Cheap places to visit in Asia
Alright, so here's the deal: I've been slightly interested in a RTW trip, but until I got a few more details about the experience it was something that was "That might be cool to do," but I'm much more interested in traveling with a RTW itinerary.
I figure I only want to do one destination in Europe - Warsaw. I then want to hit up Bombay, and then get more into Asia, possibly even Africa, but for now I'm focusing my resources on Asia. Can anyone recommend places on and off the beaten path that are cheap? I think I'll avoiding Cambodia and Thailand this time around so I'm not all that interested interested in those places, but I do feel drawn to Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia (to a lesser extent), and China (Shanghai and Beijing in particular.).
maj
Skipping Thailand?
How exciting!
The first thing that comes to mind is: why skip Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia? First, they'd be on the top of my list (they're really cheap and easy places to travel) and second, you're going to have a hard time going around the world and *not* at least passing through Bangkok -- it's the hub for the majority of (cheap) flights coming in and out of Asia...
Keep in mind that Singapore, Japan, and (to a slightly lesser extent) South Korea are all pretty expensive...
For Malaysia, take a look at the Wikitravel guides for Kuala Lumpur, the Perhentian Islands, and Malacca..
I'm sure this is going to be an interesting conversation!
Skipping Thailand?
Greeting from the land of smiles, It's a pity that I just knew about wikkitravel recently so I didn't share more info.about Thailand. As I am a Thai, I would like to introduce to you the official tourism website : www.tourismthailand.org for the basic attractions about Thailand. I also love to travel, take pictures and keep in my personal website just for fun and keep my trips impression there: http://worranit.multiply.com Thailand is not only the cheap site but I rather say it's value for your money. It offers you from the chepest to the most luxury facilities available on earth. Please leave your comments or questions in my site and I will return to you soonest. WK
I have started to travel
I have started to travel only 2 years ago. So while wide experience at me is not present. It was possible to visit Singapore and Thailand. These are the surprising and exotic countries. Thailand is the best travel destination on the planet. They have beaches, mountains, jungles, history, culture, amazing food, and the friendliest people anywhere.
Jonboy
Shanghai
Shanghai is neither off the beaten path nor cheap. Well, the taxi rides are exceptionally cheap, and like most places, it's possible to do it cheaply. But having been to Shanghai (and nowhere else in China), I would recommend spending at most a couple of days there before heading to some place...well, more off the beaten path.
Jonboy
jani
I have to concur with Maj
I have to concur with Maj here: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and also Vietnam are excellent places for travel on the cheap in Asia, and definitely the best place for a budget trip. Malaysia is slightly more expensive, but even easier as more or less everybody speaks some English. Indonesia is also cheap, but a bit more challenging, while India is a lot more challenging to get around and live in.
Sapphire
I probably should have
I probably should have mentioned (but I was having difficulty posting and was more concerned with being able to post, rather than the content. I know, that's a big no-no.) that Shanghai and Tokyo are my splurge days. At the very end of all of my intercontinental travels I spend the last couple of nights in upper scale hotels. This is intended to allow myself to get some actual sleep prior to the 10+ hour flights.
Currently, I've managed the rough draft itinerary to avoid Bangkok. I guess I'm not really opposed to Thailand or Cambodia, but they just seems so over trampled by visitors that what used to be a footpath is now a canyon. That's mainly my reason for hanging out in Malaysia for a couple of weeks, rather than Bangkok. Plus, I'm definitely not going to Sihanoukville (inside joke).
What about Guangzhou or Zuhai? Do these places come recommended? I'm not opposed to Indonesia either, is there anywhere in particular I should consider?
jani
Splurge in Tokyo?!
Unless you're prepared to shell out $450/night for the Park Hyatt, Shanghai and especially Tokyo are not sensible places for a splurge. In South-East Asia, on the other hand, you can get five-star luxury for under $100 a night if you time it right and know where to go. (My favorite hotel in the world, the Putrajaya Shangri-La, costs all of $81.45 on weekends, including an amazing breakfast and guaranteed 6 PM late checkout.)
Guangzhou and Zhuhai are very Chinese and very industrial. Not much in the way of sights, and not very backpacker-friendly. For Indonesia, Bali is my favorite by a mile for everything except diving.
And purposely avoiding Bangkok on a first trip to Asia is like going to Europe and purposely avoiding Paris and London. There's a reason it's popular, dammit, and unlike Paris/London it won't cost you an arm and a leg!
Ravikiran
Andamans?
When are you coming to Bombay? June or later is not a good time to visit - it rains heavily and there is a very high chance that your visit could get washed out.
(Incidentally, I will be moving to Hyderabad from the end of this month... or we'd have been able to meet... damn! )
Also, have you considered the Andamans for an OTBP destination? It is quite close to "Asia"... Ravikiran
Sapphire
Interesting
Well, I'm planning this for after September 2007 and depending on how my Polish visa situation is I may end up doing it in early '08 or late '08.
Currently, I've allotted three weeks for India, but I'm sure I actually want to do at least a month, if not a little more. So maybe you could give me a couple of tips for where I have to go in India?
Mumbai seems like the easiest way in from Warsaw, but I definitely want to get outside of the city.
Ravikiran
September or later is a very good time to visit...
...both Bombay and the rest of India. The rains end and the weather starts to cool. What kind of places do you like? India is a big place... My top pick would be Kerala for a week. It is a place like no other. But are you looking for beaches? churches? temples? ruins of medieval forts?
Ravikiran
Chris
Skip Thailand!?
I just spent 4 weeks in Thailand, and it was AMAZING. Don't skip it, whatever you do. But sure as heck don't stay in Bangkok. I had a blast in Koh Samui/Koh Tao and a wonderful time in Chiang Mai on a trek in the jungle. The trek there (Through Eagle House, one of the best companies) cost about 70 dollars for 4 days, and I was actually IN the jungle, leeches mosquitoes and all, staying in bamboo huts in villages that are truly authentic hill tribe villages. Seriously, I would not suggest skipping Thailand...
CJ
YOU ARE CRAZY
Thailand is the #1 place to go in Asia. There are hundreds of untouched islands and jungles out there that most people have never traveled to. Its the best. I know you want to hear about the other countries, but I dont care, Im going to tell it like it is. Thailand is the best and one day when China invades Thailand, I will be there on vacation and I will help defend Thailand because I have love for only Thailand and they will call me the Farang Warrior and I will die for Thailand and collapse on the ground and bleed my blood into Thailands soil so that my soul will remain there for eternity, in paradise.
p.s. Bangkok is fun for a few days but gets boring very quickly. The rest of the country..mmmmmm....mag-nee-feek!
Chriswaterguy
Malaysia
ok, this is an old post, but here's an extra point for anyone who's interested...
Some parts of Malaysia are certainly more expensive than Indonesia or Thailand, but others can be amazingly cheap. I needed somewhere to stay and work, using the internet, for a few weeks, and Penang was great. Basic single rooms for around RM18-20 (around US$6) per night, including free wifi, which I used about 12-14 hours a day. Good deal.
Where to stay in Thailand??
Does anyone have any suggestions for places to stay in Thailand that are inexpensive, but very nice and comfortable to stay in?
jani
Uhh...
...all of them? I don't think there's a town in the country where you can't find a place to stay for under 500 baht a night. What are you interested in?
I live in Cambodia, I want to go Viet Nam
Hello How much Travel Company in phnom penh city? What's name? Where?
Somewhere to stay in phuket
I stayed at this place for a week in april 08(website is showing 800bht) for 690 bht a day.
http://www.nanaphunresort.com/
I would totally recommend it. The bungalows are high quality, in an amazing tropical garden. Comfortable bed, well decorated rooms. Staff are really friendly, so much so that when i was sick they kept coming in to see me and brought me food! It has 24hr staff, so its secure. cleaned everyday, though not a full one (they do the bed, replace the complimtary water bottles). its about 3k from the beach, and 1m from the closet bars and restaurants. but you'll have a scooter right. It in rawai, phuket. Chalong close by does PADI cources for 10000 Bht, so its a perfect place to for that. Stay there! Hope i sold it, i feel i owe them that. And this place is perfect to stay at if your going to Rawai muay thai gym, 1k away.
Dave
If you want cheap, forget
If you want cheap, forget about Singapore, South Korea or Japan. These are expensive countries from a budget traveller's point of view and accomodation in particular is going to cost you a lot if you want to stay in or near the city centre. Food is still reasonably cheap in Singapore though. Malaysia is a good choice and is relatively cheap but still reasonably modern, though not as modern as Western countries or the likes of Singapore. China is nice too and pretty cheap, except for Hong Kong and Macau which are rather expensive. If you go to Indonesia, Bali is the place to be with its nice resorts. Don't go to Bintan as everything is way overpriced. Besides, don't give Thailand a miss. It is a cheap shopping paradise with lots of good food and beautiful temples. And if you do have time, I recommend Taiwan as well. It's a little expensive but the Taroko Gorge near Hualien is a beautiful sight, and the food is very delicious and interesting.
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