Introduction
When people think of Asia, they often think of Chinese dragons and kimonos. They might also picture the tall skyscrapers in Shanghai or Tokyo, or even hear sizzling stir-fry smells coming from a local street vendor. However, there is more to Asia than just these images; there are many other fascinating aspects to explore when visiting this diverse continent.
The West has an image of what Asia is. In comparison, this image is a huge misconception.
You may have heard that Asia is a continent full of food and shopping. That’s not all there is to it, though. The West has an image of what Asia is–and in comparison, this image is a huge misconception.
The West has an image of what Asia is:
- A place where people eat noodles all day long
- A continent full of temples and pagodas where monks are always meditating on their mats
- An area filled with colorful lanterns hanging from trees along winding paths lined with lush foliage
Forget about the ketchup-orange-colored buildings, neon lights and the loud traffic.
Forget about the ketchup-orange-colored buildings, neon lights and the loud traffic. The real Asia is not what you see on TV or in movies.
For starters, most people here don’t speak English or Cantonese (or whatever language you think they should be speaking). In fact, many locals don’t even speak Chinese! And while there are a few neon signs here and there–they’re usually just advertisements for shops that sell things like rice crackers and condoms.
And as for all that traffic? Well…it’s not as bad as everyone thinks either! You can walk across any street without getting run over by a car if you’re careful enough; cars aren’t allowed to drive faster than 20km/h anywhere near city centers anymore so they rarely go above 10km/h anyway because most drivers aren’t used to driving at high speeds anymore due to stricter laws being passed several years ago after too many accidents happened involving pedestrians being hit by speeding cars (which was pretty common back then).
Once you have a chance to visit Asia, you’ll find that it is more than just a place for food and shopping.
There is so much more to Asia than just its food and shopping. The best way to experience it is by traveling, but if you’re looking for an off-the-beaten path trip, then consider these places:
- Thailand – Bangkok is a must-see city with its famous street markets and temples but there are also many other cities like Chiang Mai that offer great experiences as well. You can get away from the crowds here, especially if you visit during low season or outside of peak tourist times when it’s easier for locals (and tourists) to interact with each other in friendly ways!
- Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur has some great attractions including museums like National Museum (where they have exhibitions on history), Science Centre MSC Malaysia(which offers lots of hands-on activities), Butterfly Park(with over 20 species) plus many parks where visitors can go hiking along trails through mangroves forests & rubber plantations while enjoying breathtaking views of both land & sea scenery while enjoying fresh air along their journey through these natural wonders!
The sights, sounds and smells all contribute to the cultural experience you’ll have while visiting Asia.
The sights, sounds and smells all contribute to the cultural experience you’ll have while visiting Asia. The sights include temples, pagodas and markets; the sounds include bells ringing from Buddhist temples and chants from monks; the smells include spices like curry powder as well as incense burned in religious ceremonies. In addition to these things, there are also plenty of other activities you can partake in while on your trip: hiking through nature preserves or riding elephants through rural villages are just two examples.
Rather than being intimidated by the “taboo” stereotypes associated with Asia, embrace them!
As you embark on your journey to Asia, there will be many things that come up that may make you feel uneasy. Don’t be afraid! It’s ok to be nervous, but don’t let fear hold you back from doing what makes you happy.
Be open to new experiences and don’t let preconceived notions dictate how things should be done or what is acceptable in certain situations. For example: if someone offers help, accept it! They’re probably just trying to help and not trying anything funny (at least I hope). If someone asks questions about where you are from or why exactly it took so long for them to see an American tourist in their town again after five years of no one showing up at all–then answer them! Also try something new every once in a while too…that might just lead somewhere interesting 🙂
Conclusion
Even if you’re not planning on visiting Asia anytime soon, it’s important to remember that there’s more to the continent than what we see in Western media. In fact, most of these stereotypes are just plain false! So don’t let them keep you from exploring the world around us–especially if that world happens to be filled with delicious food and beautiful sights.”
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