Destination Asia: Ancient, Mindful, Beautiful

Japan

An island nation of great diversity, Japan exhilarates.

Ride a bullet train, take in one of the public baths, see a kabuki play or eat sashimi so fresh you would swear it just moved.

Tokyo is pure energy. Its brilliance encompassing much more than its reputation as the financial and business powerhouse of Japan. Beyond the fast paced vibrancy of its spectacular shopping precincts and frenetic nightlife, Japan's capital city is a cultural capital as well. The bustle of Tokyo's urban network is balanced by islands of serenity that provide vigor of a different kind. Temples, palaces, intricate gardens and the iconic cherry blossoms hum with an energy that transcends modern Japan.

For those looking for a break, a trip to Hakone and Mt. Fuji provide the perfect day trip or long weekend. Less than 100 kilometers from Tokyo, Hakone is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is famous for its hot springs, natural beauty and its access to Mt. Fuji.

The emperor's residence from 794 until 1868, the city of Kyoto is a historical gem. Graced with myriad temples and shrines, Kyoto encompasses seventeen World Cultural Heritage sites including the Nijo-Castle and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

China

An ancient civilization, a modern power, a paragon of paradox.

Great walls, giant pandas, terra cotta armies, and over 1.3 billion Chinese. You'll find plenty to do.

Although there is much of the modern in Beijing, the real reason for visiting the capital city of China is to experience centuries of Chinese civilization. Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and countless other monuments tell the story of this ancient culture. They also provide a backdrop for the living vestiges of old Beijing like the famous Beijing Opera and the city's many teahouses and markets.

Listed as a World Heritage site, the Great Wall of China is one of the great wonders of the world. Over 4,000 miles long, the wall is the largest human-made structure on Earth earning it a spot at the top of your 'must see' list. Xian is home to the famous Terra Cotta Warriors, World Heritage sites and Neolithic ruins. A capital city of ancient China, Xian showcases the physical wonders of he dynastic line.

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world. Flowing from the Tibetan Highlands 3,712 miles across China into the South China Sea, the Yangtze provides spectacular fodder for river cruises through its dramatic gorges. Situated on the Yangtze River delta, Shanghai is China's biggest and busiest port. An important center of popular culture in China, Shanghai's soaring skyscrapers share the city with an eclectic mix of early twentieth century architecture, the exquisite Yuyuan Garden, markets, museums, and boundless shopping.

Hong Kong has long been a place where East meets West in a spectacular cosmopolitan way. Thrown into the mix of this international hub of commerce is the city's famous harbor, colorful markets, spectacular Victoria Peak and fabulous nearby Macau, the Las Vegas of Asia.

India

A country of breathtaking sights, India is Asia's jewel box.

Awe-inspiring scenery, exquisite architecture, and vibrant crafts all found in a flourishing melting pot. India provides the best kind of culture shock.

Vibrant and progressive Delhi is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Both Old and New Delhi have a cosmopolitan edge that shows its long history as a center of immigration, commerce, and government. Like the rest of India, Delhi's monuments astound. The Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutb Minar, and the Lodhi Gardens show the glory of Delhi's Mughal past.

The most iconic image of India and the world's most recognized mausoleum can be found south of Delhi in the city of Agra. Begun in 1631 under the Emperor Shah Jahan to honor his most favored wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal stands not only as one of the world's greatest architectural achievements, but also perhaps its grandest monument to love.

Unlike most other cities in India, the Pink City of Jaipur is known for its wide, straight streets and uniform storefronts. Laid out in rectangular grids the city plan represents the ancient Hindu map of the universe. Jaipur is a center for many traditional crafts including jewelry, metal work, pottery, and stone carving as well as home to the spectacular Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal.

Udaipur is India's City of Lakes with pure white marble palaces centering around, and in, Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar.

Located on seven islands on the west coast of India, Mumbai is the country's commercial center and the home of Bollywood and its thriving film industry. The city's deep ports on the Arabian Sea made Mumbai an attractive location for Portuguese and English dynastic ambition, the vestiges of which can be seen throughout the city today. Mumbai is also famous for its proximity to Elephanta Island and its rock-cut temples and caves dating to the 6th century as well as the Kanheri Caves at Borivli.

Most famous for its tea and its Himalayan railway, Darjeeling, located at 6,982 feet is India's Queen of the Hills. Its natural beauty provides the opportunity for leisurely sightseeing or hair raising adventure.

Bhutan

Wedged between northeast India and China, in the Himalayan Mountains, the Kingdom of Bhutan is one of the most isolated and least developed countries in the world. The government of Bhutan keeps tight control of foreign influence and tourism to ensure compatibility with its economic, environmental, and cultural goals. In spite of, or perhaps because of this tight control, Bhutan is a must see for travelers seeking a cultural and visual adventure. The stunning terrain and the many Buddhist monasteries perched on the sides of the mountains make for an otherworldly experience.

Maldives

The word paradise doesn't begin to describe the beauty of the Republic of Maldives. This chain of twenty-six coral atolls in the Indian Ocean south of India provides the quintessential combination of deserted island and luxury accommodations found anywhere on the planet. Over water bungalows make the most of these slivers of land surrounding by sparkling blue water and pristine white powder beaches.

Thailand

One of the hottest spots for visitors in Asia, Thailand's capital city of Bangkok is full of richly ornamented architecture and a thriving urban scene with plenty of nightlife. With the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and many other temples and heritage sites Bangkok offers visitors an amazing cultural experience as well as being a bustling travel hub for Southeast Asia. Often called the 'Pearl of South' Phuket is the largest island in Thailand positioned in the Andaman Sea off of southern Thailand's west coast. Although best known for its long stretches of sandy beaches, Phuket is predominantly mountainous and covered in rainforest. Cambodia.

Perhaps the most striking images to be found in Cambodia are the temples and other archeological sites of the Angkor Region. The region has over 40 significant archeological sites rising out of the jungles, including Angkor Wat, the grandest and best known of the sites.

Vietnam

From scenic Hanoi, the cultural center of the country, to the French colonial influenced and modern Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam has a bustling and unique urban life that presents a foil to the exotic landscapes that make up Vietnam.

The Mekong Delta in the early morning hosts an amazing array of small boats filled with local produce that make up the famous floating markets.

Ha Long Bay in Northeastern Vietnam provides a striking backdrop for the boats that make their way through the 1,900 monolithic islands of limestone and jungle vegetation that rise out of the water.

Singapore

Singapore's fusion of Asia and Europe creates a dazzling identity to this energetic city-state. An important cultural center in Southeast Asia, it hosts many cultural, arts, and performing arts festivals through the year. Its food is as diverse as its polyglot population with mixtures of Malay, Indian, Chinese, and Tamil influences. And for a change of pace take a glass-bottomed cable car for a different view of the city or a night safari to see what lurks in the Singaporean night.

Indonesia

Considered a perfect island by many, Bali is a lush, tropical paradise set amidst the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. With calm waters and white sand beaches to the east, and great surfing to the west, Bali is the perfect place for those who like to spend time in the water. Spectacular temples and the ancient capital of Singaraja provide stimulus for those venturing beyond the beaches.