East Asia is a region of Asia that brings together China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia and Taiwan. It is a cultural and geographical area rather than a single country, so a visit here is usually a journey between several places, each with its own language, cities and landscapes, linked by long-standing ties.
What links the region
The countries of East Asia share historical influences and Confucian traditions, which can still be seen in family life, education, and respect for ceremony and learning. Visitors often notice these threads in temples, festivals and everyday customs, even where the countries differ sharply from one another.
What a visit offers
- Large, busy cities alongside quieter rural and mountain areas.
- Some of the world's most populous nations and highly developed economies, reflected in modern transport, cities and markets.
- A chance to compare how neighbouring societies have shaped their traditions in different ways.
- Varied landscapes, from the steppes of Mongolia to the islands and coastlines of Japan and Taiwan.
Because the region spans several countries, it suits travellers who are happy to plan a route that moves between them. Many visitors choose one or two countries to explore in depth rather than attempting the whole region in a single trip.
