Beijing
The capital of The People's Republic of China covers an area of some 6,870 square miles and boasts a population of over 11 million people. At the heart of this immense metropolis lies the Forbidden City. Two more examples of China's enduring culture are The Great Wall and Tiananmen Square.
Country - China
Distance from port to City - 225kms
Distance from port to Airport - 250kms
Currency - Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Places of Interest Tiananmen Square, Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace
Seoul
Farther afield lies Seoul, the capital and heart of the Republic of Korea. Set within a tranquil valley divided by the Han-gang River, Seoul is a city of contrasts that boasts an extraordinary array of modern and traditional treasures, all of which beckon your discovery.
Country - Korea
Distance from port to City - 15kms
Distance from port to Airport - 15kms
Currency - Korean Won (KRW)
Places of Interest
Namdaemun Gate, Gyeongbokgung Palace, COEX
Shanghai
For the past 15 years Shanghai has reawakened and regained its former glory as “The Paris of the East” in the 1920s and 30s. Its new skyscrapers seem to go up almost overnight, especially in the Pudong District, Shanghai's commericial center. And the air's electric with a sense of confidence and purpose.
Even the best museum, the Shanghai Museum, is but a decade old and already owns a collection of bronze that may well be the finest in the world. Still, there are a few more ancient sites worth your attention such as the pastoral, 16th century Yu Garden, an extraordinary maze of Ming Dynasty pavilions and bridges, encircled by an udulating dragon wall.
Country - China
Distance from port to City - 5kms
Distance from port to Airport - 50kms
Currency - Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Places of Interest The Bund, Nanjing Road, Yuyuan Gardens, Old Bazaar, Xintiandi, Shanghai Museum
Taipei
Taipei is the heart and soul of Taiwan, centre of all the action. It's the crowded, bustling center of Taiwan's commerce, government and culture. The Port of Keelung is your gateway to the amazing attractions of Taipei and the rest of Taiwan.
Country - Taiwan
Distance from port to City - 30kms
Distance from port to Airport - 70kms
Currency - Taiwan New Dollar (TWD)
Places of Interest Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, National Theatre, Longshan Temple
Hong Kong
A city of great contrasts, Hong Kong presents a vivid and vibrant feast for the senses. You will find mirrored skyscrapers, luxurious shopping malls and colourful markets vying for your attention. Take a cruise in a Chinese junk for a unique insight into this city’s lifeblood – its bustling harbour. Head to Victoria Peak for unforgettable views of the city. Visit Aberdeen Fishing Village to learn more about one of Hong Kong’s thriving communities, its boat people. Admire elaborate temples and stroll serene Chinese-style gardens. Or simply indulge in some serious retail therapy!
Country - Hong Kong (China)
Distance from port to City - 0kms
Distance from port to Airport - 20kms
Currency - Hong Kong Dollars (HKD)
Places of Interest Tsim Sha Tsui, The Peak, Hong Kong Disneyland, Victoria Harbour, Lantau Island, Po Lin Monastery
Hanoi
Hanoi has shaken off its hostile attitude to travellers to become one of the most beguiling cities in Southeast Asia. It's slow-paced and pleasant, with a lovely landscape of lakes, shaded boulevards, verdant public parks and French-colonial architecture. Hanoi personifies the spirit of historic Vietnam in the temples, monuments and pockets of ancient culture along the narrow streets of the Old Quarter, yet perfectly reflects the rapid changes sweeping the country as Hanoian yuppies sip cappucinos in roadside cafés and compare mobile phones.
Country - Vietnam
Distance from port to City - 0kms
Distance from Port to Airport - 35kms
Currency - Dong (VND)
Places of Interest
Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, B-52 Lake, Fine Arts Museum
Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Quảng Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. Halong bay is located in Northeastern, Vietnam and the bay stretches from Yen Hung district, pass Hạ Long city, Cam Pha town to Vân Don district, bodered on the south and southeast by Gulf of Tonkin, on the north by China and on the west and southwest by Cat Ba island. The bay has a 120 kilometre long coastline and is approximately 1,553 square kilometres in size with 1969 isles.
Country - Vietnam
Distance from port to City - 0 Kms
Distance to Airport -
Currency - Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Places of Interest
The Kissing Rocks
Da Nang
Today this lovely town on the South China Sea reflects the peaceful era of pre-war Indochina. And up the coast, the grand Thien Mu Pagoda and stately Tu Duc Tomb welcome you to Hue, Vietnam's ancient royal capital, on the banks of the Perfume River.
Country - Vietnam
Distance from port to City - 0kms
Distance from Port to Airport - 8kms
Currency - Dong (VND)
Places of Interest
China Beach, Marble Mountain, An nasiriyah, Cham Museum
Chan May/Hue
Chan May was the capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 and was home to rulers from the Nguyen Dynasty whose royal residence is known as the Forbidden Purple City.
Country - Vietnam
Distance from port to City - 1km
Distance from port to Airport - 650kms
Currency - Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Places of Interest
Saigon
The official name for Vietnam's largest city is Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). However, Saigon is still popular and used in this region, especially by southern Vietnamese adn expat. With a myriad of different things to see and do in this dynamic developing city, visitors can spend a whole month exploring Saigon and nearby area, enjoying its people, culture, custom and food.
Country: Vietnam
Distance from Port to City: 0Kms
Distance to Airport: 0Kms
Currency: Dong (VND)
Places of Interest: Reunification Palace (Dinh Thống Nhất), Notre-Dame Cathedral (Nhà thờ Đức Bà).
Ho Chi Minh City
Over a quarter of a century has passed since the Vietnam War ended in 1975 with the fall of Saigon. Today, the name of this bustling metropolis on the Mekong River is Ho Chi Minh City. Yet, the essence of the city, a major trading center since the 18th century, remains unchanged. The port city of Vung Tau is a seaside beach resort located about two hours east of Ho Chi Minh City, with shopping, discos and a range of eateries. As the closest beach in the vicinity, Vung Tau is a daytrip from Ho Chi Minh City offering a retreat from the city heat.
Country - Vietnam
Distance from port to City - 60 kms
Distance from port to Airport - 80kms
Currency - Vietnam Dong (VND)
Places of Interest Cu Chi Tunnels, City Hall, Renufication Hall, War Remnants Museum
Ko Samui
Ko Samui, Thailand – Wet landing
Latitude: 9°28' N
Longitude: 99°60' E
Surrounded by sixty other islands in the Gulf of Thailand, Ko Samui is Thailand's third largest island. Appearing on maps since the time of the Ming Dynasty the island was probably first settled by Malay fisherman and people from Southern China. Historically Ko Samui and its people survived in a subsistence style but that has steadily changed since the 1980's as tourism took over as the predominate industry on the island. Despite the dominance of tourism Ko Samui has not lost its charm, there are still undeveloped quiet beaches (as well as the more well known busier ones) the people are friendly and the villages welcoming.
Source: www.orionexpeditions.com.au
Bangkok
The port of Laem Chabang is the gateway to the many exotic destinations in the Gulf of Siam including its Bangkok. Visit ancient Buddhist temples and palaces, the colourful floating market, great shopping, fabulous cuisine and cultural shows.
Country - Thailand
Distance from port to City - 150kms
Distance from port to Airport - 150kms
Currency - Thai Baht (THB)
Places of Interest
Grand Palace, The Golden Buddha, Floating Markets
