If you’re considering a trip to East Asia, you’re in for a treat. The region is one of the most stunning and beautiful areas of the world. There are countless cities and destinations to explore, and it can be hard to determine which ones to visit.
There are considered to be six countries within East Asia. Our list covers at least one city or location from each country in the region, including China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Without further ado, let’s start going over the top six cities in East Asia to visit for this year.
1. Hong Kong, China
Considered a special administrative region of China, Hong Kong has a very interesting history and circumstances that make it a unique destination.
Hong Kong is considered to be one of the wealthiest and influential cities throughout Asia. For this reason, there are many business people and venture capitalists who are based in the city, such as this individual profiled here.
2. Tokyo, Japan
The most populated city on the planet, Tokyo is a vibrant and exciting place to visit. Tokyo, for starters, is one of the easier cities to fly into, even if you are located on the other side of the world. The Tokyo airports, Narita and Haneda, are expertly run and are ranked among the best airports in the world.
Additionally, Tokyo has a stunning city to offer its tourists, with incredible street food and sites to see. For more information, we recommend checking out this guide about traveling to Tokyo.
3. Karakorum and Erdene Zuu Monastery
Although it might be a bit off the beaten path for most, this historic site in Mongolia was once the capital of the Mongol Empire. The site was built in 1585, and is located on the site of the city Marco Polo visited centuries ago.
4. Taipei, Taiwan
The capital city of Taiwan is one of the top destinations throughout all of Asia for tourists. The city is home to many sights, such as Taipei 101 (the former tallest building in the world), The Taipei Zoo, the Botanical Garden, and the temple of Hsing Tian Kong.
As for city life and culture, we highly recommend checking out the Raohe Street Night Market! It has a fantastic selection of street food and entertainment, as well as great restaurants and museums to check out. One such museum is the National Palace Museum. And it has a lot of historical significance to the area.
5. Busan, South Korea
We decided to skip on covering the capital, Seoul, although we still think it is a fantastic place to visit. In our opinion, Busan is just a little bit better.
The second most populated city in South Korea, Busan is the biggest port city in the country. It is most well known for its beautiful beaches and perfect climate. For this reason, we have ranked Busan above Seoul. More than being just a relaxing destination, you can also explore several historical sites, such as Beomeosa Temple in Busan.
6. Masikryong Ski Resort
If you are somehow able to get into North Korea for a trip, then we recommend visiting the Masikryong Ski Resort in the eastern mountainous region of the country. The resort sits atop the summer of the 4,460 foot tall Taehwa Peak.
At the resort, there is a luxury hotel, ice rink, swimming pool, restaurants, and, of course, nine ski runs. To read more about this fascinating resort, check out the Wikipedia page on it here.
There are many other amazing places in East Asia to visit. Bon voyage!