Asian capitals: follow the coast and mountain arc

These questions move between a country and its present national capital across East, South and Southeast Asia. The safest recall method is a fixed journey with a separate check for former capitals and cities famous for another function.

Travel the map in three stages

Begin in East Asia with Japan–Tokyo, South Korea–Seoul, North Korea–Pyongyang and Mongolia–Ulaanbaatar. The Korean pair is directional: Seoul stays with South Korea and Pyongyang with North Korea. Then cross the Himalayan and Indian Ocean arc through Bangladesh–Dhaka, Nepal–Kathmandu, Bhutan–Thimphu and the Maldives–Malé. Notice the accents and full spellings as part of each place name.

Continue south-east through Thailand–Bangkok, Cambodia–Phnom Penh and Laos–Vientiane. Finish with Malaysia–Kuala Lumpur, Brunei–Bandar Seri Begawan, Singapore–Singapore and Timor-Leste–Dili. Rehearse the chain in both directions. The long names become easier when placed at fixed stops: Phnom Penh follows Bangkok, Vientiane follows Phnom Penh, and Bandar Seri Begawan follows Kuala Lumpur.

Avoid the tempting detours

• Former capitals remain memorable. Kyoto, Karakorum, Ayutthaya and Luang Prabang belong to historical stories, while current questions call for Tokyo, Ulaanbaatar, Bangkok and Vientiane.
• Peninsula familiarity can pull Seoul northwards. Keep the directional pair intact: South Korea–Seoul and North Korea–Pyongyang.
• Ports, tourist centres and heritage gateways are vivid but do not gain capital status from that fame. Chattogram, Pokhara, Siem Reap and Baucau must not displace Dhaka, Kathmandu, Phnom Penh and Dili.
• Government functions can be divided between cities. Putrajaya is Malaysia's federal administrative centre, but Kuala Lumpur remains the national capital.
• A country label can resemble the city you need. The Maldives is the country and Malé is its capital; retain the short accented city form.

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