3 Must See Destinations In The Far East

If you are tempted to take a jaunt to the Far East, the chances are that you want to become immersed in the culture of the region, you want to sample the delightful cuisine and you want to learn about the religions and customs of welcoming nations. Hot footing it to the Far East will open up new vistas and experiences. You might fancy a spot of temple hopping in China, an array of bullet train journeys in Japan or gorging yourself on fried noodle salads in Singapore. Traveling is one of life’s most amazing adventures, and you are never too old, too responsible or too tied down, not to take a trip overseas to enjoy the wonders of the world. If you are heading eastwards, take a look at these must-see destinations that you cannot miss.

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Miyajima, Japan

If you’ve been scouring the guidebooks for your imminent trip to the Land of the Rising Sun, the chances are that you’ve looked into visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. You might even fancy heading to Hiroshima to learn about the first atom bomb, it’s destruction and a city’s ability to regenerate. While these tourist hotspots will definitely scratch your wanderlust itch, you will find yourself battling through crowds to try and enjoy an authentic experience. Instead, head off the beaten track to see the real side of Japan.

The island of Miyajima is reached via a short ferry ride from Hiroshima port. Here, you can stay a few nights in an authentic Japanese ryokan. Have fun dressing up in Japanese robes and sleeping on tatami mats. You could take a stroll down to the coastline and take in the sunset over the floating Torii gates. There are temples galore on Miyajima, but you won’t have the crowds to match them. With wild deer and monkeys, you can have fun scaling Mount Misen in an effort to explore the temple at the peak. Perfect for those travelers who love being active, being outdoors and enjoy more peace and quiet, Miyajima is the perfect destination to reflect and wonder about the scenery around you.

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Singapore

While most people will be backpacking across Thailand or heading to Vietnam to get their wanderlust kicks, you might prefer a more cosmopolitan experience. Singapore is a place full of green spaces, urban wonders, architectural splendor, and a wonderful mix of old and new. You could head to one of the busy hawkers downtown to marvel at the intoxicating scents and tastes of the Laksa broth. This wonderful spicy soup with noodles, chicken, prawns, and tamarind, is a feast for the senses. Don’t go to modern restaurants, and instead opt for authentic street food. It’s cheaper and will taste better.

Consider heading to a site like PropertyGuru to lease a small apartment for a couple of weeks. This will save you cash on hotels and will allow you to establish an independent base. From here, you can venture out of the city to enjoy the MacRitchie Reservoir for breathtaking views and fewer crowds. Or you could get your green kicks by staying closer to the city and venturing to the lush and picturesque Dempsey Hill.

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Suzhou, China

While you might be tempted to stay in Shanghai, if you are heading to the south of China, sometimes the smog and business can put you off such an enormous metropolis. Instead, head twenty minutes further out by train, and stay in the wonderful water town of Suzhou. Here, you will find a Venice like town, surrounded by other fellow water towns. You could venture to Suzhou museum and enjoy day trips to Tongli or Luzhi. These even smaller water towns are wonderful to wander around and enjoy the finest Chinese tea at one of the many tea houses in the region.

Those people who enjoy the Far Eastern garden architecture will love venturing to the Humble Administrator’s Garden or the Lion Grove Garden. The rock formations, water features and scented flora in Suzhou is great for those who love flexing their horticultural muscles. After a busy day touring the town, there’s nothing better than heading to Pingjiang Road for a spot of Biang Biang noodles or stir-fried shrimp.

Heading to the Far East can be a culture shock. The sights, smells, culture, and religions that you will encounter will surprise, please and shock. With careful planning, you can have the most eye-opening and awe-inspiring trip of a lifetime. Some of the finest destinations in the world are in the Far East.