The Far East - like nowhere else on earth

Southeast Asia’s most happening city welcomes visitors with a heady mix of culture, gaudy attractions, friendly people, delicious cuisine, fantastic shopping and fascinating nightlife. In between the city’s skyscrapers, elevated highways and shopping centers are some awe-inspiring temples and monuments. A great way to take in the city is on a canal trip, which will take you into Bangkok’s mysterious backwaters and a glimpse of old-style Bangkok canal-side life. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew complex, with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is the number one tourist attraction in Bangkok, and with good reason - it is absolutely stunning. Nearby is the Wat Pho complex with its enormous reclining Buddha. By contrast, the lovely teak Thai-styled Jim Thompson’s House, built in the 1940s by the silk trader and collector, remains a quiet oasis near Siam Square.

Delhi, capital city of the Federal Republic of India, is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Old Delhi is centered on the splendid Red Fort, one of the most magnificent palaces in the world. From its ramparts, Nehru announced to the nation that India was free from colonial rule. The origins of Qutab Minar are shrouded in controversy. What is beyond doubt is that the tower is one of the finest monuments in India. Also worth visiting are the Purana Quila fort, said to be constructed on the historic site of Indraprastha (900 BC), the Jantar Mantar observatory, Humayun’s Tomb, and the massive Jama Masjid mosque, the largest in India. India Gate, a memorial to commemorate the 70,000 India soldiers killed in World War I, was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931.

Metropolitan Manila encompasses six cities and twelve towns, including the City of Manila. The capital of the Philippines is historic and modern, rich and poor. The walled area called Intramuros, which was the capital during Spanish colonization, has retained old dungeons and gunpowder rooms while adding art galleries and theatres. Within the Intramuros complex lies the Fort Santiago, the Manila Cathedral, and the San Agustin Church, the oldest structure in the country. An oasis of greenery amid the bustle of the city is provided by Rizal Park, with its Chinese and Japanese gardens, amphitheatre and planetarium. The city’s Chinatown is to be found in Binando, and features everything from Peking duck and Buddhist temples to snake soup and miracle herbs. The city also has enough nightlife to last from dusk until dawn - and then some.

Beijing sums up the mystery and appeal of China - it is a vast, complex, compelling, historic city with many world-class sights and attractions. The magnificent Forbidden City is the largest and the best-preserved imperial palace complex in the world. With 9,999 rooms, the palace was the country’s administrative centre for five centuries. Tiananmen Square is the largest central city square in the world and is also home to Mao’s mausoleum and the Great Hall of the People. The square’s daily flag ceremonies, held at sunrise and sunset, are exceptional events. The city also has a host of beautiful temples, including the Temple of Heaven, surrounded by a public park and incorporating the famous Echo Wall, the White Cloud Taoist Temple, and the Temple of Confucius. And of course just outside the city passes the 6,700-kilometre Great Wall.

Originally a fishing village, Shanghai, or Hu for short, is now the largest industrial city in China, and a major tourist attraction and shopper’s paradise. Nanjing Road is considered China’s number one commercial street, with over 600 shops along its 5.5-kilometre length. Also not to be missed is the Bund, an area of town where new finance and commercial houses cluster together alongside a wealth of grand buildings in the European style of the early 20th century. Dominating the city skyline is the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, a symbol of modern Shanghai, and at a height of 468 meters the tallest TV tower in Asia. Yuyuan Garden is Shanghai’s largest ancient garden with architectural styles from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. One of the most famous Buddhist temples to be found in Shanghai is the Jade Buddha Temple.

The single location that symbolizes the meeting of East and West, and sums up their complex interrelations, must be Hong Kong. Even after the handover to China in 1997, the commercial development of Hong Kong has continued apace. One of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong is The Peak. As if getting up there on the Peak Tram were not excitement enough, the views are simply stunning. While on the Island, watching races under the dazzling lights of the Happy Valley Racecourse is an opportunity to see another aspect of Hong Kong Chinese culture. In Kowloon, the Walled City Park is fascinating, and visits to the city’s Yuen Po Street Bird Market and Flower Market are also unique experiences. The Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, with the world’s tallest, outdoor, seated bronze Buddha, is also a must.

Historically significant as Japan’s first capital city, today Osaka is a bustling port city of 2.5 million and the third largest city in the country. Osaka Castle, rebuilt in 1931, is a museum dedicated to feudal lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s life. The Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is the most famous Shinto shrine in Japan. It enshrines kami, the Shinto gods believed to protect travelers. In contrast, the National Bunraku Theatre makes for a fascinating visit. Bunraku is traditional Japanese puppetry, in which the puppeteers are visible on stage and manipulate puppets that are over a meter tall. The National Bunraku Theatre is one of the few places still to perform this traditional art form. The fabulous Umeda Sky Building towers 173 meters over Osaka’s Kita district. The building’s two towers are connected on the 39th floor via the amazing Floating Garden Observatory.

Tokyo, capital of Japan, is one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the world. Its long prosperous history started with the establishment of the shogunate by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603. Although it has no recognized downtown area, the Imperial Palace is generally held to be at the heart of the city. For a taste of history, the Meiji Shrine is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji, the first emperor of modern Japan. The Sensoji Temple was built in 645 AD for the goddess of Kannon. For a break from the crowds, Ueno Park is home to the Ueno Zoo and some of the best museums in Japan. The park’s millions of blooming cherry blossom every spring are quite spectacular. The Kabuki-cho area of the Shinjuku district, is home to some of Tokyo’s best nightclubs and friendliest bars.

Singapore is a small island nation at the tip of the Malay Peninsula. Among Singapore’s most popular attractions are its Zoological Gardens, with the fascinating night safaris, and the stunning Botanical Gardens. The Jurong Bird Park is also very popular and has a huge variety of bird-life. The Singapore Crocodilarium has over a thousand crocodiles, which can be seen at alarmingly close proximity. The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, built in 1881, is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Kali, the consort of Shiva. Built to commemorate the 518th anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru, the Central Sikh Temple houses the Granth Sahih, or holy book, and is the main religious facility for Singapore’s 15,000 Sikhs. In the evenings the historic Singapore River is not to be missed. The restaurants and bars in Boat Quay and Clark Quay fill to overflowing.