Asia | Chloe's Postcards

Asia is a region rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, made up of diverse countries, each with its own unique charm.

From bustling cities and colourful markets to serene temples and tropical islands, the region offers experiences to suit every type of traveller. Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, trekking through lush jungles, or exploring the urban streets, Asia has something unforgettable to discover.

With its blend of traditions, cuisines, and warm hospitality, the culture of Asia is as vibrant as its landscapes. Every country tells its own story, making the region a place where each journey feels entirely new.

Pen Portraits

“Pen portraits,” one of the regulars said to me the other day. I pause. “Sorry, what?” “Like drawing people, but with words?” Lately, I’ve been noticing people more. Not just who they are, but the way they talk to each other. How conversations unfold. The small moments that pass between people without much thought. I remember walking through Seoul and finding myself distracted by two older men walking ahead of me. I couldn’t understand a word they were saying, but somehow I u

My Favourite Moment from Kyoto (That Wasn’t Planned)

Late into the night, we stood with scarves wrapped around our heads and vending machine coffees in our hands, rain dripping into my eyes from strands of hair peeking out. We walked quickly towards the train, the shiny pavement reflecting the lights back at us. We were laughing, wondering why—out of all the times—we had decided not to get an Uber. Why now? Why were we suddenly trying to save money? Especially after happily splashing out on vending machine coffees. They were go

Planning a Trip for the First Time? Start Here

Travel planning can feel like a headache for anyone. In my years of travelling, I’ve done all of my planning either by myself or with a friend, and trust me when I say, it’s a lot harder than it looks. And it already looks pretty hard. Between endless browser tabs and budget calculations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you’ve even packed your bags. I’ve definitely been there, staring at my screen, wondering where to even start. Through trial and error (and a few mis

JAPAN

SOUTH KOREA

CHINA

THAILAND

LANGUAGE: The official language of Thailand is Thai.

CURRENCY: The currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht. 1 Thai Baht equals 0.023 Pound Sterling.

PLUGS: The plugs in Thailand are types A, B, and C. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 60Hz. I would recommend a universal adapter to be safe.

TRANSPORT: Thailand offers a range of affordable transport, with buses, trains and the iconic tuk-tuks covering inner-city travel.

SAFETY: I found Thailand to be incredibly safe, however, watch out for petty theft and tourist scams. Avoid taking items from locals on the street and watch out for being overcharged on a tuk-tuk ride.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Thailand's dry season is from November to April, which would be a good time to visit due to less rain and cooler temperatures. However, this is also peak tourist season so it may be busier and prices will increase.

I would actually recommend visiting during the wet season between May and October. While there will be daily short-lived rainstorms, the rates of flights and hotel prices will be a lot cheaper, and there will be fewer crowds.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

CHECK OUT MY THAILAND PHOTOBOOK

CAMBODIA

LANGUAGE: The official language of Cambodia is Khmer.

CURRENCY: The currency in Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel. However, the US Dollar is used as well. 1 USD is equivalent to about 4.025 KHR.

PLUGS: The plugs in Cambodia are type A, C, and G. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. I would recommend a universal adapter to be safe.

TRANSPORT: The USA's public transport is made up of buses, trains, taxis and Uber. If exploring multiple states, I would recommend hiring a car or using trains, as the buses and coaches aren't always the most comfortable and safe.

SAFETY: Cambodia is generally a safe country for female travellers. However, avoid walking home alone at night and be wary of pickpockets in the main tourist areas.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Cambodia is split between two seasons: the rainy and the dry season. Their dry season is between November and March, which is probably the best time to visit. However, due to this, it becomes more popular for tourists, therefore there are larger crowds and prices are raised.

I visited in October, which was the rainy season. I wouldn't say the thunderstorms affected my experience; they were short-lived and only happened in the late afternoon.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

CHECK OUT MY CAMBODIA PHOTOBOOK

VIETNAM

LANGUAGE: The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese.

CURRENCY: The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong. 1 Vietnamese Dong equals 0.000028 Pound Sterling.

PLUGS: The plugs in Vietnam are types A, C, and F. The standard voltage is 220 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. I would recommend a universal adapter to be safe.

TRANSPORT: Vietnam offers a range of affordable transport, including motorbikes (renting or motorbike taxis), buses and trains.

SAFETY: I found Vietnam to be incredibly safe, however, watch out for petty theft and tourist scams. Additionally, in Ho Chi Minh, it’s not uncommon for people to ride up next to you on their bikes and grab your phone out of your hands, so be extra careful when carrying your belongings.

WHAT TO EXPECT

There is no bad time to visit Vietnam; however, May to October is their wet season, so be wary of that. This is also a more expensive time of year to visit, so I would recommend booking months in advance to avoid higher prices.

In terms of weather, I would recommend visiting in the spring (March-May) as there is lighter rainfall and slightly cooler temperatures.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

CHECK OUT MY VIETNAM PHOTOBOOK

JAPAN

LANGUAGE: The official language of Japan is Japanese. However, English is widely spoken, especially in popular areas that bring in tourism.

CURRENCY: The currency in Japan is the Japanese Yen. 1 Japanese Yen equals 0.0047 Pound sterling.

PLUGS: The plugs in Japan are Type A and Type B, operating on a 100V supply voltage and 50/60Hz frequency. I would recommend a universal adapter to be safe.

TRANSPORT: Japan offers a range of affordable transport, including safe and frequent subways, buses and high-speed bullet trains.

SAFETY: Japan is known to be incredibly safe, as one of the safest countries in the world. Key risks are more targeted towards natural disasters, as Japan is known to be a key area for earthquakes and typhoons.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The best time to visit Japan is late spring (March-April) and late autumn (September-November). This is the perfect time to avoid the crowds and still get good weather. However, I visited in late February-early March and still managed to get good weather, avoid crowds, and even see the start of the blossom tree season.

Anytime before March, the weather can be freezing, so keep this in mind when booking; however, your stay will be a lot cheaper.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

CHECK OUT MY JAPAN PHOTOBOOK

SOUTH KOREA

LANGUAGE: The official language of South Korea is Korean. However, English is widely spoken.

CURRENCY: The currency in South Korea is the South Korean won. 1 South Korean won equals 0.00050 Pound sterling.

PLUGS: The plugs in South Korea use Type F (Schuko) and Type C sockets, with a standard voltage of 220V and 60Hz frequency. I would recommend a universal adapter to be safe.

TRANSPORT: South Korea offers a range of affordable and advanced transport, including modern subway systems and high-speed trains.

SAFETY: South Korea is known to be incredibly safe, however, as a woman, I would suggest keeping your wits about you, as the men are slightly more confident when approaching you.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The best time to visit South Korea is late spring (March-April) and late autumn (September-November). This is the perfect time to avoid the crowds and enjoy good weather.

Again, anytime before spring, the weather can be freezing, so keep this in mind when booking;.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

CHECK OUT MY SOUTH KOREA PHOTOBOOK

CHINA

LANGUAGE: The official language of China is Mandarin. English is commonly spoken in popular areas.

CURRENCY: The currency in China is the Chinese Yuan. 1 Chinese Yuan equals 0.11 Pound sterling.

PLUGS: The plugs in China are A, C, and I. The standard voltage is 220 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. I would recommend a universal adapter to be safe.

TRANSPORT: South Korea offers a range of affordable and advanced transport, including modern subway systems and high-speed trains.

SAFETY: For most visitors, China remains an overall safe country. However, I would suggest keeping your wits about you and staying aware.

WHAT TO EXPECT

China is a massive country with diverse landscapes and climates, making it difficult to pinpoint the best time to travel to the country. If you’re after warmer weather with fewer crowds, plan your trip to China in the spring (April and May) or the fall (September and November).

I visited in early March, and it was really cold; however, if you don't mind a bit of snow, then I would recommend visiting the Great Wall around this time of year for fewer crowds and a beautiful snowy landscape surrounding.