From Singapore to Kazakhstan: I’m 27, and I quit my corporate job to backpack to 34 cities

Forget everything you thought you knew about travel, because Gen Z is rewriting the rulebook, one solo travelling adventure at a time. For today's empowered young travellers, the world isn't just an oyster; it's their personal playground, and they’re exploring it on her own terms. Think vibrant hostels over stuffy resorts, authentic street food over Michelin stars, and experiences that challenge and transform, not just entertain. 

Solo travel for Jennifer Hong, 27, isn't about escaping, it's about discovering – herself, her capabilities, and the incredible tapestry of cultures waiting to be explored. It's chic, it's brave, and it's absolutely everything.

Hong left her stable corporate job as a civil servant in December 2024, when the daily routine gradually became stifling. She began to feel increasingly disconnected and unfulfilled, not just with the work itself, but with the person she was becoming. She knew she needed to step away to rest, reflect, and reconnect with herself.

From Singapore to Kazakhstan: A Solo Journey of Self-Discovery

Our brave adventurer kicked off her solo backpacking odyssey in Malaysia at the end of December, embarking on an incredible journey that would lead her through the vibrant landscapes of Thailand, Laos, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and the rich history of China, finally landing in the breathtaking expanse of Kazakhstan last May. For 114 days, she embraced the open road, a true testament to her insatiable love and curiosity for the world.

But this isn't just a story of scenic routes and new horizons. Her path was, at times, incredibly challenging, facing unexpected headwinds in the form of backlash and negative comments from her family. “My friends were mostly excited for me, although a few expressed concern. Many of them weren’t familiar with the concept of backpacking as they assumed I was just flying straight to Kazakhstan and staying put for months. My mum had a rough idea of what I was doing but wasn’t supportive. Eventually, she stopped asking altogether and began ignoring me at home,” she says. 

Perhaps it’s the traditional Asian mindset, where a woman traveling alone across countries seems unsafe or even irresponsible. After Hong solo-climbed a hill in Nong Khiaw, Laos and called to update her mother, her mother hung up on her mid-call, a frequent occurrence while she was traveling through Malaysia and Thailand. Hence, she stopped sending frequent updates—not out of spite, but for her own emotional well-being.

Her home carried years of conflicts, harsh yellings, unspoken rivalry between her brother and her, and constant judgment. She needed space to breathe, to grow, and to rediscover who she was, without guilt or fear shadowing every step. She knew her parents loved her in their own way; they just never quite learned how to express that love to each other. She adds: “Perhaps in another lifetime, they'll have learned how to heal their wounds and express love healthily.”

For her solo travelling plan, Hong set aside a rough budget of around S$1,000 for each country, aiming to stretch the dollar as far as she could. In total, she had set aside S$10,000 for this trip. “I didn’t have a fixed itinerary. Instead, I kept things free and easy and changed things based on conversations with locals and fellow travellers, weather conditions, and to pique my own curiosity,” she says.

For her journey, Hong carried two 50-liter bags, a wheely, and a carry-on backpack.  Some of her must-have essentials in her backpack included: a power bank, universal travel adapter, notebook and pen, microfiber towel, basic toiletries, a lot of clothes, medication, and a phone with offline maps. She also brought a laptop, an Insta 360 camera, and a DJI drone.

The number of cities where Hong had travelled to were impressive; she had already been to 34 cities and 7 countries in the last 5 months she had been away from Singapore. They are: Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Perlis, Malaysia; Hat Yai, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai, Thailand; Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vientiane and Nong Khia, Laos; Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-la, Panzhihua, Chengdu, Xi'an, Hohhot, Erenhot, Urumqi and  Kashgar, China; Ulaanbaatar and Bulgan; Mongolia; Osh, Tash Kumour, Bishkek and Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan; Almaty, Astana, Karaganda, Pavlodar, Oskemen and Katon-Karagay, Kazakhstan.

Navigating the World with Grace and Grit

Our seasoned solo traveler, who’s explored Southeast Asia from a young age, generally feels secure in her chosen destinations. While verbal harassment and overly personal questions about age or marital status from men have occasionally surfaced, these incidents have rarely escalated to physical threats.

However, a more unsettling experience unfolded in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where she discovered a stool suspiciously placed outside her guesthouse bathroom window. The identity of the culprit remained a mystery, but the incident left her understandably unnerved. Seeking a change of scenery, she embarked on a two-day bus journey to Bulgan in Khovd Province. During this trip, she forged a seemingly friendly connection with the bus driver, who appeared kind and helpful, even offering to assist her with a hotel room upon their arrival in Khovd. She saw him as a fatherly figure, and with the help of a translator app, they made plans for dinner.

Yet, that evening took a disturbing turn when the driver entered her hotel room, locked the door and windows, and remained for nearly two hours, making it clear through the translator app that he intended to sleep with her. Quick-thinking, she called a friend and put him on loudspeaker, eventually prompting the driver to leave. The experience left her feeling deeply betrayed and scared, a stark reminder of how quickly trust can be shattered.

Since then, she's adopted a more cautious approach when interacting with locals. While she’s grown accustomed to the stares, catcalling, and unsolicited conversations from drivers, often responding by simply stating she’s a tourist, this particular incident made her more guarded. Despite this, she affirms that Central Asia and Southeast Asia are generally safe for solo female travelers, though she remains vigilant as her journeys take her further afield.

One of Hong’s best experiences happened during a train ride from Urumqi to Turpan. She had a standing ticket and spotted an empty seat beside a young man. She asked if she could sit, and that simple moment sparked a warm conversation. He was kind, thoughtful, and genuinely curious about Singapore. He even went to buy her a drink, and they exchanged WeChat contacts.

“Later, when I arrived in his hometown of Kashgar, we reconnected. Two days later, he showed up on a large motorbike and offered to show me around. We ended up riding over 200 km together, cruising along Pamir Highway. His hospitality was heartwarming and sincere. I felt safe and I could trust him fully. We avoided topics like politics and religion as he’s Uyghur and such conversations can be sensitive. We still formed a meaningful bond. We’re still friends today, and I carry that memory with deep gratitude,” she says.

For those contemplating their first solo adventure, she suggests starting small, perhaps with a short flight to Bali or Thailand. If the idea of being alone in an unfamiliar place still sparks anxiety, booking a local tour guide can be a great way to ease into the experience while simultaneously immersing oneself in the culture.

The fear of solo travel often stems not from logistics, but from loneliness, a feeling she herself has experienced. Her own first solo trip to Bangkok at 17 was daunting due to the solitude. However, connecting with a new friend through Couchsurfing completely transformed her perspective.

Having a loose itinerary is also incredibly helpful. It provides direction and intention, allowing one to stay present rather than getting lost in uncertainty. In this digital age, she advises using AI tools like ChatGPT or DeepSeek to help build plans on the go.

She's learned that danger exists everywhere, even in seemingly "safe" places like Japan, Korea, or Thailand. Conversely, kindness and safety can be found in destinations often feared, such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, or Oman, which many avoid due to lack of information.

Practical Tips for Solo Female Travellers

Here are some practical tips she's picked up along her journeys:

• Buy a cheap pocket knife in-country and dispose of it before crossing borders.
• If pepper spray isn't available, use mosquito repellent or sunscreen as makeshift protection.
• Keep friends and family updated on your whereabouts.
• Connect with locals via Couchsurfing, tours, Instagram, or Facebook groups, and exchange contacts. It's helpful to have someone to call if things go wrong.

Most importantly, she emphasises, “Don't wait for someone to go with you. Time waits for no one. If you're yearning to see a country, go alone. You'll be amazed at how often the universe sends the right people your way once you let go of fear and take that leap,” she adds. 

Hong has no plans to return to Singapore this year, and she intends to slow travel to neighbouring "Stan" countries like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and possibly the country of Georgia.