China Explorer & Far East Discovery Collect

A city where you’ll find centuries-old culture jostling for position next to cutting-edge technology – a fabulous blend of history and modernity that has to be seen to be believed.

A thriving harbor town for centuries, Shimizu is best known for its incredible scenic beauty. Take an excursion to Miho no Matsubara and enjoy stunning views of Mount Fuji and expansive black sand beaches; stroll through the graceful gardens and unique art installations of Tokachi Millennium Forest; and visit Kongofukuji Temple, first built by Kobo-daishi in 822 and rebuilt from 1662.

Founded in 1890, Takamatsu is home to the Ritsurin Garden, created by an Edo-era feudal lord. This magical place comes to life with cherry blossoms in the spring and brilliant color in the fall.

Located in the southwest of Japan, Hiroshima, the main city of the Chugoku region, is set within a striking natural landscape of mountains, sea and rivers. Home to more than one million inhabitants, it’s famous as the site of the explosion of the world’s first atomic bomb, dropped by the U.S. in August 1945. This cataclysm is sensitively documented at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and associated Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The city offers visitors a great deal more than the tragedy of the recent past. In addition to the memorials to the events of World War II, there are an array of shrines and temples, as well as the city’s reconstructed castle, which was originally founded in the 16th century.Nature lovers will be charmed by the historic Shukkei-en Garden, commissioned in 1620, and Miyajima island, one of the most scenic spots in Japan. The city is home to a number of art institutions, including the Hiroshima Museum of Art, which houses a collection of Impressionist and Japanese oil paintings, the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art and the quirky Mazda Museum. There is also an array of excellent restaurants and bars—the city is known for its okonomiyaki, a type of savory pancake—as well as a popular oyster festival each year.

City of melancholy memories. Visit Glover House, where Puccini's Madame Butterfly reputedly awaited her errant Lt. Pinkerton; pay tribute to lives lost in WWII at Peace Memorial Park. Sample shore excursions: Nagasaki Half-day Tour; Sakai Bridge & 99 Islands;Arita, Birthplace of Ceramics.

South Korea’s second-largest city (after the capital, Seoul), Busan is located in the southeastern corner of the country along the Sea of Japan. It combines a vibrant, big-city atmosphere with a famously laid-back attitude and subtropical landscapes. Often described as the "San Francisco of Korea," thanks mainly to its hilly terrain and close-knit neighborhoods, it offers visitors a little of everything: fashionable boutiques, dynamic culture and buzzy nightlife, as well as sandy beaches, hot springs and nearby mountains crossed with hiking trails and dotted with temples. Cultural highlights include the Gamcheon Cultural Village; the spectacular Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, built into the side of a cliff; and Art Street in Sinchang-dong, which hosts art competitions, exhibitions and cultural events such as the annual Busan International Film Festival. Those who enjoy hiking can explore the famed cliffs of Taejongdae Park, while the white sand beaches at Gwangalli and Haeundae are ideal places to relax by the seashore. Foodies will love Busan, too, not just for its excellent restaurants but also for the many atmospheric markets: the low-key Millak Hoe Town Market, tourist spots like Jagalchi Fish Market and the market at Haeundae with its ramshackle stalls selling gukpab (a traditional rice soup).

China’s second most populous city embraces its history, future – and visitors – in an equally delightful fashion. Architectural treats from centuries past remain, with influences from all corners of the globe.

From the exceptional views across its famous harbour to the sizzling dishes in its glamorous restaurants, you’re sure to fall in love with Hong Kong.

Take in Halong Bay’s splendid scenery as you wind your way through a dramatic archipelago of lake-filled, tropical forest-topped limestone karsts.

Located on the South China Sea, Da Nang is a major port city and your gateway to the natural and ancient wonders of Vietnam. Gaze upon the five peaks of the Marble Mountains - long a source of inspiration for Vietnamese artisans; visit the palace and pavilions of Hue, the Imperial City of the Nguyen emperors; and explore the charming merchant town of Hoi An and nearby China Beach. Sample shore excursions: Artisans of De Nang; Rural Traditions; Imperial Hue.

White sand beaches, turquoise waters, beachfront cafés. Nha Trang's days as an underappreciated treasure are over. Still very much intact since the 7th century are the venerated towers of the Cham Ponagar Temple complex. Sample shore excursions: Nha Trang City Tour; Nha Trang Countryside.

The 3,000-mile Mekong River runs throughout Asia and affords an experience of the continent like no other.

The 3,000-mile Mekong River runs throughout Asia and affords an experience of the continent like no other.

A busy, cramped and frenetic city, Bangkok has a reputation of bombarding your senses. Centuries of history collide with a fast-paced modern lifestyle.

Koh Samui can feel like a screensaver landscape. As if designed by Mother Nature for posters, calendars and daydreams, it’s Thailand’s most famous island for a number of reasons. The beach-fringed coast is edged with vivid, blue water that’s a surf-and-sand playground for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, building sandcastles and simply lounging. Along with busy food stalls and restaurants where you can find a whole world of cuisine made with local produce and fresh seafood as well as authentic Thai dishes, the lively streets are lined with bars, boutiques, markets and spas. By contrast, the island’s interior can provide moments of reflection and replenishing solitude. Enter the dense, hilly jungles for hikes to ancient temples and pristine waterfalls and quaint villages where you can experience true Thai hospitality. With dreamy landscapes and island adventures from boat excursions to nature treks, you'll soon be enchanted by Koh Samui.

Diamond-shaped Pulau Ujong is Singapore's main island and it's bursting with colour, energy and culture.