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The Fastest Trains in the World
Due to the environmental impact of flying, most would agree that high-speed rail has a big part to play in the future of both domestic and international travel. Trains are getting faster and more high-speed links are being built across the world. However the cost of using the fastest trains in the world remains high in most cases. The World’s Fastest Trains When you think of fast trains, you may be inclined to immediately think of the Far East and it is true that Japan and China largely lead the way when it comes to high speed rail with some outrageously fast bullet train services. Rail Speed Records It may…
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The Largest Subway Systems in the World
Today, we’re going to try to find the largest subway system in the world. As some of the world’s megacities continue to grow, there are many expanding subway, metro and underground systems catering to increasing numbers of passengers each year. That’s particularly the case in China which has expanded its five largest metro networks since the start of 2020 and dominates this countdown. The most complete set of data we could find measuring the length and annual ridership of global subway/metro networks was this Wikipedia article and the data comes from there and is accurate as of early July 2021. However it is worth noting that there are at times…
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5 Chinese Cities that are cheap to live in & offer a high Quality of Life
In this post we’ll look at some of the best and cheapest cities to live in China. Despite the country’s dramatic economic growth in the 21st Century, it is still mostly an affordable place to live. Away from Beijing and Shanghai, which are slightly more expensive, there are some vibrant cities which offer both a high quality of life and great value. Here are five of the best options for anyone looking for a balance between the two. 5 of the Best & Cheapest Cities to Live in China Guangzhou If you’re looking for the buzz of a growing Chinese megacity but aren’t willing to fork out a bit extra…
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5 Japanese Cities that are cheap to live in & offer a high Quality of Life
While it’s quite difficult to find legal paths to moving and settling in Japan permanently, there are many ways and schemes that enable you to experience life in Japan for a shorter period of time. The most famous is the JET programme and if you are planning to teach in Japan or will be based there for any other reason, this post should help you on the path to deciding where to go. It features some of the best and cheapest cities to live in Japan, with a focus on those places that are affordable while also offering a high quality of life. 5 of the Cheapest Cities to Live…
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The Most Visited Countries in Asia
As the world’s largest and most populated continent, Asia is an incredibly diverse place with a wide range of popular travel destinations. In this post we will run down the five most visited countries in Asia according to official UN figures for global tourism. The figures quoted are for 2018 as some countries have not published their data for 2019 yet. Top 5 Most Visited Countries in Asia 1. China – 62.9 million visits (in 2018) China is officially the most visited country in Asia and by some margin. Whilst emerging as a 21st Century superpower, China has invested hugely into its travel infrastructure. Cities such as Beijing and…
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Seoul Local Tips – 5 Ideas for Activities & Things to Do
Featuring the thoughts of a resident in South Korea, here are five Seoul local tips for activities and interesting things to do. Ideal for anyone looking for some quick inspiration of how to pass time in the Korean capital. by Michael Geer Why you should Visit Seoul Seoul is the capital of South Korea and one of the post populated metropoli on the planet! This sprawling city is loaded with sites both ancient and modern to explore. Here are five sites I think are most worth visiting on a trip to Seoul: Seoul Local Tips – 5 Things to Do 1. Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace One of the largest and most…
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5 Local Tips for Visiting Busan
This post contains five Busan local tips from a resident in the city. Read on for a little bit of quick inspiration as to what to do in South Korea’s second city. by Michael Geer Why you should Visit Busan Busan is an incredible city! Though not as large as Seoul, it possesses a vibrancy and vitality that Seoul often lacks. Here the weather is milder, the people friendlier, and the sites have that sweet, sandy charm only a beach city can claim. Here are five awesome things to enjoy in Busan! (In no particular order). Busan Local Tips – 5 things to Do 1. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: The “water”…
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5 Places to Visit in Taipei, Taiwan
This post looks at five great places to visit in Taipei. Hopefully it will provide you with some quick-fire inspiration for making the most of your trip to the Taiwanese capital. by Michael Geer You can also check out Michael’s tips for Seoul and Busan. Why you should Visit Taipei I’ve never been surprised by a city like I was surprised by Taipei. Taipei is hardly the largest, newest, or most beautiful city in Asia. Yet this city, more than any other, has stolen my heart. Taipei is a bustling metropolis packed with people, culture, and incredible food! Not only is Taipei a world class city, but it’s remarkably inexpensive!…
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Taiwan Backpacking Route
Taiwan may not be a backpacker hub like some nearby Asian countries but it ticks a lot of the boxes when it comes to being an excellent independent travel destination. Firstly it’s affordable, with cheap dorm beds and lots of street food all over the island. It also has an excellent rail network and its small size makes it easy to get around. Throw into the mix plenty of culture, an intriguing and complex history and no shortage of stunning natural sights and it’s a wonder why more people don’t consider backpacking Taiwan. TIME NEEDED – 2-3 weeks If you’re pushed for time, our Taiwan travel itinerary could be done…
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5 Asian Cities that are cheap to live in and offer a high quality of life!
This article looks at five Asian Cities that are cheap to live in in but also offer a decent quality of life. They include a real range of very different cities but hopefully at least one or two of these will appeal to you. By Western European or North American standards, these cities are all very affordable and might be worth considering for anyone looking for a new base in Asia. We have included estimated rent costs for a basic apartment and also estimated total living costs for a month in that city. Clearly the latter figure will depend hugely on your lifestyle and spending habits. For a point of…
Backpacking, Budget Travel & Budget Living
