Asia
China - Beijing and Shanghai
Where Beijing is the China you know - Tiananmen and the Forbidden City -
Shanghai will confound. On one corner, high-rises, on the next colonial relics.
See both cities to understand today's China.
Thailand - Bangkok
Much-hyped and stereotyped, some parts of Bangkok won't surprise you: its
amazing food, awful traffic and non-stop nightlife. Delightful extras, though,
are the Thai people - truly the friendliest on earth. In Bangkok, see the Grand
Palace, the floating market and, at night, Lumpini Park.
Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City & Hoi An
In Ho Chi Minh City, learn the Vietnam War from the other side. The Cu Chi
tunnels must be seen, as you can crawl through the Viet Cong's base.
Slightly north is UNESCO World Heritage City Hoi An. A Chinese-influenced port
city with 400 years behind it, its exploration and enjoyment should unfold at a lazy pace.
Cambodia - Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is a city that is half grey, half green; it's a combination of French
architecture in a tropical setting.
Forty minutes' tuk-tuk away are the Killing Fields, where you should make a
sombre, but necessary, visit.
Cambodia - Siem Reap
Medieval, mysterious - save Angkor Wat for last. (But get there for sunrise,
when the tour bus drivers are still sleeping). Like anything good in life - the
best parts take more effort. Find the most gorgeous (and lesser-known) areas
further away from Angkor Wat.
Korea - Seoul
If Korea's among Asia's tigers, Seoul is the tiger den. A total metropolis with
shiny buildings and great transport, Seoul's got plenty to see - and even more
to eat. After whirlwind tours to ancient palaces and surrounding mountains, the
national drink soju will cap off a busy day.
Japan - Tokyo & Kyoto
Clean, modern and bustling - the world's largest city shows up all others with
an organized layout and helpful people. The Imperial Palace adds an incongruous
touch of old to an otherwise present-day city, while the fish market is both
very cool and 100% free.
To the south, Kyoto's prize is the Golden Temple. Get to this old capital city
by train - the country's favourite means of pain-free transit.
India
Home to the brightest sights and poorest corners, ready yourself for an awesome,
if somewhat emotional, ride. From Goa's gorgeous beaches to jam-packed Mumbai,
north to Agra and the Taj Mahal - India has to be seen (by train, if possible!)
to be believed.
Worth Mentioning - Tibet and Malaysia
As Tibet rapidly changes, Buddhist pilgrims, monks and temples appear in even
starker contrast. Allowing time to adjust to the sleep-inducing altitude, visit
Lhasa's Potala Palace and Barkhor Market.
In Malaysian Borneo, it's the orangutans that steal the show, as does a local
menu that's got the best of all corners of Asia.
