Introduction to Awesome Asia

It's the biggest continent on the planet, so trying to visit as many Asian countries as you can may seem like a daunting task. The solution to help you see as much of it as possible — a luxury cruise.

When you take a cruise to Asia you get an opportunity to explore some of the continent’s most fabulous port cities in elegance, safety, and style. If you are searching for the best way to see Asia by cruise, start by venturing to these popular destinations—an intro to one of the most interesting places on the planet.

Exploring Asia via cruise is safe, stylish and so easy. 

Asia might seem too exotic of a destination for some or too overwhelming for others, but cruising makes exploring the Far East far more accessible than any other mode of travel.

Cruises offer guests' the peace of mind of returning to their ship to eat, rest and recharge after a day of adventure and offer custom tours, private car and drivers, and convenient amenities that help create a comfortable and wonderful experience.

Intro to Asia

More than half the world’s population lives in Asia. And when traveling in the big urban areas of Asia, that is exactly the feeling you get: there are people everywhere. Of course Asia is a huge continent with a great variety of cultures and every locale you can imagine from bustling cities to beautiful countryside to beach retreats. But wherever you choose to go, each country in Asia is unique and has its own allure.

The Great Wall of China is one of the world's wonders.

This expansive and enchanting region is filled with colorful history, beautiful people, amazing food, and continues to stir the mind and excite the imagination like it has for thousands of years. Here are our favorite Asian destinations to discover. These people, their monuments, their culture, and their habits are exactly the reason to come to Asia over and over again.

Since Asia is so awesome and large, this can only be an introduction to whet your appetite about this beautiful region. To learn more, talk to a CruiseInsider expert.

Some of our favorite cruise lines that offer incredible voyages through Asia include:

• Viking Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Tauck Cruises
• Uniword River Cruises
• Silversea Cruises
• AmaWaterways
• Seabourn

Japan

The perfect marriage of technology and tradition, Japan is a nation based on the past, but always looking to the future. It's one of the most amazingly beautiful and authentically friendly countries in the world.

Japan is a high-tech world mixed with the politeness and respect of their past. A 2,000 year history has shaped Japan's unique heritage and made it one of the most exciting and exotic countries in Asia, a must-see for any curious globe-trotter.

Insider Tip: Some restaurants, temples, and shrines require patrons to remove their shoes. Slippers are usually provided, but even these should be removed for walking on tatami (straw mats), so be sure to pack warm socks in winter.

Yokohama & Tokyo

The largest port in Japan is Yokohama, which borders close to Tokyo. The city is a magnificent spectacle of modern technology with skyscrapers alight in neon across the cityscape. In general, cruise ships arrive at Osanbashi, which puts you in the heart of the city. For thousands of years, Japanese builders have endeavored to incorporate the natural world into structures, an aesthetic that remains paramount even today.

Insider Tip: For authentic Japanese heritage, partake in traditional experiences like flower arranging, a tea ceremony or make your way over to Sankei Gardens to soak in the scenery and culture.

We recommend:

• Enjoying a waterfront stroll to Yamashita Park, and along the way, wander the grass-covered rooftops or check out the vibrant shopping scene and the many museums.
  
  
• Experience the architectural fusion of art and function throughout Japan, especially in places such as Tokyo’s Roppongi district.
  
  
• Summers in Japan bring warm weather, and festivities galore. Witness the spectacular luminance of Tokyo’s Sumida River Firework, or the 1,000 year-old Kyoto “Mobile-Art” parade, Gion Matsuri and the magnificent Awa Odori (dance) in Tokushima.
  
  

Kagoshima

While exploring the island of Japan, consider adding the city of Kagoshima to your list of places to see. As a southern city in Japan, the environment is a far cry from Yokohama. In fact, it is likened more to Naples, Italy thanks to the sun soaked setting and even its own "Vesuvius"— the Sakurakima volcano—that greets you when you arrive in the bay area.

Insider Tip: Highlights of Kagoshima include the ruins of a shogun castle dating back to the Sengan era, a visit to the art museum to learn about ancient Japanese traditions and hundreds of small shops featuring cultural trinkets and delights.

Vietnam

Including Vietnam in your cruise port destinations while touring Asian countries is a must. Vietnam is an astoundingly beautiful country filled with beaches, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities. Deep, dark jungles give way to the majestic beauty of the Red River and Mekong Deltas. Tropical beaches stretch toward emerald green rice patties that seem too vibrant to be real. Popular tourist locales abound throughout Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and exploring the Mekong Delta. Vietnam’s cities are bustling, crowded, energetic places with a pace all their own, and their marketplaces, filled with colorful fruits, vegetables and spices, thrill the senses.

Insider Tip: Vietnam is a foodie's paradise. Be sure to try local delicacies like bun cha (pork with rice noodles), mi quang (noodle dish), happy pancakes, spring rolls, traditional pho, beautiful steamed fish, sticky rice and even the interesting-sounding egg coffee.

We recommend:

• Start with the Ha Long Bay—a World Heritage UNESCO site—to see the traditional local fishing towns, the towering limestone pillars (or karsts) and the tiny islets topped by forests rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.
  
  
• Explore Hang Son Doong (Mountain River Cave), known as the world's largest cave, and one of the most spectacular sights in Southeast Asia.
  
  

Philippines

Manila

The Philippines is a collection of islands and traditions and culture unlike anywhere else in Asia. The diversity goes deep and can be found in the many languages, rich history, vast wildlife, and wonderful people who live throughout this incredible island nation.

One way to streamline your port options is to focus on the largest city of all the 7,000 islands, Manila. Known as the 'Pearl of the Orient', Manila is the urban center of the islands and has so much to see and do. From speakeasy bars to artisan markets to shops selling single-origin coffees, Manila's not only one of Asia's most underrated cities, but one of its coolest.

We recommend:

• Visit Rizal Park (or Luneta Park) near the ancient walled city called Intramuros, one of the oldest parks in all of Asia.
  
  
• Make sure to tour Fort Santiago for a great look into the Philippines' past.
  
  
• Book a show with the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company to see traditional dancing and give you a historical perspective of this island city you won’t find elsewhere.
  
  

China

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the world’s great cities and a delightful realm of natural wonders and serene rural villages. Visitors will find everything from hiking, horse racing and sailing to internationally renowned art galleries and lively art festivals. With its wealth of cultural attractions, Hong Kong invites exploration and inspires interest to even the most experienced traveler. Hong Kong teems with energy from the moment you arrive, and it never lets up.

Insider Tip: Want to experience Hong Kong through the eyes of the past? Let us help you charter an authentic 'junk' boat, a wonderful way to enjoy the water, meet the locals, and see some places off the beaten path.

Shopping is on the list, as are dim sum, sightseeing, and the latest, hippest restaurants and bars. There are tons of landmarks to explore, many museums to enjoy, and countless street markets to get lost in.

We recommend:

• Visit the Museum of History which houses a collection of archaeological finds and historic photographs providing an introduction to Hong Kong’s history.
  
  
• Wander the myriad of markets in this shopping mecca, from Stanley Market, an open-air market for browsing and finding bargains in fashions, leather, porcelain, and linens to Jade Market, a specialty market featuring 450 stalls with every jade item imaginable.
  
  

Beijing

From the Forbidden City to the 'five-star red flag' fluttering high above Tiananmen Square near the National Museum of China, Beijing is more than just China’s massive capital, it's both compelling and complex with a history stretching back 3 millennia. Beijing is a bucket-list destination for even the most ardent adventurers.

Insider Tip: Few places on earth can match the extraordinary historical panorama on display in Beijing. There are six Unesco World Heritage Sites in this city alone, just one fewer than the entire country of Egypt!

We recommend:

• Visit Tiananmen Square at the center of Beijing city, the largest public square in the world.
• Relax in the lush green spaces of Beihai Park or the tranquil Summer Palace.
• Take a stroll to the Dashanzi Art District and Nanluoguxiang neighborhood for some urban adventures, like souvenir-hunting and gallery-hopping.
• Make the pilgrimage to one of the most famous places on the planet—the Great Wall. 

Insider Tip: The Great Wall of China (Wanli Changcheng) literally means "the Ten Thousand Mile Wall" and this great fortification from ancient China is known as one of the wonders of the world. The section at Badaling is the most famous of all due to its proximity to Beijing City and condition of restoration.

Thailand

Bangkok

One of the busiest and best cities to visit in all of the world, Bangkok grants you a fantasy adventure for your next cruise destination. From Buddhist monks and ancient temples including Wat Pho and Wat Arun to the modern nightlife at Patpong and Khaosan Road, there is truly something for everyone here.

Insider Tip: The best way to see the city is on the back of a tuk-tuk (a motorized rickshaw), the perfect mode of transport for buzzing through busy streets, thick traffic and thin market aisles.

History and culture and cuisine have been woven into everyday life like nowhere else to create the perfect harmony of sights, scents, and soul. While Kagoshima might be Asia’s Naples, Bangkok is often called the "Venice of the East" because the city is located in the Chao Phraya River Delta and was formed when the canals were drained.

We recommend:

• See the largest reclining Buddha in Wat Pho, historic dancing at Siam Niramit, and the food market at Or Tor Kor.
  
  
• Chiang Mai is a very special place and best known for its charming artisan centers and elephant trekking.
  
  
• High up on a mountain overlooking the city below stands majestically Wat Phra That Doi Sutthep. With brass chimes gently ringing in the breeze, the scent of incense and candles filling the mountain air with a hint of jasmine, and the muffled shuffle of worshippers baby-stepping around the golden images of Buddha and shining chedis.
  
  

There are dozens of fantastic and foreign destinations throughout Asia, all accessible via luxury cruise. The above cities are just a few of our favorite Far East hot spots offering an energetic mix of the urban high life and ancient Asian history.

To savor the time you get to spend at each port city destination on your next Asian cruise vacation, let the travel experts at CruiseInsider help you build an unbelievable Asian cruise. Speak to one of our experts at 1 (877) 734-6858.