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There has long been a myth that flying to Asia means subjecting yourself to absolute travel chaos. For decades, the standard route involved enduring a brutal 15-hour flight, only to be dumped into a huge, overwhelming megahub like Tokyo Narita, Beijing or Seoul.
From there, you immediately had to figure out complex bullet train networks or squeeze onto busy commutes to get somewhere authentic.
We all love the idea of exploring the Eastern Hemisphere, but no one wants to spend the first three days of their hard-earned PTO fighting jet lag in a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd of tourists.
Well, the airline industry is solving that.
Airlines are aggressively launching direct flights that bypass the overwhelming hubs entirely and drop you straight into the region’s best-kept secrets.
If you’re ready to trade the busy streets of Kyoto and the big crowds of Bangkok for absolute safety and raw authenticity, here are 3 of the safest, off-the-grid Asian escapes you can finally reach on a single nonstop flight.
1. Sapporo, Japan
When most travelers imagine a trip to Japan, they imagine the neon-drenched streets of Shinjuku or the packed temples of Kyoto. But if you want to experience the country’s true, rugged frontier – and take breathtaking, uninterrupted landscape photos with your camera without having to fight a thousand people for the exact same angle – you should look north to Hokkaido.
- The atmosphere: Sapporo is the capital of Japan’s northernmost island and completely skips the overwhelming hustle and bustle of the mainland. It is an incredibly authentic, spacious city surrounded by towering mountains and untouched nature. The atmosphere is distinctly relaxed and completely devoid of vast, manufactured tourist traps.
- The ground experience: I’m notoriously picky when it comes to strange seafood textures; you’ll never catch me ordering raw octopus or sea urchin. Fortunately, while the coast is famous for its seafood, Hokkaido’s inland diet is an absolute dream for hearty eaters. Sapporo is the undisputed birthplace of rich, savory miso ramen and Genghis Khan (a spectacular sizzling mutton barbecue).
- The safety record: Japan is legendary for its safety, and Sapporo takes it to another level. The U.S. State Department currently gives Japan a Level 1 security advisory, which is their absolute lowest risk category. You can walk through the snowy streets of Susukino at midnight in comfort and without an ounce of stress.
- What travelers say: Japan currently scores an 88/100 on our Traveler Safety Index. Been recently? Help other travelers by voting below!
- How do I get there: For years, reaching Hokkaido required a stopover in Tokyo. Now airlines are expanding their long-haul networks, meaning you can bypass the madness of Haneda and Narita and fly straight to New Chitose Airport (CTS).
2. Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Central Asia has traditionally been completely cut off from the casual American travel market and seen as a rugged frontier reserved only for hardcore backpackers. But Tashkent is quickly emerging as one of the most fascinating and safe cities on the continent.
- The atmosphere: Tashkent is incredibly surreal. It is an astonishing cultural crossroads where grand, imposing Soviet-era architecture meets the intricate, dazzling blue tilework of the ancient Silk Road. It offers a much more serene and culturally integrated experience than the busy capitals of South Asia.
- The ground experience: The city is spotless, highly developed and strikingly green. You can spend your day exploring the enormous Chorsu Bazaar, taking in the scent of fresh herbs and slow cooking plov (a hearty traditional rice and meat dish). The tourist areas here are incredibly well policed and have a huge concentration of resources, making it a very safe local safe haven.
- The safety record: Despite its geographical location, Uzbekistan is a total security anomaly. The risk of violent crime against tourists is incredibly minimal, and the US State Department is officially giving Uzbekistan a coveted Level 1 security advisory.
- What travelers say: Uzbekistan currently scores 88/100 on our Safety Index. Been recently? Help other travelers by voting below!
- How do I get there: You can completely skip the chaos of connecting through Europe or the Middle East. Uzbekistan Airways has completely changed the game by operating direct, non-stop flights from New York (JFK) directly to Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport.
3. Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei is often completely overshadowed by big names like Hong Kong and Singapore, but discerning travelers are starting to move there organically to avoid the continental hordes.
- The atmosphere: This is perhaps the most underrated metropolis in Asia. It is an incredibly safe, technologically advanced city that is deeply rooted in traditional culture. The city sits in a basin surrounded by lush green mountains, meaning you can ride a state-of-the-art subway to the base of a jungle hiking trail in less than twenty minutes.
- The ground experience: The nightlife here is all about food. Taipei’s night markets, such as Shilin and Raohe, are legendary. You can wander through endless rows of brightly lit stalls and eat enormous fried chicken cutlets and pepper pork buns. The city operates on a 24-hour schedule and the locals are known for their warm and hospitable attitude towards travelers.
- The safety record: The peace of mind here is completely unparalleled. It consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in the world for expats and travelers. You can confidently leave your laptop on the table in a coffee shop while you order, or explore the winding alleys of Jiufen in the dark. Taiwan also has a Level 1 safety advisory from the US Department of State.
- What travelers say: Taiwan currently scores 85/100 on our safety index. Been recently? Help other travelers by voting below!
- How do I get there: No longer do you have to burn a day off your connecting itinerary in San Francisco or Tokyo. Airlines such as EVA Air, China Airlines and Delta have aggressively expanded their nonstop routes, connecting major US hubs directly to Taoyuan International Airport (TPE).
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