Asia - Exciting Destinations in East Asia

Within this forum you could read my threads about travel destinations: Greece (Santorini), Italy (Florence, Rome, Venice), and Tahiti (Bora Bora, Moorea).

This topic is about exciting destinations in East Asia - past, present, and future. Celebrate the traditional culture and visit some amazing attractions. There is delicious food and sexy local girls. I hope to share the excitement.

These destinations come to mind: China (Hong Kong, Macau), Indonesia (Bali, Jakarta), Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto), Korea (Seoul), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Singapore, and Vietnam (Saigon, Nha Trang).

One destination I recommend is Saigon, Vietnam. Saigon is a lively city. Vietnam offers a variety of simple, delicious food, and is a perfect destination for relaxation in East Asia.

How would you compare these destinations with emphasis on food, sexy local girls, attractions, and the overall quality? Please share your experience!

Moving thread to FT Asia Forum
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Since I've been to all those countries/towns except Japan and Indonesia, I will put in my 0.02 bahts.

Here's what I did when I was where:

Hong Kong - been there a few times - before, during, and after the Handover. For me, the strongest point was the diversity of food. I love the Toscana at the Ritz in Central, dim sum at Maxim's, etc. Most Honkie girls I know are too career oriented to have fun.

Seoul - mainly for business trips. Even as much as my love for garlic, I still think they use too much. I love those Korean BBQ, though. Long history to be proud of. Visit the Imperial palace if you have a chance. They really show their dislikes for Japan there. Their women are a bit more accessible than Hong Kong.

Kuala Lumper - havent been there since the Twin Towers were finished. Interesting mix of people (malays, chineses, etc). I dont care so much for Malay food.

Singapore - I thought the city is kind of boring. Too many rules for my carefree personality :)

Saigon - where you would see the most growth in SE Asia for the next 5-10 yrs. It is still the cheapest place to visit out of this list. I love those Pho. People are friendly. Just watch out for those motorcycles.

I would love to visit Japan one day (and soon). I really admire how Japaneses are at the forefront of Technology while maintain their traditions. Oh, I also love sushi.

There ya go,
AK

Saigon - where you would see the most growth in SE Asia for the next 5-10 yrs. It is still the cheapest place to visit out of this list.

When was the last time you checked hotel room rates in Saigon ;) ?

When was the last time you checked hotel room rates in Saigon ;) ?

I've always stayed at my friend's house there. So, I cant say but I do agree that real estate is getting expensive there.
AK

Since your topic is about East Asia, there are many places within China, Japan and Korea that are very exciting.

Within China, you can visit the birth place of Confucius, great lakes, HangZhou, Suzhou, besides the big cities like Shanghai and Beijing. The Hainan Island is booming too.

These destinations come to mind: China (Hong Kong, Macau), Indonesia (Bali, Jakarta), Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto), Korea (Seoul), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Singapore, and Vietnam (Saigon, Nha Trang).

First of all, thanks for posting this. I love SE Asia and am always looking for new places. I should add that I don't pick a place because of the "sexy girls". I just got back from Hong Kong and Macau. I loved the food in Hong Kong and the spectacular views from the Peak. Unfortunately, smog is becoming a real problem in HKG. But I really fell in love with Macau. All that well-preserved colonial Portuguese architecture—it was hard to take it all in.

Indonesia seems to dangerous for me right now. And Japan too expensive. Korea just doesn't seem interesting to me.

I would love to visit KUL because I love big cities. That said, I have been to SIN and didn't find it that interesting. If I went back I would add some of Malaysia, too.

I have been to Saigon once. I love the French influence and the French-influenced food. I agree with Mario; SGN is getting more and more expensive. In fact my travel agent has told me that rooms in Vietnam are getting more expensive every month. But I still hope to get back there.

I would add Luang Prabang, Laos. Sleepy little town but fantastic architecture and again, French-influenced cuisine. However all the backpackers spoiled things a bit for me. One of the best memories I have is having breakfast along the Mekong River.

When was the last time you checked hotel room rates in Saigon ;) ?


http://www.travellerspoint.com/budget-hotels-en-ci-1783.html

Please give your most recent experience. Greatly appreciated.

I would add myanmmar.IF you get a visa go there before the Tourist hordes run over like @ Siem reap now.Get a bicycle and find your own LOST TEMPLE@ Bagan.no road tracks just mud paths.Friendly and desperate folks longing to be part of the world they used to belong.

Hmm, with the emphasis on "sexy local girls" (twice in one original post), I suspect FT is not going to evoke as many "productive responses" for the OP as some other Asia-focused forums...

As OP's definition and benchmark of "exciting" destinations is likely different from mine, I wouldn't know where to begin to contribute to this thread. :eek:

This topic is about exciting destinations in East Asia - past, present, and future. Celebrate the traditional culture and visit some amazing attractions. There is delicious food and sexy local girls. I hope to share the excitement.

These destinations come to mind: China (Hong Kong, Macau), Indonesia (Bali, Jakarta), Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto), Korea (Seoul), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Singapore, and Vietnam (Saigon, Nha Trang).

(emphasis mine)

Southeast Asia comes to my mind when I see Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.

According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Asia) and Answers.com (http://www.answers.com/topic/east-asia), East Asia refers to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan. That's my understanding of East Asia (or Far East).

What does East Asia mean to you? What about Southeast Asia? Does you mean to discuss "Asia" in general?

Hmm, with the emphasis on "sexy local girls" (twice in one original post), I suspect FT is not going to evoke as many "productive responses" for the OP as some other Asia-focused forums...

As OP's definition and benchmark of "exciting" destinations is likely different from mine, I wouldn't know where to begin to contribute to this thread. :eek:

+1