China [top]
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| | Beijing [top] |
| | Beijing, now the capital of the People's Republic of China, is an ancient city where Peking Man (Sinanthropus pekinensis), ancestor of mankind, lived some 500,000 years ago. Here, primitive communities settled over 3,000 years ago, and a city was founded more than 2,000 years back. From the beginning of the 10th century, it served as the second capital of the Liao Dynasty and as the capital of the Jin (Chin), Yuan Ming, and Qing (Manchu) Dynasties.
With its long history as the birthplace of China's ancient civilization and center of modern culture, Beijing is a flourishing metropolis. This city boasts many scenic spots and historical monuments, precious artifacts, and world-famous architectural wonders, such as the Great Wall, the underground palace of the Ming Tombs, the Imperial Palace (referred to as the Forbidden City of the Ming and Qing Dynasties), and the Summer Palace. All these embody the exquisite unique features of Chinese traditional architecture and symbolize the long history and splendid culture of China. |
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| | Dalian [top] |
| | Dalian has the largest harbor in northeast China, and it is also one of the most prosperous cities in the country. It is criss-crossed by old, colorful trams and offers some wonderful architecture as well as refreshing acres of greenery. According to a recent survey, Dalian is home to 256,700 intellectuals, so you may wish to pack your pipe and beret and sit frowning in one of its many cafés if you want serious conversation. It also boasts China’s most successful football team.
Many of Dalian’s sights can be seen in the eastern part of town, surrounding the roundabout known as Zhongshan Square. This is the hub of the city containing the main shopping areas and attractions; they are not far from each other, and walking about in this area is reasonably easy. Here you’ll find a panorama of grand buildings including the classical ediface of the People’s Cultural Hall and the Bank of China next door (definitely worth a peek inside). Other historic buildings around the square have been converted to schools, hotels, and government offices. Interestingly, recently built structures have been designed to harmonize with Zhongshan Square, testimony to the adulation it receives from locals and architects.
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| | Shanghai [top] |
| | Shanghai is China’s most populous and sophisticated city. The city’s location at the confluence of the Yangtze and Huangpu Rivers has historically made it a major seaport and an important Asian economic center. While Shanghai’s recorded history dates back to 4,000 bc, the city’s importance blossomed in the 16th century when it became a commercial textile center. In the 19th century, Shanghai earned the nickname “Paris of the East” due to its prosperity and the influx of colonial businessmen. Today, the city continues to serve as the center of Chinese trade and industry.
As one of the world’s largest cities, Shanghai has a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from its Chinese neighbors. The city’s prosperity and sophistication is evident in the bustling cosmopolitan streets and buildings reminiscent of New York, London, Paris, etc. Yet the city has preserved an intriguing mix of old and new, east and west. Historic avenues and beautiful parks and gardens coexist with busy harbors and crowded streets. Pagodas, temples, and museums share the city with specialty shops and major businesses. Some of Shanghai’s best known sites include the Bund, a waterfront promenade located near the old city; the Children’s Palace, a former palatial home converted to a special school where children learn music, dance, and art; and the Shanghai Museum of Art & History, one of the best museums in the country. |
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South Korea [top]
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| | Pusan [top] |
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Pusan, South Korea’s major port and second largest city, is interesting primarily for its beaches and its enormous Chagalchi fish market where vendors sell fresh fish, live eels, and dozens of varieties of shellfish just unloaded from boats. Other interesting sights are the Pusan Tower; Taeshin Park above the city; Pomosa Buddist Temple, set in a quiet wooded park outside the city; and the mountaintop Kumjongsansong Fortress with its incredible views. Of course, there’s the ever-popular shopping where bargaining is in order.
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Japan [top]
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| | Kagoshima [top] |
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This large city is an excursion base from which to explore the wonders of Kyushu, Japan's third largest island. Mount Sakurajima, an active volcano, can be reached by ferry. To the north, Yaku National Park is a scenic area of smoking volcanoes, craters, and lakes. South of the city, the island's most popular seaside resort of Ibusuki welcomes kimono-clad bathers to its sandy beaches and warm, underwater springs.
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Taiwan [top]
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| | Taipei [top] |
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Taipei, the political and financial center of Taiwan, is the island's most populous city. Taipei originated as a small trading port over 200 years ago before becoming the administrative capital; the last few decades has seen tremendous growth in the city. Now a sprawling metropolis, Taipei is an ideal place to visit for those who love the hustle and bustle of the big city. The city is made up of several distinct districts, a few of which are detailed below.
The Shi Lin (pronounced Shihlin) district of the city covers both banks of the Keelung River and spills into the surrounding mountains. Shi Lin is best known for its Shihlin Night Market, Taipei's largest night market. North of the market is the peaceful Tian Mu area which features a large expatriate community and several of Taipei's international schools. The Chinese Culture and Movie Center and the world-renowned National Palace Museum are also found here.
The Da Tong (pronounced Tatung) District was once home to European merchants who settled to trade with the Taiwanese. Walk through its old lanes and you will find numerous tea companies, a few European-style buildings, and several temples including the famous Confucius Temple and Bao An Temple. Perhaps the most popular attraction here is Di Hua Street, one of Taipei's main trading centers during the 1800s. Today, the street is still lined with traditional shops selling dried goods and herbal medicines. Running through the center of the district is Zhong Shan North Road, which divides the city into east and west. Zhong Shan was once the commercial center for Taipei, but now it is better known for its shops and bars. It also has several cultural offerings including the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Lin An Tai House, the Grand Hotel, Xing Tian Temple, and the Taipei Children's Recreation Center.
The district of Xin Yi (pronounced Hsinyi) is mainly residential and commercial and is home to the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taipei World Trade Center, department stores, and the new Warner Village movie complex. Over the last 100 years, Taipei City has been expanding eastwards towards the mountains and the Xin Yi District marks a new era of the city's development.
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Japan [top]
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| | Okinawa [top] |
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Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture, consisting of a few dozen small islands in the southern half of the Nansei Shoto, the island chain which stretches more than 620 miles from Kyushu to Taiwan. Okinawa's climate is subtropical and normally enjoys 70 degree(F) weather for most of the year. The seas surrounding Okinawa's islands are considered among the world's most beautiful with coral reefs and abundant marine wildlife. Consequently, snorkeling and scuba diving are among Okinawa's top attractions. Okinawa is said to have the most beautiful beaches in all of Japan. Okinawa is a major producer of sugar cane, pineapples, papayas and other tropical fruits.
The islands making up Okinawa Prefecture are also known as the Ryukyu Islands, named after the native culture, which is distinctly different from that of the rest of Japan in terms of language, cuisine, arts, etc. It became a Japanese prefecture in 1879, accompanied by efforts to assimilate the native population. But despite these past efforts, the Ryukyuan culture survived and is now one of Okinawa's attractions.
Towards the end of World War II, Okinawa became the stage of one of the war's bloodiest battles, when American troops invaded the islands. Okinawa remained under U.S. administration until 1972, while several thousands of U.S. military members remain stationed on the spacious military bases on Okinawa Main Island today. The island is largely composed of coral rock, and rainwater filtering through that coral has given the island many caves, which played an important role in the Battle of Okinawa. Gyokusendo, an extensive limestone cave in the southern part of Okinawa Honto, is a popular tourist attraction.
Okinawa has many remains of a unique type of castle or fortress called Gusuku. These are believed to be the predecessors of Japan's castles. Whereas most homes in Japan are made with wood and allow a free flow of air to combat humidity, typical modern homes in Okinawa are made from concrete with barred windows (protection from flying plant matter) to deal with regular typhoons. Roofs are also designed with strong winds in mind, with each tile cemented on and not merely layered as seen with many homes elsewhere in Japan. Many roofs also display a roundish statue of a lion or dragon, called a shisa, which is said to protect the home from danger.
Okinawa has a very large proportion of population living to one hundred years of age. It is attributed to their healthy diet rich in vegetables and fish.
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| | Osaka [top] |
| | Osaka is Japan’s third largest city after Tokyo and Yokohama, but it ranks a bit lower in the categories of beauty and refinement, due mostly to its concrete cityscape. On the plus side, Osaka is a vibrant metropolis inhabitied by famously friendly and easy-going citizens with a taste for the good things in life.
The handsomely renovated castle, Osaka-jo, dominates the city center, but a few newer structures will probably catch your eye. The spaceship-like Osaka Dome sports stadium and the fantastic aquarium at the Tempozan Harbor Village thrust forth from the urban sprawl like shiny gems. The newest addition is the large-scale theme park Universal Studios Japan. Osaka’s cultural gem, however, has to be Liberty Osaka, the city’s admirable and uncompromising civil rights museum.
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