Asia - Hong Kong vs. Siem Reap - SPLIT

During my upcoming voyage to Asia via a crappy award ticket routing. The bottom line is, I have about 9.5 days "on the ground" after subtracting travel and transit times.

At the moment, my itinerary is 5.5 days in Hong Kong (incl. a night in Macao) and about 4 in Siem Reap. I've seriously considering shifting a day to Siem Reap.

My quick profile if it helps: Been to Singaopre 3x; seen busy upscale shopping. Prefer local/authentic authentic "attractions" than touristy (though some of the latter can be good). Enjoy local music/art/food. Probably not up 3 temple running days but read of other things in SR. AND still like ending up in a nice, clean, secure room, a little upscale since this is vacation!

Thoughts? :confused: Thanks! :D

BTW, any thoughts on HKG's Nikko and IC Stanford?

you should be able to see everything there is within 4 days at siem reap, emples are great but there is only so much to see

Agree with the person above. Four days is plenty for Siem Reap. Benefit of having five in Hong Kong is that you can do all the touristy things, and still get out and see some of the more out of the way and unique places in Hong Kong.

I would keep your current plan.

For me, the times you have in both locations are perfect.

Usual plan in Siem Reap is a 3 day ticket for the temples, including a trip to the more remote Banteay Srei and maybe a couple of hours on the Tonle Sap lake. For some people, this does equate to being "templed out." Arriving day 1, days 2-4 at temples, leave day 5.

5.5 days in HKG/Macao seems like a lot to me, but I seem to be in the minority here so far. You might consider a side trip to Guangzhou and skip Macao. Caution: $130 Chinese visa needed, but you could get a multi entry visa good for one year, with a little luck, and use it for other China destinations.

You might consider a side trip to Phnom Penh, which is changing rapidly. The malls and other sights/sites in HKG stay pretty much the same from year to year.

Personally I would rather spend the extra day in Cambodia than in Hong Kong but that's just personal preference - having been to both. I for one can never be "templed out".

I did just want to pop in to say though that there is definitely a lot more to see and do in Hong Kong & environs than just "upscale shopping" (or gambling, since you're heading to Macau as well). There is a lot of local history and culture to expore: and some would argue it's one of the best places to eat in all of Asia!

Is it possible for you to wait til you have boots on the ground to determine whether you want to spend an extra day in one place or the other?

Your times look just fine, though you could shift a day to Cambodia too...

If you haven't been to HKG there is enough to see and do for 3 days and tons to eat. If you've seen most of the "tourist" attractions in HK then you can always go to Macau, Lantau, Cheung Chau and other islands. There's good hiking abound in HK in addition to plenty to do.

Unfortunately, I don't have the flexibility of a usual traveler...

...award tix and all... :rolleyes:

There's chance I could shift a day with the universe's help and quite a bit of virtual legwork if I feel strongly about it at the time.

Thanks for your replies.

Late to this thread, but my $.02:

I just like Cambodia more than Hong Kong. There is a lot more to Cambodia than Angkor.

If I had 9.5 days on the ground, I would take a week in Cambodia, 4.5 in SR (and the remote temples) and 2.5 in PP, and 2.5 in HK.

But then, I'm not what you would call wealthy and there is no question which is cheaper. Strictly a matter of taste (and money), but I would take a week in Phnom Penh over a week in Hong Kong anytime.

Have fun whatever you decide!

Depends on how much Angkor Wat you want to see, I have met people spend two days in Sime Reap was too much, while others, myself included, a week was not enough.

So, if you like "authentic "attractions", Angkor is one of the best in the world.

One thing you might like to consider, it is ‘easier’ (certainly for me) to go to Hong Kong then to Cambodia, visa for one thing, if you know what I mean.

Hotel Nikko is on the waterfront, but its location may not be as convenient (personal view).

I posted a photo of the many smiling faces in the photo thread.

Enjoy your trip, whatever you decide.

Just returned from Cambodia and would opt for more time there than Hong Kong. I like HK, but find Cambodia more interesting and intimate.
With extra time, I would take trip on the lake to see and visit the floating villages which I find fascinating. You can also do a boat trip to Battambang with a road return for a closer look at rural Cambodian life.

With extra time, I would take trip on the lake to see and visit the floating villages which I find fascinating. You can also do a boat trip to Battambang with a road return for a closer look at rural Cambodian life.[/QUOTE]

The floating villages looks fascinating even from the air. I posted a photo in the photo threat, don't know if you have seen it.