7 Underrated Stopover Cities for Solo Decompression in Asia - From Taipei to Busan
7 Underrated Stopover Cities for Solo Decompression in Asia - From Taipei to Busan - Taipei Taiwan Street Night Markets and Mountain Trekking from Elephant Mountain
Taipei offers a compelling mix of urban exploration and natural beauty. The street night markets, like the renowned Raohe and Shilin, present a chaotic but delicious experience with countless food options. Wandering through these markets offers a genuine taste of Taiwanese life. When it's time to escape the city buzz, Elephant Mountain provides an easily accessible hike leading to stunning views, particularly at dusk. This climb is a good fit for most, offering a bit of exercise with the pay-off of gorgeous panoramic city shots. It’s a solid choice for visitors seeking both culinary adventures and a brief nature fix. These readily available options highlight the city’s draw as a place to unwind, especially for a solo traveler on a short stopover.
Taipei's night markets are a genuine phenomenon, a labyrinth of sensory overload where the culinary possibilities are almost infinite. One can easily get lost amidst the cacophony of sizzling woks and the pungent aromas wafting from hundreds of stalls, all serving different tastes and textures. From the seemingly repulsive "stinky tofu" to the ubiquitous "bubble tea," a whole realm of food is available at ridiculously low costs. A few US dollars can buy a full stomach and a fascinating glimpse into Taiwanese food culture.
The climb up Elephant Mountain, Xiangshan, is often presented as a gentle walk but those 600-odd steps are far from that. It's a short, sharp workout more than anything. It's advertised as 20-30 minutes to reach the top but I suspect many take longer, mostly because of the stopping for the ubiquitous views of Taipei 101. The trail isn't exactly a remote escape into nature, it is very much a city hike, which provides a short breather before you dive back into the urban melee.
The Taipei Lantern Festival, a very well produced affair, occurs every February. Thousands of incredibly intricate lanterns are produced and displayed to the millions that attend, a very cultural experience that showcases Taiwanese ingenuity and arts and crafts.
The night markets are much more than just food courts; they are showcases of local artistry. Stalls abound selling unique wares, from handmade trinkets to bespoke apparel, offering travelers chances to pick up mementos that support the small traders. These markets make it possible for you to walk away with some tangible memories.
Accessing these markets and indeed Xiangshan is remarkably easy, thanks to Taipei's efficient metro system. The Taipei MRT, quite possibly one of the most reliable and affordable systems in Asia, allows you to move around without worrying about time and cost, with ticket prices a pittance.
The island is very mountainous and if you feel like doing more challenging climbs than Xiangshan you will find that a huge range of mountains are at your fingertips. You can even try to ascend Yushan, which is the highest peak in Northeast Asia and towers at almost 4000 meters.
The street food scene is very well established as a global phenomenon, many local chefs have also started participating in global culinary competitions and you can see how they experiment and blend both traditional and modern styles to create amazing culinary fusions.
The night markets, it has to be said, are more of a way of life and many don't shut until after midnight. This creates an environment for solo travelers to get out in the city late at night, while not putting yourself at risk.
Xiangshan is also not the only hiking trail, it is part of a network that offers routes of varying levels. Some trails are accessible to those just wanting a stroll, and there are routes for those who are looking for more challenges in nature. No need to leave the city to enjoy some nature.
And finally, getting to Taipei is becoming simpler and less expensive. Various low-cost carriers have added the city to their destinations in recent years, meaning better air fares and therefore more chance to visit and enjoy Taipei, it’s street markets and trails.
7 Underrated Stopover Cities for Solo Decompression in Asia - From Taipei to Busan - Busan South Korea Public Beaches and Open Air Fish Markets at Jagalchi
Busan, South Korea, beckons with its appealing public beaches and the very animated Jagalchi Fish Market. The city’s beaches, like Haeundae and Gwangalli, are a great spot to unwind or people watch with their mix of calm, and lively social scenes with many cafes and water activities on offer. Jagalchi Market, South Korea’s biggest seafood market, provides a direct view of the local seafood culture. You get a vast display of fresh catch, unique culinary adventures and the possibility to even try live octopus. This large open-air market does not just highlight Busan's long sea trading history since the 1930s but also lets visitors witness how many people in Busan make a living. With good public transport and a welcoming feel, Busan makes for a good break for solo travelers seeking a mix of activity and quiet.
Busan, positioned at the southern tip of the Korean peninsula, presents an attractive mix of public beaches and raw, open air fish markets. The city’s beaches, like Haeundae and Gwangalli, offer more than just sand and surf. The sand itself at Haeundae is unusual, composed of crushed shells, providing a unique feel and sparkle. These beaches come equipped with useful amenities, including showers, restrooms, and rentals which is an unexpected welcome. The water quality of the city's beaches is monitored closely too, allowing for recreation in a clean and safe environment. Come nightfall, the beach areas are transformed and have their own unique character, and provide options for evening activities. The city holds its annual Busan Sea Festival every August with beach sports and tastings, a lively backdrop for exploring.
The Jagalchi Fish Market in Busan is a different experience. More than just a place for purchasing seafood, it's a working space with hundreds of stalls displaying a huge array of sea life, more than 200 types, both familiar and strange. Some local culinary delicacies such as fresh octopus, sea cucumbers are served up right in front of you. The market was initially started by post-war vendors in the 1940's. Now, it operates with many local fishermen working and applying more sustainable fishing practices, this both supports their livelihoods, but also ensures that the market is stocked with fresh and quality items. Seafood is prepared using traditional techniques.
The city is becoming more accessible for budget travellers as low cost airlines are servicing Busan’s Gimhae International Airport more frequently, therefore it is now easier for solo travellers to consider Busan as a potential short stopover, especially when looking for a combination of coastal and cultural experiences.
7 Underrated Stopover Cities for Solo Decompression in Asia - From Taipei to Busan - Da Nang Vietnam Marble Mountains and My Son Temple Complex
Da Nang, Vietnam, is gaining attention, and it's easy to see why. Close to the city, you find the Marble Mountains, not just hills but natural sculptures of limestone with spiritual significance, featuring caves, temples and panoramic views that could give you a new perspective on things. These aren't simply pretty views; they’ve witnessed centuries of history, including influences from the Champa Kingdom. Not far from there lies My Son, a UNESCO-listed sanctuary with intricate Hindu temples from the same Champa civilization. It provides insight into their artistic skills and cultural heritage, giving a totally different historical context than the beaches that also surround the city. Both locations are readily accessible for a solo traveler, meaning a chance to explore without the need for tour groups or complex arrangements. Add in the nearby Hoi An, a town of traditional architecture, and you’ve got an alternative stopover choice that will provide not just rest but discovery. And let’s not forget the costs of visiting, as these sites are more than reasonable, making it a great option for the budget-conscious traveler.
Da Nang's appeal stems partly from its location near both the Marble Mountains and the My Son Temple Complex. The Marble Mountains, a cluster of five limestone hills, each supposedly embodying an element – metal, wood, water, fire, and earth – are far more than scenic outcrops. They represent a fascinating geological formation, the result of slow erosion processes that have shaped the karst landscape over eons. They're also an area of past activity – these same mountains were a major source of marble, even providing the material for some of the construction in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Many caves and tunnels within the mountains are of note, serving as places of meditation and Buddhist worship, with one cave in particular, the Huyen Khong cave, having a notable altar and Buddha statue.
My Son, in contrast, is a UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing more than 70 ruined sandstone temples. These structures provide insights into the culture of the Champa Kingdom, which flourished from the 4th to the 14th centuries. It has, in some way, achieved a status similar to that of Angkor Wat – showing the depth of the past cultures. The architecture is not your typical South-East Asia designs. The Champa builders managed to bake bricks locally without modern technology, these are then carefully assembled to reflect the Hindu and Buddhist elements of their time, displaying advanced understanding of engineering for that period.
The region is not just a relic of times past either, the surrounding biodiversity around Marble Mountains provides an interesting ecosystem with many tropical species and traditional medicine resources. The area also hosts cultural festivals, with a specific focus during the Tet holidays, that showcases performances, local games and regional gastronomy. Da Nang itself, has some culinary treats to try too, most notably ‘Mi Quang’, a local noodle dish.
Accessibility is fairly straightforward, with Da Nang airport becoming a regular destination on the routes of many of the budget airlines these days which helps to keep air fares more reasonable, this of course creates more opportunities for solo travellers to come and see the mountains, the temples, and the region's food and heritage.
7 Underrated Stopover Cities for Solo Decompression in Asia - From Taipei to Busan - Singapore Botanic Gardens and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
The Singapore Botanic Gardens and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve each present a distinct opportunity to step away from the usual urban scene. The Botanic Gardens, recognised by UNESCO, is a long established site showing Singapore's dedication to natural preservation. Within the grounds, the National Orchid Garden displays a collection of orchids that make it easy for a visitor to lose themselves amongst the greenery. On the other hand, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is the first ASEAN Heritage Park in Singapore, a place known for its important mangrove system and diversity of bird life. This area offers numerous well laid out walking routes and platforms for observation, providing chances to see local wildlife. It's worth noting that certain parts of the reserve can be closed due to flooding during high tides, making the timing of your visit crucial. These destinations make it possible to find a sense of quiet and peace, allowing for a different pace for those trying to escape Singapore's fast tempo and discover another side to the city.
### Singapore's Green Spaces: Botanic Gardens and Sungei Buloh
The Singapore Botanic Gardens, granted UNESCO World Heritage status, showcase the region’s commitment to preserving natural environments. The gardens are more than just a collection of plants, they also present living examples of the local flora and offer a very green experience. The National Orchid Garden, contained within, hosts a bewildering number of orchids with over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids, demonstrating a serious commitment to cultivation and species variation. The oldest trees are a visual wonder, some well over 100 years old including the imposing "Tembusu" tree, now more than 150 years old. The presence of these trees shows the age and legacy of these gardens, with its own unique structural features.
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, in contrast to the manicured gardens, highlights the importance of mangroves and the vital function they play in an ecosystem. These mangrove systems function as an important stopping point for migratory birds and you will find over 200 species who use this space, this demonstrates the region’s role in maintaining global birdlife. This area also functions as a habitat for many other species, notably the saltwater crocodile, showcasing the biodiversity found within Singapore’s boundaries and its role in sustaining nature. The mangrove ecosystem, one of the last remaining in Singapore, has a mix of plants, animals and fungi which all have their own critical function.
The history of the Botanic Gardens is intertwined with economic and agricultural developments in the region. The introduction of the rubber tree, “Hevea brasiliensis”, to South East Asia had significant impacts on the region's development. These gardens demonstrate not only natural beauty, but a significant engineering feat in maintaining and supporting the collection of so many plants from various geographies. The National Orchid Garden's structure with curved glass is of special note, this allows optimum levels of light and humidity control within the humid environment. The education programs within the Gardens, try to encourage not only a deeper understanding but also an increased respect for ecological conservation. Sungei Buloh's role as a natural habitat allows for constant and continued research in various areas such as wildlife conservation and habitat restoration and poses some quite interesting engineering problems.
Both the Botanic Gardens and Sungei Buloh provide free entry to the public, showing Singapore's effort to make green spaces available for both residents and visitors to come and appreciate what’s around them. These spaces invite exploration, observation, and an understanding of the unique ecosystems within a modern, urban city.
7 Underrated Stopover Cities for Solo Decompression in Asia - From Taipei to Busan - George Town Malaysia Street Art Walking Tours and Spice Gardens
George Town, Malaysia, is a city where culture is brought to life through its vibrant street art and the fragrant spice gardens, it's a good spot for a solo stopover. The city’s walls become canvases, with murals and installations reflecting the city's past and many cultures. You are free to take your own walking tours to uncover these visual stories at your own pace and the Farquhar Street Walking Tour is one good way to do it with a gentle two hour exploration, not just to see art, but also the old colonial architecture.
Beyond the colourful art, George Town's spice gardens offer a sensory learning experience with the variety of spices and herbs that feature in the local food. This combination of art and nature offers an experience that’s a bit different to the usual stopover, especially for those looking for something that has a real connection with the area. George Town manages to combine art, history, and nature quite well, which adds up to a stopover that isn’t quite the normal fare you find on the well-travelled routes.
### George Town Malaysia: Street Art Walking Tours and Spice Gardens
George Town is quite unique with its outdoor art, a lot of which is painted directly onto the walls of old historical buildings. The city began this street art movement around 2012, when a local festival attempted to bring some life back to the city, these weren't just murals they were very deliberate narratives, reflecting local culture. These walking tours are often guided by local artists, offering an insight into the techniques, stories and the very context of their creations. The guides act like storytellers, helping you see more in the walls than you would ever expect.
The history of George Town goes back to its time as a spice hub from the 18th century. Its spice garden holds over 500 kinds of tropical spices and herbs, many used in the region's cooking traditions. Beyond spices, the garden displays diverse tropical plants, some used in traditional medicine, adding layers to the region’s agricultural history, which is not very well represented in the literature. These aren't just show gardens either, these are often interactive, enabling people to actually touch, smell and learn about how spices work within Malaysian cooking. They also provide cooking displays, creating very memorable visits.
The city's architectural features add to this unique mix of old and new. George Town has buildings that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage list, showing a historical context that has many contrasts to its modern art. The culinary traditions of the city have been shaped by the spice trade as well, you can see this in the combination of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cuisines, which use ingredients such as turmeric, chili and coriander to make signature dishes. Many of these street art displays have a clear socio-political commentary as well, you are invited to think more deeply about the urban environment, and what is being communicated.
George Town is remarkably cost effective to visit, especially in comparison to many other cities. The guided tours also come at a low cost, which will be a bonus to the budget-conscious solo traveler who is just stopping by. More airlines have made George Town easily reachable, the airport has increased its routes, making a visit to George Town, and its artistic and cultural environment more achievable.
7 Underrated Stopover Cities for Solo Decompression in Asia - From Taipei to Busan - Fukuoka Japan Canal City and Ohori Park Japanese Gardens
Fukuoka, Japan, presents a contrasting mix of the modern and the traditional, evident in places like Canal City and Ohori Park. Canal City is a five-story shopping and entertainment center, constructed around an artificial waterway. It features a range of shops, food outlets, and entertainment options, providing an energetic example of Japanese retail culture. Close by, Ohori Park provides a tranquil contrast with its meticulously kept Japanese gardens, scenic walkways, and expansive pond. It offers a space for relaxation and contemplation, a stark alternative to the often frantic urban space, therefore ideal for solo decompression. Fukuoka, with its accessible transport system, diverse culinary landscape, and historical locations, offers travelers a different experience compared to the major, and more obvious Japanese tourist destinations.
Fukuoka, Japan, offers a compelling urban mix with its unique Canal City and the serene Ohori Park, presenting quite a contrast to the bustling energy of cities like Taipei. Canal City Fukuoka is a five-story complex built around a man-made canal, a place of shops, restaurants, and bars and a mix of aesthetics and engineering. Ohori Park, with its design inspired by West Lake in China, provides an attractive option for relaxation with a large pond and connected islands. What I have noted with this city in particular, when I've been analyzing the region is how well designed these man-made environments have become, they provide almost the same experience as a naturally found landscape, but with more control, something an engineer would find fascinating.
The integration of nature and man-made environments is an area I often find myself researching in my work and Fukuoka's Ohori Park is particularly interesting as it was once part of Fukuoka Castle's moat system, something very deliberate and well designed. Today the park functions as a space for leisurely strolls and jogging routes. There are a fair number of additional amenities with pedal boat rentals, playgrounds, and even bike paths. The park even has a separate Japanese garden, accessible with a small entry fee, adding a touch more tranquility, which is welcome in any urban environment.
As for Fukuoka as a whole I've seen from the data that it’s a city that combines historical elements such as the Fukuoka Castle ruins, with more modern areas like the Seaside Park and attractions such as teamLab Forest. Fukuoka is also well known for its culinary delights, with several local markets such as Yanagibashi Rengo Market. Ohori Park is easily accessed via Horiken Station on the Fukuoka Kuko Line and getting there is surprisingly straightforward. The proximity of Fukuoka's transport links also make it convenient for a quick visit, that’s something that is of interest for those on stopovers, and this could make it a strong contender as a destination for a pause on a journey, as these cities provide a more relaxing alternative to larger urban hubs.
7 Underrated Stopover Cities for Solo Decompression in Asia - From Taipei to Busan - Yogyakarta Indonesia Prambanan Temple Complex and Malioboro Night Food Tours
Yogyakarta, Indonesia, emerges as a compelling choice for a brief city break, where history and local flavors take center stage. The Prambanan Temple Complex, a significant Hindu site recognized by UNESCO, captivates with its grand architecture and detailed sculptures. The site provides a space for both spiritual reflection and an understanding of ancient building techniques. As evening arrives, Malioboro Street becomes a vibrant hub of street food stalls, a place where visitors can taste the real flavors of Indonesia with dishes such as gudeg and bakpia. Opting for a local food tour in the night adds a learning element, sharing stories about the food and cultural heritage of Yogyakarta. It’s a city that offers a relaxed pace and value for money, making it well suited for solo travellers who want an engaging but manageable stopover.
Yogyakarta, Indonesia, showcases the Prambanan Temple Complex, which isn't just a place of worship but an engineering accomplishment of the 9th century. The site presents the largest number of Hindu temples in Indonesia, with the highest structure reaching 47 meters and showing advanced structural techniques designed to withstand regular seismic activity common to the area. Prambanan’s design represents a cultural blend between Hindu and Buddhist traditions within Indonesia, with detailed carvings depicting stories from the Ramayana along with the local Javanese culture.
Malioboro Street becomes a focal point at night, transforming into a culinary hotspot with over a hundred street vendors. You can find everything from "Nasi Gudeg" to "Sate Klathak," with a meal costing only a few dollars. It is worth mentioning that the temples were built at the same time as Borobudur under the Sanjaya Dynasty, this shows how Central Java was once the main center of power and culture of Indonesia, highlighting their historical significance. Each temple's orientation, aligns with the cardinal directions and reflects unique religious meanings linked to each specific deity.
Yogyakarta’s accessibility has increased as well, with more budget airlines servicing the local airport, including bus routes, making it simple for solo travelers to visit. Malioboro Street also functions as a social and economic space where local craftspeople offer their goods and creates a marketplace where you can engage with local culture and support the community. The area's diverse food scene is influenced by historical trade routes and shows various flavors from different cultures.
The Prambanan complex also benefits from continuing archeological investigation and has enabled insights into ancient Javanese society, highlighting the historical depth of the region. Also of note are the various night tours, allowing for a very unique perspective of the vibrant street, offering an immersive experience for those looking to discover Yogyakarta after the sun has gone down.