Travelling to Asia, especially in the Far East, is the most popular type of travel right now. It’s very much in fashion to explore the best cities in Asia to visit. Here are some of the reasons why!
Best Cities in Asia to Visit – Bangkok, Thailand
The capital of Thailand is one of the most exciting cities in the world. There are somewhat less constraints in Bangkok than in the majority of modern cities. It is also affordable, to a certain extent. And unlike some over-modernized cities of the Far East, Bangkok is full of culture. And it is undoubtedly one of the culinary capitals of Asia!
Best Cities in Asia to Visit – Tokyo, Japan
A lifetime would not be enough to explore this city. It is the world capital of gastronomy. Some of its neighborhoods, such as Akihabara and Shibuya, are unique and exotic, and large enough to be cities all to themselves. In Tokyo, you can find everything, including the bizarre: maid cafes, cosplay restaurants, cat cafes, themed shows of all genres, manga, anime… And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Besides, here is out quick guide to the best addresses in Tokyo.
Best Cities in Asia to Visit – Taipei, Taiwan
This city is not regularly featured on these lists.
Its architecture is not very pretty and its relatively disconcerting politics alienates some visitors. Yet, it deserves to be on here. What you will find in this great international city is impressive. It is modern, and its infrastructure, such as its metro, is sparkling. Taipei is a clean, cheap city, and where people are surprisingly kind. But the capital of Taiwan stands out for its night markets, where the culinary art of the street is at its best in Asia. Moreover, the city is a great jumping board for day trips from Taipei, allowing visitors to explore other attractions in Taiwan. And with their remarkable subway system, it’s fairly easy to grab some Taipei breakfast, hop on train, and start going after your bucket list.
Note: Are you an avid cyclist? Maybe you want to cycle around Taiwan? Check out this blog post by cycloscope.net!
Best Cities in Asia to Visit – Hong Kong
Here, too, we are talking about a city absolutely unique in the world, with its architecture, history and politics, in addition to a surreal mixture of urban density and stunning beaches. This is one of the only places in China where the ancient always rubs shoulders with the new. It is also a rich city, with one of the largest commercial ports in the world. And it is the capital of Cantonese culinary art, also unique in its kind. It is one of the most recognizable skylines of the planet, and the photos taken from the top of Victoria Peak are breathtaking every time. If you hike Tung Lung Island in Hong Kong, you will also be treated to great views. Hong Kong is also a city that transforms completely at night.
Best Cities in Asia to Visit – Yangon, Myanmar
The English still call this city Rangoon. The Americans still call this country Burma. Visiting Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar, is extremely exotic. This country is in transition since the opening of its borders to tourism in 2013 and Yangon is the most frequent arrival point of foreigners. When the borders were opened, Internet was almost non-existent in the country; mobile phone networks were not yet installed; even traditional phones rarely worked; and electricity was a luxury since only those equipped with a generator could boast to have a continuous supply of energy. That’s a culture shock, no matter how you see it.
Best Cities in Asia to Visit – Kunming, China
While Hong Kong and Taipei are still distinguished from China by their respective political situations, Kunming, on the other hand, is entirely Chinese. The city of Yunnan Province may represent a somewhat less shocking version of mainland China than its big sisters Beijing and Guangzhou, for example. Also, the cultural district is easy to get to, Lake Dian is charming and the local cuisine is relatively mild, unlike Shanghai’s oily dishes and Sichuan’s burn-your-tastebuds-off chili extravaganza, for example. Kunming is a charming little town… of 6.5 million inhabitants. Welcome to China!
Far East Travel: Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is a giant, cosmopolitan, hypermodern city, host to a culture unique in the world, well aware of its roots and proud of its contributions. Seoul is so gigantic that it is impossible to see the end of it, even at the top of Mount Bugaksan, which is at the heart of the city. Visiting its different districts brings us back to a pillar of travel and the philosophy behind it: visiting Seoul means remembering how small one is on this immense planet. While spending three days in Seoul, it would also be a good idea to visit it’s southern sister, Busan. You can catch a high-speed train from Seoul to make your trip to Busan comfortable.
Far East Travel: Cebu, Philippines
If the capital of the Philippines, Manila, is frankly intimidating, Cebu, the second largest city in the country, is smaller and therefore more accessible. If the city as such is host to inhabitants that are so generous and polite, Cebu is especially the launchpad for several travellers to the wonderful and calm beaches of the country. Scuba diving, exploring small villages on a motorcycle and visiting waterfalls: Cebu is a great starting point to get to know the Philippines. For the bravest, there is also their exotic street food …
Note: Are you planning on going to Cebu? Here’s how to spend three days in Cebu according to TheFingerPost!
One Comment
Comments are closed.