Asia Tour with Children – 60 Days, 5 Countries, Priceless Memories

A 60-day Asia tour with children is definitely something you can do once a year. 😇 That's exactly why we used the kids' summer vacation to show them a beautiful part of our world. China, Korea, and Japan had been on my bucket list for a long time.

A perfect trip for the whole family, because our 2024 Asia tour was incredible! We experienced countless adventures and had numerous wonderful experiences, with new cultures, languages, traditions, and a world where Europe practically doesn't exist and people don't even know Switzerland.

In total, we traveled through five countries. From Malta, we went to Dubai. Afterward, we went to the largest city in the world in China, then traveled to Japan via Seoul. We returned via Ras Al Khaimah and back to Malta.

Affordable flights, priceless memories - that pretty much sums up our trip. I want to give you a rough outline of our route here. I loosely planned the itinerary, but some flights and accommodations were only booked along the way. Spontaneity and flexibility make traveling significantly easier and more relaxing.

Let's go and have fun reading and getting inspired, and here is our route, serving as a table of contents.

01. Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

We'll spend the first day in Malta since our first flight is very early in the morning. Then we go via Amsterdam to Dubai. We've already been to Dubai, but Dubai is also an ideal place to prepare for jet lag. Since we only have a two-hour time difference here, it gives us a head start. Dubai is always a highlight for the kids. They're looking forward to the things they already know here.

First and foremost, the Dubai Mall with the indoor playground at Lafayette. Since it was 42 degrees Celsius in the shade, we exclusively visited indoor activities this time. The Dubai Museum of the Future, the tropical house The Green Planet, and the large Jumeirah Mosque were more spontaneous additions to our itinerary. We planned parts of our Asia trip with children quite spontaneously.

Details about our Asia trip with children in Dubai

• Tag: 01-12 Dubai Jumeirah
• Dubai International Airport
• Airbnb accommodation in Jumeirah
• Travel time: July 2024

You can find detailed information in my Travel Report Dubai. Click the link now!
This travelogue about Dubai shows you even more details about this great stop during our 2024 Asia tour with kids.

02. Chongqing (China)

Directly after Dubai, we continued on to Hong Kong and then to Chongqing, an impressive metropolis in southwestern China that is twice the size of Switzerland in area and has about 33 million inhabitants.

After initial problems with the internet, WhatsApp, and everything we were used to from Europe, we found our way around here within half a day. No one speaks English here, not even a word. That really surprised us, especially since the city is so big.

But we were visibly the only tourists from the Western world here, so locals kept asking us to pose for photos. I found it funny, but for our kids, it became annoying after the first few pictures. A woman from Hong Kong, who spoke English, explained to us that people here rarely see Europeans „live“ in their lives. Therefore, we gladly sacrificed ourselves, because afterward, the joy was immense and the people were so grateful.

All in all, this stop was the most exciting, and we definitely met the friendliest and most cheerful people in China on our entire Asia tour with children.

Details about our family trip to China

• Tag: 13-18 China Chongqing
• Airport: Jiangbei International Airport (JKG)
• Accommodation Qianhe Rishan River View Hotel*
• Travel time: August 2024

You can find detailed information in my Travelogue Chongqing. Click the link now!
This travelogue about Chongqing will show you even more details about this great stop during our 2024 Asia trip with kids.

03. Seoul (South Korea) And North Korea DMZ

Seoul, the city of... Gangnam Style. We stayed right in Gangnam, the bustling center of Seoul. Since our Airbnb has a record player, I immediately feel at home. The city is super modern, and with around 10 million inhabitants, it feels like a small village, especially since we were in Chongqing the days before.

Since this is my first time in Seoul, we'll first visit some museums, palaces, and of course, shopping malls. In one of the malls, there's a huge library called Starfield Coex Library. The Poop Café in the Insadong district is a highlight for our kids. Coffee is served here in a toilet-shaped cup. 💩 But it tastes super delicious and the atmosphere is very unusual here.

My absolute highlight in Seoul was the excursion to the North Korean border. The so-called DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is one of the most dangerous borders in the world. Since a state of war still exists here, it is always uncertain whether the DMZ can be visited at all. If it's purely about the thrill, then this excursion was the most exciting thing I experienced on this trip.

Details about our family trip to South Korea

• Tag: 19-26 Korea Seoul Gangnam
• Airport: Incheon International Airport (ICN)
• Accommodation: Airbnb in Gangnam
• Travel time: August 2024

You can find detailed information in my South Korea Travelogue and in Travel Report DMZ North Korea. Click the links now!
These travelogues about North and South Korea will show you more details about this amazing stop during our 2024 Asia round trip with children.

04. Osaka (Japan)

First time in Japan, yay!! Honestly, I was most looking forward to Japan, even though in retrospect other places were much more exciting. Nevertheless, our time in Japan was absolutely thrilling, exciting, and totally interesting. The Japanese people are warm-hearted, with the greatest discipline I haven't seen anywhere else so far.

Osaka was a fantastic introduction to this wonderful country. We met family here who traveled from Nagoya, and they showed us the city. My nephew, who is 6 years old (in 2024), showed us his favorite place, Round1. It's like an arcade and amusement park that spans five or six floors. It's pure sensory overload for all of us, as we're just not used to this pace of entertainment.

Since we're only here for a good day, we'll enjoy Dotonbori Food Street and get some sleep for our onward journey to Kyoto the next day. Kyoto is the next stop on our Asia trip with kids.

Details about our family trip to Osaka, Japan

• Tag: 27-28 Japan Osaka
• Airport: Kansai International Airport (KIX)
• Accommodation Hotel Monterey Osaka*
• Travel time: August 2024

You can find detailed information in my Osaka Travelogue. Click the link now!
This travel report about Osaka will show you even more details about this great stop during our 2024 Asia trip with kids.

05. Kyoto (Japan)

Wow, Kyoto is a fantastic city. An enchanting mix of past and present that completely captivated us as a family. Who would have thought that even the children would walk so much voluntarily without complaining? The Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, right in the heart of the city, was a dream. Our hotel was right next to the main entrance, so I could do my morning laps there.

Fushimi Inari-Taisha was, of course, a must-see. The endless red torii gates winding up the mountain captivated us all equally. The kids found it exciting to walk „as if through a portal,“ and we felt almost a bit spiritual. And Kinkaku-ji Temple? A golden dream shimmering like a jewel in the water. Perfect for the next family photo, which, of course, everyone took reluctantly.

A highlight for all of us was the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where we also celebrated our daughter's birthday. And who needs imagination when nature provides such scenes? The monkeys at Arashiyama Monkey Park were then the highlight of the day, especially since we were allowed to feed them. The view from the top over Kyoto was absolutely worth the short panting on the climb. Kyoto is not only beautiful, but a true playground for children and adults – whether marveling, discovering, or simply enjoying it together.

Details about our Asia trip with children in Kyoto

• Tag: 29-33 Japan Kyoto
• Arrival by Shinkansen
• Accommodation Noku Hotel Kyoto*
• Travel time: August 2024

You can find detailed information in my Travelogue Kyoto. Click the link now!
This travelogue about Kyoto shows you even more details about this great stop during our 2024 Asia trip with kids.

06. Nagoya (Japan)

Nagoya, often dismissed as a purely industrial city, completely surprised us as a family. Even the Shinkansen ride from Kyoto was an experience – we arrived in 35 minutes, and the kids and Dad were thrilled with the speed. Our hotel right in the center was the perfect starting point for adventures. We were particularly impressed by the Higashiyama Zoo, one of the largest in Japan, where we not only admired giraffes and gorillas but also strolled through the extensive botanical gardens.

A highlight for the kids was the Dino Adventure Park, where life-sized dinosaurs lurked amidst lush nature – a dream for dino fans. Equally impressive was the Port of Nagoya Aquarium, with its giant tanks, dolphin shows, and orcas that captivated us all. The Flight of Dreams at the airport, featuring a walkable Boeing Dreamliner, was also an absolute highlight.

Details about our family trip to Nagoya

• Tag: 34-39 Japan Nagoya
• Arrival by Shinkansen
• Accommodation The Royal Park Iconic Nagoya*
• Travel time: August 2024

You can find detailed information in my Travel Report Nagoya. Click the link now!
This travelogue about Nagoya will show you more details about this great stop during our 2024 Asia trip with kids.

07. Tokyo (Japan)

Tokyo completely overwhelmed us with its size and diversity – every corner of this vibrant city offers something new. Our accommodation in Nishi-Kasai was the perfect base for adventures like Shibuya Crossing, where we experienced firsthand the impressive and organized chaos of the world's largest intersection. A visit to a maid cafe made us chuckle, while the children loved the colorful Takeshita Dori in Harajuku with its cosplayers and quirky boutiques.

We were particularly enthusiastic about the teamLab Planets Tokyo, an interactive art exhibition that immersed us in digital art. It was pure fun and the children were fascinated by the light installations that reacted to their movements. The Avatar Robot Cafe was another highlight, where robots served us and everyone was amazed. To top it all off, a visit to DiverCity Tokyo Plaza wasn't to be missed, with the impressive Gundam statue at the entrance. Tokyo was an endless journey of discovery for us – exciting, surprising, and full of memories to last a lifetime.

Details about our family trip to Tokyo

• Tag: 40-44 Japan Tokyo
• Arrival by Shinkansen
• Accommodation Nishi Kasai*
• Travel time: August 2024

You can find detailed information in my Tokyo Travelogue. Click the link now!
This travelogue about Tokyo shows you even more details about this great stop during our 2024 Asia round trip with kids.

08. Okinawa (Japan)

Okinawa, often called the „Hawaii of Japan,“ immediately captivated us with its paradisiacal diversity and dreamlike beaches. Our journey began with a three-hour flight from Tokyo to Naha, the prefecture's capital. With a population of 320,000, Naha offers a vibrant mix of tradition and modernity. Our hotel was located right near the monorail, making it easy to explore the city, and a nearby park with a large playground provided ample space for the kids to burn off energy.

In the week we spent on Okinawa, we could only explore a fraction of the impressive sights. Nevertheless, places like American Village, the Southeast Botanical Gardens, and Ginowan Tropical Beach left a lasting impression. Okinawa World was particularly fascinating, where we could immerse ourselves deeply in the island's traditional arts and customs.

Despite some work that still needed to be done, we found time to experience the beauty and uniqueness of Okinawa. The blend of breathtaking nature, cultural richness, and warm hospitality made our stay unforgettable. Okinawa is undoubtedly a gem of Japan worth discovering.

Details about our family trip to Okinawa, Japan

• Tag: 45-52 Japan Okinawa
• Airport: Naha Airport (OKA)
• Accommodation Mercure Okinawa*
• Travel dates: August and September 2024

You can find detailed information in my Okinawa Travelogue. Click the link now!
This travelogue about Okinawa will show you even more details about this great stop during our 2024 Asia trip with kids.

09. Ras Al Khaimah United Arab Emirates

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), the northernmost of the United Arab Emirates, was the last stop on our 60-day Asia trip. With approximately 400,000 inhabitants, RAK offers an authentic atmosphere reminiscent of Dubai 20 years ago. Traveling from Dubai is straightforward; an Uber driver took us to our hotel in about an hour, where we spent a week.

Our exploration began with the local shopping malls. Although they are not yet as crowded as in Dubai, they offered us a pleasant respite from the outside temperature of over 40 degrees Celsius. The children could let off steam in the indoor playgrounds while we browsed the shops.

A cultural highlight was the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, which gave me a deep insight into the rich history and tradition of the emirate. Particularly impressive was the Suwaidi Pearls pearl farm, where we were able to experience traditional pearl farming up close.

A must-see is Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE. The drive up offered breathtaking views, and the cooler temperatures at the summit were a welcome change. For adrenaline junkies, the world's longest zipline is located here, promising an adrenaline rush. However, we skipped the zipline on our Asia trip with kids.

Overall, Ras Al Khaimah positively surprised us with its mix of tradition, nature, and modern development. It is an emerging destination that offers both relaxation and adventure and is definitely worth a visit.

Details about our family trip to Ras Al Khaimah

• 53-60 Ras Al Khaimah Marjan Island
• Dubai International Airport
• Accommodation Hampton by Hilton*
• Travel time: September 2024

You can find detailed information in my Travel Report Ras Al Khaimah. Click the link now!
This travelogue about Ras Al Khaimah will show you even more details about this amazing destination during our 2024 Asia trip with kids.

Conclusion Asia Trip with Kids 2024

Whenever I talk about our trip, I get asked which place I liked the most. Of course, that's impossible to answer, as our trip had so many different highlights.

The most relaxing and paradisiacal place was definitely Okinawa. The most surprising place was Chongqing, and the most exciting was my trip to the North Korean border. Pure adrenaline! The two most authentic places were probably Tokyo and Ras Al Khaimah. With the latter, it's clear why, because traditions are still preserved there. But Tokyo is just Tokyo. The city is authentic as it is, despite or precisely because of its size.

There were also some lowlights on the trip. We were often just exhausted and dead on our feet in the evening after walking 15 km through cities. This happened more than once and is part of it. I'm also often asked if this is even beneficial for our kids and if they enjoy it. After all, they have to come along. Then I always think of all the 100,000,000 children who watch TV all day at home and thus get to know the world.

We prefer to show the kids the world in our own way. Memories Last a Lifetime! World travel versus television education, good idea for another post. The topic is becoming more and more relevant.

I hope my travelogues can motivate and inspire you to continue discovering our amazing world. There are so many wonderful places to explore. The real adventures simply happen outdoors. Enjoy and have fun!