The Many Cultures of Asia Part I: China, Korea and Japan

I asked our family friend Jennifer Chen, a noted Asian arts and culture scholar, to put together a piece about the cultural differences between the most popular countries in Asia. You can visit these countries hundreds of times and never learn all there is to know about the history, art and people that make them so interesting and inspiring. Here's a short synopsis of Jennifer's review of China, Korea and Japan's cultural heritages and how they are linked with their contemporary circumstances:

China enjoys a history over 5000 years of splendid achievements in technology, art and philosophy. Chinese culture ranks among the oldest and most complex civilizations in the world. Throughout the imperial China, Chinese ideologies, writing system, bureaucracy and artistic creations were the most influential in East Asia. Through the famed Silk Road, Chinese inventions and cultural influences spread all the way across Asia to Europe. Confucianism reigned supreme, and has been the foundation of Chinese ethics. It has, however, struggled to retain its value during the Communist era.

Korea’s traditional culture is closely tied to China in religion, philosophy and writing system. While Chinese customs heavily influence social activities from the royal court to farmer’s households, artistic creations and daily lifestyle demonstrate characteristics distinctively Korean with pristine freshness and originality. The demarcation of North and South Korea as a result of the Korean War has created two social systems with traumatic schism and dramatic contrast. The democratic South Korea has become a superstar in technology, business as well as art and cultural developments.

Japanese culture throughout its long history has demonstrated an astonishing ability of assimilating and synthesizing foreign cultures it encounters. The culmination is a culture that draws from both East Asian roots and Western civilization, but is irrepressibly Japanese in its extraordinary exquisiteness and refinement. Devout preservation of traditions and cutting-edge development in technology form a fascinating feature of the Japanese society. The famed Zen gardens, tea ceremonies and the ubiquitous Japanese automobiles are among the most expressive examples of the unique Japanese cultural process.

Coming up next, Part II: Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand

New Japan Entry Requirements

Thought to pass on some important information regarding new entry requirements for Japan.

Japan now requires foreign citizens to be fingerprinted, photographed and questioned every time they enter Japan. The new program went into effect on November 20th. People exempt from the checks include children under 16, diplomats and “special permanent residents", this is a euphemism for Koreans and other Asians brought to Japan as slave laborers during World War II and their descendants.

Law enforcement authorities say such thorough screening is needed to protect Japan from attacks by foreign terrorists. The New York Times reports that some foreign business leaders fear the screening could hurt Japan’s standing as an Asian business center, especially if it is inefficiently carried out, leading to long waits at airports. Business groups warn that such delays could make Japan less attractive than rival commercial hubs like Hong Kong and Singapore, where entry procedures are much easier.

Kipling & Clark in the News! Taking a Culinary Asia Tour

We are excited to be included in a news story on Emmy award winning travel journalist Peter Greenberg's travel Website. The story is about taking culinary vacations in Asia. (we love putting together culinary tours!) The title of the piece is: Noodling Around Asia: Culinary Vacations in the East.

Below is an excerpt from the piece. You can read the entire story here.

Excerpt: For a trip that will take you through multiple countries, try a private, immersive culinary tour offered by Kipling & Clark. This luxury outfitter can arrange customized tours, such as a 14-day Taste of Southeast Asia Tour to visit Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. Culinary experiences include several cooking classes, private dinners with chefs, meet-and-greets with culinary experts, and visits to local markets along the way.

In Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, a famed local chef leads visitors on a tour of the Hang Be Market, where they are taught how to select fresh ingredients for the Vietnamese dishes that they later prepare and consume. While in Saigon, travelers also get to visit the Cai Be floating market, where local buyers and sellers exchange goods from their small colorful boats.

And in Cambodia, travelers participate in a market tour led by a local chef and then enjoy a private cooking class at the Hotel De La Paix. Other options include a visit to the famed Four Seasons cooking school in Chiang Mai, Thailand and the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, among others. Prices vary based on the customized tour. 800-354-3404, www.kiplingandclark.com

By Kellan Connor for PeterGreenberg.com

Dubai: Disneyland for Adults

Dubai is a port of the United Arab Emirates which is composed of seven different emirates. The incredible scale of mass construction and emerging skyline is similar to that of Shanghai.

Seven star hotels, beautiful beach resorts and a world-class airport make Dubai what I like to call “Disneyworld for adults”, and it certainly doesn’t stop there. Dubai has perhaps the best quality shopping of anywhere we have ever been, with especially great prices for gold!

The area is extremely diverse and lively. During our trip it appeared as if everyone in Dubai was from somewhere else, including India, Pakistan, Russia, and Asia.

Bev, Zen and I stayed at the famous Ritz Carlton Dubai, located on the beach about 45 minutes from downtown. We experienced the very best service there, and the hotel even had a kids club! All-in-all Dubai offers something for the whole family! Check out a full itinerary for your family in our newly launched Kipling & Clark Private Luxury Family Expeditions section. http://www.kiplingandclark.com/pagesNew/family_expeditions.html

Ranthambore Tiger Preserves & The Oberio Vanyavilas

Ranthambore is hailed as one of India's finest wildlife locations, located in the vast and arid tract of eastern Rajasthan.

During our first night on the safari through Ranthambore Tiger Park, my family and I had an incredible 40 minute close-up tiger sighting! I have to admit I was a bit scared (actually more like terrified!), but our guide was both extremely reassuring and enjoyable. Besides, the sight was any photographer’s dream come true!

After such an adventure, we stayed at the highly acclaimed Oberoi Vanyavilas. General Manager Jay Rathore shared with us the hotel’s ideal of customer service: all staff members are hired based on attitude and personality vs. experience alone. The staff service was overwhelming hospitable, very personalized and full of smiles!!

We’d love for you and your family to experience such a delightful and exciting trip. Find out more by checking out our NEW Kipling & Clark Private Luxury Family Expeditions! http://www.kiplingandclark.com/pagesNew/family_expeditions.html

The Vibrant Contemporary Art Scene in China

Factory 798 Dashanzi Art District in Beijing
The area around Factory 798 is a fresh, avant-garde and trendy space that hosts modish artistic, cultural and commercial activities. Its American equivalent is New York's Greenwich Village. This art district combines the past, present and future of the "New China" and its unique Soho and socialist culture.

In 2001, manufacturers based here started pulling out and a number of Beijing’s best artists flocked to the area attracted by the cheap rents, large spaces and the ample natural light pouring through the huge ceiling windows. New contemporary art exhibitions seem to open each week. The artists were soon followed by businessmen opening chic coffee shops and western and Chinese restaurants.

A visit to 798 is a great way to spend an afternoon! Try Vincent’s for crepes or a latte and dessert at the At Café.

50 Moganshan Road
This is the Shanghai version of Factory 798 in Beijing, often referred to as the cradle of the modern art movement in Shangahi. 50 Moganshan Road is a maze of old workshops where over 20 artists have their studios. Nearby is a clutch of well-established galleries, of which Art Scene, BizArt, Eastlin and ShanghArt are well worth a visit. Leading Chinese artists include Zhou Teihai, Shi Yong and Ding Yi.

This is a favorite of my wife Beverly. As a matter of fact, there are several unique pieces from 50 Moganshan Rd on display in our home!

THE Place to be in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is amazing; it is incredibly busy and the downtown cityscape is stunning. THE place to be on the island is Lan Kwai Fong - it is Hong Kong’s trendiest chic spot for food and drinks.

Its two main streets, D’Aguilar and Lan Kwai Fong, are packed with office staff and affluent expats enjoying the many restaurants, bars, pubs and shops.

Choose from cheap and cheerful establishments, such as Wang Fu with its delicious gao-ji dumplings and other Beijing fare. Or, one of my family's favorite restaurants - Indochine 1929 - has outstanding ambiance. It is an elegant French and Vietnamese setting (think of LeColonial in Chicago!), and authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

This world-renowned district is perfect for drinks with clientele or dinner with family and friends. My wife Bev and I thought it was chic and fun wrapped up in one fabulous experience. See all there is to enjoy in Hong Kong in one of our itineraries to China & Hong Kong!
http://www.kiplingandclark.com/pagesNew/destinations_sampItins.html

The Beauty of Bhutan

A most striking feature of Bhutan is its architecture. I’ve found the style and color that characterize the buildings and houses in the kingdom to be a distinct source of aesthetic pleasure.

The Dzongs, imposing 17th century structures built on a grand scale without drawing and without a single nail, are outstanding examples of the best in Bhutanese architecture.

The historic Punakha Dzong sprawls at the confluence of the Phochu and Mochu rivers. It was built by Shabdrung Nawang in 1637 and serves as the winter residence of the head abbot, Je Khenpo. One can only feel reverence and awe when entering such an structure.

The Bhutanese have a profound love for their land and its historic values that is truly unmatched. We would gladly make arrangements for you to share in such an experience!