Friends who have travelled through Asia! Which countries would you recommend to go to and which countries would you stay away from?
Cheapest places to fly into and out of?
We are thinking of places like India, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and surrounding countries. Maybe China, Taiwan and Japan if there is enough time/money.
We've already been warned to stay away from the Philippines. Please keep in mind that I'll have my 1 year old with me, so we want to keep it safe
planning for around February or March.

We've been to Thailand three times, Vietnam Cambodia and Malaysia. This winter we're going to Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. We love visiting various islands in Thailand best. We had an incredible month travelling all over Vietnam. Search on this page, the various countries by typing them in the search box. You'll find tons of information previously shared here.

We travelled independently in China for 28 days and had a wonderful experience - flew into Shanghai and home from Beijing and saw a lot of places in between including the pandas at Chengdu and the Xian terracotta warriors. Very good high speed trains there. Well you can't drink the water and I don't know how I would feel about bathing a one year old in that water!!

I haven't been to much of Asia, but the country I enjoyed the most was (by far) Myanmar. Whether or not visiting today could be considered ethical is something for you to decide yourself. I also enjoyed my short time in Malaysia (just Kuala Lumpur and Cameron Highlands, the latter being the most wonderful and welcome break from seven weeks of hot and humid weather) and Singapore. I think Bangkok is a fascinating city but I didn't enjoy my time on the Thai islands, as they were just too touristy for me (yes, I see the irony).

Where all in Burma did you visit? Did you enjoy the tea leaf salad and mohinga?

Japan 10000%. People are so welcoming and caring and when you are with a baby they will go out of their way to help you.

I'll second this, out of all the places I've ever been, Japan topped in safety

We were just in Philippines this February and I took my daughter. Amazing place, safest place and friendliest people. Best trip ever! We actually felt safer In the remote areas rather than the major cities. We went to Boracay, Moalboal & Oslob and Cebu city, Bohol and Manila for a few days. Government only advises to stay away from southern island where Mindanao is.

I wonder about the sanitation etc in India i really wasnt at ease especially for a one yr old the rest of asia I luv and is easy to travel.

Myanmar is brilliant...not many tourists as it's still waking up to the western world

And committing genocide on its Muslim population of Rohingya. Not sure I'd want to be supporting this country with my tourist dollars right now.

Susan your choice, I have been 4 times and loved the country and people...don't believe everything you read on the internet, the topic of discussion is on the western border with Bangladesh, in a tiny region called rakhine. I have a lot of knowledge of Burma, as my father was born there. The country and people as a whole is amazing! If you are so worried about being PC, stay in your little bubble....don't believe the hype. You don't need to bring politics into everything .....do you?

Susan, when it comes to Asian countries...do not believe what you read in the Main Stream Media. Most of it is bullshit.

https://notesofnomads.com/?s=Myanmar

Lots of unethical things going on in so many countries, our own included if you consider our treatment of indigenous peoples. If that was a main factor in travel Susan you can't go anywhere!

Singapore, Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong

Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos are safe and nice,to visit. I would avoid Myanmar. Personally did not care for Indonesia, too many unsafe areas for me. Loved China, but took a tour there. Hong Kong is easy to get in and out especially from here. Have fun!

I'll throw in my two cents about the Philippines. I grew up in the Philippines...during the Marcos years. It was safe. As someone else mentioned, if you stay away from the Muslim areas (yes, so politically incorrect, but I had a high school mate captured and eventually killed by those folks) which are exclusively in the south....it's all good. Filipinos are awesome people, super friendly and most of them speak very good English. I'm always baffled by people who go to Asia but stay away from the Philippines. Wonderful place to visit.

Phillipines is very beautiful country Filipinos are awesome. May be because my soon to be wife is a Filipina I might be biased but we visited with her several time. Everytime I just want to go back.

Cambodia amd Thailand for sure! Vietnam is cool but traffic is nuts. If you get to the east, Japan is gorgeous and China is pretty cool but very polluted.

Have lived in Kuala Lumpur for 4+ years, have been to most of SE Asia plus Sri Lanka. The only places that I have visited that I did not enjoy were Bali and Phuket .IMO felt that both were built to the extremes around tourism to the point that's most of the authenticity of the places have been lost. An alternative to Bali would be Lombok and alternatives to Phuket are plentiful in places like Ko Lipe or many of the small islands off of the Malaysian East coast depending on what you are looking for.

Very true!

The Perhentians are one of our favourite places too!!

Loved Cambodia!

I spent a month in cambodia, it was amazing. I personally prefer siam riep to Phnom penh. There's an elephant refuge you can volunteer at in mondulkiri called Elephant Valley Project Group !

I personally wouldn't take a baby to Cambodia. The heat and humidity are brutal. And there isn't a lot to interest a one year old, and you'd never want to push a stroller there.

It's not going to be hotter than anywhere else in SE Asia, and it's safer than a lot of places. Plus what toddler doesn't want to meet animals and see colourful things? Cambodia is a great place for everyone.

Just my opInion.

Great, I didn't ask for it

Singapore and Japan by far for cleanliness and safety. Hong Kong food the best. All three, accommodations are expensive. Watchout for the pricing for touktouk and taxi. We got ripped off all the time.

I just spent two months in Japan and it was UNREAL. Could not recommend it more. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Also a friend took her two and four year olds for 3 weeks so I can answer questions about that too.

Don't forget Nepal!

Thailand is fine with babies. We took our 1.5 year old there and had no problems. Even bkk is pretty clean for a giant city. Don't listen to anyone who says it's too hot for a baby. Amazingly enough there are lots of Thai babies there. Who knew? Lol

All asia is so easy! Vietnam has awesome food and really nice low cost costal areas Nha Trong, Hoi Anh are so easy, also the temp is easier especially for a little one! Be sure to slow down and enjoy each place you go and try not to do everything! part of travel is the peaceful state you get in. In Indonesia we love the Gilli Islands off Lombok and Bali they are a place to chill, (no cars ) There is awesome Scuba diving of all levels (Blue Marlin is the top one). My son stayed and worked for a year!! we keep going back!! There are a lot of kids travelling with babies and you'll find your stride and how it works for your family!! Just keep talking to travellers as you go!! Have fun!!!

Thailand and Bali we loved and felt safe Bali we ended up with cheaper flight heard grt things about all those places thou i have my itineraries that i did up if ur interested i do alot of research and book my own trips/tours