Fabulous Far East – Taipei to Tokyo

On this fascinating island visit the world’s tallest building, the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, the fabulous Palace Museum’s vast collection of Chinese art and the lovely Lungshan Temple. Explore lovely Keelung’s historic sites and Yeliu Park’s astonishing rock formations.

On this fascinating island visit the world’s tallest building, the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, the fabulous Palace Museum’s vast collection of Chinese art and the lovely Lungshan Temple. Explore lovely Keelung’s historic sites and Yeliu Park’s astonishing rock formations.

Naha is the capital and the largest city in the Okinawa Prefecture, which is made up of more than 150 islands. This part of Japan was once an independent entity – the Ryukyu Kingdom. Learn about its fascinating history at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum and discover traditional Okinawan crafts at locations in the city like Naha City Traditional Arts & Crafts Center. If you’re up for a day trip, visit the ruins of Nakijin Castle less than 60 miles north – you’ll find much to explore on a trek through the grounds of this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site. Also nearby is the Churaumi Aquarium, where two huge whale sharks and a delightful dolphin show are among the highlights.

See the amazing contrasts of this burgeoning city, from the broad European-style Bund to the soaring ultra-modern buildings. Visit the magnificent art museum and the renowned 16th century Yu Yuan Gardens. Enjoy the city by night, see an acrobatic show, browse in local markets or take a trip to one of the famed garden cities of Suzhou or Wuxi.

See the amazing contrasts of this burgeoning city, from the broad European-style Bund to the soaring ultra-modern buildings. Visit the magnificent art museum and the renowned 16th century Yu Yuan Gardens. Enjoy the city by night, see an acrobatic show, browse in local markets or take a trip to one of the famed garden cities of Suzhou or Wuxi.

Travel to Beijing and stroll through the amazing Forbidden City and infamous Tiananmen Square. Visit the beautiful Temple of Heaven, where the emperor annually celebrated the harvest, and walk on the centuries-old Great Wall of China. Or venture to Xian and see the great terra cotta warriors.

Travel to Beijing and stroll through the amazing Forbidden City and infamous Tiananmen Square. Visit the beautiful Temple of Heaven, where the emperor annually celebrated the harvest, and walk on the centuries-old Great Wall of China. Or venture to Xian and see the great terra cotta warriors.

Head to Tiger Beach, Jinshitan Beach or Fujiazhuang Beach, some of the best in China, and then stroll through Xinghai Square, built in 1998 to honor the city’s centennial. Visit the Lushun Museum and see its extensive collection of mummies, take a scenic drive on Binhai Road, watch a dolphin show at the aquarium or enjoy the spectacular view from Haizhiyun Park.

An international trading port since the 19th century, Moji is a seaside town with a nostalgic flair that’s easy to explore on foot. Numerous historic structures have been well-preserved, so you’ll spot architecture dating to the Meiji and Taisho periods from 1868-1926. Go for a stroll along the waterfront promenade lined with historic buildings, cafés, restaurants and museums. Stop at the former Moji Customs Building, which now houses a free art gallery or Kaikyo Plaza, where you’ll find local handicrafts and artisanal goods. Don’t miss Mojiko Station, built in 1914 and one of the only remaining wooden rail stations in Japan.

Visit the breathtaking temples and shrines of Japan’s old imperial capital, Kyoto, or explore ancient Nara, the cradle of Japanese arts, literature and crafts, with its magnificent shrines and temples that predate Kyoto’s. Stroll through Nara Park, famed for its deer and impressive Kasuga Grand Shrine. Then travel on to Osaka and its famed castle. In Kobe, visit historic Himeji Castle, a huge edifice built entirely of wood and tile.

Visit the breathtaking temples and shrines of Japan’s old imperial capital, Kyoto, or explore ancient Nara, the cradle of Japanese arts, literature and crafts, with its magnificent shrines and temples that predate Kyoto’s. Stroll through Nara Park, famed for its deer and impressive Kasuga Grand Shrine. Then travel on to Osaka and its famed castle. In Kobe, visit historic Himeji Castle, a huge edifice built entirely of wood and tile.

Visit the breathtaking temples and shrines of Japan’s old imperial capital, Kyoto, or explore ancient Nara, the cradle of Japanese arts, literature and crafts, with its magnificent shrines and temples that predate Kyoto’s. Stroll through Nara Park, famed for its deer and impressive Kasuga Grand Shrine. Then travel on to Osaka and its famed castle. In Kobe, visit historic Himeji Castle, a huge edifice built entirely of wood and tile.

Visit the skeletal A-Bomb Dome, the Peace Memorial Park and Museum and the statue dedicated to the children who died after the atomic bomb was dropped on this city in 1945. Stroll through beautifully landscaped Hiroshima Gardens, visit the rebuilt Hiroshima Castle or journey to the exquisite sacred island of Miyajima and see the extraordinary Itsukushima Shrine.

Busan, a large port city in South Korea, is known for its beaches, mountains and temples. Busy Haeundae Beach features the Sea Life Aquarium, plus a Folk Square with traditional games such as tug-of-war, while Gwangalli Beach has many bars and views of modern Diamond Bridge. Beomeosa Temple, a Buddhist shrine founded in 678 A.D., is at the base of Geumjeong Mountain,

Incheon International Airport is the largest airport in South Korea, the primary airport serving the Seoul Capital Area, and one of the largest and busiest airports in the region.

Jeju province encompasses the South Korean island of Jeju in the Korea Strait. It’s known for its beach resorts and volcanic landscape of craters and cavelike lava tubes. Hallasan Mountain, a dormant volcano, features hiking trails, a crater lake at the 1,950m summit and nearby Gwaneumsa Temple. The Geomunoreum Lava Tube System includes 7km-long Manjanggul Cave, created centuries ago when Hallasan was still active.

Discover remnants of old Nagasaki beside the modern city. Visit the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. Or travel to Arita, home of magnificent Japanese ceramics, and tour famous Kakiemon Kiln, which continues a 400-year-old tradition. Experience feudal Japan and the natural wonders of Shimabara Peninsula with its volcanoes and hot springs.

Visit the exquisite Iso-Teien Garden and its villa, built in 1660, and enjoy its gorgeous views before a short ferry ride to smoking Sakurajima for a close-up view of the volcano and its lava fields. Or journey into the countryside to Chiran and its well-preserved streets lined with samurai homes. Enjoy the beautiful landscape of Lake Ikeda and the stunning vistas of the Satsuma Peninsula.

Beppu is a city and spa resort on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. Set between Beppu Bay and volcanic mountains, it’s home to more than 2,000 onsen (hot springs). Kannawa Onsen district has facilities for bathing in nutrient-rich water, mud and sand. The 8 Hells of Beppu—6 in Kannawa, 2 in outlying Shibaseki—are dramatic landscapes of thermal pools. To the west is Mount Tsurumi, accessible by cable car.

Kochi Prefecture, on Japan’s Shikoku Island, is a largely rural area known for its mountains, rivers and Pacific beaches. Capital Kochi City has one of Japan’s best preserved feudal castles, Kochi-jo, established in the 1600s. The city’s centuries-old Sunday market has hundreds of vendors selling food and other wares. Summer’s Yosakoi Matsuri is a festival in which colorfully attired dance teams fill the streets.

A center of modern commerce, yet steeped in ancient history; visit the castle in the center of town, its golden orca statues are a symbol of the city. Explore Toyota’s Museum of Technology and tour the Noritake factory, where bargains on the fine china can be found.

In the shadow of Mount Fuji, Shimizu is one of the most beautiful ports in Japan. Walk through the pine groves of Miho, home to a 650-year-old Japanese black pine, or enjoy spectacular views of Mount Fuji from the lush, forested hill of Nihondaira. Take in the seascapes on a bay cruise, or learn of undersea delights at Japan’s first sushi museum. For a historic angle, get a glimpse at feudal life in Japan in 200 BC at the archaeological site of Toro.

Dazzling cityscapes await your exploration; visit Asakusa for the bright lights, street fairs and Senso-ji Temple; the Tsukiji Market, the largest open-air fish market in the world with on-the-spot sushi; and the Imperial Palace’s East Garden for some calm. Spend the evening in the bright, active Ginza District, where the night comes alive.

Dazzling cityscapes await your exploration; visit Asakusa for the bright lights, street fairs and Senso-ji Temple; the Tsukiji Market, the largest open-air fish market in the world with on-the-spot sushi; and the Imperial Palace’s East Garden for some calm. Spend the evening in the bright, active Ginza District, where the night comes alive.