Laos’s most spectacular natural wonders, Si Phan Don is so graceful with the smell of wildflowers in the air, the scene of buffalos grazing grass, and lazy fishing boats flowing in the river. A visit to this destination will give visitors exciting experiences including discovering the majestic nature, eating Lao food at one of the islands’ many stilt-mounted restaurants, biking on the island roads, and kayaking among the more navigable stretches of the Mekong River nearby.

Go tubing in Vang Vieng

No guide mentioning the fun stuff to do in Laos would be completed without mentioning tubing in Vang Vieng. Once a favourite of partying backpackers, the government restrictions on raucous bars along the river edge has now meant that everyone should feel welcome to come give it a go. The concept of tubing is simple. You reach a starting point with a large inflatable rubber ring. You then get into said ring, and proceed to float along the river with your pals, family, or fellow tubers, stopping at will at any bar or scenic spot along the way. How to stop, you ask? Simply call out ta the bar of your choice, where someone will be ready with a rope to pull you in. Whilst thousands of people still take to the tubes every year without injury, some basic swimming skills are advised, as well as reasonable alcohol consumption.

See more: 5 activities to do in Vang Vieng, Laos

Get lost in Tham Kong Lo Cave

Tham Kong Lo is a majestic karst limestone cave located in Khammouane Province of Laos. The karst formation is dramatic and the cave has been cited as a “one of Southeast Asia’s geological wonders”. This otherworldly cave can blow you away, with its majestic charm and unique kart forms just like a reminiscent of the Greek underworld. The underground stretch of the river goes on for about four miles; from Ban Kong Lo village, you can hire a motorized boat to enter the cave, where you will gape at the show provided by colored floodlights bouncing off the intricate cave interiors.

Source Internet