SOUTHERN ASIA

Learning Objectives:
1. To identify the different countries in South Asia.
2. To be able to locate the South Asian countries in the map.
3. To be able to discuss each countries tourists’ attractions, culture, and religions.

Pre-Activity: Identify from which Southern Asian country does the following tourist
attractions belong:

1. Tiger Nests
2. Taj Mahal
3. Churches and Convents of Goa
4. Gangtey Valley
5. Mt. Everest
6. Tora Bora
7. Mohatta Palace
8. Sheesh Mahal
9. Dutch Period Museum
10. Minaret of Jam

South Asia or Southern Asia

This region is also known as the Indian subcontinent. It comprises eight nations including
Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and island countries such as
Maldives and Sri Lanka. All these countries are members of the South Asian Association
for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), an organization that was established in the 1985,
aiming to promote the welfare of the people in South Asia (http://saarc-sec.org). It is the
birthplace of Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism.
South Asian countries have varied traditions and customs. Some of the general practices
of these countries are manifested in the way the people choose their dress. Modesty is
the key value that they apply in their manner of dressing. Covering their head is a common
practice in the region while it is found disrespectful to use left hand to eat and pay for
things. It is also disrespectful when one does not remove his/her shoes when entering
sacred places of worship.
 Maldives (Republic of Maldives) is
an archipelago situated south of
India. It is a tourist destination
popular for its white sand beaches
and resorts. Male is the capital and
the largest city, which is situated in
Male Atoll. The main international
gateway to the nation is the Velana
International Airport, located in the
island of Hulhule. It also serves as
the hub of the national carrier,
Maldivian (Q2). Dhivehi is the
official language commonly spoken
by Maldivians, while English is often spoken, which makes it easy for the tourists to
communicate. Majority of the people in Maldives are believers of Islamic faith.
Coconut, fish, and starch are main ingredients in the Maldivian cuisine. Coconut drink
serves as a welcome drink to the guests. Mas Huni is a common breakfast served by
Maldivians. It is composed of tuna, chili, coconut, and onion while roshi, a flat bread, is
often found in every meal. A music and dance performance showcasing the country’s
culture called Bodu Beru can be experienced in most of the resorts (Maldives Marketing
& Public Relations Corporation, 2020).
Filipino citizens who desire to visit Maldives can acquire a visa upon arrival for at least 30
days, provided that the following proof must be shown: a confirmed roundtrip air ticket
and hotel accommodation and proof of adequate financial resources (https://ww.
Visahq.ph/maldives/).

Capital: Male
Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)
Religion: Islam
Major Language: Dhivehi
Carrier: Maldivian (Q2)
International Airport: Male International Airport (MLE)
India (Republic of India) is the largest of the eight countries in South Asia; it occupied a
huge portion of the region. The national capital of India is New Delhi., which can be
accessed through the Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). India is the birthplace of
Buddhism, great epics such as Mahabharata and Ramayana, and Mahatma Gandhi,
India’s great political and spiritual leader known for his nonviolent independence
movement. Respect for people’s different beliefs is highly practiced in the country, a part
of India’s culture. Religions practiced in the country are Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam,
Jainism, and Christianity. Hinduism is shared by most of the people in India. Varanasi
(Benares) is a pilgrimage destination and a sacred place for Hindus. Also, as one of the
oldest cities, it has a favorite destination in the country to learn about music, arts, and
crafts. (https://incredibleindia.org/).
High respect for all the beliefs systems can be seen in most country’s festivals, such as
Diwali (Deepavali) known as Festival of Lights, which is considered to be the most
significant celebration in India practiced by Hindus and non-Hindus. Ramadan or Eid-Ul-
Fitr is celebrated by Muslims, Christmas is celebrated in commemoration of the birth of
Jesus Christ, Ganesh Chaturthi Festival is dedicated to honor Lord Ganesh, and Budh
Poornima is a celebration for the birth of Buddha.
Some of the UNESCO World Heritage sites to visit are:
1. Taj Mahal -a white marble mausoleum for Taj Mahal, the wife of emperor Shan Jahan
2. Agra Fort – this historical fort served as the residence of the Mughal emperors
3. Historic City of Ahmadabad – this walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage site that
was founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah
4. Churches and Convents of Goa – composed of Roman Catholic spiritual edifices
5. Jaipur City – a city known as “Pink City”
Philippine passport holders who aspire to travel to India can avail of eTourist visa (eTV)
for at least 30 days, whose primary objective of visit for tourism purposes (sightseeing,
visit friends and relatives, or recreation). An authorization to travel India will be emailed
to the applicant. A printout of the authorization letter must be presented to the immigration
upon arrival. It is important to note that an eTV cannot be applied more than twice in a
year and is only available in the following international airports: Delhi Mumbai, Chennai,
Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Goa
(https://eoimanila.gov.in/page/visa/).

Capital: New Delhi

Currency: India Rupee (INR)
Religion: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Jainism, Christianity
Major Language: Hindi and English
Carrier: Air India (AI)
International Airport: Chattrapathi Shivaji International Airport (BOM),
Bangalore Bengaluru International Airport (BLR), New Delhi Indira
Gandhi International Airport (DEL), Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International
Airport (HYD), and Chennai Meenambarkkam International Airport (MAA)

Nepal (Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal)

is a landlocked country bordered by India and
China and can be accessed by international
visitors through Tribhuvan International Airport
(KTM), the only international airport of the
country situated in Kathmandu, the capital.
Kathmandu is the cultural, political, and the
largest city of the country. It is where one can
witness the Indra Jatra Festival (Indra – King of
Heaven and god of Rain, Jatra – procession), a
yearly festival where the living Goddess Kumari
would go out of her residence for a procession
to thank Indra (Tourism Board of Nepal, 2020).
Nepal’s culture is influenced by the country’s
religion. Majority of the people practice Hinduism or Buddhism. However, Islam,
Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism, and other religions are also practiced in the country. Eating
beef is forbidden among the Hindu, as cows, are sacred to them. The right hand is
considered to be pure and is used for eating, receiving, giving, and paying. Eating using
the right hand is part of Nepal’s culture, and so most of them do not use utensils. Regular
food would include bhat (boiled rice), tarkari (curried vegetables), and momos
(dumplings) (Tourism Board of Nepal, 2020).
Nepal holds one of the significant spiritual sites for the Buddhists in Lumbini, the birthplace
of Buddha and a pilgrimage site for the Buddhists. The sacred Mayadevi Temple in
Lumbini is said to be the area where Buddha was born (Tourism Board of Nepal, 2020).
Nepal has plenty to offer to its visitor in terms of exciting activities, such as paragliding,
sky diving, bungee jumping, zip playing, and mountaineering. Known as the home of
highest mountains in the world, such as Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho You, Manasla,
and Annapurna, the country offers great opportunity for mountaineers. Tourists who wish
to visit can obtain on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and in the Nepal Embassy
(Nepal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, n.d).

Capital: Kathmandu
Currency: Nepalese Rupee (NPR)
Religion: Hinduism and Buddhism
Major Language: Nepali
Carrier: Nepal Airlines (RA)
International Airport: Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)

Bhutan (Dzongkha) is known by its people as

“Land of the Thunder Dragon,” a landlocked
country bordered by India and China. The people
of the country, the Bhutanes, call themselves
“People of Drupkha”. Thimpu is the capital and the
largest city. It replaced the ancient capital city of
Punakha. The gateway to the country is through
Paro International Airport, the country’s only
international airport. The national flag carrier is
Druk Air (https://www.kingdomofbhutan.com).
As a way of preserving their culture, traditional
clothing is still worn. Men wear Gho while women wear Kira. Majority of the people are
believers of Mahayana Buddhism (Drukpa Kagyu), the country’s religion that contributed
in shaping their culture. To understand more fully the culture and history of Bhutan, a visit
to Paro National Museum would help.
Some of the tourist attractions to visit in the country include:
✓ National Memorial Chorten, a landmark in the memory of the nation’s third king,
His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, and a symbol of peace
✓ Tiger Nests, a monastery that hang on the cliff
✓ Gangtey Valley, a beautiful valley in the Himalayas; called by many as “Shangri-
La of Bhutan”
✓ Trashi Yangtze, a destination that is rich in Bhutanese arts.
Foreign visitors who wish to visit Bhutan are required to secure visa. Tourists visa can be
secured from an authorized travel agent before travelling to the country. A copy of visa
will be provided upon arrival in Bhutan. Passport, two photographs, and the required fee
must be presented to receive the visa sticker. Visitors need to have their electronics
devices registered with the customs authority upon arrival and before departure
(https://www.kingdomofbhutan.com).

Capital: Thimpu
Currency: Ngultrum (BTN)
Religion: Buddhism
Major Language: Hindi and English
Carrier: Druk Air (KB)
International Airport: Paro International Airport (PBH)

Bangladesh, or People’s Republic of

Bangladesh, is one of the nations in the
South Asia bordered by India in the west
and north and Myanmar in the east. Dhaka,
the capital, is also the largest city and center
of politics and culture of the country. People
of Bangladesh speak Bengali language.
Major religions are Hinduism, Buddhism,
and Islam. In rural areas, transportation
reflects the country’s culture. Bullock carts,
buffalo carts, tomtom (a horse cart), and
palki (a vehicle carried by men) are used for weddings.
Sari (Saree) is the female garment mostly worn by women in Bangladesh. Some of the
attractions with cultural significance include:
▪ Ahsan Manji (The Pink Palace), an important architectural structure
▪ Sixty Dome Mosque, a UNSECO World Heritage site
 ▪ Sonargaon, an old capital and the home of the country’s Folk-Art Museum
(https://bhclondon.org.uk)
Citizens of the Philippines are required to secure visa. The applicant is required to appear
before the embassy with requirements for tourist visa, which are NBI or Police clearance,
photocopy of the passport, two recent ID pictures (passport size with white background),
medical certificate indicating that the applicant is free from Coronavirus infection,
employment certificate with leave given, bank certificate, hotel accommodation booking
and air ticket (roundtrip), passport copy, and letter of request from the sponsor addressed
to the embassy (https://visalist.io/bangladesh/visa-requirements/philippines).

Capital: Dhaka
Currency: Bangladesh Taka (BDT)
Religion: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam
Major Language: Bengali
Carrier: Biman Bangladesh Airline (BG)
International Airport: Hazrat Shahjalal Int’l (DAC)

Sri Lanka, or Democratic

Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,
is an island nation in South Asia,
formerly known as Ceylon.
Colombo is the country’s capital
and commercial center. It
boasts its colonial heritage and
some of its tourist attractions
such as:
➢ Dutch Period Museum, a
17th century Dutch buildings that
reveals Dutch colonial rule
➢ Holy Gangaramaya Temple, one of the biggest Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka
➢ National Museum of Colombo, a museum in Colombo that was founded by Sir
William Henry Gregory
➢ Galle Face Green, a coastal park situated in the business district of Colombo
➢ The old city Anuradhapura, the first capital that offers cultural attractions
The people of Sri Lanka are largely practitioners of Buddhism. Other religions include
Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. Sri Lanka’s main Buddhist temple and most significant
pilgrimage site is the Sacred Temple of the Tooth located in the historic city of Kandy.
Visitors are advised to secure permits before taking photos of principal monuments of the
country (https://www.srilanka.travel).
Filipino tourists can avail of the Sri Lanka e-visa. The following requirements must be
prepared prior to the application: valid passport, recent passport-sized photo with white
background, means of payment (debit or credit card), and an email address
(https://www.srilankavisa.net/information).

Capital: Colombo
Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
Religion: Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam
Major Language: Sinhalese and Tamil
Carrier: Sri Lankan Airlines (UL)
International Airport: Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

Pakistan, or Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is

situated in the western portion of the Indian
subcontinent. Its capital is Islamabad, which
means “City of Islam”, while Karachi is the main
seaport and the largest city. The major
gateways to the country are the Islamabad
International Airport (ISB), Karachi
International Airport (KHI), and Lahore
International Airport (LHE), while the national
flag carrier is Pakistan International Airlines
(PK), known as PIA.
Some of the tourist attractions in the country are:
• Pakistan Monument, Islamabad, a significant monument that represents the
nation’s provinces and territories
• Mohatta Palace, Karachi, a palace with an intricately designated façade
• Anarkali Bazaar, Lahore, among the oldest market that is known for its tradition
food stalls
• Faisal Masjid, Islamabad, an architectural structure designed by a Turkish
Architect found in the capital city
• Sheesh Mahal, Lahore, a UNESCO World Heritage site also known as “Palace of
Mirrors” (The Express Tribune Pakistan, 2015)
Citizens of the Philippines are eligible to apply for the Pakistan tourist e-visa. Filipino
visitors must prepare and provide digital copies of the needed documents, namely
Philippine passport, photograph (passport size), letter of invitation, and itinerary. E-visa
will be sent via email (https://www.visahq.pakistan/#!pakistan-tourist-e-visa).

Capital: Islamabad
Currency: Pakistan Rupee (PKR)
Religion: Islam
Major Language: Urdu and English
Carrier: Pakistan International Airlines (PK)
International Airport: Jinnah International Airport (KHI)

Afghanistan, or Islamic Republic of

Afghanistan, is a landlocked country,
bordered by the following countries:
Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan, and Iran. The country is now
cogitated as Central Asia because of the
similarities in environment and cultural
features. Since Afghanistan was not part of
USSR, it was previously grouped under
South Asia (Lew et.al., 2008).
Kabul is the capital and Afghani (AFN) is the
currency in the country. People in the
country speak Pashto and Dari. These are
considered as Afghanistan’s major
languages (www.mfa.gov.af). Some of the
country’s place of interest are:
✓ Band-e Amir, composed of several lakes and the country’s first national park
✓ Tora Bora, a cave complex rested within the white mountains
✓ Minaret of Jam, a 65-meter-tall minaret found in Ghor Province and is UNESCO
World Heritage site
Filipino citizens are required to obtain visa to visit Afghanistan
(https://www/visahq.ph/afghanistan/).

Capital: Kabul
Currency: Afghani
Religion: Islam
Major Language: Dari and Pashto
Carrier: Ariana Afghan Airlines (FG)
International Airport: Hamid Karzai International Airport (KBL)
References:
Donesa, L., Aragon, L. (2020). Global Culture and Tourism Geography First Edition.
Rex Bookstore

Post-Activity: Identify from which Southern Asian country does the following tourist
attractions belong:
1. Tiger Nests 6. Tora Bora
2. Taj Mahal 7. Mohatta Palace
3. Churches and Convents of Goa 8. Sheesh Mahal
4. Gangtey Valley 9. Dutch Period Museum
5. Mt. Everest 10. Minaret of Jam

Activity 1: Identify each South Asian country in the Map1.

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8.
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