Extending from snowy peaks to tropical paradises, encompassing urban cacophony and rural retreats, expressing itself through kabuki theater and Kurosawa cinema, Japan packs more inside its borders than you’d think such a tiny slice of real estate could handle. With a strife-filled history and a tendency toward natural disasters, it’s a country continually on the make, always ready to rebuild and renew. At the cutting edge of technology and business, this archipelago is also at the forward edge of the globe, greeting the dawn while the rest of the world sleeps.

Unhindered by its late entry onto the world stage, Japan has made up for lost time by spreading an unmistakable culture that seamlessly blends old with new, east with west. Whether the image that flits to mind is of kimono-clad hostesses performing tea ceremonies or harried salary men commuting on high-speed shinkansen, people across the globe have vivid impressions of what’s distinctly and authentically Japanese. The country has done a brisk trade in exports, spreading sushi, anime, martial arts, and high technology all over the planet, making “Made in Japan” a stamp recognized by consumers of culture the world over.

But as familiar as Japan may seem, it’s still an enigma to the outside. Closed to the West until 1853 and separated from continental Asia by both oceans and ideologies, this island nation stands uniquely apart from the rest of the world. From the samurai ethos to industrial efficiency, demure geisha to collective responsibility, Japan’s mystique has fascinated the world for centuries. And as much as Japan stands at the forefront of globalization, it can also be an insular culture that responds better to subtle indirection than pointed inquiries. For every traditional temple or urban imprint you recognize, the country will surprise you by throwing a secluded islet or undiscovered subculture into the mix. As well versed as you may be in kendo or kanji, your first thought as you step off the plane could still be that you’re sure not in Kansas anymore. Neither entirely familiar nor completely foreign, Japan offers an experience you’ll find nowhere else, one you owe it to yourself to discover.'

The above is an excerpt from Japan, A Let's Go Travel Guide.

CONTACT ANDERSON TRAVEL to plan your adventure to Japan!

China

'China is in the midst of a slow explosion. Five thousand years of history and not yet anywhere near past its prime, China today is very much under construction. Chinese history is a staggeringly long tale of civilizations, conquest, and expansion, and this particular moment in time is no exception. Everywhere, old buildings, roads, traditions, and ideas are being torn down as new frameworks are erected, some making careful use of the past, others branching out in new directions altogether. China is dynamic and exciting, with sprawling, sophisticated cities. It is diverse, with dozens of minority nationalities, cuisines, and cultures. It is a place of tremendous natural beauty, with vast, fertile plains and expansive mountain panoramas.

Even the best-laid travel plans are no match for the monsoons, typhoons, snowstorms, and heavy floods that periodically close China's roads, rails, and airports, sometimes making whole areas seasonally inaccessible. In general, summer is hot almost everywhere (except at high altitudes), and rainy and very humid south of the Yangzi River; winters range from extremely cold in the far north (especially north of Beijing) to extremely mild in the south. Late spring and early autumn are usually the best times to travel.

Although most of the country is temperate, southern Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guangdong provinces, as well as Hong Kong, Macau, and Hainan Island, lie in the tropics. Travelers in the summer should watch out for summer monsoons, which originate in the South Pacific and can carry rain as far as Mongolia; as a result, rainfall is generally greatest in the southeast, least in the northwest, and heaviest in the summer. Typhoons (tropical cyclones) occur year-round in coastal China, but are strongest in late summer and early autumn. Many of China's rivers, particularly the Yellow and the Yangzi, are prone to seasonal flooding, especially in June, July, and August. Frequent floods, landslides, and mudslides caused by heavy summer rains can make land travel treacherous, particularly in areas with dirt roads, rickety bridges, and otherwise poor infrastructure. F

China's many festivals and national holidays can both attract and deter travelers. Traveling during the holidays is fraught with hassels---train and bus tickets are usually harder to come by, and hotels are often booked.

From temple-hopping to bar-hopping, there is a great deal of everything in China. Those with specialized interests can indulge to their hearts' content; those without will find no better opportunity to develop them. China's neon-lit cities, fascinating age-old customs, incredible sense of history, and gorgeous sights will quench the soul of even the most travel-thirsty explorer.'

The above is an excerpt from China, A Let's Go Travel Guide.