7 Affordable East Asian Gems for Maximizing Your Miles and Points
7 Affordable East Asian Gems for Maximizing Your Miles and Points - Discovering Japan's Cultural Gems - Kyoto and Hiroshima
Japan's cultural gems of Kyoto and Hiroshima offer a wealth of attractions, from ancient temples and gardens to museums and scenic islands.
Highlights include the Ryozen Kannon statue, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and the historic districts of Gion and Higashiyama in Kyoto, as well as the Miyajima Island, Itsukushima Shrine, and Hiroshima Castle in Hiroshima.
Kyoto is home to over 2,000 historic shrines and temples, accounting for more than 20 of Japan's National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, making it a true cultural powerhouse.
The Ryozen Kannon statue in Kyoto stands an impressive 24 meters tall and offers visitors a profound experience with a panoramic view from its observation deck.
What else is in this post?
- 7 Affordable East Asian Gems for Maximizing Your Miles and Points - Discovering Japan's Cultural Gems - Kyoto and Hiroshima
- 7 Affordable East Asian Gems for Maximizing Your Miles and Points - Seoul's Urban Vibrancy and Jeju's Natural Beauty
- 7 Affordable East Asian Gems for Maximizing Your Miles and Points - Vietnam's Historic Charm - Hoi An and Hue
- 7 Affordable East Asian Gems for Maximizing Your Miles and Points - Taipei's Delectable Street Food and Sun Moon Lake's Scenic Allure
- 7 Affordable East Asian Gems for Maximizing Your Miles and Points - The Philippine Archipelago - Beaches, Islands, and Rich Culture
- 7 Affordable East Asian Gems for Maximizing Your Miles and Points - Indonesia's Diverse Landscapes - Bali, Lombok, and Flores
7 Affordable East Asian Gems for Maximizing Your Miles and Points - Seoul's Urban Vibrancy and Jeju's Natural Beauty
In contrast, the island of Jeju showcases the country's breathtaking natural beauty, inviting visitors to explore its lush landscapes, volcanic wonders, and unique cultural experiences.
This extensive network of urban parks, such as the Seoul Grand Park, helps mitigate the concrete jungle and provides residents and visitors with serene oases of calm.
For example, the new Dongdaemun Design Plaza, designed by the late Zaha Hadid, features a unique facade that reduces energy consumption through passive solar design.
Formed by volcanic activity, Jeju Island is home to the UNESCO-listed Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, which include the world's largest lava tube system, the Manjang Cave, stretching over 4 kilometers.
The island's dramatic coastline features stunning basalt rock formations, such as the iconic Jusangjeolli Cliff, created by the cooling of lava flows thousands of years ago.
With over 300 kilometers of subway lines, Seoul's extensive metro system is one of the world's largest and busiest, transporting over 7 million passengers daily.
It's a highly efficient way for visitors to navigate the city.
The city has undertaken ambitious projects to transform abandoned industrial sites into vibrant new public spaces, such as the Seoullo 7017 elevated walkway, which repurposed an aging overpass into a lush, pedestrian-friendly green corridor.
7 Affordable East Asian Gems for Maximizing Your Miles and Points - Vietnam's Historic Charm - Hoi An and Hue
Hoi An's well-preserved ancient town, with its lantern-lit streets and traditional architecture, creates a tranquil atmosphere, while Hue's imperial history and regal ambiance provide a more serious yet alluring experience for visitors.
Hoi An's ancient town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, containing over 1,000 well-preserved structures dating back to the 15th-19th centuries, reflecting a unique fusion of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architectural styles.
The iconic Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An was originally constructed in the early 1600s to connect the Japanese and Chinese quarters of the ancient town, and features a small temple on one end.
Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, is home to the UNESCO-listed Complex of Hue Monuments, which includes the Imperial Citadel, Forbidden Purple City, and numerous royal tombs, offering a glimpse into the country's imperial past.
The Perfume River in Hue is an important cultural and historical waterway, with many of the city's key landmarks situated along its banks, including the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda.
The Citadel in Hue, the former imperial capital, covers an area of over 500 hectares and was built in the early 19th century, featuring impressive architecture and intricate stone carvings.
Hoi An is a popular destination for food lovers, with its unique cuisine blending Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences, including the famous Cao Lau noodle dish.
The Citadel in Hue was heavily damaged during the Tet Offensive in 1968 during the Vietnam War, but has since been extensively restored and remains an important historical and cultural site.
7 Affordable East Asian Gems for Maximizing Your Miles and Points - Taipei's Delectable Street Food and Sun Moon Lake's Scenic Allure
Taipei is a vibrant food destination, with a variety of delectable street food options such as Thousand Layer Scallion Pancakes, "Stinky Tofu," and Gua Bao.
Sun Moon Lake, a scenic destination in central Taiwan, offers breathtaking views and a range of activities, from walking along the Hanbi Trail at sunset to exploring the local Thao tribal culture and cuisine.
Gua Bao, also known as the "Taiwanese Burger," is a fluffy steamed bun filled with braised pork belly, pickled vegetables, and crushed peanuts, creating a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.
The Ita Thao Market in Sun Moon Lake is a day market that transforms into a vibrant night market, offering visitors a diverse array of local street food specialties.
The Hanbi Trail at Sun Moon Lake provides a scenic walking experience, allowing visitors to witness the breathtaking vistas of the lake and its surrounding mountains at sunset.
The Thao tribe, the smallest ethnic group in Taiwan, has maintained their unique customs and traditions despite being heavily involved in the tourism industry around Sun Moon Lake.
Desolate Coffee, a local eatery in Sun Moon Lake, offers a diverse menu featuring not only traditional Taiwanese cuisine but also desserts, brunch options, and spaghetti dishes.
7 Affordable East Asian Gems for Maximizing Your Miles and Points - The Philippine Archipelago - Beaches, Islands, and Rich Culture
With over 7,000 islands to explore, the Philippine Archipelago offers endless opportunities for island hopping and beach vacations, showcasing the country's diverse natural beauty.
The Philippine Archipelago is home to over 7,100 islands, making it the world's second-largest archipelago, after Indonesia.
The 11 largest islands in the Philippines account for 95% of the total land area, with Luzon being the largest at 105,000 square kilometers.
The Philippines is located in the "Pacific Ring of Fire," making it one of the most volcanically active regions in the world, with over 20 active volcanoes.
The Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a 97,030-hectare protected area in the Sulu Sea, known for its exceptional marine biodiversity.
The Philippine Eagle, the national bird of the Philippines, is one of the largest and rarest eagles in the world, with a wingspan that can reach up to 2 meters.
The Chocolate Hills in Bohol, a unique geological formation consisting of over 1,200 symmetrical mounds, are a popular tourist attraction in the Philippines.
The Banaue Rice Terraces, also known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a testament to the ingenuity of the Ifugao people who constructed them over 2,000 years ago.
The Philippines is home to the world's smallest volcano, the Taal Volcano, which is situated on an island within a lake, and has erupted over 30 times in recorded history.
The Philippines is the world's second-largest producer of coconuts, with the fruit being a staple in the country's cuisine and a significant contributor to its economy.
The Philippine archipelago is located along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," making it prone to earthquakes and typhoons, which have had a significant impact on the country's infrastructure and development.
7 Affordable East Asian Gems for Maximizing Your Miles and Points - Indonesia's Diverse Landscapes - Bali, Lombok, and Flores
Indonesia's diverse landscapes offer a range of experiences for travelers.
Bali features volcanic landscapes, pristine beaches, and lush rice paddies, while Flores showcases pristine mangrove forests, volcanic mountains, and hidden waterfalls.
Many airlines and hotels provide lucrative award programs, allowing visitors to explore these marvels at a discounted cost.
Bali's volcanic landscapes are the result of the island's position along the "Pacific Ring of Fire," with Mount Agung and Mount Batur being two of its most prominent volcanoes.
The Sekumpul Waterfall in Bali's northern region is one of the tallest waterfalls in Indonesia, cascading over 80 meters down a lush, verdant cliff.
Lombok's Mount Rinjani is an active volcano and the second-highest mountain in Indonesia, offering trekkers a challenging but rewarding ascent to its scenic crater lake.
The Komodo National Park in Flores is home to the Komodo dragon, the world's largest living lizard species, which can grow up to 3 meters in length and weigh over 70 kilograms.
The Kelimutu Crater Lakes on Flores feature three distinct crater lakes, each with a unique color that can change from blue to green to red due to the ongoing volcanic activity and mineral content.
The Suluban Cave in Bali is a hidden gem, offering a unique and photogenic tunnel that leads directly to the beach, carved out by the crashing waves over time.
The Tegalalang Rice Terraces in Bali are a prime example of the island's intricate irrigation system, known as the "subak," which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Padar Island in the Komodo National Park features a stunning landscape of three distinct colored beaches, ranging from white to pink to black, created by the unique volcanic and mineral composition of the island.