Photo Tour: Cruising Asia
All aboard! Our next stop on our virtual world cruise is Asia and the diverse places that make this region a must-see for all avid cruisers. Although sporting a year-round cruise market, most North Americans and Europeans will find winter and early spring to be the best time to cruise Asia.
Cruise Asia
Asia is one of the most fascinating continents in the world. There are many cruise itineraries that call on the many ports of the region. In addition to ocean cruising, river cruises along the Yangtze or Mekong River have become very popular. If you want to read about my trips to Asia, click on one of the links below.
- South Korea, China with Hong Kong via Silversea Cruises
- China, Japan and Russia on Princess Cruises
- Uniworld River Cruise Diary from Vietnam and Cambodia
Photo Tour from Cruising in Asia
Temple Run
Experience Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
Kyoto, Japan: Golden Temple, over a calm lake
Shop til’ you drop
The best places to shop in Asia are: Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai
Stanley Market and the Temple Street market are two top choices for bargain hunters in Hong Kong. For those looking for the higher-end stores, then check out Peak Galleria where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Victoria’s Harbour.
Temple Street Night Market: Hong Kong
- Temple street night market, Hong Kong
Shanghai is also a great place to find a variety of bargains.
A Taste of Asia
Foodies will love cruising Asia. There is no better way (in my opinion) to get a feel for a region than by sampling their local food. Some cruise ship chefs will create custom menus that highlight local flavors, sometimes shopping in port to shop for local ingredients.
Rooted: people and culture
Visit a palace
Gyeongbokgung palace, is located in northern Seoul, South Korea. Guided tours are available, but this place is easy to get to on public transportation and I would suggest getting their early before the crowds. Learning about the buildings, landscaping and history are worth the visit. The name of the palace means “Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven.”
Forbidden City
Located in the middle of Beijing, China, The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty.
Get off the beaten track
Highlights
- Experience Angkor Wat in Cambodia
- Watch the Symphony of Lights in Hong Kong‘s Victoria Harbor and see a full-on skyscraper light show
- Go on a shopping spree in Hong Kong, Singapore, or Shanghai
- Get a Thai massage in Thailand
- Try to get in port during a festival and immerse yourself in festivities
- Go hiking in a national park
- Go surfing in Bali
- Go to the Great Wall of China
- Take a private tour of The Forbidden City
- Go for a ride on a tuktuk (Thailand), jeepney (Philippines), rickshaw (China, and Japan), sampon boat, or junk
Sampling of Asian Ports
- Bangkok (Laem Chabang)
- Beijing (Tianjin Xingang)
- Benoa (Denpasar), Bali
- Celukan Bawang, Bali
- Cochin
- Da Nang
- Fukuoka
- Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
- Goa
- Hong Kong
- Kobe
- Koh Samui
- Komodo Island, Indonesia
- Kuala Lumpur (Kelang)
- Lembar, Indonesia
- Mumbai
- Nagasaki
- Osaka
- Penang
- Phu My
- Phuket
- Pusan
- Semarang
- Shanghai
- Singapore
- Yokohama