Eastern
Asia
is a
cultural
and
geographic
region
of
Asia.
Eastern
Asia
is
what
used
to
be
known
in
the
West
as
The
Orient,
a
mysterious
land
inhabited
by a
race
of
inscrutable
tea-sipping
Orientals.
Behind
the
caricature,
though,
is a
uniting
factor
in
the
form
of
Chinese
influence:
China,
as
by
far
the
largest
and,
historically,
the
most
technologically
and
societally
advanced
culture
in
the
region,
has
given
its
writing
system
(Chinese
characters),
religion
(Mahayana
Buddhism)
and
philosophy
(Confucianism)
to
all
the
countries
in
East
Asia.
However,
underneath
these
superficial
similarities
lie
a
vast
range
of
differences.
The
geography
alone
covers
the
gamut,
from
the
arid
steppes
of
Mongolia
to
the
vast
deserts
of
northwestern
China,
the
lush
rice
paddies
of
south
central
China
and
the
beaches
of
the
subtropical
islands
of
Okinawa.
The
upheaval
of
the
past
centuries
has
also
led
the
countries
of
the
region
along
strikingly
different
paths,
with
the
hyper-modern
skyscrapers
and
consumerist
culture
of
Japan
having
little
if
anything
in
common
with
the
Stalinist
austerity
of
North
Korea.
Eastern
Asia
is
the
yin
and
yang
of
architectural,
religious
and
cultural
icon
-
the
Great
Wall
of
China,
the
Army
of
Terracotta
Soldiers
near
Xi
An
and
Tibetan
Buddhism
- to
name
just
a
few.
While
steeped
in a
rich
history,
Japan,
Korea
and
China
also
lead
the
world
with
automobile
and
electronic
development
and
ingenuity.
Natural
scenery
as
sparse
as
the
Gobi
desert
in
Mongolia
or
as
lush
and
volatile
as
the
mountains
in
Japan
draw
thousands
of
tourists
to
this
region
every
year.
The cultural and historical significance of Xian, as well as the abundant relics and sites, help Shaanxi enjoy the laudatory title of 'Natural History Museum'. The Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is praised as 'the eighth major miracle of the world' and many more.
Hong Kong has the big city specials like smog, odour, 14 million elbows and an insane love of clatter. But it's also efficient, hushed and peaceful: the transport network is excellent, the shopping centres are sublime, and the temples and quiet corners of parks are contemplative oases.
Fishermen from Fujian and farmers from Guangdong were the first known settlers in Macau, when it was known as Ou Mun, or "trading gate", because of its location at the mouth of the Pearl River downstream from Guangzhou (Canton).
The life of any region arises out of its historical past, its remembrance of culture, and its hold on the future. The Taipei County government has established museums of tea culture, pottery and ceramics, and other sites to help preserve the memory of the common history and culture.
Hokkaido is an island at Japan's northern extremity, surrounded by sea in all directions. Low humidity makes the summers pleasant, while in winter you can enjoy winter sports. The island is gaining popularity as a tourist destination throughout the four seasons.
Seoul is a city of contrasts. From ancient palaces with centuries of history to high-tech skyscraper of steel and glass, from ancient texts dating back millennia to the highest rate of broadband Internet access in the world, Seoul is a place where the old and new exist in harmony.
Tokyo is not only the center of politics and economy of Japan, but also developed as the center of world economy and culture, and it offers a number of must-see places. It is the Capital of Japan where over 11 million people live.
Beijing was also known as Peking by the Western world before 1949. In the early nineteen twenties, Beijing became the cradle of China's new democratic revolution. On October 1st, 1949, Chairman Mao announced to the world the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Shanghai, located along the coast of the East China Sea and the southern banks of the mouth of the Yangtze River, is a city under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Government. It is the largest metropolis in China and one of the most historically significant cities.
Guangzhou, the South Gate of China, is a prosperous metropolis full of vigor and the center of its political, economic, scientific, educational and cultural life. Sui (Ears of Rice) is short for Guangzhou and the City of Ram (Yang Cheng) is also an alias of Guangzhou.
