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Kuala Lumpur, known colloquially as KL to most locals who speak English, is like a jigsaw: different pieces stuck together in a sprawling mismatched state which somehow comes together to form a culturally diverse metropolitan area and regional economic hub. The federal capital of Malaysia since 1896, KL will give first-time visitors an impression of eclectic grandeur amidst the heat, stickiness, and grime.
Manila houses roughly the same number of people as Manhattan, 1.6 million, in less than two-thirds the land area – at 111,000 residents per square mile, it is the most densely populated city in the world. Given the small size of the Philippines (not much larger in area than California, but spread across 7,107 islands) Manila is not only the capital city, but the center of almost everything.
Nagoya is located at the center of Honshu (the main island of Japan) and has a population of 2.24 million. Nagoya has a long history and is the birthplace of three notable feudal lords, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Traditional industries like ceramics and textiles as well as key modern industries including automobiles, aviation and machine tools have developed in Nagoya. The Nagoya region plays an important role in Japan's industrial society and Nagoya City continues to draw attention with its development as one of Japan’s top 5 international hubs.
Osaka is Japan's second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo and is considered the capital of Eastern Japan Osaka was formerly known as Naniwa and it has been the economic center of the Kansai region for many centuries. Before the Nara Period, when the capital used to be moved with the reign of each new emperor, Naniwa was once Japan's capital city, the first one ever known.
Penang is an island-state off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It comprises of two halves - Penang Island, where the capital city of George Town is located, and a strip of mainland Peninsula named Seberang Perai. Penang has an eventful history; the diversity of the inhabitants clearly indicates this. Penang is especially known as the best place to enjoy wonderful local dishes and it is seen as the food capital of Malaysia
Manila houses roughly the same number of people as Manhattan, 1.6 million, in less than two-thirds the land area – at 111,000 residents per square mile, it is the most densely populated city in the world. Given the small size of the Philippines (not much larger in area than California, but spread across 7,107 islands) Manila is not only the capital city, but the center of almost everything.
Sapporo, capital of the mountainous northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, is famous for its beer, skiing and annual Sapporo Snow Festival that features enormous ice sculptures. The Sapporo Beer Museum traces the city’s brewing history and has tastings and a beer garden. Ski hills and jumps from the 1972 Winter Olympics are scattered within the city limits, and Niseko, a renowned ski resort, is nearby.
Officially called Seoul Special City, Seoul is the capital and the biggest city of South Korea. Considered a megacity, it has a recorded population of more than 10 million. The Seoul National Capital Area, the world’s second largest metropolitan area reported with more than 25 million residents, comprises the Gyenonggi province and the surrounding Incheon metropolis.
Shanghai is the largest city in China, and the largest city proper by population in the world, housing some 23 million people. It is also China most globalized city, wielding international influence in art, culture and commerce. Situated along the smaller Huangpu River on the south shore of Yangtze River’s massive mouth, it boasts the busiest port in the world, both in cargo tonnage and number of containers.
Shenzhen, a major city in Guangdong Province, is a modern metropolis that links Hong Kong to China’s mainland. It's known for its shopping destinations, including Luohu Commercial City, a massive mall with a vast array of wares, from tailors’ custom clothing to faux designer bags. The city also features contemporary buildings, such as the 600m-tall skyscraper Ping An International Finance Centre, and a number of amusement parks.
Singapore is a thriving Southeast Asian city-state located on an island at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. Despite being the smallest nation in Southeast Asia, Singapore has achieved massive success with a hugely competitive economy and an extremely high standard of living. Situated between its sprawling skyscrapers, ethnic groups from many different Southeast Asian nations live together in a diverse and egalitarian society.
Tianjin is one of the five national central cities of China and one of the largest cities in China with more than 15.4 million inhabitants, which makes it the 6th largest city in the world. Tianjin is located 150km to the north of Beijing and borders the Beijing and Hebei provinces and the Bohai Gulf on the Yellow Sea. Part of the Bohai Economic Rim, it is the largest coastal city in northern China.
Tokyo, literally meaning ‘Eastern Capital’ in Japanese, is one of the world’s leading cities, located on the southeast side of Honshu, Japan’s largest island. Over the past century, Tokyo has developed into a glamorous and bustling modern metropolis. In addition to serving as the center for Japanese government, culture, and finance, Tokyo has also become an international hub for commerce, industry, and transportation.