Asia-Pacific travel guide: The best places to visit in our region

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This was published 2 years ago

Asia-Pacific travel guide: The best places to visit in our region

By Ben Groundwater
Updated
Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan, South Korea. South Korea has already opened a "vaccinated travel lane" with Singapore, providing quarantine-free access, and according to Scott Morrison, the same could happen with Australia before the end of the year.

Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan, South Korea. South Korea has already opened a "vaccinated travel lane" with Singapore, providing quarantine-free access, and according to Scott Morrison, the same could happen with Australia before the end of the year.Credit: iStock

Australia, it's time we got to know our neighbours. It's time to reacquaint ourselves with the Asia-Pacific region, with destinations that are familiar but exciting, locations that are close in distance and yet culturally far, far away.

As the world begins to slowly open, with jitters over the omicron strain of COVID-19 and lockdowns again imminent in parts of Europe, our own region is looking the most ideal for exploration.

These are some of our favourite destinations, the likes of Japan, New Zealand, Fiji and Indonesia, as well as the lesser-explored destinations of Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Nepal.

Many are accessible via a single, direct flight – so important in this era of travel in terms of reducing risk and limiting inconvenience – and boast vaccination rates and public health measures similar, in the main, to our own in Australia.

What they also offer is something a little different to our own experience. These are destinations filled with unfamiliar and deeply traditional cultures, places to revel in the complexity of the world, to get reacquainted with the foreign travel experience; or to simply relax and take a break from modern stresses.

This is our region, these are our neighbours, and it's time to pay them a visit. Suffice to say, that while every effort has been made to confirm the below details at time of publication, the world is changing rapidly right now, so we would urge you to check the supplied websites for latest information before booking.

FIJI

BEST FOR

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Families, couples, and anyone else who fancies the idea of affordable resorts on white-sand beaches, warm welcomes from lovely people, excellent diving and snorkelling, adventure activities, and true cultural immersion.

WHAT'S WHAT

Fiji is open for business with travellers required to have insurance that covers COVID-19, and must spend their first three nights in Care Fiji Commitment-approved accommodation. COVID-19 tests before departure and 48 hours after arrival are also compulsory.

PROS AND CONS

There are a few hurdles required to enter Fiji, as there are with all countries right now. Navigate those, however, and you have a country with a high vaccination rate and low COVID-19 case numbers. Here's a country that values and relies heavily on tourism and one that will be delighted to welcome you. Note that access beyond the main and largest island of Viti Levu is currently restricted.

MUST DO

No need to reinvent the wheel here: head to a secluded island resort – the Shangri-La Yanuca Island (shangri-la.com) would be a good place to start – and plant yourself by the pool. Take in a few cultural activities, head out to the reef, and repeat.

ESSENTIALS

There are direct flights from Melbourne and Sydney to Nadi. Everyone over 12 must take a COVID-19 test. See fiji.travel

SINGAPORE

The Singapore skyline at dusk.

The Singapore skyline at dusk.

Though it's probably more well-known as a built-up urban playground with some of the world's tastiest food, Singapore is also the ideal destination for those who love culture and you'll find extensive Malay, Chinese, Indian and Peranakan influences here. It's also become one of the greenest cities on the planet thanks to a government-backed campaign to make Singapore a genuine garden city.

WHAT'S WHAT

Australia has opened a "vaccinated travel lane" with Singapore, which means no quarantine on arrival. What you will need, however, is a PCR test pre-departure, another test on arrival, and to isolate in your hotel room until that test comes back negative. Singapore has sky-high vaccination rates, though still a significant number of daily COVID-19 cases.

PROS AND CONS

Singapore is open and there are plenty of flights, which is great news. However, what was once a two or three-night destination really needs to be more, now, to make all of the testing expenses and paperwork worthwhile. There's no reason why it shouldn't be a longer stay given the plethora of attractions.

MUST DO

Singapore's famous hawker centres are open (though family group sizes are limited to five), and still offer one of the truly great gastronomic experiences. Try Old Airport Road Food Centre, Maxwell Food Centre or Adam Road Food Centre.

ESSENTIALS

There are extensive COVID-related restrictions in place in Singapore – see moh.gov.sg for the latest updates. For the best experience, choose an upmarket hotel with plenty of attractions and dining options onsite. Marina Bay Sands (marinabaysands.com) is one. See safetravel.ica.gov.sg for latest entry requirements; visitsingapore.com

THAILAND

BEST FOR

This is another much-loved destination with plenty to offer those with a passion for culture, adventure, fiery cuisine or just a good massage. The likes of Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui are classics for a reason.

WHAT'S WHAT

Thailand is open to Australian tourists, though getting there is not without its difficulties. The "Thailand Pass", necessary for quarantine-free arrival, is tricky to apply for, and requires approved accommodation bookings and travel insurance. Is it worth it? Of course it is.

PROS AND CONS

Thailand is an amazing destination, and its COVID-19 case numbers are decreasing, though still significant. The country does have a relatively low vaccination rate, however, and medical facilities outside the major cities can be of varying quality.

MUST DO

Stick to the beaten track for the foreseeable future. Hit those classics mentioned above. Use the advantages of the Australian dollar to book high-quality accommodation and don't plan to move around too much.

ESSENTIALS

To enter Thailand you will need to apply for the pass online (tp.consular.go.th), and have accommodation and insurance sorted. Thai Airways is flying direct Sydney to Bangkok, while other airlines have connecting flights from Sydney and Melbourne to various Thai ports. See tourismthailand.org

NEW ZEALAND

Credit: Fraser Clements

BEST FOR

Do you like beautiful scenery? Great food and wine? Perfect road-tripping conditions? Snow-capped mountains? Fish-filled streams? Hiking paths, biking trails, indigenous culture, friendly people? Then yeah, you might like New Zealand.

WHAT'S WHAT

Here's the problem though: access for Australians into New Zealand is severely restricted, with the requirement to quarantine for seven days in limited managed facilities, and then remain isolated for another three. Quarantine-free travel is set to resume for Australians in late April next year – though even then, a period of self-isolation could still be required.

PROS AND CONS

The major con right now, clearly, is that we can't access New Zealand, and won't be able to for almost five months – and even then with the requirement to isolate. Once open access restarts, however, New Zealand will be a safe, familiar destination with few COVID-19 cases and a careful approach to the pandemic more akin to that of Australia than compared to most other countries.

MUST DO

On the North Island, enjoy the food and wine of Auckland and Waiheke Island, soak up Maori culture in Rotorua, ride bikes around Lake Taupo and go museum-hopping in Wellington. In the south, ski in Wanaka, paddle a kayak around Abel Tasman National Park, and walk the Milford Track.

ESSENTIALS

New Zealand is ideal road-tripping territory: Once the country opens, get yourself a van and a plan, and you're all set. Flights are limited right now, but will increase as restrictions ease. See newzealand.com

INDIA

Adventurers, gourmands, spiritual seekers, gawkers, walkers, culture vultures, the eternally curious – take your pick, there's something in India for everyone.

WHAT'S WHAT

Last month India flung its doors open to fully vaccinated travellers from 99 countries, including Australia, with no quarantine required (though recent changes mean travellers from countries such as the UK and Singapore will have to home-quarantine for a week). The country has its daily COVID-19 cases down to fewer than 10 per million people, and has administered more than one billion vaccine doses.

PROS AND CONS

Qantas was due to begin flying direct from Sydney to Delhi this month, and later from Melbourne, making the sub-continent relatively easy to access. COVID-related restrictions vary throughout the country, though with cases low this is looking like a good destination for post-vaccine travel.

MUST DO

Given direct flights are going into Delhi, this is a great opportunity to explore India's underappreciated capital (try the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, the bazaars of Old Delhi), as well as visiting nearby Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, and tourist-friendly Rajasthan.

ESSENTIALS

Take it easy on your next trip to India – book a place on a tour with the likes of Intrepid Travel (intrepidtravel.com, tours beginning March 2022) and let someone else do the hard work. For the latest travel advice, check smartraveller.gov.au. See www.incredibleindia.org

JAPAN

Credit: TommL

BEST FOR

Almost anyone, really, whether you like skiing and snowboarding, history, modern culture, art, fashion, food, or just glory in the feeling that you aren't in Kansas anymore.

WHAT'S WHAT

Japan is currently closed to foreign tourists; however, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has flagged a "travel corridor" with the country by the end of the year, and even if that doesn't happen, you can expect Japan, with its high vaccination rate, to cautiously open – probably to tour groups to begin with, and then independent travellers – early next year.

PROS AND CONS

The good news is that after a well-publicised wave of COVID-19 cases earlier in the year, Japan now has a seven-day average of fewer than 150 cases, and more than 75 per cent of its eligible population is double-vaccinated. The only downside is the lack of certainty around the country's opening, and restrictions once it does.

MUST DO

Japan has so much to offer, from the peace and beauty of a countryside ryokan, or traditional inn, to the excitement and vitality of the likes of Tokyo and Osaka. For many returning in the next few months, however, it will be all about snow in Niseko, Hakuba and beyond.

ESSENTIALS

Qantas and Jetstar are scheduled to begin regular flights from Sydney to Tokyo on December 19. Check smartraveller.gov.au and the relevant Japanese official websites for rules and restrictions as they become available. See japan.travel

SOUTH KOREA

BEST FOR

This is an underrated destination ripe for exploration in the post-vaccination world, a place of high culture, ancient tradition and "Gangnam style", with everything from karaoke parlours to Buddhist retreats.

WHAT'S WHAT

South Korea has already opened a "vaccinated travel lane" with Singapore, providing quarantine-free access, and according to Scott Morrison, the same could happen with Australia before the end of the year.

PROS AND CONS

If the coming bubble is anything like Singapore's, expect to be taking a lot of COVID-19 tests: one before departure, one on arrival, another before you leave. And then two more in Australia. Masks are mandatory everywhere in South Korea, and case numbers, now at about 3500 a day, are rising.

MUST DO

Though Seoul is a great destination, it's worth heading south to historic Gyeong-ju, former capital of an ancient kingdom, and then on to buzzing Busan for food and nightlife.

ESSENTIALS

Though there are currently no direct flights from Australia to South Korea, you can expect that to change if a travel lane is set up. See visitkorea.or.kr for more, and also check smartraveller.gov.au for the latest on travel restrictions. See english.visitkorea.or.kr

VANUATU

BEST FOR

Idyllic Vanuatu is perfect for families, though there's plenty on offer for those after a little adventure too, with world-class scuba-diving at Espiritu Santo, treks up a live volcano on Tanna Island, and immersive cultural experiences everywhere you go.

WHAT'S WHAT

The good news: Vanuatu is blissfully COVID-19-free. The bad news: it also has a low vaccination rate, which means – though plans haven't been confirmed – the country is unlikely to open to tourism until at least the end of March, 2022, when it hopes to hit 70 per cent of over-18s double-vaccinated.

PROS AND CONS

The Vanuatuan economy is heavily reliant on tourism, so the restart of that industry is likely to be welcomed, despite the added risk for a country that hasn't yet had to deal with COVID-19. The attractions here are obvious – we're talking true Pacific island splendour – but the risks to locals and uncertainty for travellers is real.

MUST DO

Divers, set your sights on one of the world's great wreck dives, the 200 metre SS President Coolidge, accessible from Espiritu Santo. Resort flop-and-droppers, check in to Warwick Le Lagon (warwickhotels.com), a classic just near Port Vila.

ESSENTIALS

Keep an eye on smartraveller.gov.au for the latest updates on Vanuatu's border policies. See vanuatu.travel

INDONESIA

Credit: iStock

BEST FOR

Few Australians will be looking outside of Bali for their first trip back to Indonesia, and there's no shame in that – this is an island that can be almost anything you want it to be, from bohemian to family-friendly to lavish.

WHAT'S WHAT

Indonesia is open to vaccinated travellers, though with restrictions: entrants have to quarantine for seven days in a hotel on arrival (recently raised from three days due to the omicron variant). Tests pre-departure and on arrival are also mandatory.

PROS AND CONS

Indonesia now has very low COVID-19 case numbers, and Bali has very high vaccination rates. The island has restrictions in place to stop the spread of the virus, which travellers must adhere to; do that, however, and there's no reason you won't have a good time.

MUST DO

As with many destinations, it's best to stick to the tried and true here, in terms of location and accommodation. Opt for a villa in Canggu, or hotels such as the Legian in Seminyak (lhm-hotels.com) or the Oberoi nearby (oberoihotels.com).

ESSENTIALS

Travellers will have to adhere to capacity limits and other restrictions on the ground and use the Peduli Lindungi track-and-trace app. Though there are no direct flights to Bali yet, Qantas and Virgin Australia are eyeing a restart in early 2022. See indonesia.travel

MALAYSIA

BEST FOR

There are many sides to the Malaysian tourism experience: the cultural and the idyllic, the choice between the energy of Kuala Lumpur and George Town, the sultry charm of Sarawak and Sabah, and the paradise of Langkawi. If you like any, or all, you will love Malaysia.

WHAT'S WHAT

Malaysia is, as they say, "clopen". Tourists are not allowed to enter; however, a "vaccinated travel lane" between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur is now open, with travel for citizens by both air and land allowed, indicating a desire to begin allowing foreigners back to the country.

PROS AND CONS

The biggest difficulty with Malaysia right now is access, and even if you were to visit, many COVID-related restrictions remain in place. This is a fantastic destination with so much to offer travellers – just, give it a few months.

MUST DO

Prepare your tastebuds for the gastronomic greatness of Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Malaysia's two foodie capitals. In KL, feast on char kway teow, nasi lemak, roti canai and more. In Penang, try assam laksa, hokkien mee, and sweet cendol.

ESSENTIALS

Keep an eye on the Smart Traveller website smartraveller.gov.au for the latest updates as Malaysia gradually reopens. Flights, either direct or via Singapore or Bangkok, will increase as access does. See malaysia.travel

TEN MORE ASIA-PACIFIC DESTINATIONS TO CONSIDER

THE MALDIVES

The country that for many people represents the platonic ideal of paradise is open to tourists; all Australians need is a negative PCR test pre-departure and you're on your way to a country with few current restrictions, save for mask-wearing. The only downside is the dearth of flights at present. See tourism.gov.mv

HAWAII

This US island group is very much a part of the Pacific, and it's also open to international tourism. Grab your vaccine certificate and a negative PCR test and you can be sipping mai tais in Waikiki or hitting the surf on the North Shore in no time. See gohawaii.com

SRI LANKA

Here's yet another truly great destination that is open for business, with quarantine-free access available for those vaccinated and tested. Daily cases are relatively low, and vaccinations high. There are even direct – though currently pricey – flights from Sydney to Colombo. See srilanka.travel

CAMBODIA

The home of the Temples of Angkor has recently allowed quarantine-free access for vaccinated international tourists. To enter, you will need to apply for a visa, take a PCR test in your home country within 72 hours of departure, and have insurance that covers COVID-19. See tourismcambodia.com

NEPAL

Yep – Nepal is officially part of the Asia-Pacific region and makes our list. It's also open to international tourism, though there are few flights going in and out, and land borders are closed. Trekking and mountaineering permits are still available. See ntb.gov.np

VIETNAM

Although Vietnam has struggled with a wave of COVID-19 cases this year, the country plans a staged reopening to foreign tourism, beginning with restricted access to favourite destinations such as Nha Trang, Da Nang and Hoi An. There are currently no direct flights from Australia. See vietnam.travel

COOK ISLANDS

The Cooks are closed to inbound passengers right now, and though plans have been announced to reopen the country to tourism from January 13 next year, access will only be from New Zealand, which means it will remain out of reach for most Australians for the foreseeable future. See cookislands.travel

THE PHILIPPINES

Access to the Philippines is severely restricted after a decision to allow quarantine-free access for tourists was recently reversed, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade recommends Australians reconsider their need to travel there. See philippines.travel

NEW CALEDONIA

Since detection of its first COVID-19 cases back in September of this year, New Caledonia has been in lockdown, and all international passenger flights have been suspended until at least the end of the year. See newcaledonia.travel

CHINA

Here's something interesting to consider: China is one of the few countries in the world still pursuing a zero-COVID strategy, which means its borders are closed to international visitors, and are likely to remain so for quite some time. See cnto.org.au

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