TOMFORD

Hi all, I am planning very far ahead for trips in spring of 2016, and would like to hear your recommendations on where to go. I am hold a US passport and will be originating from US, and will be flying strictly with miles. Because I am planning far ahead, I can (hopefully) get enough miles to fly on any airline necessary. But really, it's not that far, for traveling in March, I'll be booking my tickets in April of 2015, which is barely 2 app cycles away!

Places I have been to: Beijing, Shanghai, and New York extensively. I have also been to Bangkok, Osaka, Frankfurt, Seoul, and most big Chinese and US cities. I do not care much for big big high-tech cities. I have to say, aside from NY, because it's home for me, Bangkok is my favorite, because there's so much modernness and history juxtaposed, everything is cheap, and there is a lot to do.

Places I will have traveled to by the time 2016 comes around: Hong Kong (3 times), Singapore, Ubud (Bali), Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, and other Chinese and US cities.

I love culture. I am doing my travels solo, so I love being able to people watch, walk around while munching on street food, and retreat to the comfort of a modern hotel at the end of the day. I do not care for beaches or hiking, but I will hike a little for a worthwhile view. I am fluent in English and Mandarin.

I know I want to go to Chiang Mai for a bit, but I want to go to at least one other place while I am in that part of the world. Where would you recommend? Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, or maybe even Philippines? Ideas welcome

glennaa11

For sure SE Asia has tons of things to see and do. Lots of old temples type of stuff.

Others who've been there that time of year can chime in but I think CM burning season falls around that time so you might want to avoid it.

I would probably say go to Siem Reap and enjoy Angkor. You don't say how long you plan to spend. But Phnom Penh can be interesting for a couple of days too. Depending on how adventurous you are there are less-visited parts of Cambodia too.

You could also just spend you time in Thailand. There is much more to the country than Bangkok (and CM). There are old Khmer temple sites in Isaan (NE Thailand). There's lots of national parks. There's Sukhothai.

I liked Luang Prabang when I was there a few years ago.

Myanmar is fascinating. But finding accommodations and getting around isn't as easy there.

TOMFORD

I have not settled on time yet. If I have a few days left over at the end of my Chiang Mai trip, I would go to a destination that does not require a lot of time. Otherwise, I could plan a trip based on that destination (and or destinations of its kind and in its vascinity) alone.

Firemansam

Vietnam is an absolute must.

TOMFORD

Is there a specific part of Vietnam you had in mind?

Firemansam

I personally have only seen HCMC and Nha Trang/Ninh Thuy as thats where my fiancee is from but it is worth going there just for the food. I found HCMC to be a fantastic city and Nha Trang was okay but there are others on here that can give you better information on Vietnam.
I have also enjoyed Siem Reap, the temples are fantastic.

invisible

See, one man's dirt is other man's treasure. I have similar preferences, however I do like nature as well in addition to cities and do not mind 2-3 hour hikes for a good view.

I stay in Singapore, last 6 month my travels were:

- KL, only as a transit point
- Penang, Georgetown - going there second time soon.
- Langkawi - as above
- Malacca - four times, will go again
- Yogyakarta/Borobudur/Prambanan - way above expectations, last month
- Saigon, last weekend, also way above expectations
- Tokyo, leaving today
- Seim Reap/Georgetown/Langkawi - in two weeks.

Next years planned:

- Chang Mai, and Bangkok
- Hanoi
- Burma
- Sri Lanka

I'd definitely suggest Saigon and Yogyakarta

glennaa11

I agree that Yogya was above expectations. I enjoyed my time there a lot as well. But as part of a short trip to Thailand it might not make as much sense.

Georgez

Go to Indonesia. Start in Jakarta & travel from west to east

TOMFORD

I really loved the temples I saw in Bangkok, but wish I could see more grandiose ones with less tourists around... Is Vietnam a better place for that purpose?

SoroSuub1

Korea. Cheap clean modern fast friendly safe. Things usually look like they do in pictures so no worries about the modern hotel part.

There's numerous smaller (size is relative) cities like Daejeon, Gwangju and others that are on incredibly cheap and fast train lines and even the metro in Seoul, Busan snake out to numerous small towns.... for example taking the metro from Seoul city centre to say Chuncheon for 2,700 won, 2 hours, halfway across the country.

jiejie

No for grandiose temple exploration, Vietnam is not a better place; worse in fact. Burma fits the description much better. If you go there, try to block out at least 2 weeks and even more if you can. There's plenty more to see besides great temples.

manneca

I loved Luang Prabang. The food was terrific. I also enjoyed Hoi An and wished I had had more time at Hue. Hanoi not so much. The Mekong Delta was great, too. Did a bike tour one day there. Of course, Angkor Wat is a don't miss. I also really enjoyed Malaysian Borneo, lots of nature there and Kota Kintabalu is a fun small city. Haven't been to Myanmar, but it's on the list.

yangky5

If you decide to head to the Philippines, try the Carlos Celdran walking tours. Lots of people watching to do in Greenbelt Mall, High Street at BGC, Legaspi and Salcedo markets are nice. There are two huge casino's plus three more going up. Good night life. Maskara Festival in Bacolod is tons of fun. Cebu is a nice city to visit, it's a one hour flight from Manila, they have excellent lechon (CNT or Kang's). Then there's also Vigan, with the historic houses and excellent Bagnet, Vigan Empanada, and Longanisa. Check that the airline you take flies into Terminal 2 or 3. You don't want to land in Terminal 1 unless you're into roughing it =)
You can drive to Antonio's in Tagaytay for lunch or dinner and try LZM, a hole in the wall with fantastic street food (order Crispy Pata and Bangus). Everyone speaks English and Mandarin scores you extra discounts when you bargain.