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.

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.

Japanese lunch counter in Fukuoka, Japan

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

An hour from Shanghai, the ancient water town of Zhujiajiao — Water town: Unique old bridges across canals.

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

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