East Asia
With countries and cities such as China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan, it’s not hard to understand why East Asia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world every year! East Asia, or “The Far East,” as it is commonly called, is what people think of when they think of ancient Chinese culture and The Orient. The region is steeped in history and those ancient roots can still very much be felt today as China is the leading country in the area in the manner of making technological advancements and it is from this country that the other countries in East Asia adopt their cultures including the religion and the writing system, to name just two.
However, as similar as the countries are in culture and ways of life, they are vastly different in other terms. Geography is one area in which all countries differ greatly and it is this difference that also provides for the perfect vacation environment, no matter what one is looking for. The traveler who is looking for vast landscapes and endless sunsets will find what they are looking for in the plains of Mongolia while those who are looking for the same vastness but in a desert, the northwest region of China will supply what they are looking for. Visitors can check out natural resources and industries by touring the rice paddies in south central China and those who want a vacation filled with lounging on the beach are sure to set up camp in the beautiful and tropical islands of Okinawa.
There is an endless supply of things to do in East Asia. In Beijing one can check out not only the new Olympics facilities but also ancient attractions such as Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City. Of course no one visits Beijing without walking along at least a portion of The Great Wall and this is one of East Asia’s most interesting and touching attractions. The condition of the wall varies in places so while in some places it seems to remain untouched, it is completely demolished in others. In Hong Kong one can experience tram rides, including the most extreme type - bungee trams in Victoria Peak, walk along Shanghai’s most famous street, The Bund, and check out all of the funky shops and authentic ancient buildings.
Japan is also one of East Asia’s most popular stops for tourists and this is because Japan also holds so many unique experiences. Visitors often find that they need to stay in a capsule hotel at least for one night simply for the experience. These hotels contain rooms that are virtually a fiberglass box, large enough to hold a bed and usually basic entertainment such as a TV. Playing a vertical version of the American game pinball, Pachinko is a game that must be played while in Japan. Riding the bullet train is also an experience, especially for those who are familiar with commuting to work every day, as this is the first high-speed train in the world to ever be created. The speeds at which it travels, 131mph in some cases, is still faster than many trains travel in the US today.