Ancient temples, empty beaches, mighty rivers, remote forests ...and (outside Angkor) only a handful of tourists. But the word is out - Cambodia has emerged from decades of war and isolation and is well and truly back on the southeast Asian travel map.

The successor-state of the mighty Khmer Empire, which ruled much of what is now Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, Cambodia boasts a rich culture, a weathered French-era capital and impressive natural scenery. The peace is young but the country is slowly attracting the tourism currently sweeping Vietnam.

Ancient temples, empty beaches, mighty rivers, remote forests ... and (outside Angkor) only a handful of tourists. But the word is out - Cambodia has emerged from the decades of war and isolation that made it a byword for atrocities, refugees, poverty and political instability. Those magical Angkor temples are drawing gaping travellers by the busload once more, and Cambodia is well and truly back on the South-East Asian travel map.

The successor-state of the mighty Khmer Empire - which ruled much of what is now Vietnam, Laos and Thailand - Cambodia boasts a rich culture, French-era (albeit a little weathered) capital and impressive natural scenery. The peace is young but relatively stable, and the country is slowly attracting the tourism currently sweeping neighbouring Vietnam. However, the proliferation of land mines and banditry in remote areas means the picture isn't all rosy, and for now the beaten path remains by far the one best travelled.

China (China Map)

A country with more than 4,000 years’ history of civilization, China is bursting with mysteries of great age and cultures of unique depth. Located on the east of Asia and to the west of the Pacific, it is a country with scenic landscapes as well as being culturally and artistically rich. It is the third-largest country in the world in land area and the largest in population.

China practiced a ‘closed-door economy’ for years but is ‘wide awake’ today and ready to accept friends from all corners of the world. It's hotel and tourism industry is growing rapidly as is the infrastructure to accept western visitors. There is so much to see and do in this country that 'boredom' won't be part of your time spent here.

The government of China, is based in Beijing and rules 21 provinces and the five ‘autonomous regions’ of Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Guangxi, and Tibet. Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are all firmly regarded by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as Chinese territory. (Hong Kong and Macau have already been handed back to China and Taiwan’s relationship with China has yet to be determined.)

Hong Kong (Hong Kong Map)

Hong Kong, also known as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is a city and a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (PRC), located on the southeastern coast of China. A former British colony, it is one of the world's freest economies and a major international center of finance and trade.

India (India Map)

The Republic of India is a country in South Asia which comprises most of the Indian subcontinent. India has a coastline which stretches over seven thousand kilometres, and shares its borders with Pakistan to the west, the People's Republic of China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the northeast, and Bangladesh and Myanmar on the east. On the Indian Ocean, it is adjacent to the island nations of the Maldives on the southwest, Sri Lanka on the south, and Indonesia on the southeast. India also claims a border with Afghanistan to the northwest.

Indonesia (Indonesia Map)

Stretching over 3000 miles, Indonesia comprises six main islands, plus 30 smaller archipelagos which house most of the population, and contain more than 300 largely extinct volcanoes due to their geographical location on a volcanic belt. The fourth most populous country in the world, Indonesia comprises more than 13,000 islands in total. Two thirds of Indonesia consists of forests, woodland and mangrove swamp and the islands support a wide variety of flora and fauna. The landscape of the composite parts of Indonesia varies from island to island, from spectacular high mountain ranges and plateaux to coastal lowlands, from rainforests to pristine beaches.

The nation's capital, Jakarta is the main gateway to Indonesia. It is a contrast of modern western architecture and traditional Indonesian culture. Its rapid growth into a metropolitan city reflects the economic, political, social and industrial development of the nation. Sumatra has a wealth of natural resources and wildlife, massive rivers and some interesting architecture. Sumatra is the second largest island in Indonesia and is largely covered in rain forests and swamplands. Way Kambas National Park is a haven for wild elephants, and gives visitors the chance to see these animals up close.

Bali is relatively small, it is densely populated and culturally and economically one of the most important islands of Indonesia. The Balinese people have a unique ritualistic culture, and the island's scenic beauty, has made Bali one of the great tourist attractions of East Asia. Legian and Kuta beaches are the most commercialised and crowded part of Bali. Nusa Dua is known as a more luxurious area in Bali and Ulawatu, the ancient Hindu cliff temple, is not far from here.

Japan (Japan Map)

Japan is a country on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean. The "Land of the Rising Sun" lies to the east of the Asian continent and is composed of over 3,000 islands. The largest and main islands are, from north to south

Laos (Laos Map)

Laos, Covering an area of 236,800 square kilometres. In the West the country borders on Thailand and Burma, in the North on China and Vietnam, in the East on Vietnam and in the South on Cambodia. Laos is the only Southeast Asian country without direct access to the sea. Most of the country is mountainous, and where there are no mountains one meets with highland plateaus.

Laos' main artery is the Mekong, which for more than 1,800 kilometres - almost half of its entire length - passes through the country or forms the boundary between Laos and Thailand.

Macau (Macau Map)

The Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, short form Macau or Macao, is a small territory on the southern coast of China. It is 70 km southwest of Hong Kong and 145 km from Guangzhou. It was the oldest European colony in China, dating back to the 16th century. The Portuguese government transferred sovereignty over Macau to the People's Republic of China in 1999, and it is now run as a Special Administrative Region of the PRC. Residents of Macau mostly speak Cantonese natively; Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, and English are also spoken.

Malaysia (Malaysia Maps)

Malaysia is a vibrant mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous tribal cultures, creating a veritable melting pot of peoples, traditions and religions. The magnificent landscape is no less diverse - dense jungles, soaring peaks and lush tropical rainforests harbour an abundant flora and fauna. Tropical island resorts and endless white, sandy beaches offer a taste of paradise, while beneath warm coral seas world-class dive sites await exploration.

Kuala Lumpur, the country's showpiece, is a city of skyscrapers, contrasting vividly with historic Malacca, the ancient heart of the Malay culture. Old colonial hill resorts offer refuge from summer heat, while exotic Penang island offers a heady mix of traditional culture and resort fun. Beyond peninsular Malaysia yet more delights await on the stunning Langkawi islands and with the unique tribal cultures of Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia's provinces on Borneo.

Year-round sunshine, superb scenery and a relaxed atmosphere ensure Malaysia's continued reputation as a first-class beach destination. Recent promotions of the country as a shopping paradise and eco-tourism centre will doubtless draw many more people to discover the fabulous diversity of this beautiful country. (Read More about Malaysia)

Maldives (Maldives Map)

It's almost impossible to speak about the islands of Maldives, without sounding pompous or been driven into a glorious description of the Maldivian exotic nature. Thus, simply Maldives which is located in the Indian Ocean, about 500 km from the southern tips of Srilanka and India, the Maldives is an exotic tropical island paradise for the sun lover, the surfer, the diver, the honeymooners and those who desire peace in its deepest meaning.

Scatters across the equator in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the gem like islands of the Maldives depict the rare vision of a tropical paradise. Palm fringed islands with sparkling white beaches, turquoise lagoons, clear warm waters and coral reefs teeming with abundant varieties of marine flora and fauna, continue to fascinate visitors, as it has fascinated others in the past, for thousands of years. Marco Polo referred to the Maldives as the ".......flowers of the Indies", and Ibn Batuta called her in his chronicles "One of the wonders of the world:

Truly a natural wonder, the height of the islands rarely reach above 2 meters. It is said that nobody could exactly say the number of islands in Maldives. When one counts the smaller islets and sandbanks; the commonly agreed figure is 1,190 coral islands, consisting of 26 Atoll formations which are spread over an area of 90,000 square kilometers. The Maldivian Atolls are a classic discovery in its own right: the word "Atoll" has been derived from "Dhivehi" (our own language) the word "Atholhu".

Each of the islands itself started the life as a little sandbank on a coral reef. And by the action of wind, waves, currents, rain and tides they gradually expand and evolved into islands. At this same manner, as a result of storms, changing tides; it disappear once more beneath the sea. Together these islands which have evolved from circular coral reefs are known by the Maldivians as "Atholhu". So, could this be the largest reef formation in the world!

Thus, a low lying island is naturally formed. Coconuts are washed ashore, palm trees and hardy bushes grow and their roots stabilizes the sand on the coral. Sea birds and hermit crabs are the first known inhabitants. These islands are surrounded by shallow crystal clear lagoons enclosed by coral reefs. Further, these islands provide visitors with one of the most breathtaking views of underwater life in the world. Formed above peaks emerging from the depths of the ocean, upon layers of both living and dead coral, and remnants of other marine life, the islands are generally covered with dense tropical vegetation. Coconut palms towering above dense shrubs and hardy plants protecting the shores from erosion are natural features in most islands. The smaller islands and sand banks under formation are also wonders in themselves. These islands together embody living entities in various stages of formation, as interdependent elements in an ecology. In a food chain where birds, fish, and other marine life co-exist, with humans at its apex as caretakers for centuries.

Myanmar (Myanmar Map)

The Union of Myanmar, formerly the Union of Burma, is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia. It is bordered by the People's Republic of China on the north, Laos on the east, Thailand on the south east, Bangladesh on the west, and India on the north west, with the Andaman Sea to the south, and the Bay of Bengal to the south west (for a total of over 2,000 kilometers of coast line). The country has been ruled by a military junta led by General Ne Win from 1962 to 1988, and its political system today remains under the tight control of the military junta.

Nepal (Nepal Map)

The Kingdom of Nepal, situated in the Himalaya, is the world's only Hindu kingdom. It is in South Asia, sharing borders with the People's Republic of China (Tibet Autonomous Region) and India.

Philippines (Philippines Map)

The 7000-odd islands that comprise the Philippines are the forgotten islands of southeast Asia. Off the main overland route and with a recent history of martial law and endemic corruption, the country has struggled to attract tourists in the numbers many of its southeast Asian neighbours have.

However, most of the Philippines is laidback, stable and relatively safe. The locals are, by and large, an exceptionally friendly and helpful bunch. On top of this, transport is cheap, the food is good, accommodation is plentiful and (for the monolinguistic) English is widely spoken.

The Philippines has been dogged by trouble. In 2000 a Brussels-based research centre declared the Philippines the most disaster-prone country on earth. It named typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, garbage landslides and military action against Muslim insurgents as just some of the problems both locals and tourists have had to deal with.

Singapore (Singapore Map)

The Republic of Singapore, is an island city-state in Southeast Asia, situated on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, south of the Malaysian state of Johor and north of the Indonesian Riau Islands. The name Singapore was derived from Malay word singa (lion), which itself is derived from the Sanskrit word of the same meaning, and the Sanskrit word pura (city).

South Korea (South Korea Map)

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) occupies the southern half of the Korean peninsula in East Asia. The Korean Peninsula extends southward from the eastern end of the Asian continent and consists of the Korean Peninsula and over 3,400 islands. Lacking formidable land or sea barriers along its borders and occupying a central position among East Asian nations, the Korean Peninsula has served as a cultural bridge between the mainland and the Japanese archipelago. Mountains cover 70% of Korea's land area and almost two-thirds are covered in forest, making the peninsula one of the most mountainous regions in the world. The lifting and folding of Korea's granite and limestone base has created breathtaking landscapes of scenic hills and mountains.

The capital city, Seoul, is modern and yet appealingly ancient. It has been the capital since the founding of the Choson Dynasty more than 600 years ago. Peeking out from among the 12-lane freeways, overshadowed by high-rises, Seoul has a hidden history of centuries-old temples, royal palaces, markets, museums, pagodas, pleasure gardens and traces of the ancient walls. Famous for its palaces Kyongbokkung Palace is the best known. The National Folk Museum in the grounds of the palace is dedicated to showing the religious rituals, housing, household tools and implements, food, and social dynamics of traditional Korean life through the ages. The Han River, which flows through Seoul, provides relaxation areas for the local citizens, and is popular for it’s river cruises. In Mt. Namsan Park are hiking trails, a cable car, and visitors can get a panoramic view of the entire city from the Seoul Tower (third tallest tower in the world) observatory located at the top of the mountain.

Located on the south-eastern tip of South Korea, Pusan is the second largest city in Korea and its largest port. Its name means Cauldron Mountain, referring to the ring of peaks which rise behind the city. The area has two main beach resorts, Haeundae and Songjong. Haeundae is about an hour’s drive from Pusan city, probably the most popular resort in the area and has a long, sandy beach with a good range of hotels, seafood restaurants, hot springs and a casino. Also in Pusan, the UN Memorial Cemetery, is the only cemetery managed by the United Nations, and sits on low hills overlooking the Sea of Japan. It is the final resting place for 2,000 foreign soldiers killed in the Korean conflict.

Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka Map)

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (known as Ceylon before 1972) is a tropical island nation off the southeast coast of the Indian subcontinent.

The island was known in ancient times as Lanka, Lankadeepa (Sanskrit for "resplendent land"), Simoundou, Taprobane (from the Sanskrit T?maraparn?), Serendib (from the Sanskrit Sinhala-dweepa), and Selan. During colonization, the island became known as Ceylon, a name still used on occasion. Its unique shape and proximity to the Indian mainland have led some to refer to the island as India's Teardrop.

Thailand (Thailand Maps)

Thailand lies in southeast Asia, between the Indian and Pacific oceans. Thailand is bordered on the north-west by Myanmar, on the north-east by Laos, on the south-east by Cambodia and the Gulf of Thailand, on the south by Malaysia, and on the south-west by the Andaman Sea. The north-western border with Myanmar, and the long Isthmus of Kra are mountainous. The central plain is the most fertile and thickly populated area, while the low north-eastern plateau is the poorest region. There is more visible historical evidence of past eras in Thailand than in any other South-East Asian country, so if you're interested in ruins, temples and deserted cities, this is the place to go. For pure holiday-making magic, Thailand's islands and beaches are working definitions of heaven. As for urban delights, the huge metropolis of Bangkok, although it can alarm with its chaos and its scale, tends to so charm visitors with its energy and cultural treasures.

Blessed with numerous powdery, soft beaches surrounded by warm inviting seas there is a lot more to Thailand than Bangkok. Park yourself on any of the surrounding islands for ultimate recreation and relaxation. Accessible only by boat, Koh Samui, Ko Phan Ghan and Koh Tao are all popular island destinations in the Gulf of Thailand. Many other resorts of a more up-market standard can be found on the other side of the Peninsula in the Indian Ocean including the increasingly popular Phuket and Pattaya. For yet another taste of Thailand, head north to Chang Mai. Away from the beach and the fast-paced nature of central Thailand, Chang Mai is the second largest city with extensive offerings. Trek through the jungles along the Myanmar border, discover Thailand's true shopping capital and respect some of the country's rich cultural heritage in the northern hilltribes. (Read More about Thailand)

Vietnam (Vietnam Map)

Vietnam - here you will have a chance to find out about the history, culture, landscape, the way of life of the people, the cuisine, etc.

Vietnam is a country with a past as rich as the soil in the blazing green deltas. This past reads like a romantic legend, full of heroic struggles and astounding victories whereby this small country retained its culture, absorbing and adapting the strengths of its foes but never losing its traditions or sense of history. In Vietnam, traditions carry real meaning. Ancient heroes are still venerated at colourful temple festivals, people honour their ancestors, and village elders teach values of hard work, hospitality, and filial loyalty. With 54 ethnic groups, most of whom live in remote areas and follow age-old customs. Vietnam offers unparalleled opportunities for cultural exploration.

Asian Map