Mindful travel in Asia

Escape the small stressors of every day and leave the hustle and bustle of the modern world behind with a transformative trip to Asia. With its rich cultural tapestry and traditions, which are often linked with the natural world, there is no better place to experience mindfulness and enhance your sense of connection within.

So, instead of rushing to tick experiences off your bucket list, why not remove the stress of moving from one place to another in a hurry and embark on an intentionally tranquil journey at a gentle pace that suits you. Not only will your experience be a more relaxing one, but you will surely find a deeper appreciation of the places you visit along the way.

Immerse yourself culturally

Mindful travel involves going beyond sightseeing and fully immersing yourself in the local cultures. Each region in Asia has its own unique traditions and historical experiences, from exploring the ancient Chamic ruins in central Vietnam to taking part in a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto.

If you’re keen to explore your creative side, look for local art workshops where you can watch masterful artisans creating their wares and try your hand at a mindful creative endeavour yourself. Time your trip with festivals and other events that celebrate art in all its forms, from colourful lanterns to intricate costumes and song and dance.

If you prefer to delve into the history of a destination, head to the old towns and hire local guides to enrich your understanding of the historical sights. Discover the lost city of Angjor Thom in Cambodia, step in the Emperor's footprints in Beijing’s Forbidden City, visit the terra-cotta warriors in Xi’an, explore ancient Buddhist cave temples in Sri Lanka and immerse yourself in the many museums you encounter along the way - the options for learning about Asian heritage really are endless. Choose to visit in the off-season to avoid the crowds at popular historical sights and make your trip a more mindful one.

Take a culinary journey

Why not embark on a culinary journey and take cooking classes wherever you go? If you are a keen foodie, it would be easy to design a whole mindful itinerary around food experiences in Asia. Many Asian countries are famous for their delicious and unusual dishes, and cooking classes are a popular activity in every country. Learning to cook alongside local people is a great way to form meaningful connections with local people and learn about the history and food culture of the region, as well as sampling some incredible dishes!

Take some time to learn about mindful eating before you set off on your travels, and perfect the art of focusing on the food experience as you explore Asia’s diverse culinary offerings.

Connect with nature

Bathe in the beauty of Asia’s diverse landscapes and reconnect with Mother Nature during your travels. For those who prefer to leave the urban life behind and bask in mindful experiences in the great outdoors, Asia is the place to visit. From the postcard-perfect beaches of Bali to the mountaintops of the Himalayas, colourful coral reefs of the Philippine waters and the dense Sri Lankan forests, there are stunning landscapes and nature reserves to suit every nature lover’s preference.

Asia is home to some of the best bird-watching spots on the planet, including spots in Japan, Nepal, Thailand, India and Indonesia. It is also world-renowned for its underwater diversity; if you’re a keen diver or snorkeller, consider a mindful retreat in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and the Maldives. For jungle explorers, get lost in the forests and spot some incredible wildlife in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Brunei and Malaysia.

Enjoy retreats and wellness

Buddhism is a central element of many Southeast Asian cultures and spiritual experiences are easy to come by in the region. There is no better place to further your mindful meditation than in Asia, where the practice developed through its Buddhist roots thousands of years ago. Buddhist temples pepper the landscape in Southeast Asia, and many offer mindful meditation retreats suitable for visitors. The famous Vipassana meditation practice is taught at special centres throughout Asia, comprising 10-day silent mindful meditation courses for first-timers (and shorter options for those who have completed the initial 10-day intensive course).

Asian countries are havens for wellness seekers and other retreats offer combinations of meditation, wellness and yoga. The birthplace of yoga, northern India, is home to many popular yoga retreats and courses, and today variations of the practice can be found all over the continent, from Thailand to Indonesia and Japan. Spa experiences are also ample and vary throughout the region, with each country taking its own approach to massage and relaxation techniques. If you’re keen to try something a little different, consider Bali’s traditional massage by two people or a bamboo massage in Thailand.

Be fully present

Mindful travel is an approach that impacts your entire journey, from how you move around to the places you visit and the food you eat. It can be a means of self-discovery or simply a way of enhancing your experience of Asia.

Whatever your interests, from art to food or history to spa experiences, you can plan an unforgettable mindful travel experience in Asia, incorporating a range of incredible and diverse countries with an itinerary tailored to you. Don’t just see Asia, but truly experience it with a mindful approach to travel.