Cities in Asia [MERGED] (hotel, hotel, temple, resorts)

[lieqiang]

Originally Posted by graceC

I personally am not a fan of Singapore. Don't get me wrong, they're clean, safe, orderly, easy to navigate, etc. But it's much too sterile for my taste.

I agree. In Singapore even parts of Chinatown seem somewhat sterile.

Little India is the best area to get the more authentic sights/smells/behavior, and has a nice bonus in the most affordable lodging in Singapore as well.

[tone77]

My personal favorites are:
1. Bangkok
2. Kathmandu
3. Kuala Lumpur

[emazula]

Originally Posted by Davy-040

Visited:
1.Tokyo
2.Bangkok
3.Patong
4.Chiang Mai
5.Singapore
6.Kuala Lumpur

---------------------------

Want to visit:
1.Osaka/Kyoto
3.Seoul/Hong Kong
5.Manila
6.Saigon

When you do visit Manila, just please make sure to really get through the whole city, if no one has mentioned it yet. I know a lot of tourists bump into the not-so-nice parts and end up thinking of Manila as a total dump with no "nice areas" when in fact, there are lots of nice areas that a lot of people just miss.

[OzzyRules]

What is your favorite in Asia? I've never been and I'm planning to go someday.

I like cities more than rural areas. But with lots of greenery and city parks near the town center, or at least within the city limits.

Thanks.

[RooCeleste]

Loved Bangkok. So much to do and see and eat. Beijing was cool to visit but so so so crowded.

[Cantabridgienne]

Hanoi. Cool mix of old and new cultures, old and new architecture, strong French influence, and a surprising amount of green space.

[mikeyyc]

If you have the cash, it's hard to top Singapore. Jakarta's traffic is insane, Beijing and Shanghai smog, Bangkok is good, better than Manila, which has some good parts. KL is sort of boring. Delhi, crowded, and smog


I'm just covering off where I've been, but there's lots of great places.

[Nn2036]

For lots of greenery, Singapore

For lots of interesting things to do, Tokyo

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Nn2036

For lots of greenery, Singapore

For lots of interesting things to do, Tokyo

Singapore is also a very good (accessible / safe / friendly / retreat) hub / gateway for other travel, but not the cheapest hub (for lodging or airfare).

The Orchid Gardens ($2) and World Heritage Site Singapore Botanical Gardens (Free) were splendid last week, as usual.
https://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbg
(not highly touted and commercialized Gardens by the Bay...OK, and improving... give them 10 more yrs...)

There are many places to 'retreat' in Singapore if you stay away from commercial centers, cuz EVERYONE is Shopping...!!! Affordable, accessible, and safe / regulated taxi and MRT can get you nearly everywhere, but it still can take an hour to go the distance of the island (26 miles...)

Food... Singapore has LOTS of affordable options if you stay out of tourist spots (i.e. go to East Coast food village @ Lagoon (local) rather than East Coast Food Centre (5 minutes away = EXPENSIVE and Tourist). China Town has great food courts, just around the corner from the commercial restaurants. (check level 2 of the parking structures for food courts)

Singapore PR's flee to Penang, Bangkok, Indonesia for great food ($49 one hr flight (on Weekends)).

Vietnam / Cambodia is 1.3 hrs from SIN by air

Japan is very unique for culture, and again, I really enjoy and prefer the rural areas, especially for staying with / among locals. Food is OK, but a slight disappointment in Japan. (but I like soups (good thing if in Japan, Nordic, or Iceland))

Asia is rich in seafood and fruits, but I really miss a readily available variety of fresh veggies.

Local 'fresh' markets (open a few hours / day) are pretty interesting places to learn about the cultures and habits, as our town squares on Sunday afternoons (as is worldwide excluding USA (commercial vs social focus in USA parks and squares))

[sprez33]

All of the Asian cities will be interesting if you've never been. My favorite is Bangkok but of course it's a matter of taste.