Asia
Introduction
Asia, the largest of the seven continents, covers about 30% of the world's land
mass. A smorgasbord of cultures dominates its landscape, and a preservation of
old-world heritage gives rise to century-old architectural masterpieces,
traditional dances, authentic cuisine, and of course, the best souvenir shopping
in the world.
Paralleling this fervent belief in tradition is a respect for the natural
environment. Asia boasts a mesmerizing variety of natural wonders, including
colossal mountains, lush botanical gardens and boiling mud pools.
From the Great Wall of China and Indonesia's great temple complex of Borobudur
to awe-inspiring Mt Kinabalu in Malaysia and the epic grasslands of Inner
Mongolia, Asia is perhaps the most exotic, diverse region in the world.
Getting Around
Unless you are an accomplished world traveler, your best friend in Asia will be
your tour guide. Touring major attractions may not prove difficult, but when it
comes to navigating entire cities or booking cost-saving packages, a tour guide
will come in handy. You'll save time and be able to hit all the local hotspots.
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Cruise Tip
If you are elderly or physically challenged, check with the cruise line to make
sure all the ports can accommodate your needs.
...More Tips
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Of course, independent
exploration is fun in itself, and if you are adventurous and patient, you may be
able to traverse Asia on your own. There's no greater pleasure than discovering
a hole-in-the-wall with savory cuisine or a shop with great bargains, so pound
the pavement if you're inspired!
Examples of shore excursions in Asia include:
Adventure Expeditions
- Travel like Vietnamese locals on a bike and ride through the deep Da Nag
countryside.
- Climb Water Mountain in Vietnam and take in panoramic views over China
Beach.
- Sea canoe the waters of Phang Nga Bay In Phutek, Thailand past mangrove
forests and monkeys.
Shopping Districts
- Walk the winding streets of Hong Kong and shop in magical curio shops for
unique gifts, like snake wine.
- Stop at the Wang Talang souvenir and jewelry center in Phutek, Thailand and
purchase arts, crafts and gifts.
- Spend time at Singapore's DFS Millennia, the world's largest duty-free shop
at over 110,000 square feet.
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Cultural Attractions
- Tour the artistic colony in Ubud in Bali and visit with painters as you walk
through studios, art schools and an art museum.
- Watch the exotic Indonesian fire dance, which incorporates glowing hot coals
and a gamelan orchestra.
- Book a reflexology session in Singapore and restore balance, energy and
circulation.
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Nature Trips
- Paddle a canoe through limestone monoliths and mangrove forests in Phuket,
Thailand.
- Walk Cambodia's Ocheuteal beach, a long and sweeping white-sand beach that
fronts the brilliant waters of the Gulf of Thailand.
- Walk through Singapore's National Orchid Garden, a 60,000-plant orchid
display.
Historical Tours
- Witness the Great Wall of China, the Ming Tombs, the Temple of Heaven and
Tian'anmen Square in Beijing.
- Explore the floating Hong Kong village of Aberdeen, where fishermen and
their families live on thousands of junks and sampans.
- Visit the ancient Tirta Empul in Bali, a 1,000-year-old temple complex
constructed around a sacred spring.
Wildlife Interaction
- Tour Singapore's World of Darkness, where strategic lighting allows you to
catch rare glimpses of the nocturnal world of owls, bats, night herons and
kiwis.
- Board an elephant in the southeastern Asian forest and trek through the
foliage of a local plantation called the Elephant camp.
- View pelicans, swans, crane and other African and Asian birds at the world's
largest aviary in Singapore.
| Enhance your travel to Asia by
reading about its culture, people and history in these novels: |
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Among the Mountains,
Travels Through Asia - Wilfred Thesiger
Catfish & Mandala - Andrew X. Pham
Danziger's Travels: Beyond Forbidden Frontiers - Nick Danziger
A Fortune Teller Told Me - Tiziano Terzani
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