Three primary caravan routes ran through Tajikistan’s Tien-Shan and Pamir mountain ranges. Only around 7% of the land is arable, nearly all of in the fertile Fergana Valley in the north, which produces the major agricultural crop, cotton, which, along with aluminum, are country’s major exports. Tajikistan’s capital and largest city is Dushanbe, modern and European styled, with broad tree-lined boulevards and a spectacular backdrop of snow capped mountain peaks. The city features numerous squares and monuments commemorating the Persian influences of the past and its surroundings contain many recreational areas, mountain parks and gorges, one with a 100 foot waterfall. The National Museum of Archaeology contains the 1600 year old ‘Tajik Buddha,’ now thought to be the largest statue of its kind in Central Asia.

The museum also houses displays of Zoroastrian and Buddhist artifacts. Khujand is the country’s second largest city and an ancient Silk Road trade center. Located at the entrance to the fertile Fergana Valley, Khujand is cited as the easternmost city established by Alexander the Great. As such, it has a rich history and many preserved architectural and cultural sites. It also happens to be a popular mountaineering center in a country where half the land lies higher than 9,000 feet above sea level and which has a number of peaks taller than 20,000 feet. Near to the border with Uzbekistan is Penjikent, which lay on the only route from the East to Samarkand and flourished from the 5th Century. Arabs destroyed the city in the 8th Century and the ruins were discovered in the last hundred years.

Today, the excavation site has been turned into a memorial reserve where tourists can visit a medieval citadel, palace, public buildings, dwellings and a necropolis. Midway between Penjikent and Dushanbe lies the emerald gem Iskander Kul (lake). The lake is at an elevation of 7,000 among the 4,000 plus peaks of the Fan mountains, which contain many other hiking, fishing or skiing spots for Dushanbe’s residents. To the east is the larger Kara Kul situated amongst high, barren highlands that, with their errie atmosphere and yak herds, are reminiscent of Tibet. The lake is often accessed from Kyrgyzstan, heading west from Osh.

There are many different cruise lines that offer trips to Asia, and all of them feature various itineraries to choose from. One of the specific cruise lines that offer cruise travel to Asia is Crystal Cruises. They feature cruises that last anywhere from 11 to 16 days, and include many exciting adventures in Asia. They have four different excursion packages to choose from that include the Ancient Dynasties, Mysteries of Asia, Kingdoms of Jade & Gold, and the Exotic Asian Odyssey.

The Ancient Dynasties cruise lasts for two full weeks and includes trips to Honk Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai, China, Taipei, Taiwan, Kagoshima, Japan, as well as offering an “Adventures In Beijing” land tour once the cruise has completed. The Mysteries of Asia excursion includes overnight stays in many cities including Nagasaki, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Osaka. Optional land tours are also available with this particular cruise package. The Kingdoms of Jade & Gold will take the traveler from Hong Kong to Singapore with several stops included, and this adventure lasts for a total of eleven days. The Exotic Asian Odyssey goes to Thailand, Myanmar and India. It lasts for an extensive sixteen days and many land excursions are also available.

While cruising through the open sea you can enjoy the many amenities offered aboard the cruise ship. The ship can accommodate 940 guests, and features a full service fitness facility, a Jacuzzi and two swimming pools, a Caesar’s Palace casino, a teak Promenade Deck, and a wide variety of live entertainment and exquisite cuisine. On any given night, or during the day for that matter, the entertainment choices seem virtually endless. On board entertainment choices include Broadway style shows, classical musicians, jugglers, ventriloquists, comedians, live jazz in the piano bar, dancing in a choice of lounges, a movie theater which features new and recently released motion pictures, as well as offering lectures on such topics as golf, gambling, health & fitness and so much more.

Some cruises that travel to Asia also have stops in Hawaii, and these will allow you to enjoy island life for a day before setting off on the Pacific Ocean as you head towards Hong Kong. While many cruises that offer a stop over in Hong Kong have predetermined land excursions that all passengers must participate in, other cruises allow passengers to plan their own day trips while in Hong Kong. If your cruise affords you this worthwhile opportunity, one of the things that you must see is Victoria Peak. Victoria Peak is in essence a mountain that features magnificent restaurants, wonderful shopping, and the most gorgeous views in all of Hong Kong. The top of Victoria Peak can be reached by taking the Peak Tram, which will afford you the opportunity to see all that the Peak has to offer as you make your way to the top.