6 Regions to Visit in Asia

The massive continent of Asia is a place filled with centuries of culture and history. Asia packs in extremely diverse landscapes, cultures and experiences.

While cruising to Asia, you'll find traditional cultures less impacted by Western customs. You’ll find amazing technology, like the bullet train that goes 200 miles per hour.

This isn't a continent you should visit; it's a continent you must visit. However, a trip to Asia isn't something that you can get done in a week or two - it's the largest continent in the world, taking up 30% of total global land area.

To help you grasp Asian life, land, and culture, we have broken the continent down into six cruising regions that you need to experience. Learn about what each region has to offer and find a cruise itinerary that will bring you to these exciting destinations.

China

Oftentimes, when people think of Asia, China is what comes to mind. Second only to Russia in size, China is a massive country that has a variety of sites and cities to visit. China's history is a fascinating one and you can't grasp their culture and traditions fully until you visit and observe the treasures of past dynasties, like the Ming and Qing, firsthand at the Forbidden City.

However, this country isn't stuck in the past. China is teeming with an increasingly independent population, which you can experience when you go to Shanghai and stroll along the famous Bund waterfront area, or to Hong Kong with its skyscrapers and dazzling laser light shows.

Three China Must-Do Excursions

• Walk along the Great Wall in Beijing.
• Head north to Chengdu to visit the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center to see the tuxedoed bears.
• Have tea and dim sum, which are small steamed bites, famously served in the south of the country.

Japan

It's fitting that Japan is the land of the rising sun because this chain of islands is always creating and building new technologies and introducing the world to the next best thing. The super-modern technology and landscape of Tokyo is juxtaposed with the peaceful and serene gardens that are punctuated with tiered pagodas on the outskirts of the city.

Japan offers a lot of dichotomies, from the bold and ever-evolving styles of the Harajuku region to the myriad customs that place respect and etiquette above all else. One thing you must do when you cruise to Japan is try some sushi from an itamae, a Japanese chef who spends years honing their craft.

Three Japan Must-Do Excursions

• Ride on the bullet train. This network of high-speed trains runs at a top speed of 200 mph.
• Tour through Hakone National Park by motorcoach and enjoy views of the forests, hot springs and mountains - including the famed Mt. Fuji.
• Visit the Sensoji Temple, which is a beloved Buddhist Temple, and the oldest in Tokyo.

India

India offers travelers a sensory overload, from the vibrant colors and sounds to the wonderful flavors and scents. There are women adorned in bright-colored saris and men zipping by on bikes. India is a large country and it offers a diversity of experiences. You can learn about Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism. India is also the land of yoga and the alternative medicine of Ayurveda, as well as the ever-popular Bollywood movie industry.

Three India Must-Do Excursions

• Visit the Taj Mahal. This marble temple is one of the world's most renowned landmarks and an ode to love.
• Meditate or take a yoga class at a local ashram.
• Visit the Dobi Ghat, which is a giant open-air "laundromat" - something you'll only see in India.

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is a land filled with interesting cultures, languages and customs. Defined as the lands south of China, east of India and west of Australia, Southeast Asia consists of 11 countries. These nations have tropical climates and most have beautiful, lush jungles and scenic beaches.

Aside from certain countries like the Philippines, whose population is mostly Roman Catholic, and Brunei, which is mostly Islamic, this area is heavily Buddhist. This means you'll find many stunning temples, from the gold-encrusted ones in Thailand to the stunning stone complexes in Cambodia.

Three Southeast Asia Must-Do Excursions

• Visit Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure in the world, which was built in the 12th century.
• Take an elephant ride in Thailand or Malaysia. These friendly giants are native to this area.
• Go shopping at the Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This shopping center is popular for its assorted local textiles, crafts and cuisine.

East Asia

East Asia encompasses China, Hong Kong, Japan, the Koreas, Mongolia, and Taiwan. As we've already broken out China and Japan, let's focus on South Korea and Taiwan.

South Korea is known for being one of the most modern countries in the world. It is home to Hyundai Motors and Samsung Electronics.

For a chance to commune with nature, cruise to Taiwan, an island off the coast of China. In tropical Taiwan, you'll find forests, hot springs and waterfalls.

Three East Asia Must-Do Excursions

• Visit Taipei's Memorial Hall Square and tour the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, National Concert Hall and National Theater - three of Taiwan's most elegant buildings.
• See some of China's most treasured artifacts and artwork at the National Palace Museum in Taiwan.
• Explore the Beomeosa Temple, one of South Korea's most impressive Buddhist temples, and enjoy a traditional dance performance.

Java Sea

The Java Sea is situated between the islands of Borneo and Java in Indonesia. This is a small subsection of Southeast Asia, but it packs a punch. Indonesia is actually an archipelago consisting of 13,466 islands.

The major islands are Java, Borneo, Sumatra, and Sulawesi, and spread out among these islands are 237 million people, representing 300 native ethnic groups.

It's fascinating how a cruise through an Asian region as small as the Java Sea still provides so much variety - the best of which you'll uncover as you sail through this diverse chain of islands.

Three Java Sea Must-Do Excursions

• Find a unique souvenir at Jalan Surabaya, an antique market in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• Watch the sunset as Bali's locals perform the Kecak dance, which involves fire and chanting.
• See a Komodo dragon in person when you visit the Komodo National Park on Komodo Island.

Which Asian region is highest on your bucket list? Start planning your Asia cruise today by calling 1-800-377-9383 or visiting cruiseweb.com!