we are planning to travel to BKK and Hong Kong in oct or now. we have about 13-15 days we would like some suggestions on how long to spend in the different areas and what sites to visit. Also are there nearby areas to visit and still fit into that approximate time frame. thanks alot

gzzer

i think that 5 days in HK would be a perfect introduction and the rest in thailand but probably bkk only

Very much depends on the sort of thing you want to see, whether ancient places like Siem reap, beaches and islands or whatever.

thanks. looking at all the postings, I think maybe 4 days in HK and 4 days in BKK. Which would be the better choice. Siem Reap or Chiang Mai. Also, would I fly round trip to HK or BKK and than fly round trip between HK And BKK.

thanks again
gzzer

An "open jaw" air ticket that will let you fly into Hong Kong and out of another city, like Bangkok, will save you having to back track and possibly having to overnight in Hong Kong just to make an international connection. They usually cost no more than a regular round trip into and out of the same city, and can sometimes cost less.

Weather-wise, November is a better overall. In Hong Kong, temps and humidity will have dropped significantly by then; also in Bangkok you will have missed the rainier months and will be heading into drier weather, although December is the best in terms of low rainfall (and is quite glorious in Hong Kong), if you can move your trip to pre-Christmas you will find great weather and low prices as high season starts at Christmas. Otherwise, late Oct or Nov is fine. Take a look at weatherbase.com and worldclimate.com

I think 3-5 days Hong Kong and 4-6 days Bangkok is good. A lot would depend on your interests. You can do side trips also to extend the trip, i.e. go to Macau from Hong Kong, and do the day-long trip to Ayyuthia from Bangkok. If you like walks/hikes, they are many in Hong Kong that will take you into very isolated areas and you won't believe you are in a city of 5 million people, you could spend a day doing this.

For the rest of the vacation, again this would depend on your interests. Ankor Wat is a good thought. The Chiang Mai area of northern Thailand is another good choice, with that much time, I don't see why you could not do both, as you don't need more than 2 nights max in Ankor Wat, and could allocate the rest of the time among Hong Kong, Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Singapore is another thought for a different experience. I would avoid Vietnam as it is quite rainy at that time in most parts. Phuket beaches are prone to rain then, as is Koh Samui. October and November are a little tricky for beach weather in SE Asia generally as the winter monsoon is moving through most of the area. Hainan island is quite beautiful and no rain in Oct/Nov but temps may be cooler than you want. Only an hour flight from Hong Kong, it is the Hawaii of SE Asia (although I have not been to Hawaii so can't really compare, but it is quite beautiful).

As for what to see and do, a guidebook is helpful in outlining all that is on offer in each place. You can get guidebooks out of the library; old books are fine, as being out of date does not change the basic info in books on sights, culture and weather. If you haven’t already done so, I would suggest you go to your library and get some guide books. Old editions don’t’ matter, as the basic information and tourist site info does not change. When you hare some ideas of what you want to see and do, then buy the newest editions for restaurant and hotel recs and the latest travel tips for that country. Also, read the destination guides on this site, click on "Destinations" above, choose "Asia", then scroll down and choose the various places you are interested in. This will give you a brief overview of the each place and what is has to offer with sample itineraries. Also take a look at Frommers.com.

thanks alot Cicerone, that info was super helpful. I just made reservations round trip to Hong Kong with milage the 1st 2 weeks in october but now I'm going to see if I can change. I also don't think I can make an open jaw using milage...I think it has to be round trip.

You don't say where you are flying from but you could make a routing for example if you were flying from the West Coast e.g LAX-HKG-BKK ( do destination BKK but a fare that allows a stopover en route in HK )

take a look at cathy pacific...they might offer you a r.t. to bkk with stop off for free in HK...they have a monthly special each month...

if you like ruins then i would suggest angkor over CM, but then i do not like CM either...

i think i would rather deal with my jet lag in bangkok in the warm sun at a pool vs in HK where you really want to keep moving to see all that there is to see...so i would go right through to bkk and then stop in HK on the way home---imo....

i guess i thought you already had your air arranged from the original question...

the later you go in october the better...hotel prices change on oct 31 however