Where now? Please give me some suggestions for my next holiday in Asia.

@Colmuc (707)
April 1, 2009 5:21am CST
I need help from some of our Asian friends, any experienced travellers or someone who dreams about visiting a special place. In October 2008 I visited the stone age tribes of West Papua and that was something very special. An overnight in a former headhunters long house, still with some heads, in Sabah, Borneo was a real memorable experience. I have taken a boat trip through the lovely and interesting Cambodia away from the main tourist areas. Last year I visited Hanoi, Saigon, Phan Thiet and the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Fantastic! Malaysia has so much to offer and I have had holidays in Langkawi, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak and Kuantan as well as numerous visits to Kuala Lumpur which is my favourite city. I know Hong Kong well and have twice visited Shanghai. Singapore was my favourite before I got to know Kuala Lumpur. So, where do I go now? I will be travelling October/early November. I have never been to the Philippines or seen the great wall. I love Indian food but was never in India. I do not like group tours, only private tours where I can control where we go and what we see. I like to get away from the main tourist ares and see the local people as they really are. I am an Asian freak but open to ideas in other areas if it is somewhere really special. I also know and love Australia. To take the train journey from Perth to Adelaide is still one of my top wishes. Thank you for all suggestions.
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18 responses
@ank_47 (1959)
• India
1 Apr 09
u can have a tour to my country , india which is a beautyful entertaining place . Like a rainbow that colours the infinite sky, India paints the world with her magical hues. India is a dream holiday that rewards every traveller with her endless tourist attractions. To explore India is to discover a land gifted with everything that makes up for a perfect travel package. And if you want to experience the magic of India,u should visit these below places once. Hill Stations in India: Auli Dalhousie Darjeeling Dehradun Gangtok Khandala Kullu Heritage in India: Taj Mahal Khajuraho Konark Nalanda Ajanta-Ellora Mahabaleshwar Mahabalipuram India Wildlife Destinations: Kaziranga National Park Sariska Tiger Reserve Bandhavgarh National Park Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Kanha National Park Pilgrimage Sites in India: Varanasi Golden Temple Haridwar Mathura Shirdi Bodhgaya see more about that places in the link http://www.touristplacesinindia.com/ there will be beautiful hotels in each place and the prices will also be less ,compared to u;r country. u can have lunch or dinner in that hotels ,indian or western food ,u can have. or u can eat in any place u want or any place u go . A land with a long and deep historical past, and accordingly, a wide variety of customs, communities, religions, and ideologies, India is a favorite choice of many travelers. Several foreign invasions and influences have resulted in various artistic and structural depictions, suggestive of the respective influences. These depictions comprise the various tourist places in India, which are, in turn, some of the prime reasons for the advent of thousands of tourists to this country of universal appeal. Owing to the variety that the country of India exudes in terms of climate, culture, topography, cuisine, art and architecture, you will have at your disposal a number of tourist places in India deserving a visit or two. To the north lie the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Leh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and northern West Bengal which are just the right places to be in to fulfill adventure quests. The Himalayas to the north are ideal destinations for trekkers and mountaineers. Trudge through the rough terrain of the steep ranges amidst green and pristine valleys. The backwaters of Kerala are some of the other natural tourist attractions in India that lure one and all. The cultural quests in the country of India will open up wide-ranging options, offering an array of different architectural styles. The states of Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat are the perfect choices in North India while Madurai, Tirupati and Chennai are the main centers of temple architecture in South India. The various fine and elaborate architectural and artistic specimens, bearing the Mughal and Hindu styles of art, are of utmost pleasure for genuine art connoisseurs. The Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, Agra Fort, the Bulund Darwaza, the Hawa Mahal etc are some of the remarkable instance of Mughal architecture. On the other hand, the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, temples of Khajuraho and Konark, Madurai and Tirupati etc are examples of Hindu architecture. The churches of Goa are again instances of Portuguese art and culture, offering a wide range of choices on a tour to India. Beaches – exotic, serene, fascinating, and tranquil – you get all kinds of beaches in India along its eastern and western coasts. Goa beaches are extremely vibrant, vivid and exotic, exuding an air of imposing vivacity. The cool breeze blowing through the swaying palms, the golden sands and the crystal clear waters will appeal to your senses. Chennai beaches are the same but the Puri beaches are more on the lines of tranquility. Make a trip of the various tourist places in India on your India tour and you will know the huge variety that the country offers, in the various forms and shapes. sources : http://www.touristplacesinindia.com/ http://www.touristplacesinindia.com/tourist-places-india.html
@ank_47 (1959)
• India
1 Apr 09
i am not working in tourist board .anyway thanks for commenting me.
1 person likes this
@Colmuc (707)
1 Apr 09
Many thanks for all your information. You have given me plenty to think about . Goa was already in my mind as a possible stop on the way home. Will look at the other places you have covered. You make everywhere sound so interesting. I am wondering if you are working for the Indian Tourist Board. Your help is really appreciated.
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@cieldz (709)
• Indonesia
2 Apr 09
try to visit indonesia again... there are a lot of places that u've not visited yet.... go to bali island, really beautiful island... and try to go to lombok island after go to bali.... u can go to komodo island too and see a lot of living komodos... or try to diving and see beautiful fishes in bunaken... go to toba lake in north sumatera....a lake that has 3 different colors go to magelang in west java and visit borobudur temple.. happy travelling..!
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• Philippines
1 Apr 09
I suggest that you go visit the Philippines for your next holiday in Asia. :) The time you'll be coming will be the perfect time for it will not be as hot in the Philippines by that time as it is now. The Philippines has a lot to offer and the Filipinos are really very hospitable. We are friendly to foreigners in our country. Getting around won't be a problem because everyone here knows english. :) Also, the Philippines has a rich culture that you may want to explore. :) Please consider my suggestion. Hope to see you in the Philippines for your next holiday in Asia. :)
@Colmuc (707)
1 Apr 09
Thank you. Yes, I am very interested in the Philippines. I would fly to Manila for 2 or 3 days but then where would you recommend?. Somewhere interesting but not full of tourists, please. My holiday will last at least 4 weeks so I have plenty of time.
@yanyinju (85)
• China
1 Apr 09
Oh,you know China is very big,there are too many beauty spots in China.I really recommend Hangzhou and Guilin for you.These places are both very famous in China.In China, there is saying that is the scenery in Guilin is the best in China.There are rivers and hills in Guilin,and the food is very delicious.You can see some photos in my page.I am sure that you won't regret.Welcome to Guilin,China.
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@Colmuc (707)
2 Apr 09
Thank you. I want to see more of China and will check out your suggestions. By mentioning food you get my immediate attention. I enjoy so much trying the specialities of every country and region that I visit. Chinese style is one of my favourites, I eat it regularly and am an expert with chopsticks. It tastes much better of course in China!
@hotsummer (13835)
• Philippines
1 Apr 09
in the philippines. there are actually lots to see. but now all places that are so beautiful are popular. there are so many beautiful placexs to see that are not yet that popular and so you will it hard to know them. it will be only possible to see other beautiful places if you know someone here who have been to many places in the philippines. the tourism industry of the philippines is not that yet well developed. though there were some or lots of efforts from the government to promote beautiful sites here. but they have not yet fully covered all those other beautiful places to see in the philippines. i will just hear from some friends or some people of beautiful places that are not yet promoted by the government. cause the government is quite slow on discovering the beautiful places to develop and to promote for local and international tourist alike. i have not been to many places here in the philippines either. there are lots of places to see. manila is the capital city but it is not a great place to visit cause there are not much to see here in the city. there are no that awesome buildings or infrastructure that you get to see like in malaysia and thailand. but you will see beautiful country side. so you must see the beautiful places in the country side like in the northern philippines. you can visit the ever famous Palawan, which is in the southern part of the philippines.
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@Colmuc (707)
2 Apr 09
Thank you for your comments. I am really interested in the Philippines but know little about it. Will collect all the brochures from my Travel Agent next week and check out what is on offer. What is strange, is that in previous years the prices of hotels in the Philippines were much higher than similar ones in Malaysia, Vietnam or Indonesia.
@irene66 (1669)
• Philippines
2 Apr 09
Wow! fantastic tours. Try Philippines. You can go to Palawan where you can enjoy the resort, beautiful mountains because it is ever green. It has a colorful marine life. It's like a paradise! You can really enjoy yourself there. It won't cause you much. Cheaper than the other Asian countries. Good luck on your tour.
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@Colmuc (707)
2 Apr 09
Thank you Irene. Somebody else mentioned Palawan so I must have a look and see what is on offer. You think it will be cheaper but as I have already mentioned, the Philippines are usually more expensive in German travel agent brochures and that has tended to put me off a bit. This year I will certainly check it out very carefully.
@timou87 (1638)
• Singapore
6 Apr 09
I was just about to recommend SIngapore before I realised you have already visited Singapore. I haven't travelled much within Asia, but I do know of some people who have visited lesser known places such as Nepal and Bhutan, and they were simply blown away by how beautiful the places were, and just how simple life was, really a big change from the hustle and bustle of daily life that everyone has become so accustomed to.
@Colmuc (707)
6 Apr 09
Hi Timou, Yes, I have been several times in Singapore and love it. The wide range of food on offer is incredible. You are lucky to live in such a wonderful place. I have considered Nepal a few times but have never been there. Bhutan must be nice too and I will check it out. Thank you for your kind response.
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
6 Apr 09
there is nothing much to see in india... that is what my indian friend told us... come to the Philippines or China!! :D if you want beaches and nice peaceful scenery then Philippines is the right place... if you however want to see some nice historical places... then you can go to china. :)
@Colmuc (707)
6 Apr 09
Thank you chiyosan, I think India could be interesting and may spend a week there on my way home. China and/or the Philippines are strong possibilities for the main location.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
1 Apr 09
I have two suggestions for you. First it might be a great idea for you to go to the Philippines for some island hopping and snorkeling. It would be possible for you to fly into Cebu or Manila. There would be quite a lot of adventure for you and friendly people. Alternatively I suggest you take the train from Moscow via Mongolia to Beijing, near there you will be able to visit the Great Wall of China. yet another idea would be Southern India like Kerala and then a flight to Sri Lanka.I love to travel by train most of all. I am an independent traveler and I am not into tours. Australia is my second favorite country and it is possible you could do Perth to Adelaide and then fly home via Asia. Good luck deciding where to visit.
@Colmuc (707)
1 Apr 09
Thank you. The idea of train from Moscow is very interesting. I also love to travel by train. I have looked at the train from Beijing to Lhasa but the first class compartments have 4 berths. Do you know if there are 2-berth compartments between Moscow and Beijing?.
@kissieme (777)
• Philippines
2 Apr 09
You're right about snorkelling and island hopping in Cebu. There is also another place where these cativities can be done and it is Palawan. It's a great place to go to and the Islands there are still pristine and clean
@wesley_lu (378)
• China
8 Apr 09
hi,i'm very glad to meet you.i issued an article "how to improve my spoken english"just now.you give me some suggestions,the only way is practice. i know,practice make perfects.i think you take a trip annually,china is the best and wisely choice.because there are a lot of attraction areas and the price of the goods is very cheap. in my opinion, go abroad for travelling ,you can open your minds and get a lot of new things and make many foreign firends. but now i work in a italy company---DANIELI metallurgical equipment company.it cooperates with KOCKS ---Germany mechanical company.maybe you kown?last year, two specialists who are from KOCKS,i work with them to repair the equipments which are supplied by DANIELI for chinese customers.one of them,he is more than seventy-year-old,look form his appearance,golden hair with a pair of colourful glasses,he is a professional man.he said he retired in 2002,afer retirement,he work for KOCKS to go around the world for after-service.he laughed to tell us he has went a lot of countries for a visit,that's a good opportunity. i think you have already retired,now you want to go outside to get new things. chinese people always welcome foreign friends to come for travelling. i work near shanghai. good luck,safe trip.
@Colmuc (707)
8 Apr 09
Hi wesley_lu. I have been twice to Shanghai and enjoyed my visits very much. Next time I will go to Beijing and see the great wall. Thanks for replying.
@sunnew (68)
• China
5 Apr 09
i think china is a good place .china is one of the biggest countries,so y have many choice in china .y say y will travel at october/early november.the best season to visit beijing is autumnn .y will see red leaves over the mountain.when y stand the greet wall ,y will have a wondful experience.welcom to china!
@Colmuc (707)
6 Apr 09
Thank you, sunnew. I am very keen to vist Beijing and I hope I can include it in this years holiday. Nice to know Autumn is a good time.
@vivianchen (2646)
• China
2 Apr 09
Hi Colmuc, Wow... you've been to so many place, i wish i can do that someday. I am from China, if you come here in October or early November, i will suggest you go to Tibet, you will see amazing landscape there, it's total different place than Shanghai and HK, Shanghai and HK only shows the modern side of China, if you want to know the other size of China, go the Tibet, after Tibet, you can go to India as they are quite near each other. Hope this will help and enjoy your Asia Trip!
@Colmuc (707)
2 Apr 09
Hello Vivianchen, Thank you for your response. You are still young and have lots of time to see the world. For me time is running out and I want to visit only the most interesting places. I have thought about Tibet and wanted to go by train from Beijing to Lhasa but the first class compartments had 4 berths and that put me off. I will check again on how I could get there.
@chaituv (68)
• Ireland
2 Apr 09
In India there are lot of places to visit .. some of them are manali, kerala. It's has a speciality of it's own for the beauty. I even like thailand, bangkok.
@Colmuc (707)
2 Apr 09
Hi Chaituv, There seems to be a lot of good possibilities in India. I will be checking in detail to see what is on offer. When I was writing my question I forgot about Thailand. How could I possibly do that? I have been to Bangkok several times and was also once in Phuket. It was in Phuket that I had the best Tiger prawns with garlic sauce that I have ever eaten.
• China
7 Apr 09
hi,i suggest you went to beijing.there you can go to the great wall.many people there can speak english.so you won't meet many problems.in addition,a english teather in my school is a backpacker. he works here for some sime ,at the same time he can live the true life here.
@Colmuc (707)
7 Apr 09
Thanks for your input. I would really like to visit Beijing and see the great wall. There has been some adverse publicity in Europe about the number of fraudulent people cheating tourists by promising tours and after getting the money doing something different from what they promised. If I was coming I would arrange everything through a reputable travel agent before leaving home.
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
2 Apr 09
Hello Colmuc, Oh, my! I am proud to know that you love to visit my country, Malaysia. There are many beautiful and fantastic places to visit. When you come here next time, try to go to the historical sites in Malacca, snorkeling in Redang Island, Terengganu or Sipadan Island in Sabah, visit the museum for aborigines just outside Kuala Lumpur or the Monsopiad Cultural Village and many more. I am sure you will just fall in love with Malaysia one more time!
@murkcore (84)
• Philippines
2 Apr 09
I think you should come to the Philippines.. You're just in time.. next week will be Holy week you should see a lot of spectacular events related to the Lenten season like processions pilgrims and if your into a little taboo, you should also see people here reliving the passion of Christ having themselves scourged and end up being nailed to a cross pretty much like what Christ experienced.. If your worried about so many tourist, Yes there might be quite some.. But you could always find other places as this happens nationwide.. Crowded beaches like Boracay? You could go to some other beaches which is as beautiful as Boracay but not crowded like Pagudpod in the north and Caramoan Islands here at the south (Camarines Sur) they does have comfy accommodations.. You could trek some of the mountains here.. Warning though keep away from Terrorists hot spots like some places in Mindanao I don't remember the exact names they tell that from on travel agencies I think..
@Colmuc (707)
2 Apr 09
Thank you for your response. I have had several responses suggesting the Philippines and and am very interested. I will have a look at Pagudpod and the Caramoan Islands. They are both new names for me and I am attracted to places which are not well known internationally. Might just be what I am looking for.
@jasim860 (21)
• India
2 Apr 09
I am at home now buddy.... Your choice is best one.....Because of you selected the Asia for spend your holidays. In Asia, so many places to must visit..... I am living in India....Here so many places like Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Munnar, Thekkadi, Kunumanali, Darjiling...etc
@Colmuc (707)
2 Apr 09
Thanks Jasim. I will certainly be considering India. I will check out the places you have given me and see what they offer.
@prowaynie (139)
• Malaysia
1 Apr 09
Hi there, here my suggestion for you, i found taiwan is a good place for backpacker because of the convenience of train and bus easy find. Taiwan have alot good place to visit, from naturally farm,mountain or taiwan city, taiwan's food is nice and good to taste. Do enjoy yours next trip.
@Colmuc (707)
2 Apr 09
Thank you young lady, I had not thought about Taiwan but will certainly consider it. Good food scores a lot of points in my ratings. It is always good to try the local offerings and compare them to other countries and regions. I see that you are living in my favourite city. I love the new Hilton hotel and have stayed there several times. Before it was built I stayed in the old one at Petaling Jaya.