A Travel Guide to Asia

16th September 2016: Asia is one of the most fascinating and diverse continents in the world. Here’s our travel guide to the best that it has to offer and some lesser known highlights too…

China

For many, a China holiday is the fulfillment of a dream. Explore a land full of the world's oldest traditions, beautiful landscapes and fascinating culture, alongside breathtaking modernity. From the magnificent sights on everybody’s bucket list - the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors and the mighty Yangtze River to name a few - to languid pandas, vibrant mega-metropolises and serene landscapes, China is as diverse, complex and rich as a whole continent.

And yet these famous sights are only the first steps in discovering this fascinating land. A land of beauty with its poetic landscapes around Guilin, dramatic gorges along the Yangtze and striking mountain scenery in Nine Villages Valley. For the more adventurous, there is the opportunity to travel along the ancient Silk Road or venture overland into mystical Tibet. As well as the iconic sights of Beijing and Xian, why not travel further afield to the inspirational natural phenomena of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Our Asia Specialists

Carla at our Taunton shop has been to China. Read her blog here to discover more about her experiences...

Vietnam

From the shimmering rice terraces and lofty peaks of the north, down to the rich soils and swaying palms of the south, Vietnam is a country of epic beauty and unique heritage. You can’t experience the Vietnam of today without confronting its harrowing past – this is a country that has emerged from the ashes of war to become one of Asia’s most enchanting destinations and it is easy to see why. The sublime sight of Halong Bay, the miles of sandy beaches, the imperial heritage, its vibrant cities and friendly locals truly earn Vietnam its ‘compelling’ status. And I haven’t even mentioned the amazing cuisine yet, best experienced freshly-made from a street stall!

Our Asia Specialists

Amy at our Cheltenham shop has been to Vietnam. Contact Amy here...

Burma

The Irrawaddy River continues to be Burma’s main highway with many locals living and working on its lush banks. Experience a side of the country that many have yet to explore from the comfort of an elegant cruise boat, sailing from cultural capital Mandalay to the magical temples of Bagan. Burma remains a rustic place to visit and it is relatively undeveloped. The country is yet to be completely overwhelmed by Western fashion. Everywhere you go you’ll encounter men wearing skirt-like longyi, women smothered in traditional make-up and betel-chewing grannies. People get around in trishaws and horse and cart. Drinking tea is enthusiastically embraced in thousands of traditional teahouses. Life continues to move at a snail’s pace and modernisation has been equally slow, but change is coming and each day sees more new cars on the streets, but they still share the roads with horse carts, trishaws, bicycles, and motorbikes.

Our Asia Specialists

Louise at our Clifton shop is our Burma specialist. Contact Louise here...

Japan

Home to a unique heritage and rich, natural beauty, Japan is one of Asia’s most enthralling countries. Here you’ll find a dynamic culture that effortlessly and intriguingly combines the ultra-modern and pop culture trends with deeply traditional values and a reverence of the past, something that is best displayed in the islands of imperial treasures and tranquil temples marooned amongst futuristic cities. Head out into the country though, and you’ll find another world, be it in the shadow of Mount Fuji or amongst the peaks of Koyasan. The people are welcoming, the cuisine divine, the landscapes second to none, the culture rich and quintessential – what more could a traveller want on their holiday to Japan?

Our Asia Specialists

Jon at our Yeovil shop is our Japan specialist. Contact Jon here...

Cambodia

Angkor, one of world’s greatest civilisations, is the ultimate hook for every visitor to Cambodia, and its popularity grows by the day. Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world but it is just one temple at the heart of a thousand others, and despite the volume of visitors, it never fails to impress. This en-vogue ancient temple city has remained the heart and soul of Cambodia for almost two millennia.

Siem Reap has developed over the years to cater for the visitors to Angkor, although it has become an international hotspot, with a plethora of modern restaurants and upmarket hotels. Thankfully, the town has maintained much of its original charm, with old colonial shop fronts, misty lamp-lit streets and a bustling market area. It also offers access to the floating villages on the Tonlé Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.

Our Asia Specialists

Maria at our Wells shop has been to Cambodia. Read her blog here to discover more about her experiences...

How To Get There

Now is a great time to book your holiday to Asia if you like to travel in style and luxury.

Cathay Pacific are offering an upgrade to Business Class from only £99 on London Gatwick and Manchester departures, so why not treat yourself to a fully flat bed, access to exclusive lounges, a touch screen TV and a la carte dining?

This offer is available until 31st October when you book selected Wendy Wu tours, a sample of which are available here…*

Tours to Asia

*Terms & Conditions:

• Upgrade to Business Class for £99
• Valid on inbound flight
• Valid on departures from Gatwick and Manchester
• Minimum tour package cost: £2990
• Book by 31 October 2016
• Valid on departure dates: 01 Nov 16 – 09 Dec 16, 29 Dec 16 – 31 Mar 17, 17 Apr 17 - 30 Sep 17
• Valid on group/private tours starting/finishing in : Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Kunming, Hanoi, Saigon, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Rangoon, Bangkok, Tokyo, Osaka
• Cannot to be combined with any other offer or promotion (including loyalty)