AA7295 From Australia, joined Aug 2007, 557 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 9 months 1 week 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 4858 times:
So I'm doing a round-the-world trip in February 08 and for my return back to Australia, I'm undecided as to which city I should stop over at, either Bangkok or Hong Kong. I'll be going to Auckland, Los Angeles, New York City, London and it's just a matter of choosing between these two cities that I have never visited before.
I ideally want a relatively cheap destination, so not too expensive. I want the city to be safe. I love shopping, however I will be in Los Angeles, New York and London so I'll be shopped out, so I'll mainly be looking for things I cannot get in those cities. (cough **Fakes** cough). I'll only be stopping over for 3 days, and I only speak English so I ideally want to go where they speak English more so than Thai or Cantonese. I'd also be by myself, so I want to go where I can meet alot of USA, UK, NZ, Canadian and Australian expats/tourists to mingle and party with.
A place where taxis are cheap and everything is rather centrally located (like Singapore).
Any opinions and preferences would be much appreciated.
Cxsjr From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (5 years 9 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 4822 times:
I would definitely choose BKK, plenty of things to see and do, a great eating experience, and plenty of 'designer' shopping if that's what floats your boat.
There are plenty of superb hotels too if your budget will permit; Hyatt, Sheraton, Intercontinental .... all very good!
Quoting AA7295 (Thread starter): so I want to go where I can meet alot of USA, UK, NZ, Canadian and Australian expats/tourists
Isn't the whole idea of a holiday to get away from the everyday norm? - I do my very best to avoid my native county folk when I go on my hols!
B747forever From United States of America, joined May 2007, 16598 posts, RR: 11 Reply 7, posted (5 years 9 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 4793 times:
AA7295 From Australia, joined Aug 2007, 557 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (5 years 9 months 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 4763 times:
Thanks guys, so what about the language barrier? Do the majority of people in Bangkok speak English? Is it safe for a 19yo male to be by himself in the city?
HT From Germany, joined May 2005, 6475 posts, RR: 26 Reply 10, posted (5 years 9 months 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 4759 times:
Quoting AA7295 (Reply 10): Thanks guys, so what about the language barrier? Do the majority of people in Bangkok speak English?
No, but people you will get into contact as a tourist will (sufficient levels).
Bangkok or Hong Kong ?
Bangkok is the cheaper place of the two and weather should be at its best in February. Avoid Bangkok from April on due to start of monsoon season and high temps.
If you are looking into the more *exotic* culture (including buildings), go to Bangkok.
Hong Kong:
Is more expensive.
Is rather cold in February (might be freezing during nights in the New Territories) with day temps around 15 °C / 60 F.
Is the more organized city which can be explored on public transport more easily.
Has the bonus of the Star Ferry and other means to cross the harbour.
While I have been to both cities, I visited Bangkok only once (on other occasions I just landed at BKK and made a beeline out of city), but have made many return visits to Hong Kong.
-HT
Carpe diem ! Life is too short to waste your time ! Keep in mind, that today is the first day of the rest of your life !
Asuflyer05 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2369 posts, RR: 3 Reply 12, posted (5 years 9 months 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 4743 times:
Go to Hong Kong hands down. I did both last year. Bangkok is inexpensive, has good food and for the most part goregous women. On the other hand, it is dirty, and not as sophisitcaed IMHO as Hong Kong.
Nah', stay in southern TST (Tsim Sha Tsui) and take a walk to the waterfront in the evening and enjoy the views onto HK Island ...
At least that is my preference.
Quoting AA7295 (Reply 12): Quoting AsstChiefMark (Reply 2):One night in Bangkok make the hard man humble.... Three makes him all fucked out.
I don't understand what you're saying? Are you referring to prostitution or that I'll be bored or tired?
"One night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble" is a quote from song "One night in Bangkok" performed by Murray Head from musical Chess.
IcLCY From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2006, 256 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (5 years 9 months 1 week 12 hours ago) and read 4696 times:
Bangkok is where you should head.
Cheap, easy to get around, safe(I feel safer in BKK than London), plenty of people yr age at Khao Sarn Rd full of bars, clubs & people partying.
Tons of shopping from Markets to air con malls. The big weekend market at Chatuchak is not to be missed. Interesting shopping in Chinatown along Sampeng Lane.
Plenty of cheap cheap safe to eat food.
Hong Kong is nice but only worth doing if you've got the cash or want to go broke. A drink in a bar in Hong Kong is the same price as a night at a decent BKK backpackers, with change left for a plate of Pad Thai & a beer from the 7-11.
Bangkok is safe, people are friendly & speak English in the areas you'll be going, signs are in English. Transport like rivertaxi, skytrain, taxi are all cheap.
Common sense is yr best friend so no dark alleys or ping pong shows & always check the adams apple.
LDIkaros From United States of America, joined Apr 2007, 175 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (5 years 9 months 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 4649 times:
I am currently in Bangkok and this place rocks!!! I have been to Hong Kong twice and it's kinda boring compared to BKK. Yes, BKKis hot and humid, and the traffic can be quite heavy. But the Thai people are incredibly friendly and there is so much to do in Bangkok! The night life is legendary (trust me on that ) and there is so much to do during the daytime. BKK is also very safe. It is one of the great cities of the world. You won't be disappointed!
Superfly From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38597 posts, RR: 79 Reply 16, posted (5 years 9 months 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 4628 times:
Quoting AA7295 (Thread starter): I'll only be stopping over for 3 days, and I only speak English so I ideally want to go where they speak English more so than Thai or Cantonese. I'd also be by myself, so I want to go where I can meet alot of USA, UK, NZ, Canadian and Australian expats/tourists to mingle and party with.
Hate to say it but you're better off staying at home in Sydney.
If you do want to go to Bangkok and hang out with other young tourist, there is Khaosan Road. That is were all the hippie backpackers stay.
Hong Kong is nice but more expensive.
Quoting Asuflyer05 (Reply 12): Go to Hong Kong hands down. I did both last year. Bangkok is inexpensive, has good food and for the most part goregous women. On the other hand, it is dirty, and not as sophisitcaed IMHO as Hong Kong.
I can't understand how a young man would value sophistication and clean city over inexpensive, good food and gorgeous women. ??
Quoting LAXspotter (Reply 8): Bangkok, dirt cheap. Ask Superfly, he can add to that and give you some tips on what to do.
Just be yourself as I do when I travel. Make sure your taxi driver doesn't try to over-charge your or chase you down naked. It happend to me once.
Helvknight From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 17, posted (5 years 9 months 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 4600 times:
Quoting LAXspotter (Reply 8): Bangkok, dirt cheap. Ask Superfly, he can add to that and give you some tips on what to do.
Yes but you want to get away from Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy at least part of the time.
BKK hands down for me. You can get some good hotel deals on www.hoteltravel.com.
If you stay on Sukhumvit Road you are close to the Skytrain and also the Subway (the trafic is horrendous, don't even think of driving)
A couple of tips:
Expensive Mall - Emporium (Phrtom Phong Skytrain or Sukhumvit subway and a walk)
Good for IT - Pantip Plaza or Fortune Town on Ratchada
Good nightlife - Sukhunmvit Road, Soi Cowboy. (Asok Skytrain, Sukhumvit Subway) Avoid Patpong (Silom Skytrain but I don't recommend it) unless you want to be ripped off or picked up by a girl with "non-standard" equipment.
Good shopping - Ratchada Road (Phra Ram 9 or Cultural Centre Subway)
Good Touristy stuff - don't miss the Grand Palace/ Wat Pra Keow. Best go for a tour, your hotel should be able to fix you up.
Pe@rson From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 18883 posts, RR: 54 Reply 19, posted (5 years 9 months 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 4583 times:
Having spent a good while in BKK and some time (3 days) in HKG, I'd personally prefer HKG. However, if it were an option I'd choose SIN (our favourite in S. E. Asia) over both BKK and HKG.
"Everyone writing for the Telegraph knows that the way to grab eyeballs is with Ryanair and/or sex."
Viscount724 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2006, 21679 posts, RR: 23 Reply 20, posted (5 years 9 months 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4578 times:
BKK, no question. HKG is interesting but too expensive and in my opinion the Thais are more polite and service-oriented towards foreigners. Good hotels are also generally cheaper in BKK than HKG. Taxis are cheap, but be careful not to get ripped off by an unlicensed taxi from the airport which sometimes try to take advantage of tourists who don't know how much the fare should be.
AA7295 From Australia, joined Aug 2007, 557 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (5 years 9 months 17 hours ago) and read 4517 times:
Despite what the consensus is in this forum. I have decided to go to Hong Kong. The reasoning is that I am only going to be in the city for 3 days. And that I aim to visit the WHOLE of Thailand on a holiday in itself. (It's on my to-do list that I ride and elephant and go to a full-moon party..... oh and also play with a tiger)
Now for all those HKG phenes, gimme your recommendations on cheap places to stay. Nice, HEALTHY (I've already had one tape worm from Mainland China) places to heat Cantonese cuisine, and most importantly, the places to shop and go party and meet other expats!!!
Swiftski From Australia, joined Dec 2006, 2701 posts, RR: 2 Reply 22, posted (5 years 9 months 17 hours ago) and read 4517 times:
Quoting AA7295 (Reply 21): Despite what the consensus is in this forum. I have decided to go to Hong Kong. The reasoning is that I am only going to be in the city for 3 days.
Good man. I'm sitting on my roof overlooking the bay, it's stunning tonight, even with light rain.
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5702 posts, RR: 39 Reply 23, posted (5 years 8 months 4 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 4485 times:
Quoting HT (Reply 13): Nah', stay in southern TST (Tsim Sha Tsui) and take a walk to the waterfront in the evening and enjoy the views onto HK Island ...
At least that is my preference.
The Peninsula?
Do you really need to taxi everywhere? The MTR is great.. and cheap.. Just grab an Octopus Card and you can even go and buy your groceries with it! Then cash it in once you're about to fly out.
You could possibly cross the border into Shenzhen and do a bit of cheap shopping there (cheaper than HK for the things you're after but they still rip you off)
Yum Char for breakfast - that's one thing you don't get down here and it's a new experience!
AA7295 From Australia, joined Aug 2007, 557 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (5 years 8 months 4 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 4481 times:
Quoting NZ107 (Reply 23): You could possibly cross the border into Shenzhen and do a bit of cheap shopping there (cheaper than HK for the things you're after but they still rip you off)
Would I need a Mainland Chinese Visa for that or would they give it to me at the entry? I've been to Shanghai & Beijing before. Is Shenzen better shopping?
Regards,
AA7295
25 Swiftski: It's dirt cheap. My house here is in Sai Kung but I can be in Shenzen in 1 hour. Great feeling, as you walk over the border. Going in about 30 mins t
26 AA7295: Can I get it at the entry, or should I get it at a local Chinese consulate? Regards, AA7295
27 HT: I have stayed at - New World Renaissance - Sheraton - The Hong Kong - The Kimberley - Stanford Hillview Hotel BP Intenational in TST used to be a mor
28 AA7295: I'm probably looking to spend around AU$100 - $120 per night. I've heard good things about the Ramada. Thoughts? Regards, AA7295
29 Lufthansa747: Spot on, sadly Cowboy was closed when we were downing Sangsom with Superfly a few months ago. Bound to find plenty of expats in Wanchai watering hole
30 HT: Stay clear of Chinese New Year which is on 07-FEB in 2008, as hotel rates usually go up considerably. For those people that are as uninformed as me, 1
31 RwSEA: I'd stay in Kowloon. I stayed at the Sheraton, and OMG the views from my room were amazing. It was around US$200 per night, but I felt given the views
32 AA7295: So Kowloon is better to stay for 3 days? Better than HK Island. So is HK Island where the the Bank of China Tower is and the CBD area? Cheers, AA7295
33 HT: Correct. I found that Kowloon offers a bit more of distraction to the traveller than Central on HK Island. Wan Chai on HK Island would be the next be
34 Helvknight: Must have been for the King's birthday or something, it's open at the moment.
35 TurkishWings: Been to both BKK and HKG and I definetly recommend HKG. Although BKK is cheaper (esp. hotels), I don't find it as interesting and as well organized as
36 NG1Fan: Currently not operating (one cable car fell off, thankfully it was empty and occured after close of business). AFAIK, they are changing operators fro
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shopping if that's what floats your boat.
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) and there is so much to do during the daytime. BKK is also very safe. It is one of the great cities of the world. You won't be disappointed!
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