What would be your recommended 30-day Asian itinerary for first-timers who might never make it back? Myself and two relatives have just recently decided to go to Asia in 2005. We are interested in seeing the big sights and the culture. We enjoy traveling on a budget, but not down to the backpacker level. Little interest in fine dining or fine shopping. All female, mid 20s to mid 30s in age. One of us is a school teacher, so it would have to be sometime during the summer break (June-Aug). We were thinking to leave India for another time. Thank you in advance for any recommendations you have.

unfortunately the months you have available are not the best (hot, hot and hoter and humid), but they are doable....
i will list what for us have been highlights in 7 trips over 10 years to asia...
hong kong is fabulous
thailand is our all time favorite--its cheap and diverse in what it offers (beaches, bangkok, trecking up north are a few highlights)
cambodia--angkor wat in particular
malaysia
singapore
bali is everyone's favorite
viet nam
burma/myanmar
and lots of people like parts of laos

you could easily go to three or four places in a month....i am going for a month in may and we will do the following:
bangkok, bali, koh samui island off thai coast, chiang rai in northern thailand...all of this centered out of bangkok with a few days in bkk between each leg...

beware of hotels that are too cheap in asia....

use this forum to observe and then ask questions....

get a couple of good guidebooks

perhaps this will get you started

ask us questions, we love it....jamesA on this forum offers lots of good info as do others...

check out one of the 30 day asia passes offered by cathay and malaysia airlines.

in bkk stay in apartment. you'll save hundreds of dollers.

keep japan too a minimum way too expensive.

and these types of trips people tend too switch between beach areas and big cities.

the malaysia airlines air pass offersw more beach destinations including the maldives

Cathays pass. offers more of Japan

good value are all over asia..

what would be your avarage daily budget.?

the trick with hotels is finding locally owned hotels especially lux properties they offer mostly everything the internationsl do at a far better value.

RHKKMK is correct if you go too far dowhn the chain you'll most likely be staying in a brothel.

LETS GO/ and FROMMERS guides tends too gear too independent travelers who are not well healed tourists nor backpackers

I'd recommend that you choose one area, and travel within that area. The air passes can be a good deal, but they tempt people to try to cover too much territory, and may detract from your experience. People forget that to fly from japan to bangkok is some six hours - plus the time you spend in airports! Personally, I'd choose one of the following:

1. A combination of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. You'd fly in and our of Bangkok. In Cambodia, stay at least 5 days at Siem Reap to see the temples at Angkor. In Laos, spend 6 or 7 days in the Luang Prabang area. Use your other 2+ weeks to explore Thailand. I'd recommend Bangkok, a spot in northern Thailand (I prefer the Golden Triangle area) and a beach area in Thailand. Plan to spend at least 5 days in each location, so you really get a feel for the area.

2. The second option would be to base your travels in the Indonesia area. You'd fly in and out of Singapore, and spend time on Java, based in Yogyakarta. You could visit Borobudor, Prambanan, the Dieng Plateau, Solo, etc. Also, Yogya has the best crfts in Indonesia. Then you could go on to Bali for a real contrast. Add another island (Sumatra? Flores? Lombok?) if you'd like. Again, slow down and spend enough time in each area so you get a real flavor for it.

Both of these itineraries take you to places that are affordable (Singapore is the most expensive place mentioned). Each would provide a toally differnt cultural experience.

If you're only in your mid-20's to mid-30's, why would you even consider that you "might never make it back"? I think that's a "dangerous" idea, because you'll likely be too aggressive in planning.

Anyways, Asia is a very large place, with extremely diverse culture. A 30 day trip will not be enough to taste everything, but if you insist, then the passes from Cathay Pacific or Malaysia Airlines may make sense.

Keep in mind that you can easily spend 2-3 weeks in China alone...

Anyways, if you're interested in "big sights" and "the culture", here are the places I would recommend:

Japan - It's a fascinating place. Extremely modern, highly efficient. But once you get out of the city, you can find very quiet, pristine places. And they have a very strong local customs, influenced by both Buddhism and Shinto-ism. It's unlikely any other society in the world. I'll spend about 4-5 days there, 2-3 in Tokyo, and then 1-2 outside.

China - China will be extremely important in world history in the coming century, whether it's positive or negative. Might as well go find out what it is like. And with so much history and varied geography, there's so much to see. Go to Beijing for 2-3 days, and then choose maybe 2-3 of the following sites in a tight schedule - Xi'an (China's capital during parts of the Han and Tang dynasties); Shanghai and surrounding cities like Hanzhou & Suzhou; Guilin (for unique scenery); or if you have more time the Silk Road from Lanzhou to Urumqi. You can spend as little as 4-5 days, or as many as you like in China.

Thailand - Thais are mostly buddhist, and are some of the most friendly people in the world. Bangkok is extremely busy, but there are some nice temples. And there are some nice resort areas to the south, like Phuket; or interesting towns up north like Ching Mai. It's also a good base for travel to Cambodia if you're interested.

Malaysia - It's a predominantly Muslim country, and it's democratic, relatively stable, developed and successful. Probably the best example in the world how Islam can be an integral part of a developed country. Kuala Lumpur is very modern, while there are beautiful beaches and tropical rain forest in the rural areas, as well as in their eastern provinces on the Borneo Island.

Indonesia - It's less stable than Malaysia, and is the largest Muslim country in the world. However, there's a lot of pre-Islamic tradition still being practised there. Bali has beautiful beaches.

Hong Kong and Singapore - these cities are like 4 hours apart by plane, but there are quite a bit of similarities. Both are the most developed, most westernized cities in the region. However, you can also see the contrasts: Hong Kong is a pretty homogenous Chinese society, but Singapore is Chinese/Malay/Indian.

I think covering the above will give you a pretty good glimpse of current day Asia. And depending on how much China you want to see, you may be totally exhausted at this time. You may want to skip either Malaysia or Indonesia, as those two are somewhat similar.

good stuff rkkwan...

I think kathies idia is good. if you plan on comming back too asia. .it's the most ifficient way too do travel but it may be too consentrated.


a month is a long time. if you stay in a place for about.5 days you can visit about 6 destinations.

i'll throw in a verry vague ittinuary,.
---------------------------------------
tokyo/ and or Kyoto. .
or
hong kong 5 days
or
china
------------------------------------
bangkok 5 days
------------------------------------
cambodia 3 days
------------------------------------
chang ma
or 5 days
southern thailand
-----------------------------------
Bali 5 days
----------------------------------
Kuala lampure
or
Singapore 4 days

or
Maldives

-----------------------------------
27 days

this may not be the best for you but it sort of shows that you do have some room too wiggle when choosing destinations.

Hey....I like your idea...30days..that could be really fun

Do your homework...you have time [2005]Be prepared for hot humid weather.

Lots of good ideas here....the 30day asian air pass......Guidebooks[definately]

So many good things to see and do...

Just wanted to add my vote for Bali..it is a wonderful island and the people are sooo nice

Thanks for the replies which we have found very helpful. I have visited the library and stocked up on guidebooks. Considering the expected hot and humid weather and how fast you can fill up even 30 days, it looks like it would be wise to leave China and Japan for future trips. We are now thinking a combination of Thailand, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap/Angkor, and Bali. After reviewing hotel costs, we are also set on air conditioning and dreaming of swimming pools! Again, thanks for the comments, they have really helped us get started.

may i imput a couple of hotels...you mentioned swimming pools so i have to suggest the marriott resort and spa in bangkok---the best pool area in the city...hotel runs about $95-125...

in bali there are some buys at the moment...i have the bali hyatt for $70 and the brand new conrad also for $70...look at some of the lux hotels in bali as they have some good buys...

same apples to bkk

have fun planning and come back here often for questions...we love to participate...

I think it's a good idea to keep it to one region but I think you would do well to add one "big city" to your list.

Most of what you've listed so far is a much slower paced environment that you'll be missing some of the energy of Asia's large cities.

But of course, I LOVE cities so perhaps it may not be as important to you.

My suggestion, based on your recent listing, would be the following...

5 nights Bangkok
4 nights Chaing Mai

3-4 nights Luang
3-4 nights Siem Reap

5 nights Hong Kong

5 nights Bali

You could do Singapore instead of Hong Kong but personally, I go with HK just in case you never do go back. Hong Kong is more exciting.

I'd finish the trip with Bali because you'll probably need some rest and such after all the traveling and this would be a good way to relax and pamper yourself before heading home.

Marciel, itinuary is basically just about perfect.

I also beileve you should throw in a big modorn city like HK or tokyo it's just a diffent vive not noo be missed.

LP can be done in 3 or 2 days it's a small town. It's a verry nice place but in one day you can walk up and down the same roads 10 times.

check out bangkok airways discovery airpass. it is the obly airline in thailand that goes from BKK too, Siem Reap, Luang Phaboung, and chaing mai

maybe leaving HK for last. would be best in terms of airline lagistics.

Marcie, for a variation on your suggested itinerary, I'd cut Chiang Mai (add those days to the time in Luang Prabang and Siem Reap) and substitute Singapore for Hong Kong, as it's "on the way" to Bali.

(By the way, I can't imagine that anyone in their 20s and 30s could do this trip and not go back to Asia for more!)