China:

Beijing

Beijing is arguably the most important city in the People's Republic of China, and it is not hard to see why as it serves not only as the official political capital of the country, but also as China's cultural and historical capital.

Dalian

When one thinks of China, the term "ice" doesn't typically come to mind. But the city of Dalian, China is the country's northernmost seaport that is not covered in ice. What this means is that the city is more comfortable than you even realized it needed to be.

Hong Kong

The entire city of Hong Kong is almost like a living, breathing oxymoron. A city where the East truly meets the West, where insane levels of activity mesh seamlessly with hushed peace and the modern stands side-by-side with the traditional. Hong Kong can boast many seemingly contradictory titles.

Kunming

If you were to hear that a city combined the majestic beauty of the calm, crystal clear water reflecting distant blue mountains of the Great Lakes, the wide canals running through city streets of Venice, and the year-round Spring-like temperature of San Diego, and was considered a "sister city" to Wagga Wagga in Australia, Denver in Colorado, and Zurich in Switzerland, where would you think that city was located? Would you guess China?

Quingdao

The city is pleasantly flat with mountains functioning only as borders, and five rivers running throughout the region. The summers are mild and the winters are warm, making the city a great place to stay all year round.

Shanghai

Shanghai provides students with an unparalleled opportunity to experience China in a thriving metropolis that is engaged in economic rebirth and exciting revitalization.

Japan:

Kobe

The luckiest cows in the world live in this city of more than 1.5 million. This may seem like a strange claim to fame for such a large urban area, but such is the paradox of modern Japan: It is a country of wonderfully unexpected surprises that run the gamut from the heartbreakingly beautiful to the uniquely whimsical. And for lovers of beef, the cows of Kobe split the difference between the two.

Kyoto

The eternal political difficulties in Washington, D.C. have nothing on the instigations of the 8th Century Buddhist clergy and the subsequent machinations of the imperial ruling class in Japan. Back then, as the Buddhists began to flex their theological and increasingly powerful and influential political muscle, the members of the ruling government decided not to fight the situation head on, and instead they simply moved their capital to Heian, which we now know as Kyoto.

Tokyo

As the de facto capital and largest metropolis in Japan, Tokyo has amazing opportunities and a fascinating experience to offer the enterprising study abroad student. From the international population to the cultural activities to the quality entertainment, Tokyo exhibits a level of energy hard to imagine. Interspersed with that frenetic reality, however, is the solitude and quiet of meditative parks and gardens and a traditional way of life that includes tea ceremony and Japanese calligraphy.

Taiwan:

Taipei

Our planet consists of few Gamma World Cities - locations that seem to combine elements of the entire world into their radiuses and, likewise, have major influences on how international society functions. The aforementioned cities, as well as Geneva, Johannesburg, and Munich, among others, are a part of this exclusive club, and that makes them extraordinarily spectacular places in which to study abroad.

Thailand:

Bangkok

If you're going to Thailand, the country's capital, Bangkok, is the place to be. Bangkok has long served as the administrative head of the country, but it is also the cultural, commercial and educational center for the nation.

South Korea:

Seoul

When most people think of populous cities, there are several standbys that come to mind: New York, London, Mexico City, maybe even Hong Kong. But Seoul is generally not included in this list. And for whatever the reasons are, it tends to be overlooked oftentimes when it comes to discussion of the great cities of the world.

Vietnam:

Ho Chi Minh

Miss Saigon is widely considered to be the Les Miserables of Vietnam. Okay, that's not true, but both musicals were written by the same person, and both revolved around wars, and the former takes place in Ho Chi Minh City, the subject of this StudyAbroad.com city page and your potential consideration for a future study abroad destination.