In China it may be a languid cruise down the Yangtze River, gaining access to one of the many Chinese Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist temples that dot the landscape, or touring the Forbidden City in Beijing. And of course there's always The Great Wall of China. South Korea treasures are equally worth the effort, including Mount Songnisan, home of Korea's tallest Buddha, or Mount Soraksan, which boasts stunning views of both mountain and sea. When traveling in Japan the smaller islands off the mainland proffer excellent scuba diving, snorkeling, and surfing, a decidedly different option to the bustling modernity of Tokyo. Mongolia may be a hearty welcome to Far East Asia, a horseback trek through the seemingly limitless steppe, kayaking on the Khövsgöl Nuur, or a trek through the Gobi Desert are all good ways to start off your adventure.