OK, I%26#39;ve reached the hell out of all of the above cities and I like what I%26#39;ve read on all four. All I need now is some comparative insights from seasoned travellers who have been to some or all four of the above cities. I love to hear your inputs so sock it to me!
About me:
-Only have 5 days to spare and want to visit only 1 Asian city.
-Never been to Asia
-In my early 30s
-Going alone
-Interested in something new, culture, food (very important), interacting with the locals, walking around, and clubbing/non-seedy nightlife (also very important).
-Not really interested in shopping.
WHICH IS THE BEST CITY FOR DINING OUT, WALKING AROUND AND GO CLUBBING AT NIGHT?
Will be posting this question on Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Bangkok forums to make it fair.
*THE* Asian Metropolis:Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong or Bangkokare you taking into account the cost?
i mean tokyo would be *very* expensive when compared to bangkok; while HK and shanghai would be somewhere in between.
japan is a great place and i dont think 5 days would do justice to the things it can offer.
but 5 days in hong kong or bangkok can give you what you need, culture, a feel of asia (though different for both), great food and a night life.
*THE* Asian Metropolis:Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong or BangkokI would vote for Hong Kong here because, for an English speaker, it is very accessible and convenient to get around in - many signs are in English, public transport is clean and efficient, and a sizeable number of the local population can speak some English.
I feel that all the cities you mention have new things, culture, food, interesting locals, things to see, clubbing, etc. So, I think your limited time (5 days) should be the major factor here. Thus, seeing that you only have 5 days time, I think you would be able to maximize that most in Hong Kong.
I just got back from HK last week. Been to HK, Shanghai, and Tokyo (also Beijing and Singapore) within the last 18 months. I haven%26#39;t been to Bangkok in a decade, so I can%26#39;t say to much about it.
I love them all...but my vote is for Tokyo. I%26#39;m not into clubbing, but I absolutely love eating and sightseeing in Tokyo.
--A
It depends on where your priorities are. Probably Tokyo has the most interesting stuff, amazing restaurants and is the most %26#39;out there%26#39;, but v expensive. I love Bangkok and you%26#39;ll find plenty of tourist things to see and do, lots of culture and fab food. Hong Kong is probably the easiest to travel around and experience on foot.
Interesting question. My vote would probably go for Tokyo also. Hong Kong is great and a true 24 hour city, but Tokyo has the ';X'; factor. Also, since you are living in NYC (presumably), I would think you would like Tokyo more - just a feeling. Tokyo is truely awesome, but as has been mentioned, it can get expensive quickly. Taxis are expensive, accommodation (decent) is expensive and food can get expensive. I found the Japanese very friendly also, along with expats there.
Personally, I am off to Shanghai next weekend and have heard it is great and I haven%26#39;t been there yet. Was in Bangkok last weekend - it is a good place, but it has its moments. It is cheap though! Singapore would be too dull for you.
You don%26#39;t say what time of the year you would be travelling - that would also make a difference. Summer in Bangkok is too hot and humid. Winter in Tokyo and Shanghai is too cold. June-Aug in Hong Kong is very humid.
Good Luck.
I%26#39;ve been to all four - I think Shanghai would be my choice of these - now if you mentioned Kyoto than that would swing my vote. Shanghai has traditions and modernity all in one. Of architectural styles of a modern city it is the hands down winner out of the above four places. The French Quarter is really hip as well as traditionally fascinating - a great blend. Food is excellent - Club Chinois for example and many of the other restaurants in Xintiandi, around the Bund (both sids of the river etc)
From Shanghai you an visit the water towns and UNESCO heritage chinese gardens etc -- and go see the acrobatics etc
Reached the hell or researched the hell!
Sorry but Tokyo food is pretty bland unless you are in the right place or are willing to pay extra - whereas if you go to the likes of South Beauty you get great fusion food and a view of the Bund too and a goldfish on your table for mext to nothing by western standards.
You probably cannot go wrong. 2 cities I have not been to - but Hong Kong or Bangkok would be fantastic choices for your interests. In terms of costs, Bangkok would be cheaper.
I have been to all four cities and they are all great. However, for food, walking around and clubbing - you can%26#39;t go past Hong Kong!!!! I am also single and 40 years old and every time I go back, it only gets better.
The ultimate Asian metropolis is definitely Tokyo.
Shanghai comes a worthy second. Bangkok you can discount if you%26#39;re looking for ';non-seedy nightlife'; because sleaze is never far away.
Hong Kong is the non-edgy option: it%26#39;s easy to get around, easy to communicate, utterly safe, and the skyline is beautiful, but, when it comes to clubbing and culture, it%26#39;s about as radical and happening as an old pair of socks. From badly dressed and drunken expats in Lan Kwai Fong to sweet but dull teenagers in TST East it simply isn%26#39;t a clubbing city. If you do come to HK then consider crossing the border to Shenzhen at the weekend for a much more full on experience.
I can only comment on Bangkok since thats the only place I%26#39;ve been to out of the four you mentioned. Honk Kong is on the list for this July and Beijing/Shanghai planned for the end of this year.
Getting back to your question I don%26#39;t think you%26#39;ll go to far wrong with Bangkok. It really isn%26#39;t that seedy...well at least I didn%26#39;t think so. Lots of culture, food is great and reasonably priced.
I%26#39;ve been to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and on a personal note would recommend them both.
No comments:
Post a Comment