East Asia Cruise - from Yokohama - 122425

With a population of 3.4 million, Yokohama, on the western shore of the Bay of Tokyo, is the second largest city in Japan and the capital of the prefecture of Kanagawa. The city's port was one of the first to be opened to the western world in the 19th century and even today the metropolis is renowned for its international atmosphere. The city is home to both the largest Chinatown in the world and the tallest building in Japan, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of Yokohama and the port. Many futuristic shopping centres provide fantastic shopping, excellent entertainment and culinary delights all under one roof. The landscaped garden of Sankei-en, created in 1906 by a silk trader from Yokohama is also worth seeing.

With a population of 3.4 million, Yokohama, on the western shore of the Bay of Tokyo, is the second largest city in Japan and the capital of the prefecture of Kanagawa. The city's port was one of the first to be opened to the western world in the 19th century and even today the metropolis is renowned for its international atmosphere. The city is home to both the largest Chinatown in the world and the tallest building in Japan, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of Yokohama and the port. Many futuristic shopping centres provide fantastic shopping, excellent entertainment and culinary delights all under one roof. The landscaped garden of Sankei-en, created in 1906 by a silk trader from Yokohama is also worth seeing.

Kobe is the capital of the prefecture of Hyogo and one of the largest cities in Japan. It lies between a large lake and the Rokko mountains and is one of the most beautiful and most cosmopolitan of Japan's cities. For many centuries, Kobe was the most important port in Japan and was the first to be opened for overseas trade.

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.

Hiroshima is one of the most affluent cities in Japan, but its fame is attributable mainly to the atom bomb attack on August 6, 1945. The modern landmark of Hiroshima is "Genbaku domu", the "A-bomb cathedral". The ruins of the former Chamber of Industry and Commerce with its naked steel dome were left as a memorial and a warning to future generations. Close by "Genbaku domu" is the Children's Peace Monument, inspired by Sadako Sasaki, a little girl who died of leukaemia. The 'Peace Park "Heiwa koen" is home to the atom bomb museum and the memorial grave with the eternal flame.

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.

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.

With a population of 3.4 million, Yokohama, on the western shore of the Bay of Tokyo, is the second largest city in Japan and the capital of the prefecture of Kanagawa. The city's port was one of the first to be opened to the western world in the 19th century and even today the metropolis is renowned for its international atmosphere. The city is home to both the largest Chinatown in the world and the tallest building in Japan, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of Yokohama and the port. Many futuristic shopping centres provide fantastic shopping, excellent entertainment and culinary delights all under one roof. The landscaped garden of Sankei-en, created in 1906 by a silk trader from Yokohama is also worth seeing.

With a population of 3.4 million, Yokohama, on the western shore of the Bay of Tokyo, is the second largest city in Japan and the capital of the prefecture of Kanagawa. The city's port was one of the first to be opened to the western world in the 19th century and even today the metropolis is renowned for its international atmosphere. The city is home to both the largest Chinatown in the world and the tallest building in Japan, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of Yokohama and the port. Many futuristic shopping centres provide fantastic shopping, excellent entertainment and culinary delights all under one roof. The landscaped garden of Sankei-en, created in 1906 by a silk trader from Yokohama is also worth seeing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Halong bay boasts some of Vietnam's most beautiful countryside. It is made up of more than 3,000 little islands of Karst rocks, some of which cover an area of 2,000 km². The rock formations are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The port town of Halong City consists of the two areas "Bai Chai" and "Hon Gai". Legend has it that Halong Bay was created by a "dragon coming down to land" ("Ha Long"). Science has, however, proven that the island landscape was formed during the last Ice Age through the sinking of the South-West Chinese limestone plateau.

Around 2 hours to the South of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, lies the port of Phu My. Sights in and around Ho Chi Minh City include: Reunification Hall, the National History Museum, the former US Embassy, the city hall, Saigon Cathedral, Vung Tau, the Rex Hotel, and the temple of the goddess of the sea.

Ko Samui is Thailand's third-largest island and lies around 700 km to the South of Bangkok. The island is also known as "Coconut Island" due to the fact that there are more than 3 million coconut palms growing there. Accordingly, there are around 1,000 coconut farmers on the island. The coconuts are harvested for the most part by specially trained monkeys. An insider's tip until a few years ago, Ko Samui is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination, but this has not yet taken anything away from its idyllic charm. For anyone looking for a place with perfect white beaches, crystal clear light-blue waters and picturesque landscapes, Ko Samui is the right place. The most visited sight on the island is 'Big Buddha', a statue of Buddha built in 1972 that stands 12 m high.

Laem Chabang is the port of the Thai capital of Bangkok. The deep-sea port is around a half-hour car journey from Pattaya and in the space of just a few years has established itself on the list of the most important ports in the world. Today, Leam Chabang is one of the 20 largest container ports in the world. Plattaya's famous resorts are perfect for swimming and relaxing.

Laem Chabang is the port of the Thai capital of Bangkok. The deep-sea port is around a half-hour car journey from Pattaya and in the space of just a few years has established itself on the list of the most important ports in the world. Today, Leam Chabang is one of the 20 largest container ports in the world. Plattaya's famous resorts are perfect for swimming and relaxing.

Singapore is a city state at the lower end of the Malay Peninsula, only around 100 km North of the equator. Today the city is one of the most important ports and trading centres in South East Asia. Singapore has a population of over 3 million, including first and foremost Chinese, Malaysians and Indians. Europeans and other ethnic groups round off the city of many nationalities and four official languages. Visitors will notice the spotlessly clean and well-kept roads and squares; Singapore is also one of the safest cities in the world. Some interesting buildings dating from the colonial era have been placed under preservation order, including several former British administrative buildings and Raffles Hotel, whose guests included many authors. From the southern shore of the Singapore River visitors can take a boat trip around the river and Marina Bay. Sights include: the shopping street Orchard Road, Chinatown, Little India, Singapore River, the Botanic Gardens, the zoo and Fort Canning.

Singapore is a city state at the lower end of the Malay Peninsula, only around 100 km North of the equator. Today the city is one of the most important ports and trading centres in South East Asia. Singapore has a population of over 3 million, including first and foremost Chinese, Malaysians and Indians. Europeans and other ethnic groups round off the city of many nationalities and four official languages. Visitors will notice the spotlessly clean and well-kept roads and squares; Singapore is also one of the safest cities in the world. Some interesting buildings dating from the colonial era have been placed under preservation order, including several former British administrative buildings and Raffles Hotel, whose guests included many authors. From the southern shore of the Singapore River visitors can take a boat trip around the river and Marina Bay. Sights include: the shopping street Orchard Road, Chinatown, Little India, Singapore River, the Botanic Gardens, the zoo and Fort Canning.