Issue link: http://gadventures.uberflip.com/i/619326
Essential highlights and hidden treasures If you feel at home in crowds, there's no better place to be than the north, east, and central regions of Asia. But between the big moments of exploring Beijing's Forbidden City, feeling the pulse of Seoul, and gazing upon the Terracotta Warriors, there are still opportunities for quiet reflection – like bonding with villagers in Kyrgyzstan, reflecting at a temple in Japan, or living like a local in remote Mongolia. Find yourself at this crossroads of modernity and ancient tradition. 1 2 Experience North, East & Central Asia Hike to the Hanging Monastery CHINA Perched 75m (246 ft) from the canyon fl oor, this 1,500-year-old monastery not only defi es conven- tion, but gravity as well. Mounted on beams set into the rock walls, the temple's ingenious design remains a fascination for modern architects. See tour ACNC on page 51. Discover nomadic culture KYRGYZSTAN Few cultures can claim to have withstood the Mongols, Tsarist Russia and Stalin, but the Kyrgyz can. Modern life in this uncommonly scenic (and underexplored) part of the world is its own unique beast, blending centuries of nomadic tradition with unexpected fl ashes of Soviet and Western infl uence. See tour AZKK, and combos AZKU, AWTU, AZAT on pages 68-69 and 71. Matsumoto-jō Castle JAPAN The former seat of power for the medieval Ogasawara samurai clan, modern-day Matsumoto still revolves around its famous castle, the oldest wooden one in the country. Nicknamed the "Crow Castle" for its distinctive black-and-white colour palette, the castle has been designated one of Japan's National Treasures. See trip AJMS on page 59. TOP Hangin' tough: The Hanging Monastery near Datong, China, defies both gravity and logic. 1. The monochromatic look has been working for Matsumoto-jō Castle for centuries. 2. A yurt with a view on the plains of Kyrgyzstan. 48