North East Asia is a must-visit destination, and package tours offer the simplest solution for seeing as much as you can with the least amount of stress and trouble! Here are just a few attractions you should definitely visit on your holiday to North East Asia…
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China spans several thousand kilometres, but its condition varies greatly. If you are on a limited schedule, the best visit to the wall will be via an organised tour from Beijing. The Wall has been restored in areas such as Badaling and Mutianyu and draws hundreds of tourists each day!
Another wonderful spot to visit the wall is at Simatai, which is around two hours from Beijing and offers a less crowded and more authentic experience. Attractions at Simatai include Stairway to Heaven, the Heaven Bridge, the Wangjing Tower, the Fairy Tower and the Mandarin Duck Lake.
Ginza
If you adore Japanese culture, Tokyo is a must-see city for anyone planning a trip to Japan. Easily accessible by subway, the area of Ginza is home to great upscale shops and restaurants, as well as interesting art galleries, theatres and architecture, and it is spectacular by night.
Visit the San-ai building for department stores such as Wako and Mitsukoshi or, if street shopping is more your thing, check our Chuo-dori on weekends for fun stalls and street performances. After significant renovations in 2013, the Kabukiza Theatre is a fantastic place to catch a single act play (around two hours in length) or a full-length play, which can be anything up to five hours long! Just be sure to request an English audio guide!
Gyeongbokgung Palace
South Korea is becoming a popular option for travellers and holiday makers alike. Busy cities juxtaposed with interesting culture and great food make for an ideal holiday destination!
If you are in Seoul, be sure to visit one of the ancient sites such as Gyenongbokgung Palace. Built in 1395, it is considered the most beautiful of all five remaining palaces in Seoul. Despite much of the palace being destroyed during WWI, restoration means there is beautiful architecture visible at Gyeonghoe-ru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond.
The sculptures of Geunjeongjeon (the Royal Audience Chamber) are also worth a visit, as are the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum which are also located in this complex. Tourists can also watch the changing of the guard at Gwang-hwa-mun Gate!
Heaven Lake
If you love the idea of being in touch with nature, Heaven Lake is an incredible must-see. Located on the border of North Korea and China, the lake sits within the Changbai Mountains National Nature Reserve.
Considering access into North Korea is almost impossible, it is best to visit this area from the Chinese side of the border. The reserve boasts amazing scenery, waterfalls, hot springs and the incredible Tianchi Lake, otherwise known as Heaven Lake. Surrounded by 16 mountain peaks, this crater lake is accessible only by Jeep tour. The nature reserve is around 20km from the Chinese town of Baihe, and the tours from here take a couple of hours at least.
Tibet
More than 4,900 metres above sea level, Tibet sits in between the Himalayan mountain range on a plateau of rock and snow and has been dubbed by locals as the “Land of Snows”. Tibet is a place of spirit and mystery, and the original source of the stories of the mythical Shangri-La valley and the Yeti.
Tibet opened its doors to the world in the 1980s after many wars and revolutions, and it is currently part of the People’s Republic of China. First stop for any visitor to the region should be the capital city Lhasa which is known as the “Palace of the Gods”.
For those who keep a UNESCO world heritage checklist, Lhasa presents three wonderful restored sacred areas that you can tick off your list; The Potala Palace, The Norbulingka Palace and The Jokhang Temple. From Lhasa be sure to sail down, or view, one of Tibet’s many rivers. The most famous include the Ganges, the Indus, and the Brahmaputra.
