Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore or Other Stop Off?
Discussion
My New Zealand trip is beginning to take shape 
and will be getting flights soon. They all involve a stop off in East Asia but having never been there before I was wondering where the best destination would be. Will only be spending 3-4 there so any activities would have to be local. So which would you choose to spend a few days in?
and will be getting flights soon. They all involve a stop off in East Asia but having never been there before I was wondering where the best destination would be. Will only be spending 3-4 there so any activities would have to be local. So which would you choose to spend a few days in? - Check the weather at the time of year for each location...hard to sightsee in heavy rain!
- Also, check which direction you're travelling in (I'm assuming across Asia not across the USA)
- Check which airline prices are cheaper/service is better.
As for the cities, we love Bangkok and would like to visit HK, but Singapore doesn't appeal.
Also worth considering:-
- via Dubai with Emirates. Dubai isn't cheap but weather always good. Not a lot to do though, in honesty.
- Also, check which direction you're travelling in (I'm assuming across Asia not across the USA)
- Check which airline prices are cheaper/service is better.
As for the cities, we love Bangkok and would like to visit HK, but Singapore doesn't appeal.
Also worth considering:-
- via Dubai with Emirates. Dubai isn't cheap but weather always good. Not a lot to do though, in honesty.
It depends what you want from the city really. I've been to all three for at least a few days each and I'd say...
For a city with plenty happening, great food, good sights and reasonably cheap I'd say Hong Kong.
Singapore is very clean, great shopping, amazing zoo and a good mix of culture and modern cityscape.
Bangkok is chaotic! If you are only visiting the city then I wouldn't go for Bangkok but it does have plenty going on and tonnes of 'action!'
If you want me to look at NZ flights or you've got any other questions just drop me an email. I'll always try and beat whatever price you've got and we've got some great accommodation options in all those Asian cities.
For a city with plenty happening, great food, good sights and reasonably cheap I'd say Hong Kong.
Singapore is very clean, great shopping, amazing zoo and a good mix of culture and modern cityscape.
Bangkok is chaotic! If you are only visiting the city then I wouldn't go for Bangkok but it does have plenty going on and tonnes of 'action!'
If you want me to look at NZ flights or you've got any other questions just drop me an email. I'll always try and beat whatever price you've got and we've got some great accommodation options in all those Asian cities.
Living in Singapore, I'd agree with Ben to a point... it's great for eating drinking and shopping and little else - thought the zoo and night safari are world class.
Hong Kong is manic and doesn't do it for me.
Bangkok is mad but would probably be my choice from your list.
Is Kuala Lumpur an option for you? KL has a nice mix of things to do in and not far from the city and would be my preferred all round choice.
HTH
Hong Kong is manic and doesn't do it for me.
Bangkok is mad but would probably be my choice from your list.
Is Kuala Lumpur an option for you? KL has a nice mix of things to do in and not far from the city and would be my preferred all round choice.
HTH
Hong Kong would be my pick of those three. Very interesting place, and very varied. Do go to a Maxim's or similar, and watch the reactions from the little old dears with the dim sum trollies when you point to one you won't like. 
Bangkok is great, though haggling with the bloody tuk-tuk drivers gets old quite quickly. And, anyway, isn't Thailand a bit unstable at present?
No idea about Singapore, it has never really appealed.
hth
Bangkok is great, though haggling with the bloody tuk-tuk drivers gets old quite quickly. And, anyway, isn't Thailand a bit unstable at present?
No idea about Singapore, it has never really appealed.
hth
I'd say Thailand.
Land in Bangkok and stay there one night.
Next day bus down to Pattaya for the usual Walking Street "fun". That's enough time to spend there.
Next day bus over to Bangsaen to chill out with the locals.
Then back to BKK and onwards...
Or if that's too much travelling around just get the bus from BKK straight to Bangsaen and spend 3 days there. Hardly any Westeners there, they'll all be in Pattaya proper.
It's one of my favourite parts of Thailand.
Land in Bangkok and stay there one night.
Next day bus down to Pattaya for the usual Walking Street "fun". That's enough time to spend there.
Next day bus over to Bangsaen to chill out with the locals.
Then back to BKK and onwards...
Or if that's too much travelling around just get the bus from BKK straight to Bangsaen and spend 3 days there. Hardly any Westeners there, they'll all be in Pattaya proper.
It's one of my favourite parts of Thailand.
HappyGoLucky said:
Living in Singapore, I'd agree with Ben to a point... it's great for eating drinking and shopping and little else - thought the zoo and night safari are world class.
Hong Kong is manic and doesn't do it for me.
Bangkok is mad but would probably be my choice from your list.
Is Kuala Lumpur an option for you? KL has a nice mix of things to do in and not far from the city and would be my preferred all round choice.
HTH
HGL and Ben are spot on (as another Singa local) Hong Kong is manic and doesn't do it for me.
Bangkok is mad but would probably be my choice from your list.
Is Kuala Lumpur an option for you? KL has a nice mix of things to do in and not far from the city and would be my preferred all round choice.
HTH
Would sugest an alternative depening on your time available ... .if you can afford 10 days (perhaps split between out and back) Singa makes for a great base to Asia. Coach trips to KL, Bangkok, Siem Reap, Saigon, Rangoon, Jakarta are all within 2 hours budget airline trip from Changi ...
Look at Tiger Air, Jet Star, Air Asia etc. Also Silk Air and SIA can do some damn good refional deals.
Nicholas Blair said:
Head for Singapore- it will break you in gently for Far East life.
BKK was our first taste of life outside of Europe, and all it did was convince us to keep exploring. The culture, the colour, the sights, the history...loved it! Avoid tuk-tuks, taxis are cheap enough.I'd say Bangkok has the most to 'see' out of the three places, HK probably the best 'mix' of stuff.
Cheers for the replies. I should mention that not only have I never been to Asia, but I've never even been on an aeroplane before! We will be limited to flying Emirates as on the return leg we need to stop in Dubai (my sister will be living there by then.) We've been quoted around £950 return which doesn't seem too bad? We'll be going in mid-late November as well, so will be in their 'Winter'
Have been to all three many times.
Singapore is now far less exotic than Chinatown in London and you can see everything that is worth seeing in two days. The main events are shopping and eating. Asia lite.
Hong Kong is a lot busier all round and a lot more visually spectacular. It also feels like you are actually in asia. This is the stopover that I have recommended to all my friends visiting the antipodes and it is what I would do.
Bangkok is even more exotic and even more chaotic and there is lots of really good stuff to see and do. I have seen a girl burst a balloon with a dart! The Thai people are, overall, really nice. But I still prefer Hong Kong.
Singapore is now far less exotic than Chinatown in London and you can see everything that is worth seeing in two days. The main events are shopping and eating. Asia lite.
Hong Kong is a lot busier all round and a lot more visually spectacular. It also feels like you are actually in asia. This is the stopover that I have recommended to all my friends visiting the antipodes and it is what I would do.
Bangkok is even more exotic and even more chaotic and there is lots of really good stuff to see and do. I have seen a girl burst a balloon with a dart! The Thai people are, overall, really nice. But I still prefer Hong Kong.
Having done all three I do agree that Asia for Dummys (no offence meant ) is definitely the place in Singapore. Personally I love Singapore, so this is not a slag off Singapore, or inexperienced traveller - it is just so easy that you can't go wrong. Another option for you is probably KL, depending on airline.
However I would suggest Hong Kong for a few days, plenty to do, and more cultural, not "scarily" Asian, and gives you a nice middle point for further Asian travelling! If you do Hong Kong, then make sure you head to Macau for the evening, get the ferry across from Hong Kong to Macau around 18:00, and head back on the morning ferry around 06:00. If you have no idea about Macau then look it up - like Vegas but for Asian's - is fantastic!
You can do Singapore another time when you have a need for heading there (perhaps as a stopover with kids etc).
) is definitely the place in Singapore. Personally I love Singapore, so this is not a slag off Singapore, or inexperienced traveller - it is just so easy that you can't go wrong. Another option for you is probably KL, depending on airline.However I would suggest Hong Kong for a few days, plenty to do, and more cultural, not "scarily" Asian, and gives you a nice middle point for further Asian travelling! If you do Hong Kong, then make sure you head to Macau for the evening, get the ferry across from Hong Kong to Macau around 18:00, and head back on the morning ferry around 06:00. If you have no idea about Macau then look it up - like Vegas but for Asian's - is fantastic!
You can do Singapore another time when you have a need for heading there (perhaps as a stopover with kids etc).
oyster said:
Reidy10_0 said:
I would go to Bangkok, i was not that impressed with Hong Kong
Why were you not impressed with HK?I also thought the food was rank, I am not a fan of goose feet and gravy.
Reidy10_0 said:
I had just been to Bangkok then a week in Ko Samui, Hong kong was OK and i am glad i have been but i was just not blown away.
I also thought the food was rank, I am not a fan of goose feet and gravy.
Sorry to hijack the thread but am getting married on Ko Samui next April and also need to stay in Bangkok for few nights so kinda relevant to the OP. What did you think of Ko Samui?I also thought the food was rank, I am not a fan of goose feet and gravy.
Been to KS a few times (incuding one 1000 Km bike ride on saturday, ferry for 2 hours, then beer on KS and 1000 KM home on Sunday).
Its Ok for a few nights but its to small for even aweek. Go to Ah Nang in Krabbie, all the same things but on the mainland so you can get about when you are bored of the same beach/bar.
Its Ok for a few nights but its to small for even aweek. Go to Ah Nang in Krabbie, all the same things but on the mainland so you can get about when you are bored of the same beach/bar.
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