China/Vietnam or Japan for next big trip in Asia?
Aug 30th, 2019, 03:35 PM
#22
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If you want a bit of both Japan and China, the answer is actually Taiwan. Your husband can practise Mandarin there. If he is only learning Simplified Chinese characters, he might not grasp the Traditional Chinese characters.
As a former Japanese colony in the first half of 20th century, the Japanese influence is still widely visible.
In terms of timing, this winter/spring would make a good time to visit Taiwan. The PRC Government has recently announced restrictions on Chinese citizens to visit Taiwan (which coincided with the upcoming Presidential election). This would bring side benefits- curb overtourism in major Taiwanese cities, e.g. Taipei!
On Hong Kong, the air fare and hotel rates are at recent lows.
As a former Japanese colony in the first half of 20th century, the Japanese influence is still widely visible.
In terms of timing, this winter/spring would make a good time to visit Taiwan. The PRC Government has recently announced restrictions on Chinese citizens to visit Taiwan (which coincided with the upcoming Presidential election). This would bring side benefits- curb overtourism in major Taiwanese cities, e.g. Taipei!
On Hong Kong, the air fare and hotel rates are at recent lows.
Aug 31st, 2019, 10:59 AM
#23
It would be easy enough to add a few days in Beijing to a visit to Japan, especially if you are using FF miles. See a few of the main sights and go out to see the Great Wall at Mutianyu. That is what I did. It was interesting to see the contrasts.
Sep 3rd, 2019, 04:09 AM
#24
Original Poster
An update on plans - we have tickets for Hong Kong and China at the end of March for a month's trip. We fly into HK on Cathay Pacific, so we are going! The tickets were purchased just before the demonstrations began and they're not refundable. So, fingers crossed, we will manage the first few days in HK and then fly into China, starting in the southwest (Yunnan province, Guilin/Yangshuo) and then on to Xi'an, Beijing, and Shanghai.
I'm more than a little anxious over the travel plans now, but am taking a 'wait and see' view. Following this issue on different travel boards, I do see that tourists are still managing to travel in HK and sightsee, and while there are some inconveniences, it does seem that people are managing.
I'm more than a little anxious over the travel plans now, but am taking a 'wait and see' view. Following this issue on different travel boards, I do see that tourists are still managing to travel in HK and sightsee, and while there are some inconveniences, it does seem that people are managing.
Sep 3rd, 2019, 10:40 PM
#26
It would be easy enough to buy an onward ticket, or change one you already have, if things are still messy when you arrive in HK. I've changed plans last minute in Asia several times, including from HK, for one reason or another, simple to do so don't bother being anxious. Just arrive early at your next destination & make it an adventure rather than a problem.
Sep 4th, 2019, 02:53 AM
#27
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I just came back from Asia, and it was a wonderful trip! I have been in China and Japan, liked it a lot.
TIPS FOR YOU:
One thing which gets me weird is that some Asia countries have restrictions for social networks which we use in Europe.
I have my business on Instagram, so it was quite hard to spend these few weeks, so I found out that
connecting to VPN allows using social networks by changing your location on it.
So I download for me and my colleagues NordVPN Teams, which is created special for business use and remote work.
Nice to have it and recommend if you will be on a business trip in Asia.
TIPS FOR YOU:
One thing which gets me weird is that some Asia countries have restrictions for social networks which we use in Europe.
I have my business on Instagram, so it was quite hard to spend these few weeks, so I found out that
connecting to VPN allows using social networks by changing your location on it.
So I download for me and my colleagues NordVPN Teams, which is created special for business use and remote work.
Nice to have it and recommend if you will be on a business trip in Asia.
Sep 4th, 2019, 03:13 AM
#28
Original Poster
Thanks kja! I appreciate it!
MmePerdu, Many thanks for your suggestion. We’ve got tickets on Cathay Pacific with the included stopover in HK as part of the fare. Worse comes to worse, I can see if they will change the ticket to fly on to the mainland sooner than scheduled.
I’ve been following other travel boards, and am somewhat reassured by what I’m reading - that is, for the most part, tourists are able to sightsee and there is limited impact on their travels in HK due to protests. That is no guarantee, of course, that it will be okay when we go. The situation is in such flux that, sadly, it could get a lot worse. Or not. I just have to watch.
Another “Option B” others have considered is to go on to Macau and return to HK for the flight. I just have to wait and see.
bluesky, thank you for your suggestion. I do plan on getting a VPN for our trip.,
MmePerdu, Many thanks for your suggestion. We’ve got tickets on Cathay Pacific with the included stopover in HK as part of the fare. Worse comes to worse, I can see if they will change the ticket to fly on to the mainland sooner than scheduled.
I’ve been following other travel boards, and am somewhat reassured by what I’m reading - that is, for the most part, tourists are able to sightsee and there is limited impact on their travels in HK due to protests. That is no guarantee, of course, that it will be okay when we go. The situation is in such flux that, sadly, it could get a lot worse. Or not. I just have to watch.
Another “Option B” others have considered is to go on to Macau and return to HK for the flight. I just have to wait and see.
bluesky, thank you for your suggestion. I do plan on getting a VPN for our trip.,
