How to Survive (and Thrive) During Summer in Asia
Here are 10 tips to keep in mind when planning your next summer trip to Asia!
I’ve had the opportunity to travel internationally throughout a good amount of my childhood and into my early adult years; as someone with family living in East Asia (and who just got back from a trip to Taiwan earlier this year), I’ve gone on multiple family trips across the region to catch up with relatives, reconnect with my heritage, and explore local food scenes.
I’ve compiled a list of some useful tips I’ve learned over the years when it comes to vacationing in Asia – especially during hot and humid summer months.
Illustration by Karenna Yang
1. Before You Go: Watch a Lot (and I mean a LOT) of Travel Vlogs.
Growing up, before every family trip my parents and I would watch numerous travel videos on each city we were going to visit. From Tokyo to Taipei, we would consume content from everything pertaining to transit and transportation to food and sightseeing.
Vlogs offer both inspiration for planning your itinerary as well as educating yourself on cultural nuances when it comes to things like train etiquette, tipping customs, and even local dress codes. Along with familiarizing yourself on navigating the area before you get there, vlogs also give insight into the best places to eat and drink, general tourist attractions that may be of interest and even where to shop to get the best deals.
Vlogs are also an amazing resource when it comes to educating yourself on what not to do when visiting a country – something that can often be overlooked.
And even if you’ve booked a trip to an area you’ve visited before, it’s still worth it to watch some new videos – more often than not, there are new things to do in the area – from new cafes to limited time pop-ups and seasonal events.
Shifen Old Street has lots of street food stalls to browse - be prepared to snack as you explore!
2. Remember to Submit Your Arrival Card in Advance!
Many countries in Asia now require visitors to complete an arrival card prior to entering. Typically, travellers can fill this out as early as three days in advance. These forms typically require tourists to list general travel information pertaining to purpose for the visit, an accommodation address and any declarations for customs to be made.
To avoid scrambling to fill out the form at the last minute in the immigration line when you’re both jet-lagged and on spotty airport wifi, have all your information fully entered and the confirmation QR code printed out or pulled up on your phone.
3. Pack Light.
I say this with lots of love and kindness as a chronic over-packer...DO NOT pack more than you absolutely need to. Chances are, you’ll find some really nice gifts, souvenirs and shopping items overseas – you don’t want to run out of space or overfill your luggage and be forced to pay extra for overweight baggage. In fact, the pro tip would actually be packing an empty tote or bag to use for all the commemorative keepsakes and trinkets to come!
I love shopping in Asia, as clothing, shoes and accessories tend to be more affordable. It’s always a plus to have extra space in your suitcase (and an extra bag or two) for the inevitable shopping spree!
The Hayashi Department Store is the largest of Tainan’s oldest buildings; built in 1932 during Japanese Occupation, the building now serves as a tourist attraction and a popular place to buy local artisan goods.
4. Bring a Travel Health Kit.
If you or any travel buddies fall ill – be that contracting a cold or succumbing to food poisoning – it’s always handy to keep some medicine in your bag. Tylenol, Imodium, Pepto Bismol and Lactaid (for my lactose intolerant folks!) are always good options to have on hand. Carrying supplements like melatonin or Vitamin C in a small pill organizer can be helpful too.
5. Public Transportation is Key.
Oftentimes public transportation is the way to go, especially when taxi and Uber prices are high. Especially in major Asian cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Taipei and Seoul, public transport, like buses and trains, is both reliable and affordable – not to mention, extremely clean and very straightforward to use.
This past spring when I visited Taipei, I fell in love with all of the themed MRT cards and keychains. From Sanrio to K-Pop Demon Hunters, the options were endless and easily found in all the convenience stores conveniently located at almost every block in the city.
6. Invest in Quality Bug Repellant.
These next few tips will pertain especially to travelling during the summer months in Asia.
Especially in hot and humid areas with a plethora of mosquitoes, it is imperative to be properly equipped to avoid these bloodthirsty insects. Some sort of bug repellant spray or lotion is good to apply before going out, especially during dusk or dawn times when they are most active.
7. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
Following closely after this thought, staying hydrated during the summer months in Asia is paramount. Especially in hot and humid climates where the body is more prone to perspiring, maintaining electrolyte intake is always a good idea.
Popular Asian electrolyte drink brands include Pocari Sweat, Aquarius, Supau, and 100PLUS. These can usually be found at any local convenience store.
Themed 7-Elevens! In Taiwan you can find collectible MRT cards in pretty much any convenience store here
8. An Umbrella is Your Friend.
The umbrella is a tool every traveler should have with them at all times. One that can serve as both a physical UV barrier as well as protection from the unexpected downpour, an umbrella can be a lifesaver when strolling outside in the sun or caught in rainy monsoon weather.
9. Keep Cash Handy.
I’ve found it helpful to always have physical currency with me wherever I travel. And even though we live in a world where everything is digital, it’s always a smart move to have some on hand for the spontaneous street food snack or night market crawl. Some travellers even find it helpful to carry a small coin purse to hold all their extra change. Having cash to use towards local transportation or for payments in more rural areas is sensible as well.
Taipei Zoo, Pangolin Dome
10. Relax, and Have Fun!
Most importantly, have fun. While it may be tempting to cram everything into a tight itinerary, be prepared to be flexible. It’s those unplanned sidequests that are always the most memorable, so adapt to change – take a pit stop to that restaurant your taxi driver suggested, postpone dinner plans in order to explore a vibrant street lined with cute shops, and always say "yes" to the scenic route, even if it’s not the most efficient. You never know what once-in-a-lifetime memory is around the corner!
Whether you’re actively prepping for an upcoming summer trip or thinking about travelling to Asia in the near future, I hope these ten tips have been a helpful guide for you to learn how to survive (and thrive!) during your next summer trip to Asia. Safe travels!
Window shopping at night in East District, Tainan