Travel Destinations: Izu-Hanto, Japan

Japan is one of the most popular East Asian countries to visit, with Tokyo being the number one destination. However, there is so much more to Japan than just Tokyo.

Located around 100km to the southwest of Tokyo you will find the peninsular, Izu-Hanto. With numerous onsen and its stunning natural beauty, this is one of the most popular destinations in the country. You will need at least three days to tour around this region before heading back to the capital.

ATAMI:

With a population of around 43,000 people, Atami is a gorgeous hot springs resort on the coast. It may not have the big cultural attractions to draw the attention of visitors, but this is a stunning place to spend a few hours. The MOA Museum of Art overlooks the coastline and showscases a fascinating array of Japanese and Chinese art, spanning over 1000 years. There are paintings, sculptures, calligraphy and ceramics here.

ITO:

Another gorgeous hot springs resort, it is famous for being the location where Anijin-san (also known as William Adams) built a ship for the Tokugawa shogunate in the famous book Shogun by James Clavell. There are no real cultural or historical attractions here, but you can relax in one of the onsen baths and take in the rugged beauty of the coastline. There are some good hiking trails along the cliffs at the Jogasaki coast which were formed from lava.

SHIMODA:

If you only have the time for one place in Izu Hanto, then you need to come to Shimoda; this is the loveliest out of the region’s onsen towns. It is famous for being the residence of the first Western diplomat to live in Japan, the American Townsend Harris.

Ryosen-ji and Choraku-ji are visited for being the place where the Treaty of Kanagawa was signed by the Tokugawa shogunate and Commodore Perry. Next to the temple you will find a small but interesting museum. The main theme here is the Western arrival in Japan. There are some fascinating photos of the tragic life of the courtesan Okichisan who had to give up the man she loved to serve the needs of the Western barbarian Harris. When Perry left Japan five years later, she was stigmatised for having been in a relationship with a foreigner and eventually committed suicide.

Other great places to visit here the Shimoda Koen park which overlooks the bay; in June it bursts into colour when the hydrangeas bloom. In addition to this, there are some great beaches and the opportunity to take a cruise around the bay.

Travel Destinations: Guoliangcun, Henan Province, China

Guoliangcun is a small village, home to around 300 people. It is nestled away on the cliff top high up on the Wanxian Mountains (Ten Thousand Immortals) in the north of Henan Province. This pretty little stone hamlet has been a delight to find, being hidden away from the rest of the world due to inaccessibility and anonymity. It has risen to fame in the last few years as the breathtaking backdrop to movies set in ancient times and in mythology.

Today, Guoliangcun draws masses of tourists and artists who come here for inspiration – the simply stunning beautiful scenery gives poets, painters and writers all the inspiration an artist could ever want. Recently, hotels have been established at the foot of the village, but the original and traditional buildings have remained, climbing the slopes of the mountain.

The weather here is much cooler than Zhengzhou which means that mosquitoes do not stay here all the year round. If coming during the winter, it is best to pack some warmer clothing as the nights can be very cold.

As soon as you enter Guoliangcun, you will be amazed by the simple prettiness of this village. The houses are decorated with the yellow bangzi (sweetcorn cobs), and are made with the same stone that has been used for the streets, alleyways, bridges and the gates that decorate the village. The villagers are used to seeing visitors, but you will see the old people watch you from their doorways and children run around in the streets.

Guoliangcun offers some lovely sights to see. Taihang Precipice (Taihang Juebi) is the first thing you see as you draw closer to the village but you can go back down to see it more clearly. These cliffs have some incredible and dramatic views from the tunnel carved from the face of the rock itself.

For a long time, the Sky Ladder (Tian Ti) was the only way in or out of the village. You can now go via the road behind the hotel strip away from the Sky Ladder; this is a hair-raising 5km loop through the mountainous valley and through the wonderful Shouting Spring (Huan Quan). According to the old legend, the flow of the spring’s water responds to how loud your shouts are. You will also see the Old Pool (Lao Tan) and the Red Dragon Cave (Honglong Dong) and the White Dragon Cave (Bailong Dong). From here, take a bottle of water and head for one of the smaller trails into the hills and relax and enjoy the incredibly and awe-inspiring natural beauty of this remarkable place.