Thailand
Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia. It's famous for its tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins and temples adorned with Buddha figures. In Bangkok, the capital, an ultra-modern cityscape rises alongside quiet canal-side communities and the iconic temples of Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). Nearby beach resorts include bustling Pattaya and trendy Hua Hin.
Japan
Japan is a Pacific Ocean island nation with dense cities, imperial palaces, mountainous national parks and thousands of shrines and temples. The Shinkansen bullet train connects the main islands of Kyushu (to the subtropical beaches of Okinawa), Honshu (to Tokyo and the atomic bombing memorial in Hiroshima) and Hokkaido (famous for skiing). Tokyo, the capital, is famous for its skyscrapers, commerce and pop culture.
India
India is a vast South Asian country with a diverse terrain ranging from the peaks of the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean coast. It has a history of more than 5 millennia. In the north, historic monuments of the Mughal Empire include Delhi's Red Fort complex and the massive Jama Masjid mosque, along with the iconic Taj Mahal mausoleum in Agra. Pilgrims bathe in the Ganges in Varanasi, and Rishikesh is a yoga centre and a base for treks into the Himalayas.
China
China is a densely populated East Asian nation whose vast landscapes encompass grasslands, deserts, mountains, lakes, rivers and more than 14,000 km of coastline. The capital, Beijing, blends modern architecture with historic sites such as the Forbidden City palace complex and Tiananmen Square. Shanghai is a global financial centre adorned with skyscrapers. The iconic Great Wall of China runs across the north of the country from east to west.
Vietnam
Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country on the South China Sea known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas and sprawling cities. The capital, Hanoi, pays homage to the nation's iconic communist-era leader, Ho Chi Minh, with a huge marble mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has French colonial sites, along with Vietnam War history museums and the Củ Chi tunnels, which were used by Viet Cong soldiers.