Where is a better place to travel to: China, Japan or Indonesia?
I have 2 weeks to travel in Asia and was wondering where would be the best place to visit. I have narrowed it down to China, Japan or Indonesia. Any suggestions or advice?
7 Responses to “Where is a better place to travel to: China, Japan or Indonesia?”
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March 10th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Welcome to Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Orient! Its stunning Victoria Harbour and The Peak have just been rated as Asia’s No.1 skyline by a Japanese TV Station. A recent CNN poll also confirmed that HK is a must-visit
HK has rich culture and history of a perfect blend of the west and east. Walk up the Escalator which begins from Central District and goes all the way up to the mid Levels. Along the Escalator you’ll come across the early English settlement near Aberdeen Street, you’ll also pass by Soho, South of Hollywood Rd which gives a very distinct bar and restaurant street. Hollywood Rd is the famous antique street where genuine Chinese antique are sold.
From Causeway Bay – Central District – Tsimshatsui District – Mongkok District along the MTR (subway) route are where most of the fascinating shoppings, restaurants, night life and gorgeous harbour view lies.
If you like green, sea and nature, and are not in a rush in going to places visiting one of the outlying islands ie the Silvermine Bay of Lantau Island is quite relax and gives a completely different impression of Hong Kong than the one often see in pictures. You’ve to catch a ferry from the Central Pier right outside IFC Building. The ferry trip takes about 20 minutes, a very nice ride if you like the sea and not in a rush.
Another beautiful mountain and sea area is Sai Kung District, there’s a Seafood Street where you can handpick life seafood, have the restaurant cook them any way you like and enjoy it in front of the sea. There’re many beautiful mountain trails in Hong Kong, there’s one that goes all the way down to Aberdeen from the Peak. It’ll take more than an hour to walk down. In Aberdeen District (you could also take a bus in Central, Causeway Bay or Wanchai Districts to get there), the boat restaurant "JUMBO" lying out in the sea is quite amusing.
Hong Kong is renowned as the world’s shopping and dining paradise. You can eat like a billionaires, in the same token there’re many affordable places with unbelivable prices. HK has the cheapest MacDonald’s prices on earth. A Cantonese wonton noodle soup is only around HK$12 – 15 depending on location. A popular Chinese fast food chain all over the city, the De Coral Fast Food, with set meals under HK$30.
Buying brand names is popular in HK since there’s zero sales tax nor import tariffs, brand names are often 10% – 50% cheaper than anywhere else in the world. Street vendors or flea markets is another interesting shopping paradise, they have all sorts of products selling at knockoff prices, eg the Ladies Street, the evening Temple Street vendors in Kowloon side, Stanley Market in HK side etc. Small street shops in Mongkok and Causeway Bay Districts may give you surprises too. There’re also many street vendors located in small side streets of Central District, Wan Chai District, near Johnston Road and Causeway Bay District, opposite to Sogo in the other side of the Henessy Road, that sell factory exports "left-overs". Most prices in HK are fixed, you may be able to bargain a few $ though in small shops and street vendors. You will hardly find any fakes or copies in HK as the law enforcement is rather strict.
Everywhere in Hong Kong is well connected by its efficient and timely public transportation system, the MTR (subway), big and mini buses. Cost is from under US$1 – $2 per ride. It’s easiest to travel by MTR which runs pass all the central shopping and business districts, then either connect to a bus or walk to your destination. Separate fares are charged for each ride. Star Ferry that crosses the Victoria Harbour, and the Island Tram that runs from the East (Shaukeiwan District) to the West (Kennedy Town) of the HK Island are only HK$2 per ride which is a must for most tourists. If you like exploring on your own, simply follow the map, people on the streets always happy to offer directions. HK is one of the most foreigner-friendly cities on earth, plus lots of fun and excitment, visitors often find the place the most vibrant, exciting city that never sleeps, even when you get bored at 3 AM, you could go and have a drink in the bar or even have a delicious late snack. Convenience Stores are located in almost every corner of the main streets and are opened around the clock. The best of all, HK is extremely easy to get around being supported by affordable and well connected public transportation. Many Hongkongers are very responsive, efficient and persistent in their work that make shopping, dining or doing business a very wonderful experience. You’ll also notice that Hongkongers will automatically stand by the side when walking up and down the stairs and escalators, not blocking those behind, which many Asian places are now following suit. In brief, Hong Kong is a fun place to be in, there’s always so much happenings around 24/7. Be sure to make out a visit schedule otherwise you’ll likely be spending much of the time on shopping which is so abundant everywhere. Check www.
March 10th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Japan! China has too many political problems, Indonesia has too many religeous conflicts! japan is the best for american toursists! Have fun!
March 10th, 2010 at 8:11 am
That’s depend. But I prefer Japan and China, both of them. Several days in Tokyo, Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hongkong. All the cities above worth to visit
It’s worth to see the Tokyo modernity. Buy gadget, cute stuffs, clothes, toys, etc in Japan. Remember that most of Japan stuff is expensive, prepare your money.
China also has a huge skyscrapers cities, see China massive development progress, ancient imperial culture, beautiful landscape, food, maglev, world fastest train, etc. There’s no political things in China, it just a crazy media report. China as safe and fun as in Europe and Canada.
March 10th, 2010 at 8:11 am
I suggest you go to China.
Just to remind you that World Expo 2010 will be hold in Shanghai from May 1st to Oct. 31st. I think it worth to have a look.
Here are some video clips about Expo 2010:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX_Wsh3MUpk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t02giLzaj4w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc4DI6CGGcA
March 10th, 2010 at 8:11 am
no consideration of politics, u can go to China. Bigger Land with Older History and Variety in Culture.
March 10th, 2010 at 8:11 am
China – is great, but there is a LOT to do. The good thing about China is that you can get really good guided tours. The problem is you’ll be traveling a lot – must sees in China are Shianghai, Beijing, the Great Wall, Xian for the terracotta warriors, and Tibet. That’s a lot of travel.
Japan – Japan is beautiful and very interesting, but it can get very expensive. I highly recommend the Osaka area, because you can explore Osaka (an amazing, great city with a great food culture) and you are also very close to Kyoto (the cultural capital) and Kobe.
Indonesia – Indonesia is really good, I spent 3 weeks there. For price and beauty, this is your best bet. Bali has beautiful beaches, amazing sights, you can do some awesome hiking, and you cna hop on a high speed boat to go to the Gili Islands in Lombok. You’ll get to do some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the world in the Gilis, amazing surfing in Kuta (Bali), and cultural exhibitions, artistry, and shopping in Ubud (Bali). And everything is cheap.
March 10th, 2010 at 8:11 am
I recommended China, for you could travel lots of city and learn lots from you journey. China is a wonderful place, due to the large area you could travel from the north to the south. Everywhere have different traditional cultral.