Small Ship Cruises in East Asia

China is a vast country, and a major draw is a small river boat cruise along Yangtze River through the Three Gorges combined with to a land itinerary. Oceangoing small ships cruise coastal ports that often encompass Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. Japan is where history and ancient customs are revered along with modern, out-of-the-box thinking. The draws are shinto shrines and temples, stunning formal gardens, samurai culture, pearl cultivation, traditional arts, museums and peace parks dedicated to the atomic bomb attacks of WWII. For South Korea, two major attractions are the UNESCO World Heritage site at Kyongju for the 1,000-year-old capital of the Shilla Dynasty, while Jeju Island is covered in forests, craters and lava tubes. Taiwan and the Philippines are on a limited number of itineraries.