East Asia Cruise - from Hongkong - 121218

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.

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.

Kochi is one of the few originally preserved castle towns in Japan and is located on the island of Shikoku. Alongside the Chikurin-ji temple, Kochi Castle is the city's most important tourist attraction. Kochi's diverse nature can be enjoyed on a walk through one of the impressive parks, for example, while the extensive caves in the surrounding area are also well worth a visit.

Osaka is the port town on the island of Honshu, the capital of the prefecture and the third-largest city in Japan. With a population of 2.5 million, the city, which is surrounded by satellite towns, lies at the estuary of various rivers in Osaka By. In early history Osaka was the seat of the Japanese emperor several times. The city is seen as a centre of industry, trade, culture and research (5 universities, various research institutions). The Daimyo castle dating from the 16th century, the many temples and gardens are all worth a visit. The most important sectors of the economy here are textiles, iron and steel, machine manufacturing, the chemicals industry and the oil refineries. Many prospering companies have their headquarters in the city, laying the foundations for a modern infrastructure and cultural tradition. In 1970 Osaka hosted the World's Fair. The city is currently experiencing somewhat of an architectural renaissance, with the objective of making it a focus for people, goods and information from all over the world.

Toba is situated on the Shima Peninsula. From here, a bridge measuring 63 m long leads to the Mikimoto Pearl Island, where Kokichi Mikimoto first succeeded in artificially cultivating a pearl in an oyster in 1893. The island has a Pearl Museum, where you can find out all about pearl farming. Divers demonstrate how they dive for pearls and seaweed. Another attraction is the aquarium with shows and several exotic sea creatures.

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.