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Gilded temples, night markets and tropical islands — eleven countries of Asia now have a full Guild guide, with more of the continent on the way.
Eleven countries have a full Guild guide today; the rest are being written.
Open a country marked Book for its full Guild guide; the rest are on their way.
Which countries of Asia does the Guild cover?Eleven have a full Guild guide today: China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. Each one is a complete book — the country guide, a where-to-stay page for its main cities, and a month-by-month page on when to go. The countries still marked soon are being written; their links take you to hotels in that country in the meantime.
When is the best time to visit Asia?There is no single answer for a continent this wide. Broadly: November to February suits Thailand, Vietnam and most of Southeast Asia, when the monsoon has passed and the days are dry. Japan is at its best in the cherry blossom of late March and April, or the maple colour of November. India is a cool-season country for most travellers, roughly October to March. Each Guild country book has its own "when to go" page with the month-by-month detail.
Do I need a visa to travel in Asia?It depends entirely on the country and on the passport you hold, and the rules change. Several countries that once stamped passports on arrival now want an electronic travel authorisation applied for in advance, and a few have gone the other way and dropped the requirement. Check the official government site for the country you are visiting, and check it again close to departure. The Guild will not print a visa rule that may be out of date by the time you read it.
How does booking through the Guild work?Our hotel links go to Trip.com, which has unusually deep hotel coverage across Asia. You pay the same price you would pay going there directly, and the Guild earns a small commission that keeps these guides free to read. We are not a booking agent and we never see your payment details — the booking is between you and Trip.com.