My husband is a partner in an architecture firm in Northern California. Because of their longevity with the firm, he and another partner were surprised at our company holiday party with a trip to any place in the world they would like to go to see architecture. Of course, the trip includes spouses! We have never been to Asia. I would be curious to hear from Fodorites about this topic: Your favorite city in Asia to view the architecture.

SHANGHAI

So many to choose from! Hong Kong certainly has great architecture.

I've always thought that Kuala Lumpur...and Malaysia in general...are architectually interesting and also Singapore. Thailand is,too when you look at the temples and traditional houses and in Bangkok and there's the (very modern) Bed Supper Club which is also quite interesting. If you get the book Thailand Chic, there's an excellent photo of both the outside and the inside of the Bed Supper Club. The book in general has a lot of architectually and interior design interesting places. Thailand is big on that and they are absolute masters at blending the old with the new and the western with the Asian as far as design goes. I'm very interested in this sort of thing therefore I always take notice when traveling. There are architectually interesting restaurants in Bangkok such as the fairly new(2005) Koi Restaurant on Sukumvit,Soi 20. I've peeped inside in past trips. It's quite talked about. I plan to have dinner there in a week or so. This is the same Koi that's here in L.A. on La Cienega Blvd. Asia is really fabulous both architectually and otherwise and I love Southeast Asia a whole lot. And the 5-star and affordable hotels in Bangkok especially, are absolutely beautiful. Check out the interiors of several...Four Seasons...Oriental...Metropolitan...Sukothai...Pen ...etc... Happy Travels!

what about the taj mahal? that's one of the most amazing architectural creations.

What kind of architecture are you talking about? If you want to look at brand new tall highrises, then Shanghai. Also consider Tokyo and Hong Kong.

If you're looking for other stuff - like churches, temples, lighthouses, palaces, etc - then please specify.

The old in Beijing and new in Shanghai.
M

Congratulations!

We are also architecture enthusiasts and having lived in Asia for 15 years have found no shortage of inspiration.

Hong Kong has some of the best (IM Pei, Norman Foster) and some of the worst (contemporary Communist eyesores). Not much left of the colonial era, but what there is is now (a bit late) lovingly restored. Finding traditional Chinese also takes some doing, but it's still there in the villages and outer islands.

Tokyo also has some amazing buildings from Frank Lloyd Wright to Kenzo Tange.
You could easily get to Kyoto and/or Nara for a dose of the old.

Or you might want to do something entirely different and look at traditional architecture in Java and Bali. Java has Borobudur and Prambanan temples and other archaelogical sites.

Bali has an astonishingly complex aesthetic of construction and design that's consistently and beautifully maintained as part of the culture and religion. Contemporary resorts -- by firms like Ed Tuttle, Kerry Hill, Grounds Kent -- draw on tradition and add Western creativity. (Plus it's a wonderful place for a holiday!)

Basically, anywhere you go in Asia you will find both cutting edge new inspired by the beautifully crafted old. Each country is unique. I'd say pick the culture you most want to experience then research the buildings.

This is a great site to peruse
http://www.greatbuildings.com/gbc.html

I started out as an architect myself many years ago. All of the suggestions above are good, but I'd like to add a couple more:

Singapore has some surprisingly good stuff going on these days. The current trend started with the Esplanade performing arts center and has gone on to include a new central library and several interesting corporate buildings. Singapore also has a lot of preservation areas, as well as some nice boutique hotels in historic buidings (1929, Scarlet, etc.)

I would also suggest you think about Angkor Wat. You can get a direct flight to Siem Reap from Singapore, so you could easily do both destinations. Spend a few days in Singapore first to aclimate yourself, then fly to Siem Reap for four to five days, then back to Singapore for a wind-down.

I agree with Singapore having some good stuff. However, a lot of people don't stay there long enough to get into the underlayers of Singapore. They arrive for a quick two days and stay mostly around Orchard Road and then leave and unfortunately many think Singapore has nothing much to offer. Happy Travels!

Depends what you mean by architecture.

If you are into ruins, then one cannot go past Siem Reap and the Angkor temples.

If you are into photography, there are few better places than Hoian in Vietnam (the World Heritage listed 'old town' section, which is a photographer's delight).

If you are into modern, then Singapore (has always been a tragedy to me that the Singaporeans virtually knocked down their historic buildings, with very few exceptions).

If you are into a blend of old and new, then Hong Kong.

Can't talk about China as I have never been there.

Hanoi is a pleasant blend, especially the French areas.

I found Saigon disappointing, although the old hotels are great, and the Opera House and the post office.

And of coure if you are interested in truly exotic architecture, you can't go past the wonderful temples and authentic Thai style houses in Bangkok.

BTW Shanghai also has some stunning buildings dating back to colonial times - just think of the Bund, the Peace Hotel, etc. Much of the old stuff is being knocked down to make way for the new... so better see it quick!

2d: Would you be able to divulge what firm your husband works at? No, I'm not looking for a job, can't draw a line straight.

Of course to answer your question, I am partial to Shanghai, and add Beijing before the 08 Olympics.

What kind of architecture is your husband interested in? I'm an architect, and preferences are so subjective, getting his input seems that it would be pivotal in deciding on a destination.

I would love to see some of the progressive works being done for the Olympics in Beijing (saw a documentary on the stadium-WOW) or to see the work in Tokyo (Tadao Ando , Hiroshi Hara, Fumihiko Maki). Japan (IMO) has been in the forefront of contemporary Asian design for years.

However, my favorite city for architecture in the WORLD is Barcelona.

I have read all the replies and agree with much of it. However, I am surprised that nobody has mentioned Dubai (it is Asia - isn't it?) They may not have the sheer numbers as Honk Kong & Shanghai do, but they have some of the most interesting & stunning buildings and planned communities I have ever seen.

Dubai is in Asia, but there's a seperate Fodors.com forum called "Africa/Middle East". We don't cover those areas in this forum.

That's good to know ( I am new to the forum). However, if 2d has a choice of traveling to ASIA that would include Dubai and I wanted her to know about it as an interesting option.

What a fascinating post - and what lucky people you are 2d.

It does all depend though, as others have said - do you mean cutting edge, modern stuff, or buildings/ruins from times past?

And does what else is on offer figure in your thoughts? I mean the general vibe of the place, the people, the culture, the history, the food, the side trips?

I loved Hong Kong on my only trip there because it has a fabulous city skyline, but it also has small alleys, and some great museums and the option of taking a ferry to outlying islands.

I'm not such a fan of BKK (many visits) - some great temples, and the Royal Palace, but the city is basically ugly - though the people and the food are great.

Singapore - why not? but less so than BKK or HK. Ditto KL.

I found Beijing sad on a recent visit after a gap of almost 10 years. So much pulled down to make way for mediocre "modern" architecture. And don't even think about the force that has been used to move people out of the areas that are being "beautified" for the Olympic tourists.

India maybe? New Delhi with a side trip to Agra or Rajasthan - but only if the the whole package appeals and the new stuff is not the top priority.

Or Lahore with the side trip up the Karakoram Highway - now there is something it would be good to get someone else to pay for - so you could do it in style.

Or think small and go to Luang Prabang - mmmm?

Happy travels.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the posts. Thank you all so much. I can't imagine traveling without an appreciation for the architecture of the places we visit. My husband is particularly interested in how communities successfully mix their historic buildings with modern architecture. Paris is a fine example of very modern storefronts beautifully placed into historic buildings.

My husband is a partner in AXIA Architects, a mid-sized firm in Santa Rosa, CA (Sonoma County). You can visit the website to see some of the projects. BTW, they are always looking for licensed architects with a background in design.