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Top 12 cruise destinations to recommend in Asia

Asia -rice

Once a region that cruise  passengers dipped in and out of on a world voyage, Asia these clays is firmly on the cruising map as a destination in its own right.

There’s an immense choice of itineraries in this region , from two­  week voyages between Hong Kong and Singapore that call at multiple ports in Vietnam to island-hopping adventures around  the  Indonesian  islands.

There are cruises along the coasts of Thailand and Malaysia, and around China and South Korea. Myanmar (Burma), until recently on the tourist black list, is now firmly on  the  cruising  map, likewise Japan. Most ships are in Asia between November and March, and are either based there just for the season or passing through during their world cruises. However, a handful of companies are basing vessels in China year-round to develop the local markets.

An excellent network of flights from the UK to cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Beijing and Shanghai has helped to make cruising in Asia an easy option.

Note that British passport holders need a visa to travel to China, Vietnam and Myanmar.

BALI,  INDONESIA

This Indonesian isle offers a taste of traditional life with terraced paddy fields tumbling down steep slopes, along with tropical fruit plantations, ancient temples and tiny villages. Cruise ships call at the town of Berroa, generally mooring offshore and taking passengers ashore by tender.

There’s not much to see in the immediate vici nity, so take a taxi or a tour to explore further. Ubud is home to the Ubud Monkey Forest, while nearby is the Taro Elephant Safari Park. There’s white-water rafting along Bali’s longest river and the beach resorts  of  Kuta, Sanur  or  Nusa Dua.

BANGKOK, THAILAND

The top attraction in the Thai capital is the extravagant Grand Palace and the city’s oldest and largest Buddhist Temple, Wat Po. Take a boat trip along the Chao Phraya River or jump into one of the ubiquitous tuk-tuks for a novel city tour. The city is also a prime place for shopping for silks, handicrafts and fake designer goods.

Beyond the city limits, visit the Damnoen Saduak floating market, a 90-minute drive from Bangkok. Small ships arriving at Bangkok dock at Klang Toey, close to the city centre. Larger ships have to use the commercial port at Laem Chebang, a 2.5- hour drive away.

Vietnam - Halong Bay

HANOI, VIETNAM

Cruise lines can visit Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam , from one of three ports. Halong Bay is a 3.5-hour drive away and famous for the beautiful limestone karsts in the bay. Haiphong has no tourist facilities or attractions and the drive to Hanoi is  up to three hours. Cai Lan is closest to the capital, with journeys of around 2.5 hours. Hanoi highlights include the mausoleum containing the embalmed body of former leader and Communist revolutionary  Ho Chi Minh, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and Temple of Literature, dedicated to Chinese philosopher Confucius. The city’s Gallic colonial roots are evident at the grandiose Presidential  Palace, built for a former  French governor.

HO CHI MINH CITY,  VIETNAM

For those interested in Vietnam ‘s torrid history, the War Remnants Museum makes a fascinating stop, while the city’s colonial past is perfectly illustrated by the French­ inspired Notre Dame Cathedral. The best place for fake designer wear, lacquer boxes and other trinkets is the huge covered Ben Thanh Market.  Head  out of  the  city to creep  through  the Cu Chi Tunnels  used by  the Viet  Cong during  the  war  and  to the Mekong Delta to see Floating  markets.

Small ships dock on the Saigon River, l 0 minutes from the centre. Larger ships dock  at Phu  My, a 2.5-hour  drive away.

HONG KONG, CHINA

Ships either dock at Ocean Terminal in Victoria Harbour, in the centre of the city and close to the Star Ferry terminal, or a new terminal on the site of the former runway of Kai Tak Airport. Top attractions in the city include Victoria Peak , a harbour cruise or ride on the Star Ferry and shopping – Temple Street Night Market and Stanley Market are favourite places. There are tours to Lantau island, to see a monastery that contains the world’s largest outdoor Buddha, and Macau, famous for  its casinos.

KUALA LUMPUR,  MALAYSIA

The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is probably best known for the Petronas Twin Towers (the viewing bridge  offers views of the city, or try Kuala Lumpur Tower which has similar vistas, plus shops and a revolving restaurant). Ships dock at Port Klang, a cargo and cruise port 90 minutes away by road. In the city, visit the National Museum and the colonial Royal Selangor Club. The limestone Batu Caves outside KL are one of  the most noted Hindu shrines outside India and inhabited by mischievous monkeys that lurk around the 272 steps leading up to the temple cave.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

SeoulThe South Korean capital is served by the port of lncheon, just over an hour’s drive away. Some stay in the port to see where  US General MacArthur landed  in 1950 ali:er North Korea invaded the South, others head to Seoul, where busy streets rub shoulders with traditional temples and peaceful gardens, but the top attraction is a tour to the demilitarized  zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea, to visit one of several tunnels dug  to launch a surprise attack on Seoul. There are views over the border from the Dora Observatory.

SHANGHAI, CHINA

Ships dock either at Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal , close to downtown, the vVusongkou International Cruise Terminal at Boashan or the vVaigaoqiao Port Cruise Terminal, both a 30-minute drive from the city centre. The city is a pulsating neon-filled metropolis offering an intoxicating mix of ancient and modern. Take in the views from the restaurants and shops in the Pearl TV Tower or the 88-storeyJin Mao Tower. Other attractions include the jade Buddha Temple and the  Shanghai Museum.

Yu Gardens has five acres of pagodas, pavilions and ponds, while The Bund’s 19th-century mansions are a throwback to colonial times when it was the city’s financial centre.

SINGAPORE

Shopping is a favourite pastime here and primarily centred around the malls and markets in Orchard Road and the up-and-coming Marina Bay area on  the waterfront. One of the newest attractions is the futuristic Gardens by the Bay botanical park with its “Skypark” straddled across  three tower blocks. Take a river  cruise through the old colonial areas of Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, now full of trendy restaurants and bars, visit the Jurong Bird Park and Singapore Zoo and be sure to  try a Singapore Sling cocktail at the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel. The city has two cruise ports, the newer Marina Bay Cruise

Terminal, a few minutes from Marina Bay, and Singapore Cruise Centre, a 15-minute taxi ride away.

Beijing - Forbidden city

TIANJIN, CHINA

This is the port for Beijing, but it is up to three hours’ by road from the city, depending on traffic. The top attraction in the capital is the huge complex of palaces known as the Forbidden City, and next-door  Tiananmen  Square,  scene  of the student protests in 1989. One of the favourite excursions is to the Great Wall. The Badaling section is closest to the city but some companies prefer to go to Huangyaguan as it is closer to the port and not so busy.

TOKYO, JAPAN  

Despite its modern facade, many attractions symbolise the Japanese capital’s dynastic past, notably the impressive Imperial Palace and Meiji Shrine in the centre of Tokyo, and the Sensoji Temple built to honour the god Kan non. A more modern draw is the Tokyo Tower, taller than the Eiffel Tower, from where there are fabulous views to Mount Fuji. Most cruise ships dock in Yokohama, from where you can take the train to Tokyo, 40km away. A shuttle bus operates from the terminal to Yokohama Station.

YANGON, MYANMAR

Ships dock either at Thilawa Port, an hour from Yangon, or Nanthida jetty  in the city. Sightseeing centres around the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, a sacred Buddhist shrine where devoted pilgrims come to pray amid the gold-domed stupas. There are colonial buildings from the British time and colourful markets where you can browse for Burmese handicrafts, and also day trips by air to Mandalay or Bagan, and by car to Bago.

 

 

 

 

 

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