20 DAYS AND 17 NIGHTS FROM LOS ANGELES -- Hong Kong (4N) Bangkok (4N) Singapore (3N) Taipei (2N) Tokyo (4N)
Evening flight departs for Hong Kong, crossing the International Date Line and thus losing a day en route.
Early morning arrival in a spectacular post World War II Asian success story -- and to which as of 30 June 1997 a new status is obtaining as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.The extent and value of the PRC's acquisition (or reversion, technically) unfolds before your eyes as the tram ascends Victoria Peak for a breathtaking overview of this affluent, compact, highly "vertical" city of skyscrapers lining the harbor with the surrounding territory and South China Sea islands beyond. Later visit Repulse Bay, Stanley Market and Aberdeen's amazing "floating village" of boats where you may enjoy an evening banquet aboard a floating restaurant.
Three free days to do as you please. Tours to spend a day amidst the green hills and idyllic rural life of the New Territories; the serene monasteries and vegetarian monks of big Lantau island; the twin peaks and artists' colonies of Cheung Chau island with its delightful Bun festival or Lamma Island's ever-fresh feasts of lobster, clams, fish and prawns.Evenings: tram tour with cocktails and dinner overlooking the harbor; Yum Sing (Night on the Town) tour or explore on your own the discos and bistros of Central's Lan Kwai Fong area or the night life of Wanchai where clubs named after Suzie Wong commemorate this district's most famous denizen.
Fly this morning to Bangkok, the fabulous, intense capital of the ancient kingdom of Siam, filled with teeming crowds and golden temples, honking cars and a maze of klongs (canals) navigated by watertaxi -- and still the abode of royalty (Thailand became a consitutional monarchy in 1932) as well as a city with a reputation for nonstop, unbridled night life. Take a city and temple tour, including the sumptuous Royal Grand Palace, the magnificence of which was only suggested by the sets of the movie-musical "The King and I." Then explore dazzling Wat Phra Kaew complex with its splendid Emerald Buddha, Golden Chedi, Pantheon of Kings and Towers of 9 Planets. Rest of day at leisure.
Three days free for shopping and your choice of tours into the historic and cultural marvels of the are a:: the magnificent Vimanmek Royal Mansion, a former royal residence of antique teakwood, plus nearby throne hall with its handicraft masterpieces; the Ancient City, a gigantic and fascinating outdoor museum recreating the old ways; the legendary Jim "Silk King" Thompson's baronial Thai House plus the marvelous Suan Pakkard palace; famed Damnoen Saduak "floating market" and enchanting riverside Rose Garden; combination long-tail speedboat and rice barge canal tour and, for WWII veterans and aficionados, visit the War Cemetery outside Bangkok and travel the "Death Railway" -- scene of such suffering and heroism -- to the fateful Bridge on the River Kwai.
Fly south along the Malay peninsula to Singapore, the thriving, beauteous and impeccably clean multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious city-state, home of the eponymous Sling and the abiding presence of Mr Lee Kwan Yew, the patriarch of Singaporean prosperity. A half day city tour displays that prosperity's symbols: city harbor and its famous Merlion statue, the colonial style government buildings, neoclassical Empress Place and its statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, the visionary British founder in 1819, the market area and colorful Sri Mariamman temple. Also visit the Instant Asia Cultural Show, a dance festival and memorable embodiment of ethnic pride and civic harmony.
Often called "The Garden City," Singapore provides a verdant and inviting ambiance for 2 days of shopping and sightseeing. The outlets in Arab Street, Chinatown, Geylang Serai, Little India and Orchard Road range from countless tiny market stalls to giant emporia offering handicrafts (batiks, carved jade and ivory), Indian silks and Oriental carpets; custom-tailored garments; gold and jewelry etc. Sightseeing options: ascend Mt. Faber for its fine view; visit Sentosa island and Underwater World and other attractions; enjoy a Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel; linger in Botanic Gardens ' orchid pavilion; venture on an exciting Night Safari. Or take a half day excursion to Malaysia's Johore Bahru to view villages, Royal Mausoleum, Sultan's Palace and bazaar.
Morning flight of four hours-plus from Singapore to Taipei, capital of Taiwan, to which the Nationalist forces of Chiang Kai-shek withdrew in 1949. Chiang (died 1975, age 88) is memorialized in the capital's huge Chiang Kai Shek Hall, an imposing complex of imperial palace-style architecture. Besides this hall and equally impressive Sun Yat-sen Memorial, your half day city tour also includes a visit to the enormous and renowned collection of the National Palace Museum, featuring paintings over a 2000 year span, exquisite porcelain dating back to Sung dynasty as well as Chou dynasty jades and bronzes. Also visit Presidential Square, Lungshan (Dragon Mountain) temple, Confucius Shrine, Martyrs' Shrine and a handicraft center.
Optional trip to explore parts of what the Portuguese sea captains of old dubbed "Ilha Formosa" or "beautiful island": morning flight to east coast city of Hualien, then proceed by motorcoach to fabulous Taroko Gorge to view the Eternal Shrine, Fuchi Cliffs and Tunnel of Nine Turns with their unbelievable natural scenery, rock formations and furious watery currents. Later return to Hualien for post-luncheon performance of Ami tribal dance.
Morning flight from Taipei to Tokyo, headquarters of "Japan Inc.," powered by giants like Sony, Matsushita, Nippon Steel, Toyota, Fuji Bank, Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Nissan, Dai-ichi kangyo Bank and others (see optional "Industrial Tokyo" tour, Day 18 ). It is the official capital since 1868 when the then 15-year-old Emperor Meiji renamed and transformed the castle town of Edo into Tokyo ("Eastern Capital") thereby recasting the course of Japanese history. Afternoon tour includes Imperial Palace plaza, Asakusa Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) Temple, Nakamise arcade and Ginza shopping district. Also: Sumida river boatride, visit to Tasaki Pearl Gallery and demonstration of elegant chanoyu tea ceremony.
Free day in Tokyo or optional day trip north to Nikko and its national park, site of the magnificent 17th century Toshogu shrine, mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616, who founded the Tokugawa shogunate in Edo in 1603), with its Niomon Gate, Sacred Stable depicting the 3 monkeys of "Hear, Speak and See No Evil" fame and the fabulousYomeimon Gate. Visit Futarasan Shrine (Shinto Kagura dance) then journey by motorcoach up scenic hairpin turns of Irohazaka drive to view splendid Kegon waterfall and Lake Chuzenji.
Free day for exploring the contrasting city areas, each with its typical attractions, ambiance and history: Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno; Nihombashi, Shimbashi and the Ginza. The latter of course is famous for shopping; other subjects or themes are featured in optional city tours such as: Tokyo Tower observatory for panoramic overview of city, Tokyo bay cruise, "Industrial Tokyo" (Toshiba Science Institute, Kirin Beer Village, Isuzu Motors Factory) or Village Life and Crafts (traditional dolls, wooden furniture, bonsai garden). Evening offerings of Kabuki theater or elite Geisha show with cocktail at Blue Sky Lounge.
Day trips: 1) Nikko shrine complex, a monument to Edo art with its fabulously carved, lacquered and gilded structures (esp. Toshogu Shrine and Rinnoji Temple), drive scenic Irohazaka highway to Lake Chuzenji and dramatic Kegon Falls; side trip to Edo Village and Kinugawa Spa. 2) the 12th-14th century administrative-military center Kamakura, charming preserverd town which features massive bronze Daibutsu or Great Buddha . 3) Hakone, the hot springs resort nestled in pine-covered mountains with lovely Lake Ashi reflecting Mount Fuji 4) Yokohama, Japan's leading seaport with many attractions such as a Silk Center, Doll Museum, seaside Yamashita Park and outstanding Chinese restaurants
Depart from Japan, arriving on the same day due to crossing of International Date Line.
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