Asian destinations for the US dollar
So it's time for a vacation, yet you are tired of the same old destinations; sure Hawaii is fun, and Disneyworld is always a blast, but this time you want to visit somewhere different. Perhaps it is time to look East!
With the strong US dollars, traveling to the Far East may be the way to go. Not only will you get the chance to visit these exotic places, you will be doing a whole lot more as your dollars convert to more bang
Holidays are coming soon, and are you planning a trip to Asia, and still scratching your head for the places to pay visits to? Asia offers great attractions to the persons who like traveling around the world. If you are on
There is no better time to plan a trip to Asia. The U.S. dollar is at an all time low, but you'll still get more bang for your greenback in the cheapest destinations. Sticking to the well beaten tourist paths will lead you to some of the most famous sites in the world, i.e. the Great Wall of China, the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok and Sentosa Island in Singapore. If you're a bit more adventurous and are wary of package tours travelling around independently will bring you closer to the local people, and you might pick up some useful phrases in their language which will come in handy especially in countries like China and Thailand.
China, still riding high from the success of the 2008 Olympic Games, is welcoming thousands of foreign visitors every year. Beijing and Shanghai are abuzz with 21st century capitalism, while smaller cities to the west like Xi'an and Kunming have yet to catch up with the consumerism of their eastern cousins. Most first timers to China land in Beijing, and here you'll get a nice taste of recent and ancient Chinese history. Tiananmen Square, where Mao Zedong first announced the birth of the People's Republic of China in 1949, is right in the middle of town. It's the largest public square in the world. Get to Beijing while you still can because the city is currently undergoing a huge wave of modernization, and many of the older hutongs (streets) are being cleared to make way for newer apartment complexes. Travelling to the western provinces will require more time and patience, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Costs are lower, traditional culture is more visible and the pace of life is not as hectic. A sight not to be missed in Xi'an is the Terracotta Warriors, which were unearthed in the 1970s and are more than 2,000 years old.
Thailand, otherwise known as the Land of Smiles, remains a popular country for budget travellers. Bangkok, with its serene golden temples and Buddha images, will offer comfort and convenience to even the pickiest of tourists. Khao San Road has the cheapest beds in town; you can score a room with air-con for as little as $10 U.S./night. On the other end of the scale there is the Mandarin Oriental, which has been rated as one of the best luxury hotels in the world. Visiting Thailand will not break the bank. Once you get out of Bangkok and head up north to Chiang Mai costs will fall even further. The weather is cooler and there are plenty of opportunities for trekking and elephant riding. Beach lovers will want to head south down to Ko Samui and Ko Tao in the Gulf of Thailand. Again, costs are cheap! You'll pay next to nothing for sleeping in a hammock and eating the most basic food. Before you leave Bangkok don't miss Chatuchak Market, it has bargains galore (clothes, souvenirs and more).
Flanked by Malaysia to the north and Indonesia to the south, Singapore is clean, orderly and has one of the most organized and pleasant airports in the world. In fact, visitors come here just to marvel at the amenities present in Changi International Airport. With a rooftop swimming pool, free internet access, free movies and Xbox games, it's a magnet for kids. Adults will no doubt be pleased with the speed of the immigration process, and free tours of the city are offered for all passengers. Singapore's colonial past can still be seen at the Raffles Hotel. Even if you can't afford to stay here (and apart from the richest of the rich, not many can) you can still have a drink at the bar. Singapore is a little more expensive than Thailand, but it's a worthwhile stop on any Asian itinerary. It's safe and there is virtually no crime.
Asian destinations for the US dollar