a59

Hello. I'm considering visit a SE Asian country or two since I have about 2 weeks of time. Afterwards, I will go to Chongqing in China to visit my friend. I have already visited the NE Asian countries and Thailand

I am thus considering visiting the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore. Or I may just instead visit a city or two in China before going to Chongqing, such as Kunming and/or Guilin (I've already seen Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Suzhou, Hangzhou, HK)

In Thailand, I already visited Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Tao, and Koh Samui. I went snorkeling and trekking and elephant-riding.

I wouldn't say I'm all that interested in the history of these countries. The beaches seem nice, but I already went snorkeling in Thailand, so I'm not sure if it would be a better use of my time to see something other than beaches

What do you guys think? Which of these countries have interesting things for tourists other than beaches and historical sites? Are the beaches/islands at the Philippines and Indonesia different enough from Thailand that I should see them instead of Kunming/Guilin?

Ellis02

Hi,

I would recommend the Philippines, people there are very accomodating and the beaches are wonderful.

Kathie

It is not clear to me what you would like to do/see/experience on this trip. I haven't been to the Philippines, but I've been to all of the other countries on your list (and more in SE Asia). SE Asia is my favorite part of the world.

Indonesia has a lot to offer. Bali, of course, is unique with its Hindu culture. It has beautiful terraced rice fields, impossibly green, some nice beaches, but the culture is the attraction for me. Java is fascinating and has the Buddhist monument, Borobudor and Prambanam (Hindu).

Do you have any interest in visiting Angkor Wat in Cambodia? One of the wonders of the world.

Malaysian Borneo is a wonderful place to see wildlife - especially orangutans.

You might want to take a look at photos from some of our trips, as that may give you a flavor for these places: www.marlandc.com

a59

I am sure I want to see Singapore. However, I'm unsure which of Philippines/Malaysia/Indonesia is worth seeing considering that I've already been to Thailand

Borneo sounds great, so I can see the wildlife and orangutans. If I stay there for no longer than a week, would I not be missing out on too much?

a59

Since I only have a couple weeks, would it make sense to spend about a week in Borneo so I can then go to Indonesia or the Philippines? Or should I just spend that whole 2 weeks in Borneo?

Kathie

Singapore is the most expensive place you have mentioned by far. And it's a huge modern, safe, clean city which is interesting, but probably not why you are going to SE Asia.

A week in Borneo should give you a chance to see some wildlife. You will want to stay in a lodge in the rainforest. Do your research, as they can be quite expensive, but the best of them are worth every penny.

Philippines/Malaysia/Indonesia are quite different from each other and quite different from Thailand. Having seen Thailand is no reason to cross any of those off your list.

krgystn

Singapore is only good for two days, your time is best spend elsewhere. Consider Vietnam, which might be the most interesting of all the SE Asia countries. Bali is good for a week, Ubud in the mountains is especially interesting, but the beaches of Bali are not as good as Thailand. So it depends on your interests.

In China, I would highly recommend Yangshuo, which is very close to Guilin and one of the most scenic places in China, but good only for 3 or 4 days. You could easily make a great 2 week trip in southern China with Yangshuo, Lijian, Dali, etc.

And, what time of year?

a59

I plan to travel starting next week

For Borneo, I don't plan to go mountain climbing, see the war memorials or other historical sites or experience the local culture. But I would like to see the orangutans, Proboscis Monkeys, and maybe go paragliding and snorkeling and see the Turtle Island.

Would a good itinerary be to spend 3 days at Kota Kinabalu Beach Resort to snorkel, spend 2 days going to the turtles of Selingan Island and the nearby Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary, and then spend 3 days cruising up the Kinabatangan River to explore the waterways and spot the wildlife such as the proboscis monkeys? Or should I see Lankayan Island and Danum Valley instead?

Kathie

a59, you have asked your question on someone else's thread. Please re-post this a a new topic -click on the orange "Start a new topic" button at the top of the page.

MmePerdu

Kathie, a59 is the OP.

A59, when you say "I don't plan to go mountain climbing, see the war memorials or other historical sites or experience the local culture" but just want to see animals", you won't need a week to do that. I'm pretty confused about what else you do want to do. It sounds a bit like checking places off a list if the local culture doesn't interest you. So you may as well just pick a place, any place.

And I strongly disagree with your very narrow statement Krgystn, that "Singapore is only good for two days", etc. All those limitations you mention may be your idea of what a place is good for, and we all have our preferences, but to make blanket statements as you have is absurd.

FromDC

I just returned from a trip that included 11 days in Borneo, take a look at my trip report. If you only have a week and are most interested in wildlife, you can do Turtle island (it's one night only), 2 nights in Bilit at a river lodge and 3 nights in the Danum valley. Perfectly doable if you are coming from elsewhere in Asia.

Kathie

MmePerdu, thank you, I was confused, as the question sounded unrelated to the original question.

a59, do read FromDC's excellent trip report. If you are traveling next week, it would probably make sense to contact a local agent in Kota Kinabalu or Kuching to help you book your trip. Places like jungle lodges aren't places you can just show up. Indeed, they are often booked putt many months in advance. A local agent can check and see if there have been cancellations.

MmePerdu

To add to what Kathie says, some of the remote places provide the only available transportation so if you aren't booked in advance you won't have any way to get there.

Regarding Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, if you have time for just one city, I'd make it Kuching, generally a much nicer place to spend time, I think.

FromDC

Absolutely agree, Kuching over Kota Kinabalu. But with only one week, select either Sabah or Sarawak. It's short notice for Danum Valley but if you can get into Borneo Rainforest Lodge, you should go for it!

elsewhereist

As Kathie said, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines have very different things to offer (urban areas aside are those are always easily comparable).

The Philippines is particularly known for its beaches, many of which (according to experienced travelers) are more beautiful than Thailand's more famous ones. I'd recommend Palawan (either Coron or El Nido) for this. But if you have the time, I also suggest Batanes - an idyllic island with beautiful beaches and rolling hills, and a style of houses you won't find elsewhere.

For Indonesia, skip Jakarta and head to Bali or Borobodur to see the ancient temples. For Malaysia, you could visit the Batu Caves near KL for something different.

Anyway, wherever you decide to go, I'm sure you'd have an awesome time. Good luck deciding!

Prachuap

There is a lot more to Thailand than beaches. But if you want to see animals Borneo would be better.

Kathie

elsewhereist: "urban areas aside are those are always easily comparable" Not my experience at all. I find each of the big cities in SE Asia to have its own distinctive flavor.

elsewhereist

Hm, true but CBDs are CBDs, at least the ones I've seen (Manila, Jakarta, Bangkok, etc.), but yes, you would see something particular to the culture if you're observant. But still, more comparable than any other aspect of a country, like natural and pointedly cultural sights.

Kathie

Ah, but I consider the big cities full of cultural sights. Think of the differences among Tokyp, Taipei, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Hanoi, KL, Jakarta, Singapore... and how many of the major cultural sights are in these cities.