Seven Wonders Of East Asia

By By Seth Harris, Doron Klemer, Michael Thomas and Jon Wilks

Banaue Rice Terraces Philippines

In places, the Banaue Rice Terraces that shape part of the Cordilleras Mountains date back as far as 3000 BC. And you thought Tokyo Tower was old. Built by ancestors of the Batad people over a 2000 year period, these hand-carved plateaus are still put to agricultural use, though many of the local youngsters are gravitating towards the tourist industry that the area attracts. Unfortunately, this has not made the upkeep any easier, and the region faces the constant threat of erosion through poor management. What remains, however, is truly spectacular. Rising from a height of approximately 1500 meters above sea level, the world's highest rice paddies continue to be naturally irrigated by the rainforests that sit above them, giving them a gold star for environmental friendliness. Considered one of mankind's greatest engineering feats, the Banaue Rice Terraces are often called the 8th Wonder of the Ancient World.

Prepare to Be Gob-Smacked...

If you were able to lay the rice paddies out end to end, they'd stretch halfway around the globe.

What to Do

Local and international tourists alike flock to the region for hiking. The indigenous culture is also prominantly on display; the Ifugao people enjoy dialects and traditions distinct to the rest of the country. A popular example of this is the Imbayah Festival, celebrated every 3 years, falling this year between April 15th and 17th. Well worth the trip.

When to Go

April and May - harvest time - are considered the greenest months, though it's worth bearing in mind that the region is considered "tropical", with all that that entails.

Getting there from Japan

Connecting to Banaue is not as easy as you might hope, however, with the area not serviced by air. A bus from Manila takes approximately 9 hours, arriving in the region around sunrise. Try Florida Bus Line (Tel: +63-2-743-3809) for a more comfortable ride.

Useful Websites

No.1 Travel: www.no1-travel.com
Wow Philippines: www.wowphilippines.com
Official Philippines Tourism Site: www.tourism.gov.ph

Children of Angkor Wat
Cambodia

Angkor Wat ought to be included in any list of Asian sites anyway, but if you have an interest in people, we think the kids here are fairly extraordinary. In an effort to sell their myriad trinkets, children as young as 4 or 5 appear to have memorised every world capital and leader, and a few sentences in every commonly spoken language, regurgitating them at will. Whether fruitful or not,  initial attempts at transacting will often give way to playtime - especially if you make the suggestion - and it's both incredible and mildly heartbreaking to watch them turn from hard-nosed haggling traders into the infants they are. Each time we go back, we find ourselves spending more time doing magic and playing catch with the street urchins than exploring the now-familiar temples.

Prepare to Be Gob-Smacked...

Many of these children are the chief breadwinners in their families, meaning that a healthy education - available to the luckier few - would deprive their dependants of an immediate income.

What to Do

Once you've been soundly beaten in a kick-about, why not try the temples to the side of the football pitch? The general consensus seems to be that they're worth a look.

When to Go

The most forgiving climates occur towards the end of the year, when the tourism machine goes into overdrive. Many guidebooks recommend escaping the crowds by visiting during the rainy season (summer months), hitting the temples during the mornings before the clouds open. You might get drenched, but you won't see another living soul - unless they're pre-pubescent and intent on making a sale.

Getting there from Japan

Angkor Airways fly directly to Siam Reap from Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka. Booking cannot be done online, so call 03-5560-3400 for further details.

Useful Websites

Angkor Airways: www.angkorairways.com
Angkor Wat Official Website: www.angkorwat.org

Erawan Waterfalls
Thailand

Deep in the Kanchanaburi jungle lies a little piece of Elysium, reserved only for the most hallowed of heroes. The Erawan waterfalls are part of the celebrated national park of the same name, a well protected reserve that spawns the kind of wildlife Tarzan would've gawped at. The falls span 7 tiers over a height of about 1500 meters, and are said to resemble the Erawan elephant of Hindu mythology. Most visitors find the initial pools easy to reach, but a combination of poor hiking abilities and overwhelming humidity prevent the great unwashed from bathing in the higher waters. Levels 5 and above will require strong will-power and stronger footwear, but the rich blue pools will leave you wondering what the rest of the world is good for. 

Prepare to Be Gob-Smacked...

Erawan national park contains no less than 21 endangered species of mammal, including tigers, elephants and king cobras, so don't get too relaxed, and keep your blunderbuss handy at all times.

What to Do

Hike along a 3-mile jungle trail, admiring the lack of garbage as much anything else. Remember, the further you hike, the less crowded the falls become. Those that make it to the top are rewarded with an earth-bound paradise most lazy sods will never experience. The nearby caves are a pot-holer's delight, especially Pra That, which is known for its intimidating stalagmites and stalactites - not to mention the resident bats.

When to Go

The "cold" season is between November and January, though most visitors will find this period more than comfortable. The temperatures rise between February and May, but you'll be chin-deep in those turquoise pools - chillin' out, maxin', relaxin' all cool... (as a great man once said).

Getting there from Japan

Flights to Bangkok depart from most major Japanese cities, and deals can be had for a song from the usual suspects: try No.1 Travel, IACE or JST if you're in need of English-language service. From Bangkok, you can take a bus from Sai Tai Mai bus terminal, changing at Kanchanaburi. 3rd class trains also make the journey, though bus or taxi are generally felt to be the better option.

Useful Websites

The Erawan Waterfalls are well-served by blogging travelers. Googling ought to get you somewhere, though heading straight for www.tripadvisor.com may save you some time.
No.1 Travel: www.no1-travel.com
IACE: www.iace.co.jp/english
JST: www.jstgroup.com

Komodo Island
Indonesia

Counted amongst the Lesser Sunda islands of Indonesia, Komodo is less than 400 square kilometers, with a mere 2000 inhabitants - not including the giant lizards that share its name. These beasts are not to be sniffed at, and given that these creatures rely on an astounding sense of smell, you'd better hope they live by a similar maxim. Menstruating women are forbidden from the island, and guides will tell you that these huge and deadly carnivores are controllable up to the moment they sniff blood, at which point all hell breaks loose and the animals go berserk. Even if you manage to escape with the smallest of bites, the Komodo dragon - a drooly critter - produces saliva that few survive. The only creatures immune to this "stew of microbes" are the dragons themselves. The islands are also worshipped by divers, the submerged delights bearing no resemblance to the parched terrain above.

Prepare to Be Gob-Smacked...

Until a few years ago, visitors were encouraged to buy a goat from the locals, who would then tether the unfortunate creature near a waterhole, where its frantic bleating would summon the infected jaws of death. Thankfully for the Komodo goat population, this gruesome practice has been stopped, though reports suggest that German tourists are new on the menu. All that was found after one Bavarian daytripper strayed from his group was a pair of glasses and a pocket instamatic...

What to Do

Aside from dodging prehistoric monsters, make sure you take in colorful Pink Beach, which is... pink. Easily some of the best snorkeling and diving we've ever done.

When to Go

Komodo Island is hot most of the year round, with a short rainy season in January. Lowest temperatures are recorded in August, though it's still hot enough to scorch 3rd degree burns into western shoulders.

Getting there from Japan

Reaching Komodo Island from Japan is most easily done via Bali. From Denpasar, visitors make their way to Labuan Bajo or Bima, where boats can be arranged for Komodo National Park (comprising Komodo and its neighboring islands). Head for Loh Liang or Loh Buaya (Rinca Island), and keep your eyes peeled from the moment you set foot on land. The lizards really do rule.

Useful Websites

Komodo National Park: www.komodonationalpark.org

Perhentian Islands
Malaysia

If white beaches, rolling surf and vast submerged ecosystems are your idea of nature at its most glorious, you couldn't think up a better destination than the Perhentian Islands of Malaysia. This heavenly archipelago is made up of 2 protrusions: Besar ("big") and Kecil  ("small"). If it's a party mood you're after, the smaller island is where the young backpacker crowd are entrenched. Besar tends to cater more for the older, family groups. Either way, don't expect much more than sun and water-sports. There are no museums, statues, towers, pachinko parlors, game centers or conbinis to waste your time in, just as there are no roads or land vehicles to foul up the lush jungle. Travelers come here for the fabulous diving opportunities. With visibility up to 20 meters, most enthusiasts relish the warm currents as much as the mind-melting fauna on display. No need for a wet suit here, unless you fear the occasional jellyfish brushing up against you. Expect to see sea turtles, scorpion fish, sharks and more coral than you can shake a machete at. Worth noting, though, that the area is a protected marine park, so any machete-shaking you indulge in will bring the authorities quick-smart.

Prepare to Be Gob-Smacked...

It's thought that, due to aggressive tourist interest, the majestic reefs may be gone within 10 years. The rule of thumb in these parts is look but don't touch. Do what you can to help out, eh?

What to Do

Snorkel, dive, kayak or sunbathe. Take care indulging in the latter, however. The sun is extremely strong in these parts and the last thing you want to bring back from your holidays is a blossoming melanoma. If you get bored of the sea thing, a jungle hike is well recommended (though not for the arachnopobic).

When to Go

Anywhere between February and October. The Eastern Monsoon prevents access at other times.

Getting there from Japan

Malaysia Airlines flies out of most Japanese international airports. From Kuala Lumpur, head for Kota Bharu - Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia provide regular services. From Penang, you might try budget carrier Firefly. From Kota Bharu, take the bus to Kuala Besut, from where you can arrange transportation to the islands themselves.

Useful Websites

Malaysia Airlines: www.malaysiaairlines.com
Air Asia: www.airasia.com
Firefly: www.fireflyz.com.my
Wiki Travel Perhentian Islands: wikitravel.org/en/Perhentian_Islands

The Underground City
China

Construction for the Underground City, Beijing, began when relations turned frosty between China and the USSR in 1969, and was completed 10 years later. 300,000 volunteers (school-children included) were engaged in this mammoth project. Stretching over 85 square kilometers, this maze of hand-dug tunnels and air raid shelters was designed to hold 40% of Beijing’s population in the event of a nuclear attack on the capital. Statues and faded posters still adorn the halls and walls, exhorting Beijingers to never waver in their support for Mao and the Party. Theatres, mushroom-cultivation spaces, restaurants, schools and even an ice-skating rink were all included in the project. Today, a guide will take you deep inside the “Underground Great Wall”, as it’s also known, pointing out features of particular interest and doing their best to answer any questions put to them.  BYOT (Bring Your Own Torch).

Prepare to Be Gob-Smacked...

In a typical salute to local history, Mao Zedong had large sections of Beijing's ancient city walls destroyed, bringing the rubble underground to aid in his subterranean fantasia.

What to Do

Wander the 30km of hidden tunnels, wondering at how the locals appear to have forgotten about its existence. Contemplate the fact that the construction is apparently handbuilt, and once had an entrance point convenient to every residence in Beijing.

When to Go

Beijing's climate is said to be at its best during the late summer/ early autumn months, though April through May are also considered tourist-friendly, flying sand permitting. As with Japan during Golden Week, guidebooks usually recommend avoiding national holidays, when the entire country gets up and has a look around. Travel at your peril during New Year, and during the first weeks in both May and October.

Getting there from Japan

All major airports connect Japan with Beijing, so contact your regular travel agent. If you have the time but not the money, it may be worth looking at invading by sea. China Express Line runs a ferry from Kobe to Tientsin, (a 70 minute train ride from Beijing, soon to be connected by a high-speed rail link), leaving once a week on Fridays and arriving two days later. Tickets cost a laughable ¥20,000 one way, ¥30,000 return, less than the price you’d pay in taxes and fuel charges alone on the planes.

Controversies

The IOC’s decision to award the Olympics to China was controversial to say the least, due to the dictatorship’s appalling record of human rights and their allegedly obstructionist stance with regards to the Sudanese government’s genocidal cleansing in Darfur, to mention but two major issues. As we go to print, there have been no concrete plans for a Cold War-era boycott from partaking nations, (although some fans may well think twice about adding to the credibility of the host nation by attending), but the Games have given protestors the opportunity to focus international attention on controversial aspects of China’s past and present, most notably recent demonstrations and civil unrest in Lhasa, Tibet, which many view as being essentially under Chinese occupation since 1950.

Yonaguni Monument
Japan

It strikes us as odd that, while Huis Ten Bosch brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to Nagasaki Prefecture each year, the submerged Kaitei Iseki ruins off the coast of Yonaguni Island are virtually unknown. Discovered in 1985 by tour operator Kihachiro Aratake, the Yonaguni Monument is a large platform that shows traces of human development, despite being some 8000 years old. Initially dismissed by American scientists as the product of an unusual geological process, more recently Japanese authorities have found writing on the hewn rocks that bare no relation to the local calligraphy of any recorded period. Furthermore, the technology required to construct the monument - which also features staircases and corridors - does not equate with what we know of human capabilities at that time. If, indeed, the area can be confirmed as being part of some lost civilization, history books will certainly need rewriting, though disappointment from those that believe this is the remnants of an alien visitation will be palpable.

Prepare to Be Gob-Smacked...

...or killed. Yonaguni Island is home to the anbonia shellfish. Beautiful to look at, and a tempting addition to any shell collection, the anbonia defends itself with a highly venomous harpoon-like limb. One jab and you might as well join the eroding monument on the seabed. The likelihood of getting to an antidote in time is negligible.

What to Do

As the opportunity to get down to the monument is tempered by unpredictable weather, rough seas and a particularly prosperous school of hammerhead sharks, finding an alternative at the end of your long journey would make for wise planning. Yonaguni is a geologist's paradise, with at least 5 outstanding rock formations on the island itself, as well as a wealth of caverns. The local museum is interesting enough, however, if you can't bear the disappointment of missing out on the dive of a lifetime, the local hanazake brew should numb your pain sufficiently.

When to Go

Much like the rest of Japan, the Yaeyama Islands are a pleasant trip most of the year round. April and September are typically the cooler months. Remember that early summer brings typhoons, and the Yaeyamas are slap-bang central to Typhoon Alley.

Getting there from Japan

Yonaguni Airport connects to Ishigaki and Naha, though the prices aren't much fun. A 4-hour boat ride out of Ishigaki is a cheaper option. Call the Fukuyama Kaiun shipping company (0980-87-2555) for further details.

Useful Websites

Yonaguni Travel Wiki: wikitravel.org/en/Yonaguni
Okinawa Tourist Information: www.ocvb.or.jp
Japan Transocean Air (Japanese only): www.jal.co.jp/jta
Ryukyu Air Commuter (Japanese only): rac.churashima.net

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