CHINA China’s role as Asia’s central political power has left a mark on both its history and its enduring psyche. Now swiftly propelling itself to the forefront of the contemporary world, China’s evolving hodgepodge of rigid communism, rehabilitated Confucianism and unbridled capitalism still looks to the great golden ages of China’s past for inspiration. • EXPERIENCE BEIJING AND SHANGHAI, NERVE CENTERS OF MODERN CHINA • VISIT YUNNANESE TRIBAL COMMUNITIES • FOLLOW THE ROUTE OF THE SILK ROAD • VISIT A BREEDING CENTER FOR THE GIANT PANDA NEAR CHENGDU • TAKE IN THE SERENE PING AN LANDSCAPE • SAIL ON AN OVERNIGHT CRUISE (SEE PAGE 36)
These are only a handful of experiences that China offers. Explore more in-depth inspirational itineraries at atj.com/destinations/China/overview
JAPAN All cultures are a mix of the indigenous and the assimilated, but Japan excels in its unfailing ability to preserve the ancient while incorporating the modern. This powerful skill has enabled the country to adopt foreign influences to its advantage, while still preserving and constantly reinventing its essential Japanese character. • EXPLORE THE BUZZING STREETS OF TOKYO • FEEL THE HISTORY OF THE SAMURAI ERA IN KANAZAWA • SOAK IN A TRADITIONAL ONSEN (NATURAL HOT SPRINGS) • EXPERIENCE HOKKAIDO ISLAND, HOME TO NO FEWER THAN SIX NATIONAL PARKS • VISIT KYOTO, FILLED WITH ICONS OF ART, CULTURE, RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY • JOIN THE LOCALS AT A VIBRANT SEASONAL FESTIVAL
These are only a handful of experiences that Japan offers. Explore more in-depth inspirational itineraries at atj.com/destinations/Japan/overview
MONGOLIA Once the seat of Kublai Khan, ruler of the world’s largest empire, Mongolia’s glorious history still simmers just beneath the Gobi sands. Traditions endure here—nomads still move their herds and gers (yurts) with the seasons, Buddhism is an innate part of everyday life and age-old festivals still take place, honoring the ancient arts of archery, wrestling and horsemanship. • CELEBRATE NADDAM–A FESTIVAL HONORING MONGOLIAN INDEPENDENCE AND CULTURE WITH THE LOCALS • WANDER THE RUINS OF GENGHIS KHAN'S CAPITAL CITY OF KARAKORUM • HUNT FOR DINOSAUR FOSSILS IN THE GOBI DESERT • MEET THE TSAATAN PEOPLE • GLIMPSE THE RARE TAKHI (PRZEWALSKII HORSE) IN THE WILD
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