Thailand, Malaysia & The Phillippines

City-states are rare in the present day—and none are quite like Singapore. In the 20th century, the Southeast Asian nation hurtled itself into the modern world, and it continues to expand its state-of-the-art transportation system and build its edgy skyline. Yet Singapore’s urban plan wisely maintained its intimate neighborhoods, many with streets lined with colorful shophouses (a type of building unique to parts of Asia, with businesses located on their ground floors and residences above). Add the city’s mix of ethnic groups—mainly Malays, Chinese and Indians—and you get a vibrant cultural scene that attracts a cosmopolitan, international community.

Singapore’s food scene—which is arguably the world’s most dynamic and runs the gamut from beloved street hawkers to Michelin-starred venues—would merit a trip alone, as would its never-ending shopping options. But the city is also packed with world-class museums, many designed by celebrated architects, and it hosts many major international events, such as the Formula One Grand Prix. Yet only about half of the 720-square-kilometer (278-square-mile) island is developed, which leaves plenty of room for parks and open spaces such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, where an old-growth forest still thrives.

Bangkok, das einst ein kleines Handelszentrum der Khmer war, ist mittlerweile eine der bevölkerungsreichsten und kosmopolitischsten Städte der Welt. Geschäftige Straßen und Märkte finden sich direkt neben ruhigen Goldtempeln und glänzenden Nachtclubs. Erkunden Sie den Großen Palast, ein architektonisches Juwel. Entdecken Sie den größten Buddha Bangkoks in Wat Pho und bummeln Sie über den spektakulären schwimmenden Markt Damnoen Saduak. Beispiele für Landausflüge: Ein Tag auf dem Thai Land; Bangkok Shopping; Tiger Zoo.

Bangkok, das einst ein kleines Handelszentrum der Khmer war, ist mittlerweile eine der bevölkerungsreichsten und kosmopolitischsten Städte der Welt. Geschäftige Straßen und Märkte finden sich direkt neben ruhigen Goldtempeln und glänzenden Nachtclubs. Erkunden Sie den Großen Palast, ein architektonisches Juwel. Entdecken Sie den größten Buddha Bangkoks in Wat Pho und bummeln Sie über den spektakulären schwimmenden Markt Damnoen Saduak. Beispiele für Landausflüge: Ein Tag auf dem Thai Land; Bangkok Shopping; Tiger Zoo.

Ob Sie sich nun auf einem weiten Boulevard befinden, wo Sie die Architektur bestaunen, die einen unverkennbaren Touch der französischen Kolonialzeit aufzuweisen hat, oder auf einem lebendigen Markt, wo Sie mit einem Straßenverkäufer feilschen: der Kultur und Geschichte dieser florierenden Stadt können Sie auf gar keinen Fall entkommen. Ho Chi Minh Stadt ist die Heimat vieler farbenfroher Pagoden, Kathedralen und Palästen, wie zum Beispiel der Giac Lam Pagode, die zu den ältesten der Stadt gehört und aus dem Jahre 1744 stammt. Beispiele für Landausflüge: Kambodscha & Angkor Überlandabenteuer oder die Highlights von Ho Chi Minh Stadt.

Kota Kinabalu, also known as KK to those in the know, is a modern city that has not forgotten its roots. Located on the northwest coast of the Island of Borneo, the world’s third-largest island, KK is also home to a modern arts scene, rich culinary heritage, long sandy beaches, pristine coral reefs, tropical rain forests, diverse cultures and beautiful flora and fauna. Discover Borneo’s indigenous history; explore Kinabalu Park in search of rare orchids; visit the Sabah State Museum and City Mosque; and enjoy the antics of Borneo’s most famous residents, orangutans, whose name means „people of the forest“ in Malay.

Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan in the Philippines, is home to 250,000 people and offers a vastly different experience from Manila’s often overwhelming big-city dynamism. For many travelers, it’s simply a gateway to the resorts of El Nido, also on Palawan Island. Those who spend some time here, however, will discover a city that combines a laid-back vibe with beautiful sandy beaches and a wealth of marine life. Nearby, there are also lush mountains, rain forests, waterfalls and dramatic limestone cliffs. Among the most popular sights are the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, where visitors are welcome to celebrate Mass accompanied by choral singing; the Palawan Heritage Center, which displays local artworks and crafts; and the peaceful Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village. The city’s biggest draws, however, are a boat trip through the limestone caves of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and the beaches and islands scattered around scenic Honda Bay—perfect for snorkeling, sunbathing and picnics. Speaking of food, a visit to the most famous restaurant in the city, Kalui, is guaranteed to be a memorable experience for seafood fans; adventurous foodies can order crocodile sisig, a traditional—and delicious—stir-fry dish.

Little more than a dot off the northwestern tip of Panay, Boracay is the Philippines‘ trophy beach. It offers an intoxicating mix of sun, sand and fun with hotels, restaurants and shops dotted along the beach. If you wish, you can visit popular White Beach or drive to Bulabog Beach as it is wilder and windier and a favorite windsurfing spot. Yet another option: relax on the serene and quiet beach of Puka in the north.

Die Region, die mittlerweile als Manila bekannt ist, wurde während der letzten Hälfte der Ming Dynastie die Insel des Goldes genannt und kann auf eine Vielzahl unterschiedlichster Herrscher zurückblicken, zu denen unter anderem die Bruneier, die Spanier, die Briten, die Amerikaner und die Japaner zu zählen sind. Diese lange und diverse Geschichte spiegelt sich in der Architektur und in den verschiedenen Vierteln Manilas wider. Erkunden Sie Binondo, Manilas Chinatown, die sich bis ins Jahr 1594 zurückdatieren lässt; Intramuros, die einzige mittelalterliche, befestigte Stadt im europäischen Stil; und das elegante Viertel Malate. Beispiele für Landausflüge: das moderne Manila.

Die Region, die mittlerweile als Manila bekannt ist, wurde während der letzten Hälfte der Ming Dynastie die Insel des Goldes genannt und kann auf eine Vielzahl unterschiedlichster Herrscher zurückblicken, zu denen unter anderem die Bruneier, die Spanier, die Briten, die Amerikaner und die Japaner zu zählen sind. Diese lange und diverse Geschichte spiegelt sich in der Architektur und in den verschiedenen Vierteln Manilas wider. Erkunden Sie Binondo, Manilas Chinatown, die sich bis ins Jahr 1594 zurückdatieren lässt; Intramuros, die einzige mittelalterliche, befestigte Stadt im europäischen Stil; und das elegante Viertel Malate. Beispiele für Landausflüge: das moderne Manila.

Kann sich irgendeine Stadt auf der Welt mit der phänomenalen Energie messen, die Hongkong versprüht? Sehen Sie selbst, was Sie davon halten, wenn Sie mit der Straßenbahn zum Gipfel des Victoria Peak fahren. Bummeln Sie durch die unzähligen Märkte und sehen Sie den hart schuftenden Fischern Aberdeens bei der Arbeit zu. Beispiele für Landausflüge: Morgen Tai Chi & Kochtour; Hongkong Stadtführung; Erkunden Sie die Insel Lantau & das Kloster.

Emporragende Hochhäuser stoßen an den Himmel – im Rennen um die modernsten Gebäude der Welt können Shanghais Baustellen niemals stillstehen. Man kann jedoch die Seiden-Vergangenheit der Stadt in den wunderschönen Yu Gärten nach wie vor spüren. Auch ihre Geschichte als Finanzmetropole lässt sich in den internationalen Banken entlang des Bund leicht erkennen.

Emporragende Hochhäuser stoßen an den Himmel – im Rennen um die modernsten Gebäude der Welt können Shanghais Baustellen niemals stillstehen. Man kann jedoch die Seiden-Vergangenheit der Stadt in den wunderschönen Yu Gärten nach wie vor spüren. Auch ihre Geschichte als Finanzmetropole lässt sich in den internationalen Banken entlang des Bund leicht erkennen.

Situated at the southern tip of Japan, Kagoshima is the capital of the prefecture of the same name and famous for its dramatic views of Sakurajima, an active volcano that smolders across the bay. One of the most popular activities is taking a ferry to Sakurajima and hiking on the 100-year-old lava flow that is now a grassy peninsula. Kagoshima, however, offers much more than the volcano’s almost overwhelming beauty. The food scene provides opportunities to experience the area’s rich culinary culture and features dishes using locally caught fish and regional specialties, like satsuma a’ge (deep-fried fish cake) and shōchū, a traditional beverage made at more than 100 distilleries in Kagoshima alone. Although the city was officially founded in 1889, it has an even longer history that is reflected in the 17th-century gardens of Sengan-en. More recent events are covered at a museum dedicated to the kamikaze pilots who flew out of Kagoshima. Other popular attractions include the City Aquarium, the Museum of the Meiji Restoration with its exhibits exploring local history and the City Museum of Art with its collection that covers both local contemporary and older art. With so much to do, visitors may want to consider the Cute transit card. Available at tourist information offices, one-day Cute cards cover city buses, trams and Sakurajima ferries and also provide discounted admission to several attractions.

Die Stadt der melancholischen Erinnerungen. Statten Sie dem Glover Haus einen Besuch ab, wo Puccinis Madame Butterfly angeblich ihren Lt. Pinkerton erwartete; zollen Sie im Friedenspark den vielen Leben, die im Zweiten Weltkrieg gelassen wurden, Ihren Respekt. Beispiele für Landausflüge: Nagasaki Halbtagestour; Sakai Brücke & 99 Inseln; Arita, Geburtsstätte der Keramik.

High atop a hill in Kochi sits 17th-century Kochi Castle, once the seat of the Yamauchi lords. Explore this historic site and enjoy panoramic views of the city, then dine on sushi at Hirome Market.

Think of Osaka, Japan (accent on the O), as a combination of Los Angeles and Chicago. It very definitely has L.A.’s second-city complex, but its attitude is pure Chicago. The only business that matters is business, and so what if the Hanshin Tigers, the local baseball team, are frequently the worst professional athletes in the world? They’re the home team. People in Osaka laugh louder, play harder and drink more than Tokyo’s most decadent dreams. Osaka even has its own dialect, one the rest of the country calls “dirty Japanese,” one entirely different than even Kobe’s—and Kobe is an Osaka suburb. Nothing is old in Osaka. The place was flattened during the war (and then again in 1962 and 1989, by Godzilla). During the reconstruction, they forgot to include much in the way of parks or green space, and the sheer amount of concrete and steel sights can get overwhelming. But Osaka has its attractions and interesting things to do. Sumo wrestlers wait for trains, reeking of chanko-nabe (traditional sumo food; pure energy and calories), just daring the official railway pushers to push them. Yakuza (Japanese gangsters) get train cars to themselves, but if you get on with them, it’s like you’re invisible. Busy markets, the visual noise of neon and nonstop action on shopping streets offer insight into the energy and ambition of Osaka. And if all that isn’t enough, Osaka is less than an hour from some of the most beautiful temples, shrines and ancient Japanese tourist attractions in the world—a thousand years of Japanese history—waiting in the old capitals of Kyoto and Nara.

Think of Osaka, Japan (accent on the O), as a combination of Los Angeles and Chicago. It very definitely has L.A.’s second-city complex, but its attitude is pure Chicago. The only business that matters is business, and so what if the Hanshin Tigers, the local baseball team, are frequently the worst professional athletes in the world? They’re the home team. People in Osaka laugh louder, play harder and drink more than Tokyo’s most decadent dreams. Osaka even has its own dialect, one the rest of the country calls “dirty Japanese,” one entirely different than even Kobe’s—and Kobe is an Osaka suburb. Nothing is old in Osaka. The place was flattened during the war (and then again in 1962 and 1989, by Godzilla). During the reconstruction, they forgot to include much in the way of parks or green space, and the sheer amount of concrete and steel sights can get overwhelming. But Osaka has its attractions and interesting things to do. Sumo wrestlers wait for trains, reeking of chanko-nabe (traditional sumo food; pure energy and calories), just daring the official railway pushers to push them. Yakuza (Japanese gangsters) get train cars to themselves, but if you get on with them, it’s like you’re invisible. Busy markets, the visual noise of neon and nonstop action on shopping streets offer insight into the energy and ambition of Osaka. And if all that isn’t enough, Osaka is less than an hour from some of the most beautiful temples, shrines and ancient Japanese tourist attractions in the world—a thousand years of Japanese history—waiting in the old capitals of Kyoto and Nara.

Shimizu, eine lebendige Hafenstadt, ist am besten für ihre unfassbare landschaftliche Schönheit bekannt. Unternehmen Sie einen Ausflug nach Miho no Matsubara und genießen Sie die atemberaubenden Ausblicke auf den Berg Fuji und die weitläufigen schwarzen Sandstrände; spazieren Sie durch die eleganten Gärten und einzigartigen Kunstinstallationen des Tokachi Millennium Waldes; und statten Sie dem Kongofukuji Tempel einen Besuch ab, der zuerst im Jahre 822 von Kobo-daishi erbaut und im Jahre 1662 wiedererrichtet wurde.

Until the mid-19th century, Japan lived in isolation, closed off from the rest of the world, and Yokohama was a mere fishing village. But in 1853, American naval officer Matthew Perry demanded the country open to foreign trade, and Yokohama was changed forever. The city quickly emerged as an international trading center, and while today it is often overshadowed by nearby Tokyo, it continues to be one of Japan’s liveliest, and most international, destinations. With its microbreweries and international restaurants, Yokohama has a decidedly different feel from many other Japanese cities. From Yokohama, it’s a quick trip to peaceful Kamakura, home to Daibutsu, Japan’s second-largest bronze Buddha, and to the important Shinto shrine Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Head to Hakone National Park on a clear day and you’ll be rewarded with picture-postcard views of majestic Mt. Fuji. Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side. Tokyo’s historic gardens and neighborhoods of traditional homes on narrow lanes speak to a timeless Japan that has survived into the 21st century.