East Asia Cruise - from Tokyo - 128813

Tokyo, the capital of Japan with a population of almost 8 million, combines tradition with progress. Buddhist temples stand side by side with Shinto cultural institutes and sky-scrapers. In the tiny streets you can find Kimonos, fans and miniature carvings, just a few streets away from the modern banking district and the grand architectural masterpieces. Visitors can relax in the Koraku Garden which has replicas of various features of the Japanese landscape. If it's a thrill you're after, a visit to the fish market is just the thing - and you could even bid on some fish!. More than 90,000 works of art are on display in the largest museum in Japan, the National Museum. In 1958 the Japanese built a replica of the Eiffel tower; At 333m high, 'Tokyo tower' would dwarf the original. Other sights include: the Meji shrine, the emperor's garden and palace, the town hall, the 'Capsule Hotel' where guests are accommodated in "drawers", Asakusa Kannon temple and the temple gardens in Kamakura.

Hakodate, with a population of 320,000 lies at the southern point of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. In 1859 it was among the five Japanese towns first opened for outside trade, representing the gateway to the outside world. Hakodate is also the traditional starting point for trips to Hokkaido, which can be reached either by ferry or by train through the underwater tunnel constructed in 1988. This Japanese port is also famous for its star-shaped fort.

Kanazawa is a prefecture city on the Noto peninsula. Kanazawa is a large city with many monuments dating from the Edo period and is home to the beautiful landscaped gardens of Kenrokuen, one of the three most beautiful traditional landscaped gardens of Japan. A visit to the porcelain factory in Kutaniyaki in the Nagamachi district, where many Samurai warriors once settled, is well worth it. In Kanazawa visitors can watch authentic Kimonos being hand painted. In the summer, the peninsula is a popular destination for holidaymakers, campers and cyclists.

The name of this city with more than a million inhabitants, Busan, means "tea-kettle mountain" and refers to the city's location, hemmed in on three sides by mountains. Before the port lies the "dragon's head rock". You can enjoy an excellent view from the platform of Pusan Tower or from the small restaurant in the tower. At the foot of the tower is a tangled labyrinth of small streets in Kukje Market. The traditional Chagalchi fish market is Korea's most lively market, selling freshly-caught seafood and fish specialities. Taejongdae, a bizarre cliff formation in a beautiful setting, has a spacious plateau from where you will have a fantastic view of the Sea of Japan. The city museum "Pokchon-dong" details Busan's history from the 4th century onwards. Other sights include: Pomo(sa) temple, the fortifications at Kumjongsansong on the Kumjong mountain, Kumgang Park with a funicular railway and ancient forests.

The name of this city with more than a million inhabitants, Busan, means "tea-kettle mountain" and refers to the city's location, hemmed in on three sides by mountains. Before the port lies the "dragon's head rock". You can enjoy an excellent view from the platform of Pusan Tower or from the small restaurant in the tower. At the foot of the tower is a tangled labyrinth of small streets in Kukje Market. The traditional Chagalchi fish market is Korea's most lively market, selling freshly-caught seafood and fish specialities. Taejongdae, a bizarre cliff formation in a beautiful setting, has a spacious plateau from where you will have a fantastic view of the Sea of Japan. The city museum "Pokchon-dong" details Busan's history from the 4th century onwards. Other sights include: Pomo(sa) temple, the fortifications at Kumjongsansong on the Kumjong mountain, Kumgang Park with a funicular railway and ancient forests.

The main gateway to Korea with an international sea port. Above the port lies Chayu-Park, which commemorates General McArthur's landing in 1950, which signified the turn of events in favour of the South in the Korean War from 1950-53. The Bomunsa temple lies outside the city on the island of Seokmodo. Legend has it that it was founded in the 635 by Queen Seondeok of the Silla Dynasty. The most important attraction is the "sitting Buddha", carved ten metres high into the cliff-face. The island of Seokmodo has a beautiful sandy beach, often used in films. The Sorae fish market at the south-western harbour of Inchon is the traditional place to buy marinated fish. There are several small fish restaurants along even the first few metres of the fish market. The seafood market at Yonan-Pier and the Chinese quarter of Inchon are also worth a visit.

Shanghai, the largest city in China with a population of 14 million is a unique paradise for shoppers and is sometimes also called the 'New York of the East'. Shanghai is a trading port, an industrial centre and cultural city in one. It has more than a thousand restaurants serving dishes from 16 Chinese regions as well as international cuisine. A long line of classical high-rise buildings give Shanghai its typical silhouette. In the old street you can still find buildings in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The highest television tower in Asia, at 468 m, the "Pearl in the East", has a lift to transport tourists to the viewing platform offering a unique view of the city. Other sights include: the Chinese gardens with a teahouse, the zoo, the Jade Buddha temple, Nanjing shopping street and the Longhua temple.

Shanghai, the largest city in China with a population of 14 million is a unique paradise for shoppers and is sometimes also called the 'New York of the East'. Shanghai is a trading port, an industrial centre and cultural city in one. It has more than a thousand restaurants serving dishes from 16 Chinese regions as well as international cuisine. A long line of classical high-rise buildings give Shanghai its typical silhouette. In the old street you can still find buildings in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The highest television tower in Asia, at 468 m, the "Pearl in the East", has a lift to transport tourists to the viewing platform offering a unique view of the city. Other sights include: the Chinese gardens with a teahouse, the zoo, the Jade Buddha temple, Nanjing shopping street and the Longhua temple.

Shanghai, the largest city in China with a population of 14 million is a unique paradise for shoppers and is sometimes also called the 'New York of the East'. Shanghai is a trading port, an industrial centre and cultural city in one. It has more than a thousand restaurants serving dishes from 16 Chinese regions as well as international cuisine. A long line of classical high-rise buildings give Shanghai its typical silhouette. In the old street you can still find buildings in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The highest television tower in Asia, at 468 m, the "Pearl in the East", has a lift to transport tourists to the viewing platform offering a unique view of the city. Other sights include: the Chinese gardens with a teahouse, the zoo, the Jade Buddha temple, Nanjing shopping street and the Longhua temple.

The Chinese island of Hong Kong ("Xiang Gang" in Chinese) has, together with the island of Lantao and the Kowloon peninsula, has belonged to the Chinese special administrative region since July 1st 1997. "Hong Kong in the narrow sense" forms the core settlement of the group of islands with a population of more than 4 million. The city is one of the largest financial centres in the world and represents a major junction for sea transport in the region. Sights include: floating restaurants at the harbour, Tai Po racecourse, the beaches at Castle Peak, Man Mo Temple; the bell tower at the tip of the Kowloon peninsula serves as an excellent viewing platform of the city skyline; the 800 m long escalator on Hongkong Island (the longest in the world), "Tiger Balm Garden" with its small caves and statues from Chinese mythology, Victoria Peak with views of the port and the city. There is also a huge number of restaurants and shops.