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Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is a city of endless fascination. Spiked with countless high-rise buildings of concrete and glass, Bangkok is an exhilarating mix of chaos and refinement, of frenetic markets and hushed golden temples, early-morning alms-giving rituals and ultra hip designer boutiques. In the heart of the city is the Chao Phraya River, its vast network of canals (klongs) as important to local transportation as the intricate road system. There is a wealth of history and culture to be discovered here: palaces, temples, markets, and exquisite classical Thai dance performances.
View ItinerariesBusan, South Korea
Busan is the second largest city in South Korea, and the country’s seaside connection to Japan and the West. Lovely urban scenery, the Pusan International Film Festival, and near-by hot springs has made Busan a popular leisure destination. Busan has the sophistication of a major city, as well as famous beaches that lure visitors from all over the world. Busan is a microcosm of South Korea, a nation whose economic success often obscures, to Westerners, one of Asia's most sophisticated and venerable cultures.
View ItinerariesBenoa, Bali, Indonesia
The port of Benoa is conveniently located close to the Ngurah Rai International Airport and Bali's capital city, Denpasar. It is also near the peninsula of Nusa Dua that was developed some 20 years ago to keep all major tourist development in one place and away from the culturally sensitive center of Bali. All major hotels and resorts are located in Nusa Dua.
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Canton, China
Guangzhou, formerly known as Canton, is the capital of Guangdong Province and China's pre-eminent southern gateway. Due to its proximity to Hong Kong, (just 69 miles across the South China Sea) Guangzhou has always been more modern and progressive than the rest of the nation. The region has been exposed to foreigners for about 1,500 years, since Arab traders first came ashore along the coast. Guangzhou itself became an open port when the British forced their way in in the 17th century.Today, Guangzhou is a thriving metropolis, eager to maintain its position as one of China's leading economic forces.
View ItinerariesCai Lan (Hanoi), Vietnam
Hanoi exudes an exotic, early European character not found elsewhere in Vietnam, and its 1,000-year history has lent the city a fascinating blend of influences and styles. Hanoi is a place of many captivating faces, where the street markets, chaotic traffic and distinctive shop-house architecture of the Old Quarter contrasts dramatically with the quiet lakes, historic temples, shady city parks and regal architecture of the French colonial districts.
View ItinerariesChan Mai (Danang/Hue), Vietnam
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Dalian, China
Compared to ancient capital cities such as Beijing, Xi’an or Nanjing, Dalian is a young city with only a 100-year history. Situated at the tip of China's Liaodong Peninsula, it is China's northernmost ice-free seaport, and the trading and financial center in northeastern Asia. In the late 1800’s, a group of Russian architects fascinated with French culture came to Dalian and built elegant squares with artistic sculptures, lush lawns and western-style fountains. Zhongshan District, originally the Russian residential area and location of Nicholas Square, is a bustling downtown area of the city. The square has ten avenues radiating from it and is one of the most famous parks in the city. Renmin Square, originally called Stalin Square, and the administrative center of the Russians, now houses the Chinese government's financial institutions in European-style buildings.
View ItinerariesDa Nang, Vietnam
Da Nang, known as Tourane by the French, succeeded Hoi An as the most important port in central Vietnam during the 19th century. Today, Da Nang's distance from other power centers, its natural endowments, (the port and proximity to Laos and Thailand), and its high degree of provincial autonomy allows for considerable local initiative. Among the Da Nang area sites of interest to visitors are the Marble Mountains, China Beach, the ancient port town of Hoi An and the imperial city of Hue.
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Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong is divided into four sections: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and the numerous outlying islands. One hundred sixty-four square miles of dense real estate dominate Hong Kong Island, including massive banks and financial houses, enormous skyscrapers with futuristic architecture, opulent hotels, residential compounds on Victoria Peak, beautiful beach resorts and some of the oldest Chinese communities in the region. All these elements create one of the most exotic and exciting ports of call in the world, one that is universally loved by tourists and its own enterprising citizens.
View ItinerariesHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City covers an area of more than 800 square miles, stretching westward from the South China Sea to the Cambodian border. Its land is overwhelmingly rural, dotted with villages and clusters of houses set amidst rice paddies. The downtown section of Ho Chi Minh City is still known as Saigon, and it is here the economic changes sweeping Vietnam and their social implications are most evident. The level of activity and energy of this city will amaze you, and make it clear that this country does not intend to stand still.
View ItinerariesHalong Bay, Vietnam
The fishing village of Hongai is a ferry port on magnificent Halong Bay and is the starting point for your exploration of Hanoi and northern Vietnam. With its 3000 islands rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, it is one of the natural marvels of Vietnam. These tiny islands are dotted with innumerable beaches and grottos created by wind and waves. The name Halong means "where the dragon descends into the sea". Legend has it that the islands of Halong Bay were created by a great dragon who lived in the mountains. As it ran towards the coast, its flailing tail gouged out valleys and crevasses. These areas, became filled with water, leaving only bits of high land visible. The dragon may be legend, but sailors in this region have often reported sightings of a mysterious marine creature of gargantuan proportions known as the Tarasque.
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Incheon (Seoul), South Korea
Incheon, famous as the site for MacArthur's strategic landing during the Korean War, provides Korea one of the few ports along the Yellow Sea. Off the coast are numerous islands, some still uninhabited. Many people who live in Inchon make the arduous trek to Seoul each day, and Seoulites flock here on the weekends to enjoy fresh fish and visit the islands. Inchon has been the major port serving Seoul since the early days of the Chosen Dynasty.
Seoul became Korea's capital city in 1394 at the beginning of the Choson Dynasty (1392-1910). Currently home to 10.1 million people, it is the financial, political, commercial, recreational, educational, and cultural center of the Republican nation. Seoul is a blend of the old and new, where skyscrapers tower above the graceful architecture of ancient gates, palaces, and temples, thus reflecting the legacy of its previous era.
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Jeju, South Korea
Jeju (Cheju) Island is a volcanic island, dominated by Halla-san (Halla Mountain), a volcano 6,398 feet high and the tallest mountain in South Korea. The island was created entirely from volcanic eruptions approximately 2 million years ago. Because of the relative isolation of the island, the people of Jeju have developed a culture and language that are distinct from those of mainland Korea. The most distinct cultural artifact is the ubiquitous dol hareubang ("stone grandfather") carved from a block of lava. Jeju translates to “Island of the Gods” and lives up to its name with beautiful beaches, waterfalls and volcanic rock formations.
View ItinerariesJiangyin (Wuxi) China
Located in Jiangsu province, Jiangyin was historically important as a major port on the Yangtze River. Traditionally a farming area, the residents of Jiangyin have recently become among the wealthiest in China, due to the rapid economic expansion enjoyed in this area. The highlight of this region is the city of Wuxi, renowned for its beautiful private gardens. Situated on the 1,100 mile long Grand Canal and Lake Taihu, Wuxi exudes a beautiful and lush atmosphere.
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Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Kota Kinabalu is situated on the tropical island of Borneo, set against a backdrop of lush green tropical hills and facing the emerald green waters of the South China Sea. Formerly known as Jesselton, Kota Kinabalu is a city of exciting contrasts and ethnic diversity. The city lies on a narrow flatland between the Crocker Range to the east and the South China Sea to the west. There are a number of cultural venues in Kota Kinabalu, including the Sabah State Museum, Atkinson Clock Tower and the Padang Merdeka (town square) where the declaration of Sabah's independence and the formation of Malaysia took place. Other sites in the city are the stilt villages where the houses are built on coastal shallow waters. Located 56 miles outside the city is the impressive Kinabalu Nation Park and Mount Kinabalu rising over 12,000 feet above sea level.
View ItinerariesKuching, Borneo, Malaysia
Nestled on the banks of the Sarawak River, Kuching is the capital of Sarawak, Borneo and retains the old-world charm of bygone days. This historical town with its ornate temples, markets, museums, historic buildings and Chinese shophouses makes it a fascinating place to visit. Sarawak was a part of the Sultanate of Brunei 200 years ago but as a reward for help in putting down a rebellion, it was ceded to the British adventurer James Brooke who ruled it as his personal kingdom and made Kuching his capital. Kuching was surrendered to Japanese forces in 1941, and Sarawak was part of the Japanese Imperial Empire for almost four years, until the official Japanese surrender in 1945. Today, Kuching prides itself on being the most multi-racial city in Malaysia.
View ItinerariesKarimunjawa, Indonesia
Designated as a national marine park, Karimunjawa is a chain of 27 small islands, including Karimunjawa Island, Kemujan Island, Menjangan Besar Island, and Menjangan Kecil Island. Located 50 miles north of Semarang, the area is famous as a haven for anglers because of its many species of fish. Most of the islands are untouched, remote and stunningly beautiful. Only four of the islands are inhabited and one island is privately owned.
View ItinerariesKagoshima, Japan
Capital of Japan's southernmost prefecture, Kagoshima faces the Kinko-wan Bay and the active Sakurajima Volcano. Kagoshima played an important role in Japanese history, starting in the early 7th century when Bounotsu Port was a base for trading with China and other Asian nations. The region, formerly known as Satsuma was dominated by 29 generations Shimazu lords for over 700 years until the 1867 Meiji Restoration. Between the 9th and 15th centuries, Satsuma was an important trading port with the countries of east Asia, as well as Europe, becoming one of Japan’s earliest points of contact with the West.
View ItinerariesKobe, Japan
Kobe has been an important port city for many centuries, and was one of the first Japanese ports to be opened to foreign trade in the late Edo Period. Today, Kobe is one of Japan's ten largest cities. Sustaining heavy damage from the devastating Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995, the city has fully recovered, and remains one of Japan's more cosmopolitan cities. A typical Japanese harbor town, foreign culture was introduced here centuries ago, and Kobe's food and architecture posses a diverse and exotic flavor.
View ItinerariesKeelung, Taiwan
Keelung is the second largest port in Taiwan. A booming trade has turned Keelung into a very prosperous city and international seaport. However, the main reason for calling here is to travel inland to visit the sprawling city of Taipei. Not long ago, the valley of the Tanshui River was home mainly to rice and vegetable farmers, but today it is the site of Taiwan's bustling center of commerce, government, and culture.
View ItinerariesKupang, West Timor, Indonesia
View ItinerariesKomodo Island, Indonesia
Komodo, nestled between Sumbawa and Flores, is home to an enormous species of monitor lizard popularly known as the "Komodo Dragon," the sole survivor of those carnivorous dinosaurs that thrived in tropical Asia 130 million years ago. These great lizards were considered only a myth until the turn of this century when a few pearl fishermen were forced to land here one night in a storm. Today Komodo and the neighboring islands of Padar and Rinca are a national park.
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Lembar, Lombok, Indonesia
Lombok means honesty in the local language, your first clue to the essence of this unspoiled locale. On this mountainous island you can see how Bali was in the old days: non-commercialized and uncrowded. Agriculture is the main industry and the hillsides are terraced with pineapple, bananas, corn and tobacco plants. The island of Lombok also produces the most potent cloves, nutmeg, pepper and coriander. Above these gentle foothills rises the sacred volcano of Mount Rinjani, at 12,300 feet the second highest peak in all of Indonesia's 13,700 islands.
View ItinerariesLembar, Lombok
View ItinerariesLangkawi Island, Malaysia
The 90 islands making up the Langkawi group lie 20 miles off the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. The islands remain quiet and relatively unspoiled, with a total population of only 30,000 inhabitants.
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Mokpo, South Korea
Located in the southwest corner of Korea, Mokpo is proud of its ancient Nam-do cultural roots that have been an important contributor to Korean culture and traditions since the Prehistoric Age. Located between Nagasaki and Shanghai, it has been an important port city since the 19th century, first opening to international trade in 1897. One of Mokpo's distinctive features is Yudal-san, a small mountain that overlooks the sea and the city. Mokpo was one of the largest cities in Korea until the late 1970s. During the Japanese Occupation, the city served as a crucial port for commercial ventures and transportation.
View ItinerariesMakassar, Sulawesi Selantan, Indonesia
The Capital of South Sulawesi, has returned to its original name: Makassar. A name that conjures up images of elegant peragus (traditional sailing boats) traveling around the archipelago and beyond; of pirates and mystical lands from long ago, where the scent of the spice trade is as strong as the tales of black magic. Makassar is a welcoming city, stretched out along a beach and sprawling towards the lush hills to the east. Highlights of the area include some attractive beaches and seascapes, including the black sand beach of Tanjung Bunga.
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