NARRATIVE REPORT

Group 1 – East Asia

0587 TMP 24 (1:00-2:00PM) MWF
Members:
Jastine Althea T. Cuentas
Geraldine G. Jervoso
BSTM-2

EAST ASIA
 It is the home of Asia’s largest country, China, and the largest desert, Gobi Desert.
 This subregion is composed of six (6) political states such as China, Mongolia, North Korea,
South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, and two (2) special administrative regions (SAR):
Hong Kong and Macau.
 Countries associated with Mainland China are Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.
 Major Rivers of East Asia: Yellow River (Huang He), Long River (Chan Jiang), and West
River (Xi Jiang)

TAIWAN
 Also known as the Republic of China, was formerly known as “Formosa,” which means
beautiful.
 Major Religions: Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam
 Languages: Taiwanese Mandarin, Hakka, and indigenous dialects
 Capital: Taipei
 Currency: Taiwan New Dollar (NTD)
 Major Tourist Attractions: Taipei 101, National Museum of History, National Palace
Museum, and National Taiwan Museum
 The main gateway to the country is the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, which
serves as the hub of the country’s principal carriers: China Airlines and EVA Air.
 Taiwan is famous for its pearl milk tea or bubble tea, a drink composed of black tea,
pearls, and milk because tea is one of the country’s specialties.
 Philippine passport holders can visit Taiwan for at least fourteen (14) days without applying
for a visa for the purpose of tourism.

JAPAN
 It is also known as the “Land of the Rising Sun,” Japan is divided into eight (8) regions:
Kanto, Chubu, Hokkaido, Kansai, Shikuko, Chugoku, and Tohoku.
 Major Religions: Buddhism and Shintoism
 Languages: Japanese
 Capital: Tokyo
 Currency: Japanese Yen (JYP)
 Major Tourist Attractions: Ginza District, The Imperial Palace, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo
Disneyland and Disney Sea
 Japan has four (4) seasons: Spring, Winter, Summer, and Fall.
 Spring (March to May) is the season to view the cherry blossom (sakura).
 Winter (December to February) is the perfect time to visit Japan’s ski destinations and to
experience onsen (hot spring).
 Summer (June to Mid-September) is the best time to observe Japan’s festivals, such as the
Gion Festival in Kyoto, a festival registered in UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
 Fall (September to November) is a good time to see the country covered with colorful leaves.
 Popular Japanese Foods: Ramen and Sushi
 Japanese Martial Arts: Sumo (Japanese-style wrestling) and Budo (Kendo)
 Performances: Noh (musical drama), Banraku (puppet theater), and Kabuki (dance drama)
 Shintoist Temples: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Monotosumi Inari Shrine, Usa Shrine, and
Arakura Sengen Shrine
 Buddhist Temples: Yama-dera Temple, Zenkoji Temple, and Phoenix Hall (Byodo-in Temple)
 Philippine nationals who desire to visit Japan for tourism purposes must secure a Temporary
Visit Visa which allows the tourist to stay up to ninety (90) days.
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  Documents needed for visa application are: valid passport, visa application form, one (1)
passport sized photo, PSA-issued birth certificate, financial funds, and itinerary during the stay.

HONG KONG
 A former colony of the British until 1997, Hong Kong is now officially known as Xianggang
Special Administrative Region.
 Originated from the Cantonese words “ heung gong,” which literally translates to fragrant
harbor.
 Major Religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Islam
 Languages: Chinese and English
 Capital: Victoria
 Currency: HK Dollar (HKD)
 Major Tourist Attractions: Hong Kong Ocean Park, Hong Kong Disneyland, Avenue of Stars,
and The Peak & Sky 100
 Major Shopping Areas: Sneaker Street, Stanley Street, Ladies Market, Mongkok, and
Harbour City at Tsim Sha Tsui

MACAU
 A former Portuguese colony until 1999, also known as Macao Special Administrative
Region of the People’s Republic of China.
 It is famous for its casinos, which helped it gain the title “Las Vegas of Asia.”
 Major Religions: Buddhism, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and others
 Languages: Cantonese
 Capital: Macao
 Currency: Macanese Pataca (MOP)
 Major Tourist Attractions: The Ruins of St. Paul Cathedral, Macau Tower Convention and
Entertainment Center, Senate Square, Golden Lotus Plaza, and Taipa Houses Museum at
Avenida de Praia, Taipa, Macao

SOUTH KOREA
 It is also known as Republic of Korea, occupies the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.
 Major Religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Islam
 Languages: Korean
 Capital: Seoul
 Currency: Korean Won (KRW)
 Major Tourist Attractions: Gyeongbokgung or Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeokgung Palace,
Deoksugong Palace, Gyonghuigung Palace, Changgyonggung Palace, and The National Palace
Museum of Korea, Lotte World, N Seoul Tower, Bukchon Hanok Village, Namiseom Island,
National Museum of Korea, and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
 Major Shopping Areas: Itaewon, Myeong-dong, Insa-dong, and in underground shopping
centers in Gangnam Station and Seomyom, Busan
 Hansik – Korean food
 Bap – a meal served with rice
 Banchan – side dishes
 Kimchi – fermented and seasoned vegetable
 Bulgogi – thinly sliced marinated meat
 Bibimbap – a bowl of rice topped with vegetables and meat served with gochujang sauce
 Japchae – a dish comprising of sweet potato noodles, beef, and stir-fried noodles
 Hanok – Korean-style houses
 Hanbok – traditional Korean attire
 The requirements for tourists visiting Korea are a valid passport and a visa issued by the
Korean Embassy or consulate.
 For Filipino nationals who wish to visit South Korea, applications can be coursed through
designated travel agents.

CHINA
 Also known as People’s Republic of China (PRC), is the largest country in East Asia.
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  Beijing, as the capital and seat of economic, political, and cultural affairs, is also one of the
ancient cities of the country. It houses important tourist attractions such as: The Great Wall
of China, The Imperial Palace (Forbidden City), and The Temple of Heaven and
Ming’s Tomb.
 Chinese people are mostly practitioners of one of the three main religions and philosophies,
which are Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
 Chinese Festivals: Spring Festival (also known as Chinese New Year), Lantern Festival,
Qingming or Tomb Sweeping Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival
 Languages: Mandarin Chinese
 Currency: Renminbi (RMB)
 As a tourist destination, the country has a vast array of attractions that a visitor can witness
and enjoy, such as:
Shanghai, China – the largest city of China and vast commercial hub, has a traditional
and modern feel. Shanghai Tower, Yu Garden, Shanghai Disneyland, and Shanghai
Museum are some of the attractions in the city; and
Xi’an – another ancient capital of China is famous for its Ancient City Wall and Terracotta
Warriors, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Yangtze or Yangzi River, the longest river in
China and in Asia, is famous as a cruise destination.
 Filipino tourists who are holding regular passport are required to obtain a Chinese visa to be
granted entry to the country.
 The required documents are original passport, visa application form and two photos with white
background (size: 48mm x 33mm). Additional supporting documents needed for time
applicants include bank certificate and bank statement, BIR-stamped ITR form, Certificate of
Employment, Business Registration Certificate, and Professional ID/Student ID.

MONGOLIA
 It is a landlocked country in East Asia that still practices the nomadic way of life.
 Major Religions: Buddhism and Shamanism
 Languages: Mongolian
 Capital: Ulaanbaatar
 Currency: Mongolian Tughrik (MNT)
 Major Tourist Attractions: Great Burkhan Khaldun Mountains, Orkhon Valley Cultural
Landscape, Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai, Landscapes of Dauria, and Uvs
Nuur Basin
 Raising camels, sheep, goats, horses, yaks, and cattle is part of their culture.
 Ger, the traditional dwelling place of the people, is much conducive for a nomadic way of life
as it can be easily set up and dismantled.
 Throat Singing (Khoomei) is a distinct Mongolian music.

NORTH KOREA
 Also known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, occupies the northern part of
the Korean peninsula.
 Pyongyang is the capital and largest city of the country. It showcases North Korea’s
significant monuments and towers.
 The gateway to the country is through Pyongyang Sunan International Airport.
 Major Religions: Christianity, Buddhism, and Confucianism
 Languages: Korean
 Capital: Pyongyang
 Currency: Korean Won (KPW)