HELP! LAST MINUTE TRIP...NEEDS PLANNING!
Sep 14th, 2004, 09:18 PM
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HELP! LAST MINUTE TRIP...NEEDS PLANNING!
Hi all, my business trip was cancelled to Korea, but my Asian adventure is still on...but with a bit of destination changing. It's a short trip, only 11 days, but am heading off to Beijing, Hong Kong and Bangkok, and don't have anything planned!
Pretty much what I'm looking for are any recommendations on Hotels (nice ones) good restaurants and sites to see. Also. SHOPPING TIPS! Good markets, good areas, any particulars.
Whatever your advice may be, I'd like to hear it. Thanks for your help! I'll be in the beginning on October, so please put this into consideration...
Pretty much what I'm looking for are any recommendations on Hotels (nice ones) good restaurants and sites to see. Also. SHOPPING TIPS! Good markets, good areas, any particulars.
Whatever your advice may be, I'd like to hear it. Thanks for your help! I'll be in the beginning on October, so please put this into consideration...
Sep 15th, 2004, 01:44 AM
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Hi
Well, I would recommend that you wait with your shopping until you get to Bangkok...that is at least the city (of the three that you have mentioned) that has the best shopping. My wife and I have been to all three destinations and I have posted trip reports and pictures on my personal homepage http://gardkarlsen.com
Maybe you can find some useful information there.
Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway
Well, I would recommend that you wait with your shopping until you get to Bangkok...that is at least the city (of the three that you have mentioned) that has the best shopping. My wife and I have been to all three destinations and I have posted trip reports and pictures on my personal homepage http://gardkarlsen.com
Maybe you can find some useful information there.Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway
Sep 15th, 2004, 02:42 AM
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Run a search on this board (maybe "Bangkok AND sightseeing", etc), as these three cities are very popular and there is already a ton of advice on what to see and do in each of them. Click on "Destinations" above and see the advice Fodor's has put together. Go to Frommers.com and read their recommendations for what to see and do. Get a good guidebook.
October 1 and the week following are public holidays in China, I would avoid Beijing at that time as things will be very crowded and hotel prices will be up. Hong Kong is OK at that time, it will be crowded but not as bad as going to the Forbidden City or Great Wall at that time. You may find hotel prices up there as well. September 29 is mid-autumn festival in Hong Kong which is a fun time to be there, and some celebrations will be lasting a bit through October. There may be fireworks in the harbor on October 1 for PRC National Day (check with your hotel).
Bangkok and Hong Kong are going to be pretty rainy, but that should not unduly interfere with your sightseeing. Agree with Gard that the best shopping is in Bangkok, although Hong Kong is pretty good. If you are really serious about shopping, then I would recommend you buy a map called "Nancy Chandler's Guide to Bangkok" You can it buy it on the web from her website (Nancychandler.net), or your hotel may have a copy in their gift shop or bookshop. The guide has info on shopping for just about every item you can imagine, as well as a guide to specific streets and areas of Bangkok. There is also a special section on the Weekend Market.
October 1 and the week following are public holidays in China, I would avoid Beijing at that time as things will be very crowded and hotel prices will be up. Hong Kong is OK at that time, it will be crowded but not as bad as going to the Forbidden City or Great Wall at that time. You may find hotel prices up there as well. September 29 is mid-autumn festival in Hong Kong which is a fun time to be there, and some celebrations will be lasting a bit through October. There may be fireworks in the harbor on October 1 for PRC National Day (check with your hotel).
Bangkok and Hong Kong are going to be pretty rainy, but that should not unduly interfere with your sightseeing. Agree with Gard that the best shopping is in Bangkok, although Hong Kong is pretty good. If you are really serious about shopping, then I would recommend you buy a map called "Nancy Chandler's Guide to Bangkok" You can it buy it on the web from her website (Nancychandler.net), or your hotel may have a copy in their gift shop or bookshop. The guide has info on shopping for just about every item you can imagine, as well as a guide to specific streets and areas of Bangkok. There is also a special section on the Weekend Market.
Sep 16th, 2004, 03:31 AM
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Bkk - the Night Market is IMO a must do. Called the Suan Lum Night Bazaar. Open daily 6:30 until 10:30ish. For home stuff I think a good one stop shop is the Central Chitlom Thai home floor - a bit of a bunch of stuff, great for limited time. Narai Phand near Central Chitlom has some interesting Thai handicrafts too.
HK - go to Stanley market for a day. IMO the ambience is better than the shopping tho so be forewarned - coming from Bkk and India I find it expensive. I have posted earlier on the new "Home Kitchen" concept in HK - pull up my post and try to visit one - pref Da Ping Huo. Great experience.
HK - go to Stanley market for a day. IMO the ambience is better than the shopping tho so be forewarned - coming from Bkk and India I find it expensive. I have posted earlier on the new "Home Kitchen" concept in HK - pull up my post and try to visit one - pref Da Ping Huo. Great experience.
Sep 16th, 2004, 03:53 AM
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BKK.... THE LOFT in discovery mall is one of the coolest shops in bkk it is a farly big novalty and stationary store..
central chitloam is the best department store in bkk. but if your looking for some diffrent brands especially from Japan Isitan and Zen can fit the bill... both in central world plaza mall..
we can give ya better tips if ya tell us what your looking for.
central chitloam is the best department store in bkk. but if your looking for some diffrent brands especially from Japan Isitan and Zen can fit the bill... both in central world plaza mall..
we can give ya better tips if ya tell us what your looking for.
Sep 16th, 2004, 01:16 PM
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I don't know what I'm looking for! Everyone just says the shopping here is incredible. I've heard the knock-off purses are great, custom made clothing is amazing, and that pearls (of course) and other gems are "specially priced"
Sep 16th, 2004, 02:14 PM
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Iwinokur-since you're going to Beijing, you'll also want to check out the Pearl Market -which is great fun, and a really good place to pick up inexpensive strands of pearls that are certainly not Mikkimoto, but look lovely and make great gifts all the same-(they tend to be freshwater pearls). The bldg. where the Pearl Mkt. is located is near the Temple of Heaven, and is located on the third floor I believe, the lower floors selling a variety of Chinese foodstuffs and other inexpensive goods.
