EAST ASIA is one of the planet’s most fascinating corners. From the moment you step foot in it, East Asia dazzles in the grandest way possible. From ancient, moss-covered temples to futuristic, neon-splattered cities, some of the most memorable travel experiences of your life await should you choose to venture here.

Home to many ancient civilizations from the Mongol Empire to Ancient China, the area has always been the cradle of civilization. In modern day, the area is home to many major world metropolises like Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, and many more.

The region of East Asia is divided from the rest of Asia by a number of formidable physical barriers. In the north, Mongolia’s Altay Mountains, the Mongolian Plateau, and the Gobi Desert separate the region from Russia. In the south, the Himalaya Mountains divide East China from South Asia and contain the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest. These mountains are so high, in fact, that they form the Gobi Desert by preventing rainfall from passing over South Asia into Central Asia. In general, this is a realm of relatively high relief, meaning there are significant changes in elevation on the landscape. Even the island nation of Japan has rugged topography, with Mount Fuji as its highest peak.