This article critically examines Highland Asia as an anthropological field of study, proposing a shift from the dominant hill-valley paradigm towards internal comparative analysis within the region. Engaging with and moving beyond James C. Scott’s Zomia thesis, the article argues that the conceptualization of Highland Asia as a space of anti-state resistance often oversimplifies the historical and socio-political realities of its diverse populations. Instead, it advocates for an approach that recognizes the internal heterogeneity of Highland Asia—spanning multiple linguistic, political, and ecological contexts—while also challenging the methodological nationalism that has shaped past scholarship. Drawing inspiration from the Field of Anthropological Study framework, it calls for transregional ethnographic comparisons that transcend the artificial boundaries imposed by nation-states and area studies. Ultimately, the article urges scholars to rethink Highland Asia not as a monolithic entity defined by resistance, but as a complex and dynamic space requiring more nuanced anthropological engagement.