With its size, the Middle Kingdom almost forms a continent of its own. With over a billion people, it is the most populous country on earth. But the majority of the inhabitants are concentrated in the coastal provinces in the east and on the large rivers. The west is characterized by deserted mountains, steppes and deserts. In its 5000 years of history, China has created countless cultural assets that adorn the country today. And it's not over. New magnificent buildings are emerging in the coastal cities, which shape the image of modern China in the world.
Hong Kong (China)
Hong Kong was once the pearl of the east of the British Empire and even today much of its colonial heritage can still be found in this cosmopolitan city, perhaps the best entry point for travelers to East Asia. Here you can experience the Chinese dream of modernity and economic wealth, as it has only emerged in the rest of the country in recent years. It is hard to believe that there are still quiet corners of peace and nature to be discovered here.
Macau (China)
Macau has been pretty shabby in the last few years of Portuguese rule, but has since awakened from its slumber. An unbelievable entertainment industry has spread to its south, which need not fear comparison with Las Vegas. The colorful lights of the casinos shine far into the night, while a small indoor Venice with its many boutiques attracts customers on one of its islands. During the day you can stroll through old Macau with its small streets with Portuguese names and visit the old government buildings, churches and fortresses. Here you almost feel as if you are on the other end of Eurasia to Lisbon, and if you have a few Pastéis de Nata (small pudding cakes), you think you are transported back to the old colonial times and only get to know the magic of this small town, which you can easily explore on foot.
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China's prodigal son has been thinking more and more of his own cultural roots in recent years. The Malayo-Polynesian natives are only a small minority, but they play a major role in tourism advertising, also because some tribes are now involved in the income in their home regions. In the cities, Chinese culture dominates with its hustle and bustle and colorful temples, while relaxation can be found in the Japanese heritage: bathing in the country's hot springs. The mountains in the center and the east coast offer a lot of nature, the highlight of which is the Taroko Gorge, with its white marble washed by the river.
Samurais, Zen, geishas, sushi, manga, ... a lot comes to mind when you think of the land of the rising sun and yet these things are only a small part of Japan. There is a huge mob of people in the megacities, while the mountains of Japan and Hokkaido still offer quiet places. Hot springs are ideal for relaxing after a mountain hike in nature. With overnight stays in traditional hostels (ryokans) you can get to know traditional Japan, preferably in the old imperial city of Kyoto. And Okinawa has subtropical beaches.
Mysterious North Korea. Certainly, due to the political situation, not a vacation destination. But if you still have the opportunity to see the country, you will find not only the gigantism of the communist dictatorship but also many natural beauties, such as the Paekdu, the highest mountain in the country with a crater lake; mythical origin of Korea and alleged birthplace of North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-il.
Squeezed between the great powers China and Japan, Korea has taken over a lot from its two large neighbors, but here and there has also retained its own accents from its 5000 year old culture. Hardly any other people can claim to have settled in the same area for as long as the Koreans. Accordingly, numerous traces of the past can be found here, such as in Gyeongju, even if the Korean War destroyed much of the country. In addition, mountains and forests offer a rich nature for hiking and the southern island of Jeju is the dream of all Korean wedding couples. The Koreans took over the bathhouse culture from the Japanese, which allows you to relax after a hard day, strictly separated into male and female.
- Mount Fuji, Japan's sacred mountain, is a dormant volcano that last erupted in 1707. The 3776 m high mountain is climbed at night to see the sunrise from the summit.
- The Great Wall of China cannot, as is often claimed, be seen from space with the naked eye. Its 8852 km length is still impressive.
- The Zhuang are an independent people with 16 million members in southern China.
- The Taklamakan is the second largest sandy desert in the world after the Sahara.
