Asia is an enormously diverse continent that provides an abundance of fascinating tourist destinations and amazing experiences for even the most hard-to-please travel connoisseur. More importantly, in these tough economic times, Asia offers a plethora of destinations that are extremely affordable for all those on a budget, without breaking the bank!
The following are some of the best destinations for you to visit in Asia when you are on a budget. This list is by no means comprehensive, and after researching the locations mentioned here, make sure to do a little research of your own. You might find that there are other places which make great destinations for travelers on a budget.
Pokhara, Nepal
In the tiny mountain country of Nepal that is wedged between India and China, it is truly a blessing that you can spend so little and still have such a great time. While Kathmandu is the most popular city in Nepal, you might get tired of the big city feel. Nepal is a country of nature, and Pokhara, pictured above, truly delivers on beautiful views of the mountains while giving you everything that a city has to offer. Here, you can spend a night at a hotel for as little as $3 dollars per night, dine for $4.60 every day, and enjoy entertainment for about $5.40 per day. On average, you can expect to spend about $15.10 per day. This city is truly a bargain.
Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi is known around the world as Vietnam’s most interesting city to visit. It has a wonderful culture that hints at its colonial past while maintaining Vietnam’s strong traditional roots with sights such as the One Pillar Pagoda, pictured above. Furthermore, the Vietnamese food that you will find here can’t be beaten. You can find thousands of street restaurants, stalls and stands that serve spectacular food and even enjoy the world’s cheapest beer: Bia Hoi. On average, you will spend about $16.41 in Hanoi on any given day.
Goa, India
The state of Goa in India is not technically a city, but anywhere you go here you will find very cheap prices that will allow you to experience much of what India has to offer such as some magnificent temples and buildings, such as the one above. Furthermore, Goa is on the coast, so you have the added benefit of being able to take long walks on the beach which are certainly free. If you watch where you spend, your average daily expenditures will be in the area of $17.94.
Saigon, Vietnam
Saigon is much larger and has much more activity than the capital city of Hanoi. Because of this, prices tend to be a bit higher than Hanoi, but by western standards, it is still a spectacular bargain. Here in Ho Chi Minh City you can pay a little more than $6 for a good hostel and about $1.60 for a good street meal, pictured above. On average, expect to spend about $18.17 a day for expenditures that include lodging, transportation, drinks, entertainment, and attractions.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
The beautiful Thai city of Chiang Mai has glimpses of its past with its peaceful ancient temples and sanctuaries. Aside from this, it is also a great travel destination for someone who is closely watching their budget. It is much less expensive than the capital, Bangkok, and you can expect to pay about $18.17 per day here on normal tourist activities, with pad Thai noodle dishes coming in at under $1 and the local beer, Singha is cheap and plentiful. If you spend your money wisely, you can arrive here with about $600 dollars and stretch them out to last you a complete month.
