Singapore blends the contemporary splendor of a sparkling modern city with influences from throughout the Orient. Its history is one of riches and romance, spice trading and piracy, colonialism and growth. This island state has grown from a small fishing village to one of Asias greatest success stories. Temples, mosques and churches stand as serene reminders of the varied collection of migrations that have graced its history. Discover the mansions and polo greens of colonial Singapore, the mystique of Chinatown and the heady aroma of spices and curry along Arab Street. You will quickly come to understand why Singapore is acclaimed as the “Crossroads of the East.”

Kota Kinabalu is a sprawling and busy city situated between the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park and Mount Kinabalu, an ideal place for snorkeling, hiking and simply watching the ebb and flow of nature. For people watching, there is the waterfront, where a variety of restaurants, pubs and cafes vie for the traveler’s time and interest. The Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market, formerly known as the Filipino Market, and Gaya Street Market hawk everything from ethnic souvenirs to traditional foods.

Enter the subterranean world of Puerto Princesa’s Underground River – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders located in the Philippines – surrounded by ethereal rock formations and lush forest where monkeys and monitors casually greet guests. The Palawan capital is also a bustling gateway to El Nido and the breathtaking Bacuit Archipelago, surrounded by limestone cliffs and soaked in sunshine.

Lush and green, surrounded by impossibly blue waters ranging from turquoise to a deep azure, this tiny island is big on water play. From moment to moment, Boracay gives you an array of options: swim in the coral protected lagoon, try windsurfing or kiteboarding, snorkel the quiet cove of Baling Hai Beach or go shopping the bustling White Beach.

Set amid the forest-green splendor of Luzon Island is bustling Manila, the second largest city in Southeast Asia, with its towering skyscrapers and remarkable joie de vivre. Yet amid the big-city excitement are oases of calm: lush tropical parks, magnificent cathedrals and dramatic Spanish forts. North of the city, mountains beckon with their spectacular rice terraces, while across Manila Bay stands Mount Mariveles, a dormant volcano studded with scenic hiking trails.

Set amid the forest-green splendor of Luzon Island is bustling Manila, the second largest city in Southeast Asia, with its towering skyscrapers and remarkable joie de vivre. Yet amid the big-city excitement are oases of calm: lush tropical parks, magnificent cathedrals and dramatic Spanish forts. North of the city, mountains beckon with their spectacular rice terraces, while across Manila Bay stands Mount Mariveles, a dormant volcano studded with scenic hiking trails.

Although Hong Kong has returned to its original Chinese roots, it still remains a cosmopolitan city with influences, languages and accents from around the world. Here East meets West and the result is electric. Soaring skyscrapers rise from the hills and harbor, blending geography and nature with commercial concrete, steel and pulsating neon in a way that brings traditional Chinese culture and Western-style commerce into perfect harmony.

Although Hong Kong has returned to its original Chinese roots, it still remains a cosmopolitan city with influences, languages and accents from around the world. Here East meets West and the result is electric. Soaring skyscrapers rise from the hills and harbor, blending geography and nature with commercial concrete, steel and pulsating neon in a way that brings traditional Chinese culture and Western-style commerce into perfect harmony.

Looking out over the Taiwan Strait, Xiamen has long been an active port city, used as a base to defend against pirates during the Ming Dynasty and a hub for tea exportation in the 19th century. Today, Xiamen is the gateway to the culture and scenery of south China, with ancient temples, excellent universities and inviting beaches. A short ferry cruise from Xiamen sits the island of Gulangyu, a favorite retreat for the locals. Should you visit the island, you will likely investigate its sights via electromobile, as there are no gas-powered vehicles on the island. This, along with beautiful vistas and interesting architecture, lends Gulangyu its unique appeal.

Located where the Yangtze River meets the Pacific, Shanghai’s enviable position is the source of its existence, shaping it into what it is today – a modern metropolis of dizzying scale and ancient influence. Once a tiny fishing village, Shanghai is now the center of Chinas economic resurgence with a spacious waterfront promenade and flotilla of sampans edging the Huangpu River.

Located where the Yangtze River meets the Pacific, Shanghai’s enviable position is the source of its existence, shaping it into what it is today – a modern metropolis of dizzying scale and ancient influence. Once a tiny fishing village, Shanghai is now the center of Chinas economic resurgence with a spacious waterfront promenade and flotilla of sampans edging the Huangpu River.

Jeju province encompasses the South Korean island of Jeju in the Korea Strait. Its known for its beach resorts and volcanic landscape of craters and cavelike lava tubes. Hallasan Mountain, a dormant volcano, features hiking trails, a crater lake at the 1,950m summit and nearby Gwaneumsa Temple. The Geomunoreum Lava Tube System includes 7km-long Manjanggul Cave, created centuries ago when Hallasan was still active

Incheon is rising to new heights, literally. The city is developing metropolitan real estate with dramatic results, including a district called Songdo International City, home to the world’s tallest twin tower buildings and South Korea’s tallest building, the North Asia Trade Tower. Visit Independence Memorial Hall commemorating General MacArthur, who turned the tide of the Korean War, while farther afield the Incheon Islands are favored by hikers and beachgoers.

Incheon is rising to new heights, literally. The city is developing metropolitan real estate with dramatic results, including a district called Songdo International City, home to the world’s tallest twin tower buildings and South Korea’s tallest building, the North Asia Trade Tower. Visit Independence Memorial Hall commemorating General MacArthur, who turned the tide of the Korean War, while farther afield the Incheon Islands are favored by hikers and beachgoers.

As Japans only access to the West, Nagasaki flourished during a period of national isolation in the 16th century and continues to be influenced by the ideas and technology of other cultures. Must-see attractions include Japans oldest gothic-style wooden church, the inspirational Peace Park, and the stately Glover Mansion, an impressive hideaway which was the legendary setting of Puccinis opera, Madame Butterfly.

Mount Sakurajima casts an imposing image on arrival to Kagoshima, but don’t be deterred by the active volcano across the bay. Kagoshima has been voted Japan’s friendliest city, with a climate to match the warmth of its residents – and the heat of Mount Sakurajima. This tropical environment fosters a rich agriculture and aquaculture that produces distinct cuisine and famously high-quality ingredients. The nearby Chiran Samurai Residences and Gardens offer a glimpse into the legendary warriors of 250 years ago.

Views of the sea, high-rises, parks and temples…. Kochi has it all, along with its own famous dish, katsuo tataki, a culinary delight of flavorfully seasoned, seared tuna. Meander through the Makino Botanical Garden, explore the Museum of Art, stroll along the beach, barter at the Obiyamachi shopping arcade, visit the aquarium, or simply gaze at the city’s most celebrated sight, Kochi Castle, which remains largely intact atop Otakasaka Hill, and at the top of most travelers’ must-see lists.

As it has been for centuries, Osaka remains a city of commerce, one of the original Japanese towns at the core of a developing society that grew around trade with China. Although the nature of the city hasn’t changed, it is presently undergoing an architectural revolution with a dazzling display of gleaming skyscrapers. Its prime geography makes it an excellent gateway to famed locales – including the sacred site of Kyoto and the majestic tranquility of Nara.

From the timeless beauty of the Meiji Shrine to the glittering Ginza District and impressive Tokyo Tower, Tokyo is a complex blend of East and West where houses of wood and paper stand beside soaring steel skyscrapers while kimono-clad women stroll along trendy teenagers. Here in this city of more than 11 million people, the timeless Imperial Palace bears testament to Japan’s enduring traditions, existing in a verdant parkland of isolation.