Author Topic: Asia, Which City To Visit? (Read 29710 times)

aussiebochur · « **on:** July 28, 2011, 10:24:55 AM »

Looking for suggestions for where you would like to visit if you had a few days in Asia?

Obviously it depends on what you're into and costs but I'm asking objectively, where YOU would want to go if you could go to any city and why?

Perhaps even top 3 to get a slightly bigger picture.

Mods, couldn't see a general Asia Master thread but feel free to move if need be.

SuperFlyer · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2011, 10:34:19 AM »

Israel is asia, japan is asia, indonesia is asia,...

Dan · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2011, 11:06:54 AM »

Definitely recommend Hong Kong.
Shanghai, Beijing, and Tokyo are all on my Asia list for a future trip.

SuperFlyer · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2011, 12:16:05 PM »

Quote from: Dan on July 28, 2011, 11:06:54 AM

Definitely recommend Hong Kong.
Shanghai, Beijing, and Tokyo are all on my Asia list for a future trip.

Place Beijing on top of you choices, ant Tokyo way down.

damaxer91 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2011, 01:36:25 PM »

Having been to all of the major ones besides Tokyo, Beijing and Singapore are tops. Beijing can be a pain because the visas are a fortune but for touring and shopping for knockoffs it can't be beat.

Hong Kong is cool, but not much to do and see unless you take trips to Macau and Shenzhen. Best place to be for Shabbos.

Shanghai and the Jewish Tour are fascinating and keep in mind the little-known 48 hour visa exception there.

Dan · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2011, 01:41:55 PM »

Quote from: damaxer91 on July 28, 2011, 01:36:25 PM

Hong Kong is cool, but not much to do and see unless you take trips to Macau and Shenzhen. Best place to be for Shabbos.

Disagree. We found plenty to do in HKG. Macau on the other hand was nothing special except for a extremely cool Cirque-type show at a fraction of US prices. Granted we didn't have much time there to explore the old city, just the new LAS copycat stuff, which is similar to LAS but much smokier and with much higher minimum bets.

And we had a blast at R' Avtzon's chabad house for shabbos. Unbeatable atmosphere, fascinating expats to talk to, great farbys, and incredible food.

There are 4 kosher restaurants in HKG...be sure not to miss the sunday night buffet/bbq at the JCC.

One day I'll get around to a trip report...

damaxer91 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2011, 01:44:31 PM »

Quote from: Dan on July 28, 2011, 01:41:55 PM

Disagree. We found plenty to do in HKG. Macau on the other hand was nothing special except for a extremely cool Cirque-type show at a fraction of US prices.

And we had a blast at R' Avtzon's chabad house for shabbos. Unbeatable atmosphere, fascinating expats to talk to, great farbys, and incredible food.

Macau is cool if you like Vegas type stuff. Great shopping there too.

Other than the Peak, what did you enjoy in Hong Kong? I've been there 10-15 times and love it for short weekends but If someone was visiting Asia for a week or two it would be nowhere near the top of my list.

Fan of Dan · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2011, 01:45:50 PM »

Quote from: damaxer91 on July 28, 2011, 01:36:25 PM

Having been to all of the major ones besides Tokyo, Beijing and Singapore are tops. Beijing can be a pain because the visas are a fortune but for touring and shopping for knockoffs it can't be beat.

Hong Kong is cool, but not much to do and see unless you take trips to Macau and Shenzhen. Best place to be for Shabbos.

Shanghai and the Jewish Tour are fascinating and keep in mind the little-known 48 hour visa exception there.

Is Shenzen really worth the trip? What did you do there?

Dan · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2011, 01:48:46 PM »

Quote from: Fan of Dan on July 28, 2011, 01:45:50 PM

Is Shenzen really worth the trip? What did you do there?

Shenzen requires a $$$ visa for US citizens. I can't imagine that it's worth it unless you hold another passport.

damaxer91 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2011, 02:08:22 PM »

Quote from: Dan on July 28, 2011, 01:48:46 PM

Shenzen requires a $$$ visa for US citizens. I can't imagine that it's worth it unless you hold another passport.

Canadian's and Aussies are much cheaper. Shenzhen is absolute bliss for shoppers plus amazing hotels for pennies

aussiebochur · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2011, 02:12:09 PM »

Quote from: damaxer91 on July 28, 2011, 02:08:22 PM

Canadian's and Aussies are much cheaper. Shenzhen is absolute bliss for shoppers plus amazing hotels for pennies

So for a Friday, Shabbos, Sunday and Monday stay you would say Hong Kong/Shenzhen/Macau would top Singapore?

damaxer91 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2011, 02:16:36 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on July 28, 2011, 02:12:09 PM

So for a Friday, Shabbos, Sunday and Monday stay you would say Hong Kong/Shenzhen/Macau would top Singapore?

I'd do Singapore. Can even take a ferry over to Indonesia for a visa stamp and some shopping

Dan · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2011, 02:16:54 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on July 28, 2011, 02:12:09 PM

Singapore?

Ooh, that's on my Asia list too

But I think a Friday-Monday trip to HKG is perfect. The W HKG along with its empty rooftop infinity pool/hot tub and very good spg plat recognition is fantastic.

damaxer91 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 28, 2011, 02:21:38 PM »

Quote from: Dan on July 28, 2011, 02:16:54 PM

The W HKG along with its empty rooftop infinity pool/hot tub\

Great Hotel! Too far from anything for Shabbos though

Dan · « **Reply #14 on:** July 28, 2011, 02:24:42 PM »

Quote from: damaxer91 on July 28, 2011, 02:21:38 PM

Great Hotel! Too far from anything for Shabbos though

True, but Aussie will probably want to be on HKI for shabbos anyway. It's not too far to walk from the hotel, but the rooms start on very high floors, so unless your LOR lets you use elevators on shabbos it's out.

I planned on switching over on Sunday but wound up switching over on M"S.
Didn't wind up paying a cent (or a point) in the end for any part of 2 nights booked/1 night stayed on HKI of the 4 nights in Kowloon, but that's another story.

moish · « **Reply #15 on:** July 28, 2011, 02:56:45 PM »

as much as i love hong kong, i would have to recommend beijing. theyre not even in the same league

aussiebochur · « **Reply #16 on:** July 28, 2011, 03:40:13 PM »

Quote from: moish on July 28, 2011, 02:56:45 PM

as much as i love hong kong, i would have to recommend beijing. theyre not even in the same league

Been to SIN?

moish · « **Reply #17 on:** July 28, 2011, 04:01:36 PM »

on my way. but are you seriously considering sin over pek? oy vey

aussiebochur · « **Reply #18 on:** July 28, 2011, 04:22:05 PM »

Quote from: moish on July 28, 2011, 04:01:36 PM

on my way. but are you seriously considering sin over pek? oy vey

Don't know.
That's why I'm asking. I was in HKG and SIN but years ago so no experience...

moish · « **Reply #19 on:** July 28, 2011, 04:40:45 PM »

if its just one destination, do yourself a favor and go to beijing. imho hkg is a great stopover especially for shabbos as damaxer said