As the two great powers of Asia, China and Japan are countries of extreme contrast, but neither have ever really been regarded as major tourist options until recently. Indeed China only really started welcoming back tourists in the early 1980's after a period stretching back to just after World War II when foreigners where more or less banned. Since those unfortunate times the place has made a concerted effort to be far more accommodating and now receives massive numbers of travelers, eager to explore this remarkable expanse of land.

Due to the sheer size of China it would take years to visit each tourist attraction on single visits so without doubt the best way to see worthwhile areas is via one of the many tours that are available, taking you in all directions across the country. The most famous and popular place to visit is The Great Wall, with height and thickness as much as 8 meters in places, it stretches out over 6,000km northwards, over mountainous terrain from Beijing. This capital city is well known for places such as: The Forbidden City, the Imperial Palace, and the Temple of Heaven. It is also the starting point of the Grand Canal at 1,800km, the longest man-made waterway in the world.

Shanghai and Xian are the other two cities that make up one of the most frequented tours, better known as the Golden Triangle Trip, and terrific value for money. Shanghai is a modern day metropolis, whilst Xian is possibly best known as the site of the excavation of the truly remarkable Terracotta Warriors and their horses, which genuinely have to be seen to be believed. Other must see sites are the abandoned cities of the Silk Road trading routes, where you will also encounter the man-made Mogao Caves. Cruises along both the Yangtze and Yellow rivers are also terrific experiences.

Japan has really taken off as a destination with people keen to sample the delights of their intriguing culture and rich historical background, not to mention its glorious landscapes. Add to that some truly breath-taking architecture, plus their thirst for innovative technological solutions which are at the forefront of seemingly everything they do, then you have the perfect mix for a trip of a lifetime.

Tours here are often customized to suit individual tastes and budgets. What surprises many people is the amount of forested mountain trails and wonderful hot springs that are scattered around this amazing country. Most tourist head towards the major cities and of course they are well worth a visit with Osaka and Kyoto offering excellent outings.

In Osaka there is a fabulous castle, giving a taste of the old, but essentially the city is all about the present and the future, whereas Kyoto, just an hours train journey away, is a real eye-opener into Japanese culture. If opportunity presents itself a ride on Japan's bullet train at speeds of around 200 miles per hour is a must.

Tokyo, however is the place to be with as many as 7 of the country's top 10 most-visited attractions being located in this awesome metropolis. The skyscraper district of Shinjuku has to be seen in actual fact it literally cannot be missed! Head towards Kabukicko district for a lively night in some hugely impressive bars and restaurants. Although many speak English, more so in Japan than in China, language will still potentially be a stumbling block, so guided tours are not only great for seeing the sights, they also make sense from a communication point of view too.