You must have Flash Player and your JavaScript enabled get the full Luxury Backpackers experience.
Click here to get the latest Flash Player. To enable JavaScript, consult your browsers help files.

Far East Asia

Far East Asia encompasses some of the worlds oldest and most established cultural riches, covering China, Hong Kong, Japan, Mongolia, North & South Korea, Taiwan and Tibet. Each country may share cultural riches but couldn't be more different. Japan, home of the Geisha's and bustling city of Tokyo is worlds apart from China its more underdeveloped overly populated neighbour. Each country is unique and offers something special for every traveller.

In China it might be a languid cruise down the Yangtze River, gaining access to one of the many Chinese Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist temples that dot the landscape, or touring on foot the Forbidden City in Beijing. South Korea treasures are equally worth the effort, including Mount Songnisan, home of Korea's tallest Buddha, or Mount Soraksan, which boasts stunning views of both mountain and sea. When travelling in Japan the smaller islands off the mainland proffer excellent scuba diving, a different option to the bustling modernity of Tokyo. Or you may choose to stay a night at a local 'ryokan' in Kyoto for a traditional experience. Mongolia may be a hearty welcome to Far East Asia, a horseback trek through the seemingly limitless steppe, kayaking on the Khövsgöl Nuur, or a trek through the Gobi Desert are all good ways to start off your adventure.

Mongolia is a far-flung, little visited destination, with much to offer in terms of scenery, wildlife, and historic and cultural sites. Outside the main cities, Mongolians continue to live the traditional life of malchin (herdsmen), and many are nomadic. With one of the world's lowest population densities, Mongolia's vast areas of wilderness, desert, lakes and mountains offer plenty of scope for adventurous outdoor enthusiasts. Although independent travel is now becoming more common, travel outside the capital is usually by prior arrangement. Mongolia also is part of one of the world's most incredible train-journeys the 'trans-mongolian express' that begins in St Petersburg and finishes in Beijing.

Taiwan might have been known as one of the 'tiger' economies of Asia, but few people, until recently at least, thought of this small island off the southeast coast of China as a potential tourist destination. Taiwan certainly has plenty to offer a traveller, from truly unique scenery to exciting sporting activities and colourful festivals, not to mention the most varied Chinese food on earth (Taipei is a gourmet's paradise, boasting cuisine from every region of China). Boutique hotels and trendy bars have sprung up in a flurry of construction, which culminated in the opening of the 'world's tallest building', Taipei 101.

Tibet, a rich and beautiful land, is located at the main part of Qinghai-Tibet plateau, southwest frontier of China. Tibet borders with Sichuan, Yuannan, Qinghai And Xinjiang; to the south contiguous to India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Burma, and bounded by Kashmir on the west.

When the word Tibet is mentioned something icy chills the readers' nerves (you have probably seen 7 years in Tibet?) In fact it snows only once or twice in a year and owing to the perpetuity of bright sunshine, it is not at all cold during the daytime even in the coldest of the winter.

Tibetan history can be traced thousands of years back. However, the written history only dates back to the 7th century when Songtsan Gampo, the 33rd Tibetan king, sent his minister Sambhota to India to study Sanskrit who on his return invented the present Tibetan script based on Sanskrit. Visiting Tibet is a truly 'enlightening' experience.

When the word Tibet is mentioned something icy chills the readers' nerves (you have probably seen 7 years in Tibet?) In fact it snows only once or twice in a year and owing to the perpetuity of bright sunshine, it is not at all cold during the daytime even in the coldest of the winter.

Top 5

  1. Climb the Great Wall of China and spend a night at the Red Capital Ranch
  2. Experience a Tea Ceremony in Kyoto and stay at a local ryokan
  3. Shop till you drop in Hong Kong and stay at the wonderful 'British' Peninsular Hotel
  4. Take the train journey from St. Petersburg to Beijing through incredible Mongolia
  5. Cultural experience in Lhasa, that takes your breath away

Useful Links

Extra Info

*Please note that only travel companies officially recognized by the North Korean Authorities are permitted to bring groups of tourists to Korea (Dem Rep). Independent tourism is not permitted, and a guide must accompany foreigners at all times.