Asia Information and Tourism

Known throughout the world as the People's Republic of China, this exciting country is home to many world-famous landmarks, both natural and man-made. Ranging from Mount Everest to the awesome Great Wall of China - the world's longest ever fortification, China is a great place for a vacation. Full of gleaming skyscrapers and ancient temples, Beijing is China's capital.

Home of the Bollywood film industry and the spicy curry, the Republic of India is where you will find one of the world's most iconic landmarks, the simply breathtaking Taj Mahal. Located in Agra, the Taj Mahal dates back to 1632 and is famous the world over.

A spreading island nation made up of in excess of 17,500 different islands, the Republic of Indonesia straddles the line of the equator and offers tourists a tropical climate, with plenty of sunshine.

Amongst the main islands of Indonesia are Java (home of Jakarta), Kalimantan, Lombok, New Guinea, Sulawesi and also Sumatra.

Whilst the State of Israel is a fairly small country, its tourist appeal is undeniable, enhanced in no small part by its desirable location alongside the Mediterranean Sea.

The landscape of Israel is especially diverse and is a mixture of coastal attractions, deserts, mountains and beautiful valleys. Israel is also home to a series of busy, modern cities, such as Haifa, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

The country of Japan comprises in excess of 3,000 islands, being surrounded on all sides by the Pacific Ocean. For many, a trip to Japan is the absolute embodiment of all things oriental, where geisha girls, Zen rock gardens, colourful pagodas and truly ancient temples can all be found.

Japan is also a country set very much in the present and the future, with state-of-the art technology, awesome skyscrapers and speeding bullet trains.

The South-East Asian country of Malaysia is located along a lengthy peninsula, bordering Thailand to the north, while Singapore lies directly to the south. East Malaysia also occupies a northern share of Borneo island.

With some extremely beautiful coastal stretches and beaches, Malaysia enjoys a healthy tourist industry.

Comprised of over 7,000 islands, the densely populated Republic of the Philippines is called home by more than 90 million people. The tropical climate of the Philippines is especially hot from March to May, while between December and February, the weather is considerably cooler.

The Philippines offers everything from mountains and volcanoes, to bustling cities, beaches, leading scuba diving sites and even World Heritage towns. Manila is the Filipino capital and a much visited city in its own right.

The Republic of Singapore was founded as recently as 1819 and lies close to the equator, being nearby both Malaysia and the Indonesian Riau Islands.

This small Asian island has become an extremely affluent and important financial global centre, and Singapore also features an especially busy port. The 'Downtown Core' is based around Singapore City, where much of the tourism resides.

Formerly named the Republic of Korea, South Korea is an East Asian country, bordering North Korea and close to Japan. One of the most wealthy and influential of all the countries within Asia, South Korea offers tourists a rich history, contrasting with its multitude of modern buildings and skyscrapers.

The South Korean capital of Seoul is a truly dynamic city. Busan is the number two city, while other popular locations include Chuncheon, Daejeon and Panmunjeom.

Thailand is amongst the most popular cities in South-East Asia and is famed for its ancient temples (wats), Buddhist shrines and elephant shows. With traditional Thai restaurants and breathtaking architecture, a visit to Thailand will be remembered.

Northern Thailand is dominated by mountains and lush forests, with Chiang Mai being the most significant city in this region. Further south, Thailand's capital city of Bangkok is the epitome of a major Asian city.

For many, the United Arab Emirates is abbreviated as simply the 'UAE' and is sited within the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula, alongside both the Gulf of Oman and also the Persian Gulf.

Dubai is perhaps the most well-known and spectacular of all the coastal cities in the United Arab Emirates, and contains many truly epic skyscrapers. Abu Dhabi is another wealthy city and features an especially scenic waterfront 'Corniche'

Situated in South-East Asia, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is actually the Indochina Peninsula's easternmost country. Over the past few centuries, Vietnam has become known across the globe for its communism, politics and years of conflict, and is today actively embracing tourism.

Amongst the endless list of highlights in Vietnam is Halong Bay, the ruins of Cham and the sand dunes of Mui Ne, as well as Nha Trang's sublime beaches.