Because generally the toughest a part of travelling is selecting the place to go...
If you’re something like me and have an ever-growing bucket record, then it’s not straightforward selecting the place to vacation subsequent. Especially when it’s between Japan and China. Both nations are steeped in historical past and boast unimaginable landscapes, world-class cuisines and extra adventures than you possibly can poke a chopstick at. Sigh.
If you’ve hit a brick wall, concern not. We’ve put collectively a useful information evaluating all the highest concerns that can assist you out – we’re speaking tradition, meals, cities and landscapes. Failing this, you possibly can all the time flip a coin.
Culture
Japanese tradition is a captivating mixture of outdated and new. On the one hand, there are literally thousands of years of traditions influenced by Shinto, Buddhism and Confucianism, however on the opposite is a trailblazing society setting developments in tech, fashion-forwardness and structure. Sleek bullet trains whoosh previous centuries-old temples and tea homes, and also you would possibly see geishas utilizing state-of-the-art merchandising machines promoting the whole lot from lettuce to lobsters (solely in Japan!).
Although the youthful generations proceed to push the cultural boundaries, social concord is the pillar of Japanese society and conventional values like saving face, humility and respecting your elders are simply as vital at the moment. Ancient Japanese philosophies govern day by day life, together with ikigai (motive for being), omotenashi (offering impeccable hospitality with out anticipating something in return) and kaizen (steady enchancment).
As one of many world’s oldest civilisations, China has an intriguing historical past of dynastic rule and historic cultures influenced by Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Relics of China’s dynastic previous are littered all through the nation, together with the long-lasting Great Wall and the Forbidden City. China has additionally gifted the world with many cultural riches together with martial arts, Chinese drugs, kungfu, tai chi and Chinese calligraphy.
With 56 ethnic teams (the biggest being the Han), trendy Chinese tradition is wealthy and complicated. Though China continues to develop and alter at a fast tempo due to a booming financial system, centuries-old philosophies are interwoven in day by day life, such because the theories of the 5 components and yin-yang. Traditional values comparable to household, social concord and loyalty stay on the coronary heart of society. This distinction between the traditional and the trendy is especially sturdy in cities like Beijing the place large skyscrapers loom over charming hutongs and conventional lilong lane homes.
Food
Japan introduced sushi, ramen and tempura to the world, and for that, we’ll be eternally grateful. But there’s a lot extra on supply. Japanese delicacies is famend for its contemporary, seasonal produce, and meticulous preparation and presentation. Most dishes comprise rice or noodles, a few aspect dishes and soup. Meat and meat broths are standard, although seafood is the place Japan shines (howdy, sashimi). Popular dishes embrace unagi (grilled eel), takoyaki (octopus dumplings), karaage (Japanese fried rooster), yakitori (meat skewers) and shabu-shabu (Japanese-style scorching pot).
Feeling thirsty in any case that soy sauce? Quench your thirst with a chilly beer or glass of sake. Or, swap your morning espresso for a matcha latte or antioxidant-packed inexperienced tea. Tea is an enormous deal in Japan, and if you happen to attend a standard Japanese tea ceremony you’ll by no means have a look at a cuppa in the identical method once more.
China is huge – and so almost each area has its personal cooking model. Generally, Chinese meals tends to be heavier than Japanese with extra spices, chilli and oil. It’s additionally meatier with plenty of beef, pork and duck, although seafood and tofu are additionally standard. Famous dishes to attempt embrace kung pao rooster, Peking roast duck, Mapo tofu and char sui. A phrase of warning: it may be arduous to seek out vegetarian and vegan meals in China, however it may be carried out.
If you prefer it scorching, then Sichuan is asking your title. This province is understood for the fiery, sweat-inducing Sichuan pepper, which, based on historic Chinese drugs, helps the physique expel dampness to stop illness. You’ll positively sweat after slurping on a Sichuan scorching pot!
If you’ll want to quench your thirst in any case that pepper, attempt a refreshing beer (Snow and Tsingtao are two of the most well-liked manufacturers), a baijiu cocktail or a glass of mijiu (a candy, barely bitter wine produced from glutinous rice). Stay hydrated all through the day with inexperienced, white or black tea– like Japan, tea is an integral a part of Chinese tradition.
Cities
It’s not possible to disclaim the attract of Japan’s cities – even if you happen to’re extra of a nature lover than an urbanite. Tokyo is called one of many coolest cities on the earth with a fusion of futuristic know-how and historic landmarks. Get misplaced within the neon-lit streets, sip matcha in a unusual café in Harajuku or scramble your method by means of the well-known Shibuya Crossing. If you’re on the lookout for tradition, head to the charming metropolis of Kyoto to find a whole bunch of vibrant shrines and temples, calm down in serene gardens and stroll by means of Gion, Kyoto’s well-known Geisha district.
To get underneath the pores and skin of Japan, head to Nagoya, Japan’s third greatest metropolis, for excellent purchasing and museums. There’s additionally Matsumoto with its spectacular castles, conventional storehouses and wonderful soba noodles, and Hiroshima with its historic shrines and scorching meals scene.
China has among the oldest and largest cities on the earth. They could be crowded and chaotic, however they’re steeped in historical past and plagued by landmarks that reveal China’s fascinating previous. For tradition, head to the sprawling capital of Beijing to go to seven UNESCO World Heritage websites, wind by means of a labyrinth of hidden hutongs, stroll alongside a bit of the Great Wall and watch a blinding Chinese opera present.
There’s additionally the frenetic Shanghai with its intriguing mix of cultures and structure – assume artwork deco buildings and lantern-lit canals hidden amongst towering skyscrapers. Enjoy the town’s eclectic meals scene, see the Tudor mansions of the well-known Huaihai Road or take a brief practice journey to Xitang – a captivating water city that was as soon as a hub for Nineteenth-century commerce.
Landscapes
Japan has been blessed by Mother Nature in some ways with a various panorama of towering peaks, dense forests and pristine shoreline. It’s additionally residence to greater than 100 lively volcanoes, together with the majestic Mt. Fuji, as a consequence of its location on the Ring of Fire. Even in main cities like Tokyo and Osaka, you’re solely ever a brief practice journey away from a good looking nature escape.
If you want mountain climbing, head to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto to stroll amongst towering stalks of bamboo or sort out one of many many trails of Mount Takao. For water-based pursuits, cruise by means of the beautiful Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki or soak in Hokkaido’s mineral-rich onsens. It’s additionally price visiting Miyajima Island off Hiroshima to satisfy a few of its four-legged residents (spoiler alert: they’re deer).
China is the third-largest nation on the earth and so the landscapes are extremely numerous. In truth, China is a ‘megadiverse’ nation with over 550 species of mammals, 1221 species of birds, 146,000 forms of flora and 10,000 species of fungi. From lovely wetlands to huge plateaus, and sweeping deserts to cascading rice terraces, there are breathtaking scenes to discover in each province.
Make your option to Guilin to admire karst hills from the picture-perfect Li River, witness the exceptional colors of the Rainbow Mountains in Zhangye Geopark, hike to the Golden Summit of Mount Emei to face above the clouds, or uncover the floating peaks of Zhangjiajie which you would possibly recognise from the long-lasting film, Avatar.
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Weather
When it involves climate, Japan is a type of locations that has all of it. Most areas sit in a temperate local weather zone with 4 distinct seasons. There’s by no means a ‘bad’ time to journey to Japan, however spring (March to May) is among the hottest seasons when the beautiful cherry blossoms are in full bloom. There’s no sight fairly prefer it!
September to November can also be a wonderful time of 12 months when the landscapes flip purple, orange and gold with autumn foliage. Winter is gentle in locations like Osaka and Tokyo which get a light-weight dusting of snow, whereas northern Japan receives a heavy dumping of powder – this implies one factor: hit the slopes! Winter is the quietest time of 12 months, however excellent if you wish to discover the often crowded streets in solitude. Plus, a piping scorching bowl of ramen hits otherwise when it’s chilly outdoors.
With so many local weather zones, the climate varies lots in China. Depending on when and the place you go to, you would possibly expertise intense warmth and humidity in summer time and thick blankets of snow in winter. China’s northern areas have scorching, dry summers, whereas locations alongside the japanese coastlines and within the south are extra humid. Snow is feasible in winter in lots of areas, however particularly within the northern reaches.
Hiking and outside actions are finest in summer time and autumn, although tourism often peaks between June and August so bear this in thoughts if you wish to dodge the crowds. Winter is the off-season, however it’s a unbelievable time for cultural festivals with the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival and Chinese New Year. For gentle climate and smaller crowds, a shoulder month like November or May would possibly go well with.
The verdict
This one’s a strong draw. Both locations promise to ship on scrumptious meals, tradition, historical past and breathtaking landscapes. Japan is smaller than China and so it could be simpler to cowl extra floor and expertise extra tradition in a shorter house of time, however you’re certain to have an unforgettable journey regardless of which nation you select.
Feeling impressed? Check out Intrepid’s small group excursions in China and Japan.