Asia > Asia – East and Central
21st
century Asia is a place of stunning contrasts,
pairing the ancient and the modern, the serene and the vibrant. Sparse
countryside sits alongside high-rise cities the likes of which can only exist
in this part of the world. All of this is set against a backdrop of ancient
history, which can still be found just beneath the surface of modern Asian life.
East
Asia is at the very
forefront of modern technology. A trip to Tokyo
will open your eyes to gizmos and gadgets you wouldn’t have considered possible
(but which will be in your front room in ten years time). You will be treated
to amazing sights, sounds and smells as you turn each new corner in Japan’s capital
city. The intense, vibrant atmosphere of Tokyo
is echoed in other East Asian cities: Hong Kong
has long been one of the world’s great trading hubs and has a unique atmosphere
forged by years of British rule. Beijing,
on the other hand, is expanding like nowhere else on Earth. If you have ever
been a part of Chinese New Year celebrations (usually in February) at home,
multiply the experience by a hundred and you’ll still be nowhere near what it
feels like in the Chinese capital.
East and Central Asia aren’t just great destinations for lovers of
hustle and bustle. The region has some of the most distinctive countryside in
the world. This is home to many of the world’s great historical monuments, from
the Great Wall of China, originally built by the Qin dynasty to protect from
invasion and supposedly visible from space, to another of emperor Qin’s
commissions: the terracotta army, near Xi'an, in the Shaanxi province.
Here are some
ideas for holidays in East and Central Asia:
- Discover the fascinating culture of historic and modern Japan and its scenery of enchanting mountains and gardens.
Experience the colourful festival Takayama’s Matsuri, sumo wrestling in Tokyo, or a tea ceremony and Maiko dance in Kyoto
- Travel the ancient and famous Silk Road, visit the forbidden city in Beijing,
the oasis towns of the Gobi Desert and the incredible Great
Wall of China
- Watch the sunset on Everest as
you take the classic overland journey from Lhasa
to Kathmandu visiting remote Tibetan
towns and monasteries along the way
- Discover the mountain kingdoms of Kyrgyzstan and get a real insight into the lives of the rural Kyrgyz
people, staying in traditional yurts with local shepherd families
- Climb in the land of Gengis Khan and
conquer Mongolia’s
highest and the world’s most remote peak, Mount Khuiten
Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the Eastern countries of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are at their best in
spring or autumn as summers can be too hot and winters too cold. The same can
be said of China,
but due to its size, you should research your specific destination before
leaving. Generally speaking, Bhutan
and Nepal
are best late September to late November or February to April. The monsoon
season is from June to August. When booking, take into account that altitude
often has a dramatic effect on climate.
