Questions tagged [asia]

A continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. Regional specific tags (to be preferred where relevant) are listed in tag info.

Asia is bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the south by the Indian Ocean and on the north by the Arctic Ocean. Asia differs very widely among and within its regions with regard to ethnic groups, cultures, environments, economics, historical ties and government systems.

Specific tags in use at present include:

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OK we're all adults here, so really, how on earth should I use a squat toilet?

OK so for anyone that's travelled beyond North America and Western Europe you know what I'm talking about. Left: Romania, last year. Right: Turkey, last night. They start popping up in the Balkans and of course they're everywhere by the time you…
hippietrail
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How to politely ask people from East Asia to give way?

I've arrived in Australia 9 months ago and I've noticed that often when asking people from East Asia to "give way" they will simply ignore me or even answer a "yes" but not move at all. This is a situation that at least my wife, friends and work…
VulfCompressor
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Is 'wai' greeting a serious thing? Is it inappropriate to 'over-wai'?

This morning I had to go to Phnom Penh and Giant Ibis bus company had all the seats booked. Normally there was always space, but due to high season, the bus was full. However, they were very nice and when they couldn't get me a seat with their…
Matas Vaitkevicius
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Where is the Asia-Europe divide and where can we cross it?

Where is the division between Europe and Asia? What are places where we can cross it? Are there roads that go from one continent to the other? Bonus particularly scenic locations or places of historical significance?
Itai
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Are the hoses in toilets in Asia something I should know about?

I have noticed random bits of hose without proper fittings before I think for example in India and just assumed they are for use by the cleaners or for filling the water jug in squat toilets. But Now I'm travelling in Malaysia and Singapore and…
hippietrail
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Where can I eat dishes that feature in western countries' Chinese restaurants?

... apart from western countries like the Australia or the USA themselves. During my visit to Taiwan, I wasn't able to find the dishes I'd typically encounter in a Chinese restaurant in Australia or the United States, such as sweet and sour pork,…
Golden Cuy
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In which countries in Asia is Mandarin more understood than English?

I'm bilingual in English and Mandarin Chinese, and I'm planning to go backpacking around Asia (Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, etc). It seems that these countries have varying degrees of English…
Bai Li
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In Asian restaurants and airlines is it correct etiquette to use the hot towel on my face?

In many Asian restaurants both inside and outside Asia, and also on some Asian airlines such as Korean and JAL if I recall correctly, hot cloth towels are given out to all passengers before each meal. I know they're for cleaning your hands prior to…
hippietrail
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How to drive a car from Australia to Europe?

I want to drive to Europe from Australia by shipping it to Asia and to drive from there onwards. Can someone tell me the cheapest way for shipping, which ports I should use for shipping and how much can it roughly would cost? Cars are really…
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Is there any accurate map for the Silk Route and is it still practicable?

I've found some maps that shows the overland route that was used to trade between Europe and Asia, but I haven't found a map accurate enough to plan a trip following the ancient route. Also, I believe this route is still practicable. For instance,…
Ivan
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Travelling between Japan and South Korea

We are going to Japan for 3 weeks in the beginning of April and would like to spend a couple of days in Seoul. How do we get there? And how expensive is the ferry from southern japan to Busan in South Korea?
froderik
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Is it safe to plug a power strip into a travel adapter plug?

I'm traveling from North America to Asia next month, I'm wondering if it is safe to hook up a power strip (with a surge protector) into a travel adapter plug, instead of buying several travel adapter plugs.
Curious Spider
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How to dry yourself after using the hand shower in the toilets?

Inspired by this question How to use toilet paper I want to ask "How to use toilet without toilet paper". During my travels through Asian countries, it was common to see the toilet without toilet paper but with hand shower. For me it's still…
MikkaRin
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Is it possible to travel by car from Europe to Thailand?

Since mainland Thailand and India on mainland Asia are land connected with mainland Europe, would it be physically possible to travel by car from, for example, Frankfurt, Germany to Pattaya, Thailand, or Delhi, India? What I mean by this is that:…
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What is the cheapest way to get from Thailand to Australia with a car?

Imagine I have a car in Thailand and I want to get Australia, is there any ferry that cross from Asia to Australia? How much is it? No problem if have to drive to another country or if there is no direct ferry and must take a combination of…
Ivan
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