December 2008 - Top Ten Sights to See on a
Holiday in Asia
By Kieron Sellens
Top Ten Sights to See on a Holiday in Asia
Asia is a huge place, bestriding the tropics and stretching
from the mountains of Eastern Europe to the Siberian tundra,
from the port of Vladivostok to the tip of Papua New Guinea.
With the continent encapsulating such a vast area it’s hard to
decide where to go and what to see. We look at the top ten
sights to see and places to go while on a holiday to Asia,
helping you narrow down your search.
10. The Mongolian Steppe
Our count down starts with some of the natural wonders that are
on offer on an Asian Holiday, and the Mongolian Steppe is first.
Staying in yurts, horse riding in unspoilt natural beauty and
camel trekking in the Gobi desert are some of the highlights
which are completely and wonderfully removed from anything in
everyday life.
9. Mount Everest
The second of our natural wonders is Mount Everest. As the
highest peak in the world, standing in the shadow of the
mountain is absolutely awe inspiring and often life changing.
One of the most incredible sights on our list, Everest is fairly
low down because of its inaccessibility; to truly appreciate
Everest’s beauty means climbing up to base camp or to the
summit, which isn’t an option for most travellers for obvious
reasons.
8. Seoul
As you would imagine, Asia has a huge number of villages, towns
and cities, and the next five places in our list are taken up
with some of the continent’s most incredible and exotic cities
to visit.
Seoul is the first city in our top ten, and simultaneously one
of the oldest and one of the newest. The city can trace its
creation back to 18 BC, but most of the city was obliterated
during the Korean War. Some important buildings, areas and
historic palaces have been restored, but most of Seoul is
populated with brand new buildings. Seoul is worth a visit
because of its scale, scope and dynamism. Almost half of the
population of South Korea live in the administrative limits of
the city, and the city’s actual ground plan is huge – it has the
second largest metropolitan area of any city in the world, and
encompasses a vast amount for museums, bars, restaurants,
stadiums and three world heritage sites!
7. Beijing
Beijing is often called the “Northern Capital” of China, and is
the next city on our list. Beijing is a melding of old and new;
a place where the skyline includes the Birds Nest Stadium and
the Temple of Heaven, the CCTV tower and the Tian'anmen. The
merging of the cultural, political, religious and economic
forces in the city makes it a fascinating destination for any
Holiday to Asia.
6. Hong Kong
Hong Kong is interesting as a destination for any holiday in
Asia from its unique position in the world. As a special
economic zone with huge cultural and political imperatives from
China and Britain, the conurbation is a blend of the two
cultures. As a city it is blooming and developing a singular
personality, creating something completely new from the remnants
of older regimes.
5. Toyko
The capital of Japan also mixes old and new, but with a
pronounced slant towards the new. The atmosphere is electric and
active, with a culture and society that is wonderfully alien
(from a western point of view). It’s definitely worth a visit on
an Asian holiday, even if it’s solely for the unique nature of
the experience.
4.Moscow.
Moscow is almost the exact opposite to Tokyo. While not
completely stuck in the past, the city does remain a gargantuan
edifice of historical and religious importance, rooted in
architecture that is incredible to behold. St. Basil’s Cathedral
and the Kremlin in Red Square are often the focus, but the
entire city has been designed with grandeur and influence in
mind since the reign of the Tzars. A powerful and awe inspiring
part of any Asian holiday.
3. The Forbidden Palace, China
The last three entries on our list are the work of human
endeavour, famous structures that often took decades to build
and many lives to create. They remain some of the most awe
inspiring sights to see on any holiday to Asia, and are once in
a lifetime experiences.
Number three on our list is the Forbidden Palace in Beijing. A
part of Beijing’s attraction, the Palace is an amazing site in
its own right. The Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty
until the end of the Qing Dynasty (1368 – 1912), the group of
buildings is huge, often given the name the forbidden ‘city’
rather than just ‘palace’ due to its scale and the facilities it
encompassed. No one could enter or leave the palace without the
Emperor’s permission, and the inner city became a symbol of
China’s power and majesty.
2. The Trans-Siberian Railway
More of a whole journey than a destination in its own right,
the Trans-Siberian railway straddles the spine of Russia in an
epic and famous link between Moscow and Vladivostok. Passengers
on the long distance train are embarking on their Asian holiday
as soon as they step onboard, and whether they stopping along
the way or just experiencing the journey, it will be a trip they
never forget.
1. The Great Wall of China.
Though the idea of seeing the wall from space is a complete
fallacy, it is easy to see why so many people believed it to be
true for so long. The Great Wall of China is number one on our
list, and given its scope, its awe inspiring presence and its
great fame (which it more than lives up to) it is easy to see
why. One of the top attractions in the world, let alone on a
Holiday in Asia, the Great Wall of China is an absolute must see
site.
About the Author: Kieron Sellens is the marketing manager of
the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AiTO). With
holidays in Asia
http://www.aito.co.uk/eastern-central-asia-holiday.asp from
AITO you can tailor-make the dream holiday.
