SShprints

Want to plan a 1st trip to Asia. Where to go? I have about 10 days, and want to visit somewhere nice, different, exotic and also SAFE. So far I'm leaning towards Hong Kong. What can you recommend?

Sergey

thursdaysd

All of the countries you list are very safe. In fact, aside from North Korea, Kashmir, parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan and possibly Nepal, I have a hard time thinking of anywhere in Asia that isn't safe. Or anywhere that isn't different, if your point of comparison is the U.S. What do you like doing? Are you more into museums and cities, or scenery and hiking? Are you looking for luxury hotels and expensive restaurants, or are you willing to rough it a little to see more of the country you pick?

SShprints

Hmm..honestly I was under the impresion that places like Indoesia or Burma are not that safe..but I'm not 100% sure. Usualy when we do trips to Europe or South America..we do a city stay, followed by a relaxing break somwhere on the beach. As far as I understand I can do that in Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia..not too sure about Japan, Korea or China. I definitely leaning towards the far east.

SShprints

Leaning towards Southeast Asia
Sorry

thursdaysd

Myanmar (Burma) and Indonesia felt safe enough to me, but I did miss the earthquakes. Some parts of Indonesia might not be a good idea. Anyway, for what you describe, Thailand, Vietnam or Malaysia would all work well. Cambodia also has beaches if you'd like to see Angkor Wat.

KimJapan

Hong Kong was our first trip in Asia after we had lived in Japan for a year. We've been there 3 times, Bali twice, Thailand 4 times, and a trip to Singapore, Cambodia and Thailand planned for next summer. I've not felt unsafe anywhere.

What kind of "unsafe" do you mean?

Guenmai

I've been in many places in the region of SE Asia and have felt safe...of course there are no quarantees to safety. Thailand or Bali would be a great first-time experience place. You'd probably feel safest in Singapore. I adore Singapore. If I were you, I'd combine either Bangkok and Singapore or Bali and Singapore for the amount of time you have. Happy Travels!

wlee88

I have been many Asia countries such as China, India, Japan, Nepal, Taiwan, Korea, and Thailand. I enjoyed most of Asia trips, but I would like to recommend you Thailand for your first trip to Asia. Thailand offers many things -- friendly people, the exotic culture, beautiful beaches, beautiful northern mountain areas, the exciting and modern city mixed with the old culture, a lot of choices of tasty food, value for money, and etc. Traveling in Thailand is easy and quite safe. It is good for the first timer.

In the US, Thailand is not a very popular destination, but is one of the most popular destinations among people in the rest of the world such as Europe, Australia, and Asia.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/worl...cfm?cat=cities
http://www.travelandleisure.com/worl...fm?cat=islands
http://www.travelandleisure.com/worl...cfm?cat=cities

stuttgart

if it's your first time to Asia, HongKong would be a good start. However, 10 days for this small island would be a little boring. then you could also think about BKK and Japan for the next station.

SShprints

I'm looking to do a city stay and then a few days on the beach. So I heard I can do that in Hong Kong, no? Japan and Korea don't really have beaches. Thailand and Vietnam are also top choices for that, no? although for a first time am afraid Vietnam is too much of a culture shock
I would like to broaden my experiances across the globe, btu so far have only managed to visit most of europe, turkey, israel and parts of south america. Asia just always seems soo expensive.

Neil_Oz

Other than a week in Singapore many years ago our first excursion into Asia was Vietnam, and if it counted as a "culture shock" it was an overwhelmingly pleasant one. It's a poor country, but the people, the culture, the landscape and the food more than make up for that.

Asia expensive? I guess you're talking about the air fares? You can spend a lot of money on flashy western-style hotels and restaurants if you like, but if you plan well and you're prepared to get out into the country you're in rather than surround yourself with other westerners, accommodation and food in most if not all Asian countries can be quite inexpensive. I have it on good authority that this applies even to Japan.

wlee88

If you are looking for a modern westernized city, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo (Japan), or Soul (Korea) will be one for you. If you are looking for a city with the different and exotic culture, but still modern Asian city, Bangkok (Thailand) will be the best choice. There are so many travelers go back to Bangkok again and again. Bangkok is such a fascinating city. Actually, Bangkok is one of the most favorite destination in Asia for people from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and Korea. There are many choices of nice Thailand beaches where you can go from Bangkok.

thursdaysd

"Asia just always seems soo expensive" - totally agree with Neil that this is up to you. If you want ritzy hotels in Hong Kong, Singapore, and these days Shanghai or Beijing, yes, it will be expensive. But I prefer to stay in small, locally run guesthouse-type places, and find Asia considerably less expensive than Europe. Staying inland also reduces the prices - I spent a night at the Sofitel in Chengdu, plenty luxurious, for $100 - and a clean & comfortable double with bath at Sam's Guesthouse in the same town was $15/night.

Can't help with Hong Kong beaches, but if you post again, just asking about that, cicerone may answer. Does sound like Thailand is the best fit for you. Here again, you can stay for more at the "name" hotels on the river, or for much less eslsewhere. You could also look at the Merriam Riverside, three stars, where I got a big room with the same riverside view as the pricier hotels, and a pool, for 1500 baht/night in Dec. '04.

SShprints

Actualy I hate large westernized hotels....I prefer small, local and cute hotels...for Thailand...I would most def. want to head to Chiang May as well..so not sure if 9 days is enough to do Bangkok, Chiang May and beach.

thursdaysd

9 days is really tight. Is that 9 days in country, or does it includes flights to/from US? I'd be inclined to drop Bangkok in favor of Chang Mai, but the Bangkok fans here will likely disagree. Consider connecting in Bangkok for a flight south the day you arrive, then flying to Chiang Mai and finishing in Bangkok. You can save a travel day by taking the night train back to Bangkok from Chiang Mai.

rkkwan

Hong Kong people fly to Thailand if they want a beach vacation. Enough said.

kaneda

I'd say some days in Bangkok for sightseeing and shopping, then down to Phuket or one of the other beach places.

LeighTravelClub

Yes kaneda has it spot on Bangkok for a few days then down south for some chill out time
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