2 week Asia trip
Mar 11, 2012, 9:29 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 2
Beijing, Hong Kong, Bali or Vietnam
I am looking for advice on a 2 week trip to Asia I am planning.
We want to spend 4 days in Beijing and 4 days in Hong Kong and the remainder of the trip in either Bali or Vietnam. What order would you recommend we do things in (we are travelling from Toronto). If we only have 4 days for Bali or Vietnam is one more practical than the other? We would also be open to Phuket or another beach destination.
We want to spend 4 days in Beijing and 4 days in Hong Kong and the remainder of the trip in either Bali or Vietnam. What order would you recommend we do things in (we are travelling from Toronto). If we only have 4 days for Bali or Vietnam is one more practical than the other? We would also be open to Phuket or another beach destination.
Last edited by lneate; Mar 11, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Mar 12, 2012, 6:48 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Indonesia
Programs: AY, GA, SQ, IHG, SPG
Posts: 135
I agree with Camflyer, Bali is several hours flight apart from HKG. To minimize the time spent on a plane, you could always fly from HKG to Hanoi and visit Halong Bay. But then again you mentioned you would prefer a beach destination.
I don't know about the cost or schedules, but I believe there are direct connections from HKG to at least HKT and CEB. There is also service to Denpasar by CX and GA in case Bali is your choice. How about Okinawa? (never been there myself)
I don't know about the cost or schedules, but I believe there are direct connections from HKG to at least HKT and CEB. There is also service to Denpasar by CX and GA in case Bali is your choice. How about Okinawa? (never been there myself)
Mar 12, 2012, 9:01 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: OZ, Perth
Programs: QF QR Silver, DJ,TG,MH
Posts: 509
If you looking at Veitnam, Phu Quoc could interest you (another 1 hour flight from Ho Chi Minh), but a unique destination (bottom end)
Phuket, good beaches, good quality resorts but a lengthy bus trip from the airport (top end).
Bali, has the spectrum of choices, but as stated, probably 3 hours extra flying time.
Mar 12, 2012, 10:36 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Omaha
Posts: 1,674
There are direct flights between all the cities, except between Bali and Vietnam. If you're trying to save money you would just have to start pricing out all those flights. If you're after beach destination, you'll have to travel outside of the big cities in Vietnam. Also, I'm not sure about the weather in those places during that time. Other posters can give much more detailed weather advice about the rain, typhoons and sea churning.
I've never been to Bali, but I have enjoyed my time in Vietnam. I generally don't recommend Vietnam to first time Asia visitors (I dont know if you are), but if you're doing Beijing and Hong Kong, I think you would be ok in Vietnam. Phuket has more modern amenities if that's what you're after. Again, I can't comment on Bali as I've never been there.
I've never been to Bali, but I have enjoyed my time in Vietnam. I generally don't recommend Vietnam to first time Asia visitors (I dont know if you are), but if you're doing Beijing and Hong Kong, I think you would be ok in Vietnam. Phuket has more modern amenities if that's what you're after. Again, I can't comment on Bali as I've never been there.
Mar 13, 2012, 6:45 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
I'm not getting the math with the 2 weeks. Does that include the long-haul flights Toronto to/from Asia? With a useable total of 12 days?
If you have a useable total of 14 days (long-haul flights outside this time) then I would spend 4 days in Beijing, only 3 days in Hong Kong, and the rest in Bali (which would be about 6 days after subtracting a partial wasted travel day). I think you will appreciate the contrast in culture and atmosphere in Bali vs the Chinese cities. Vietnam is too much like "China Lite" in many ways. And given the visa in advance thing for only a week, I'd head for Bali hands-down.
If you have only 12 useable days, then I suggest you replan this visit as you are trying to cover way too much ground to get Beijing + Hong Kong + beach destination in. Specifically, eliminate Beijing and fly to Hong Kong and spend 4 days, then spend the balance in Bali with a possible quick hop over to Lombok if you feel like it. This will also eliminate Chinese visa logistics/cost.
If you really must do Beijing, then plan a triangle flying to Beijing (4 days), Phuket (4 days), Hong Kong (3 days) with a 1/2 day lost between. Phuket-Hong Kong has direct flights available--use them. Beijing-Phuket in May, you'll need to transit via Bangkok. A direct service was started but only for high winter season. Open jaws back to Toronto. Or do the circuit in the other direction. Not enthusiastic about this plan though.
If you have a useable total of 14 days (long-haul flights outside this time) then I would spend 4 days in Beijing, only 3 days in Hong Kong, and the rest in Bali (which would be about 6 days after subtracting a partial wasted travel day). I think you will appreciate the contrast in culture and atmosphere in Bali vs the Chinese cities. Vietnam is too much like "China Lite" in many ways. And given the visa in advance thing for only a week, I'd head for Bali hands-down.
If you have only 12 useable days, then I suggest you replan this visit as you are trying to cover way too much ground to get Beijing + Hong Kong + beach destination in. Specifically, eliminate Beijing and fly to Hong Kong and spend 4 days, then spend the balance in Bali with a possible quick hop over to Lombok if you feel like it. This will also eliminate Chinese visa logistics/cost.
If you really must do Beijing, then plan a triangle flying to Beijing (4 days), Phuket (4 days), Hong Kong (3 days) with a 1/2 day lost between. Phuket-Hong Kong has direct flights available--use them. Beijing-Phuket in May, you'll need to transit via Bangkok. A direct service was started but only for high winter season. Open jaws back to Toronto. Or do the circuit in the other direction. Not enthusiastic about this plan though.
Mar 14, 2012, 10:32 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
Decide what your priorities are. You have only two weeks, or perhaps less.
If it's a beach vacation, skip China and head straight to Southeast Asia.
If it's exploring Asian culture, there is plenty to see and a great deal of variety in China. Until I actually visited China, I had no idea how different the various regions were from one another.
With only two weeks, it's hard to do justice to more than one Asian country.
(At least you're not like the inquirer on another travel board who was planning to "do" India, China, and Japan in two weeks.)
If it's a beach vacation, skip China and head straight to Southeast Asia.
If it's exploring Asian culture, there is plenty to see and a great deal of variety in China. Until I actually visited China, I had no idea how different the various regions were from one another.
With only two weeks, it's hard to do justice to more than one Asian country.
(At least you're not like the inquirer on another travel board who was planning to "do" India, China, and Japan in two weeks.)