*THE* Asian Metropolis:Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong or Bangkok

OK, I%26#39;ve reached the hell out of all of the above cities and I like what I%26#39;ve read on all four. All I need now is some comparative insights from seasoned travellers who have been to some or all four of the above cities. I love to hear your inputs so sock it to me!

About me:

-Only have 5 days to spare and want to visit only 1 Asian city.

-Never been to Asia

-In my early 30s

-Going alone

-Interested in funky designs, something new, culture, food (very important), interacting with the locals, walking around, and clubbing/non-seedy nightlife (also very important).

-Not really interested in shopping.

WHICH IS THE BEST CITY FOR DINING OUT, WALKING AROUND AND GO CLUBBING AT NIGHT ?

Will be posting this question on Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Bangkok forums to make it fair.

*THE* Asian Metropolis:Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong or Bangkok

Gee....that%26#39;s tough...

I have been to HK (in 2000)%26amp; Bangkok (2006 %26amp; 2007). I would pick Bangkok over HK because of the food %26amp; the variety activies to do in Bangkok. I really wasn%26#39;t impressed with HK because of the weather %26amp; the lack of good places/cheap places to eat. Of course I only had a few days there %26amp; really didn%26#39;t research b4 I went, so can%26#39;t really comment too much! 5 days in Bangkok might be too long if you are not into shopping. You could break up the trip %26amp; spend a couple of days in another part of Thailand.

Although I haven%26#39;t been to Japan, I would have to say that would be my pick out of them all! I did book a trip to Japan in 2004, but had to cancel due to getting a new job so I have done some research on Japan b4. Tokyo looks awesome!! Especially if you are after nightlife %26amp; a totally different experience. Very different to Asia %26amp; should not be compared. The culture is very different too. Apparently the food is fantastic, but more expensive compared to HK %26amp; Bangkok.

Good luck with you plans 8-)

Tavia

*THE* Asian Metropolis:Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong or Bangkok

Ozzaboz, Thanks babe! Really appreciate your input about BKK. What other parts of Thailand do you like the best?

Message to the BKK forum: More people in he Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong are recommending BKK than here?!! What%26#39;s up with that lol...

Thanks again. Keep the inputs coming! Much appreciated.

Eugene AKA Lightseek

You wrote:

About me:

-Only have 5 days to spare and want to visit only 1 Asian city.

-Never been to Asia

-In my early 30s

-Going alone

-Interested in funky designs, something new, culture, food (very important), interacting with the locals, walking around, and clubbing/non-seedy nightlife (also very important).

-Not really interested in shopping.

WHICH IS THE BEST CITY FOR DINING OUT, WALKING AROUND AND GO CLUBBING AT NIGHT ?

_____________

This is a tough one, but I can%26#39;t imagine why you would fly all the way from NYC to spend 5 days in *one* Asian city. But anyway.

';funky designs'; - I think Tokyo tops the lot with some really interesting Architecture / Fashion / Industrial Design / urban minimalist stuff that comes out of there. Many would say they are the %26#39;trendsetters%26#39; in Asia for pop culture.

';something new'; - If its your first time in Asia everything will be %26#39;new%26#39; to you and so I consider all the cities equal in this respect.

';culture'; - this is a broad term but I%26#39;ll assume %26#39;uniqueness%26#39; is the requirement. My vote goes to Tokyo again.

';food'; - I%26#39;ll assume you%26#39;re adventurous, like asian food in general, have no problems with spicy food and won%26#39;t be looking for the nearest MacD%26#39;s once you get off the plane. ;) My vote goes to a tie between Tokyo and Bangkok for *consistently* good food based on previous trips personally.

';interacting with the locals'; - I would think Tokyo-ites are as friendly as New-Yorkers (pre-9/11), busy-ing about their hectic lives... ;) My vote goes to Bangkok for this requirement.

';walking around'; - My vote goes to a tie between Hong Kong and Shanghai - you could get wonderfully lost exploring antique shops on Hollywood Street and vicinity (HK) and the old European quarters, Nanjing Rd. and the Bund (Shanghai).

';clubbing/non-seedy nightlife'; - If you%26#39;re used to the Avalon/Twilo kind of clubbing my vote goes to Tokyo but Bangkok is my personal favourite. There are several clubbing areas, each catering to a slightly different crowd than the others. There is a small but very good and friendly after-hours scene but it helps if you know someone. Actually, scratch Bangkok - they%26#39;ve recently elected a new Government so things are a little quiet of late. ;) If you%26#39;re more a Greenwich / East Village kind of guy then I would say Shanghai or Hong Kong - Mao Ming Lu (Shanghai) and Lan Kwai Fong (HK).

So there you have it, looks like Tokyo with Bangkok a close second.

Happy travels!

Will be posting this question on Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Bangkok forums to make it fair.

raverboy, WOW! Thanks, dude. You%26#39;re da man! Anymore words of wisdoms?

BTW a few people suggested that with 5 days I%26#39;d have time to visit 2 cities. Is this true or would I be spreading myself out too thin? I mean when I go to big European cities like London, Madrid, Berlin (my favorite Euro city) and Amsterdam ... I can easily spend a full week there.

Thanks again!! Keep %26#39;em coming.

Eugene AKA Lightseek