Where to experience “Asia” for the first time?

coota1268 on 02/08/2017 - 15:46
Last edited 02/08/2017 - 16:12

Hi all – I’m wanting to travel somewhere in Asia for the first time. I’ve never really been exposed to an Asian culture and grew up in a regional town. The closest I came was eating Chinese twice a year. I’ve travelled to and quite enjoy America/Canada, but I’m keen for the challenge/experience of traveling to Asia/experiencing the culture there.

I know this is an extremely broad question / and there are many parts of Asia, but I’m thinking either Japan or China (Not Bali/Vietnam/Thailand etc)…. Ideally, the destination would have some major tourist attractions and wouldn’t be overly expensive (This is OzBargin afterall!)…. I’d like to spend some time learning the language/customs of the destination before I go. I’d plan to go for ~1 Week.

Thanks.

EDIT: I see Jetstar etc have regular sales to Japan - I'm torn between Japan or China

Travel

Comments

  • lupiter on 02/08/2017 - 15:51
    +20

    If you don't mind big cities, the easiest places to start would be Hong Kong or Tokyo.

    • smoothymcmellow on 03/08/2017 - 13:09
      +11

      Tokyo is a great choice, super clean, safe, organised, lots of fun, relatively cheap besides accommodation but you can find some cheap options on Airbnb

      China and Hong Kong (to a lesser extent) are very different, Japan is organised chaos, parts of China/HK are amazing but proper chaotic, I think Japan is a good intro into Asia

      • lupiter on 03/08/2017 - 13:14
        +1

        Tokyo is definitely the easier of the two, and yeah if you hit airbnb or look for Japanese hotel chains you can get some cheap options. The Japanese are very helpful, if they don't speak English they'll find someone who does, and I've never been looked down on for my (appalling) Japanese.

        Hong Kong is more expensive and easier than mainland China; Singapore would be easier still but not ozBargain priced.

        • thord on 04/08/2017 - 12:40
          -4

          If you go to tokyo first you'll be disapointed when you visit other cities. There's really nothing like japan

  • scrimshaw on 02/08/2017 - 15:52
    +10

    Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore are also obviously cosmopolitan places to visit and to also shop around.

    shopping in Singapore though is not that cheap however. But you'll like the food there. Cheap and clean.

    • airzone on 02/08/2017 - 18:30
      +21

      Singapore's a good initial taste of Asia. The currency is similar, they nearly all speak English, food hygiene standards are strictly enforced, you don't have to worry about bribing police, etc…

      But it's comparatively expensive. :(

      Hong Kong is similar, but Singapore gives more cultural diversity IMO.

      • WreckTangle on 03/08/2017 - 04:20
        +4

        Agreed. I found Singapore a great intro to Asia…easy to get to, safe and English speaking.

      • Munki on 04/08/2017 - 10:59
        +5

        Singlish is not English la.

  • cypher67 on 02/08/2017 - 15:52
    +109

    Start with Paddys Markets in Sydney

    • cupcake on 02/08/2017 - 16:13
      +61

      Then make your way to Cabramatta and Bankstown.

      • Kangal on 02/08/2017 - 19:06
        -1

        What about Chinatown?

        • cupcake on 02/08/2017 - 19:32
          +2

          It's next to Paddy's markets in Haymarket. You will also see asians there.

        • Archi on 03/08/2017 - 09:31
          -7

          @cupcake:
          you wont see any Asians in Chinatown in Sydney… apart from the shop keepers and workers… everyone that eats at the restaurants is almost Caucasian.

          I agree with you on Cabramatta though… awesome place for authentic Vietnamese food, and non of that watered down stuff catered for westerners.

        • theguyrules on 04/08/2017 - 08:17

          @Archi: I stayed in Chinatown in Feb and it was very very non-Caucasian.

        • D6C1 on 04/08/2017 - 15:49

          @Archi: LOL you serious? Jesus Christ man. Every restaurant is full of asians in Chinatown.

        • Archi on 04/08/2017 - 15:53
          -2

          @D6C1:

          not if you walk down Dixon street… I agree with every other ones around Chinatown… but the main strip down Dixon street is heavily populated with diners that are non Asian..

          even golden century on sussex st is mainly westerners

        • bchliu on 06/08/2017 - 10:07

          @Archi: Hell no. There's heaps of Mainland Chinese Tourists in the area to buy dried seafood crap, inflated priced Manuka Honey, baby formula and other tourist memorabilia (which most are ironically made in China).

      • LYRICALRAVER on 03/08/2017 - 05:57
        +2

        haha Cabramatta - you'll experience Vietnam there LOL

      • kyoba on 03/08/2017 - 10:32
        +25

        Cabramatta - Vietnam central
        Hurstville - Hong Kong / China downtown
        Chatswood - Hong Kong /China up market
        Bankstown - Half Lebonnon half vietnam downtown
        Strathfield - Korea
        Ashfield - Shanghai

      • payless69 on 03/08/2017 - 14:33
        +1

        on to Hurstville

      • Chridim on 03/08/2017 - 17:14
        +2

        Chatswood and Rhodes?

    • TheBilly on 02/08/2017 - 18:33

      Or just anywhere in the Sydney CBD on a weeknight

    • Donaldhump on 02/08/2017 - 20:07
      +1

      Gold

    • kabammi on 03/08/2017 - 17:04
      +1

      Box Hill in Melbs.

      google street view:
      https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.8185263,145.1236707,3a,7…

  • modsec802 on 02/08/2017 - 15:56
    +12

    Malaysia for sure: cheap but not too cheap.

    • Candour on 03/08/2017 - 09:15
      -1

      malaysia is not safe. singapore is clean, safe and corruption free.

      • MrTweek on 03/08/2017 - 09:46
        +1

        Care to elaborate?
        Malaysia seemed fairly safe to me

        • infinite on 03/08/2017 - 11:10
          +3

          It's not that Malaysia is unsafe in general, or has been in the past, it's just more so that very recently it's become unsafe with substantial political turmoil allowing for a sharp and sudden rising presence of Sharia Law enforcement (on-the-spot public whippings and floggings for breaches of it, for example) from the Muslim community & targeting of crime towards foreigners. It's not an issue outside of the main cities though. Tourist places, resorts, anywhere up north around Penang and main tourist hub's outside of KL are fine. The problems basically stem for the corrupt and violent Muslim majority party in power in their politics at the moment are about to be ousted by the Chinese & Indian majority opposition - who are led ironically by the former prime minister of the current party in power, who wants the ridiculous mass scale corruption that's happened since he retired gone from politics.

        • schwinn on 03/08/2017 - 11:15
          +6

          @infinite:
          On the spot public whippings?!?!? Where do you get this stuff?

        • infinite on 03/08/2017 - 11:20
          -2

          @schwinn: The problem isn't that it just started happening, it's that it's started happening more and the Muslim politicians are publicly calling for for it to happen even more. You don't see them happen much during the day, but it certainly happens at night time.

          Here's a bit of the press coverage that mentions the issue: http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21724432-former-prime-min…

          The LGBT community and foreigners who put on public displays of affection become targets for it. Many of the roaming mobs enforcing Sharia Law aren't even law enforcement either. Just roaming thugs and extremists from the local mosques ruining things for the locals, ethnic Chinese, ethnic Indians and tourists.

        • schwinn on 03/08/2017 - 11:43
          +5

          @infinite:
          I see no mention of any on the spot public whippings. A Malaysian myself, I am well aware of the political scenario and tensions in Malaysia. However, to say there are on the spot public whippings is incorrect

        • MrTweek on 03/08/2017 - 12:47
          +5

          @infinite:

          That sounds a bit harsh. I've been to Malaysia 4 times over the last 5 years and have not encountered any issues or even noticed much difference.
          Yes, there are political tensions, but they are very unlikely to affect you as a tourist.
          Don't join demonstrations or uprisings, just in case.

          Also, it's obviously important to adhere to local law, like you should in any country.
          Don't even think about buying or smoking weed or touch any drugs at all.
          And don't strip down to budgy smugglers on a formula 1 race track either.

          And yes, being openly gay might lead to some issues there, but that unfortunately is true for many places in Asia (including Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam).
          If you are gay and understandably not willing to hide it, Thailand or Taiwan might be better destinations, where this is somewhat tolerated.

      • qwertyaz on 03/08/2017 - 21:52
        -4

        dirty, dangerous and corruption are the major characteristics of asia, if you want to experience true asia, you got to see. i am an asian

      • CLoSeR on 04/08/2017 - 13:54
        +2

        Hahaha.. you Singaporean?

      • apey2000 on 05/08/2017 - 00:51
        +1

        Corruption free. LOL

    • shiningstars on 05/08/2017 - 08:14
      +2

      I have just returned from a holiday in penang and Kuala Lumpur and it was awesome. With all the political issues and corruption going on, the Malaysian ringitt has dropped making it a much more affordable place to visit. I felt safe although in KL i has told by the hotel to hold my bag sercurely. Penang has a good experience of both Chinese and indian culture in georgetown. Heaps of interesting cheap guesthouses and easy to get around with uber. Cheap flights with airasia too.

  • yk300 on 02/08/2017 - 15:59
    +4

    I think Vietnam is a nice place for a beginner. You can get cheap air tixs. People are quite friendly.

    • Brucet on 02/08/2017 - 18:31
      -4

      I don't suggest people go to Vietnam.
      Because most of foods in Restaurant or street are all have chemical mix with.
      Dirty water……ect

      • scrimshaw on 02/08/2017 - 18:48

        Only if you are really newbie at travelling. If you have zero experience, then yeah, avoid, but anyone with common sense would know where to eat (The old advice is: eat where the locals eat and don't go to quiet places)

        i stayed in Vietnam for 2 weeks with a bunch of friends (10 in total) and nobody had any food poisoning or cases of diarrhea.

        • RockyRaccoon on 03/08/2017 - 07:36
          +8

          Well the OP did say they were a newbie to Asian travel 😀

          Personally I'd recommend Japan, as its easy to get around, but at the same time not overly cosmopolitan like Singapore/HK (& Sydney City south) , and the weather is more temperate.

          Most of Singapore/HK is a city, whereas Japan once you get out of the cities is very rural and diverse.

          And after week, you will want to go back to enjoy more

        • TRD on 05/08/2017 - 00:31

          Just came back from Vietnam with exactly 10 friends. 9/10 got food poisoning in a span of 2 and a half weeks. We even had a former local with us during this trip and picked places to go eat very carefully and hardly any street food too. Still a good experience though.

  • NancyCat on 02/08/2017 - 16:11
    +2

    Singapore and Hong Kong would be a good start. Just a few days in one of those cities will give you a good taste of Asia. There are plenty of flight + hotel packages, you don't have to spend a fortune. Singapore & HK are also great stopover cities (on your way to US/Europe…)

    With Japan and China, they are big countries, you need to spend a fair bit of time (at least 2 weeks) & money to make the trip cost-effective. Vietnam is lovely too…and cheap!!!

    Don't waste your time/money on Taiwan!

    • ilikeradiohead on 02/08/2017 - 16:22
      +5

      Your approval of Vietnam and Japan make me think you're not a People's Republic patsy. Why don't you like Taiwan?

      I thought Taiwan was great, I was there for a little over a week, went all around the island. Taipei is a big glitzy city, the countryside is nice, the smaller cities also have a bit going on in them too.

      I probably wouldn't recommend it for a first time to asia experience though.

      • NancyCat on 02/08/2017 - 16:59
        +3

        I've only been to Taipei. I feel like Taipei is just like Hong Kong 30 years ago. Yes, Taipei has lots of big/new/glitzy buildings, but it doesn't have the metropolitan/modern feel that HK/Singapore/Tokyo/Shanghai have. While Vietnam (HCMC/Hanoi/Hoi An…) and parts of Japan are also 'old', those cities have a certain charm to it (nice architecture & open spaces), whereas Taipei is just old and dated, nothing special.

      • abb on 03/08/2017 - 15:10
        +3

        I thought Taiwan was great

        Sssh, don't tell them!

        • austrij on 03/08/2017 - 19:22
          +3

          Lol +1
          Taiwan is not for the uninitiated but popular with people 'in the know' and with other Asian tourists.

    • MessyG on 05/08/2017 - 14:38

      I went to Taiwan when I was a teenager by myself to visit school friends. Loved it sick. Why does it matter if it's like HK 30 years ago? You're not going there to experience that country. The countryside is lovely and the people are gorgeous.

  • onetwothreefour on 02/08/2017 - 16:13
    +17

    Japan

    • cupcake on 02/08/2017 - 16:14
      +5

      Japan and Singapore. Nice and clean and modern.

    • ItsMeAgro on 03/08/2017 - 17:52
      +4

      Japan is Asia on easy mode.

      Clean, friendly, not many tourist traps and scams and such. You can be a very dumb tourist and not get robbed, killed, ripped off or even yelled at. Almost all of the food is delicious, fresh, and westerner-friendly (stuff like raw fish is actually not that common), without the often very spicy food in, say, Thailand. Signs are in English, etc.

      And it's still a starkly different culture in so many ways.

  • ilikeradiohead on 02/08/2017 - 16:27
    +3

    +1 for Malaysia, SG, HK and Vietnam. All great places to visit. Vietnam was the first Asian country I went to.

    I'd recommend Malaysia as a first country to visit. The food is really good, there's an interesting mixture of cultures and a few places to visit (KL, Penang, Borneo, Langkawi for a Bali like Malaysia experience). You could do a whirlwind tour in a week but I think 2 weeks would be better. Also really cheap to get to (from Perth, not sure about Sydney), get around and stay in. The only thing that is expensive is alcohol (Australia prices).

    Can't comment on Japan or China though, haven't been to either (Well, I went to Shenzen for a day when I stayed in HK, but it's only a tiny part of a big place).

    • Candour on 03/08/2017 - 09:17

      be careful about going to the east malaysian states. kidnappings do happen. from the phillipines.

  • John Kimble on 02/08/2017 - 16:34
    +8

    Maybe I'm just fat, but I believe a big part of visiting a country is eating/enjoying the food.

    So my tip is to go to the country that you like the cuisine of the most. If you don't know because you have never had it, try some locally first, perhaps?

    • Diji1 on 02/08/2017 - 19:04
      +7

      Asian food is not like local "Asian" food.

      • John Kimble on 02/08/2017 - 19:16

        Obviously there is no substitute for the real thing, but you get the idea. This guy said his only exposure was eating Chinese a couple times a year!

        • cupcake on 02/08/2017 - 19:35
          +3

          Not a fun holiday when you have the runs from the dirty unfiltered, untreated drinking water in the developing countries.

          Yes. Try local asian food first. My local thai takeaway a good start.

        • John Kimble on 02/08/2017 - 21:07

          @cupcake: It's a rite of passage we must all endure on our first trip to a developing country! Sometimes it's not funny/pleasant at the time, but it makes good storytelling years later!

        • cupcake on 02/08/2017 - 21:39
          +2

          @John Kimble: True but I hear the locals ask for more money if you ask to use the loo and you spend too much time in there. You also have to learn to squat.

          Enjoy Asia but you have to always keep an eye on your stuff and try not to get scammed while coping with the runs!

        • [Deactivated] on 07/08/2017 - 17:39

          @cupcake:

          I can imagine all the white bogans on here sitting in their dingy house somewhere out in the burbs; hearing Tracey Grimshaw tell them how unsafe the world is, ready to get food poisoning and sick at the drop of a hat because they spend all day smashing tinnies.

          been to asia multiple times, including many poor, sketchy areas; never once had any troubles.
          never had food poisoning while in asia.

          If other human beings can eat the food and not get sick, you can too.

          Its like how many of the migrants who come here seem to be able to find hours apon hours of work yet the aussie bogan is dialing Turnbull saying they need more dole…

        • King Tightarse on 07/08/2017 - 21:13
          +1

          @eggmaster:
          WTF are you on about?

      • abb on 03/08/2017 - 15:15

        That depends on what your local scene is like.

        Most Thai restaurants I've been to are fairly good. Din Tai Fung is the same in Taipei, Tim Ho Wan is the same in Hong Kong, most Japanese is quite authentic (although we only get a sub-set that excludes all the truly bizarre offerings in Japan).

        Having said that, I've had "Thai" dishes from non-specialist regional RSLs that were completely awful.

        • ganymede on 03/08/2017 - 17:55

          I tried Tim Ho Wan in Melbourne, no where near their Mongkok store in terms of quality.

        • abb on 04/08/2017 - 08:59

          @ganymede: That sucks. The two I've been to in Sydney were good. (or possibly my memory and tastebuds are broken, who knows)

        • John Kimble on 04/08/2017 - 10:25
          +1

          @abb: I've been to the chatswood one, nothing special. Been reliably informed by multiple friends no where near as good as the original. But what is?

        • ganymede on 04/08/2017 - 13:03

          @John Kimble:

          That's why I will save the aggravation by going to the source, whether it is Tim Ho Wan or Din Tai Fung.

  • JetLi on 02/08/2017 - 16:39

    Kuta, Bali

    • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2017 - 16:51
      +17

      lol

      • casho on 04/08/2017 - 09:02

        Seminyak or Ubud Bali would be a good tip. I took my elderly parents there and they loved it!

  • rambutann on 02/08/2017 - 16:49
    +16

    I've traveled to most of Asia and would definitely say that Japan is the best.. and China is the worst (it has an amazingly interesting history but the people/culture is not enjoyable..

    Japan is quite expensive but totally worth it.

    • John Kimble on 02/08/2017 - 17:06
      +2

      What's wrong with your country/region of origin?

    • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2017 - 21:47
      +15

      +1,000,000 if I could

      The Chinese people in Sydney are quiet and polite, so many of the ones over in China itself are really quite the opposite. Pushing in front of queues routinely, spagging in the middle of restaurants, running red lights routinely in traffic, smoking in the middle of no smoking areas, no smiling / service culture. You have to take a breath and realise it's just what they need to do to not get stepped on themselves over there and not to take it personally, but it's an absolute no go for a novice traveller and I personally hated it. The Chinese wonder why we treat strangers like family and family like strangers - in general terms (and of course there are exceptions) they will not give a shit about you if they don't know you.

      Japan on the other hand is the best place I can think of for novice travellers - lots of English signage, huge customer service focus culture and sometimes when I look lost total strangers have walked up to me offering help. It's the rich experience of another culture while experiencing the convenience of another first world developed country. Pretty much the only bad thing I can think of is it's relatively expensive but not much different to travelling around Australia

      • jjjaar on 03/08/2017 - 07:55

        Completely agree! As a whole, Chinese people are not pleasant and can really ruin your trip if you let it. Japanese people, on the other hand, are half the reason I go there!

        I find Japan quite cheap, except for accomodation.

        • John Kimble on 03/08/2017 - 09:08
          +1

          That's a bit rough on Chinese people…I think it's just a culture thing.

          On a quick google, they don't make these lists:
          https://moverdb.com/least-friendly-expats/

          https://www.thetoptens.com/rudest-countries/

        • jjjaar on 03/08/2017 - 13:07
          +3

          @John Kimble: of course it's a culture thing, but it doesn't make it less pleasant. Being cut in front of in lines, people spitting next to you, babies pooing on the floor. It's only a select few doing this (30%), but the other 70% are letting it happen even though they don't like it.

        • John Kimble on 03/08/2017 - 13:34

          @jjjaar: 30% is more than a select few IMO!

        • jjjaar on 03/08/2017 - 15:41

          @John Kimble: You're right, poor choice of words. It's 30% doing it!

        • Maxxjet on 03/08/2017 - 20:55
          -2

          Guess your memory was short or not at all… just over a few decades ago the Japanese chopped Aussies for fun. I don't think any Chinese did that

        • Ragnarok1983 on 04/08/2017 - 17:22
          +2

          If you could only understand Japanese, then you'd realize how xenophobic the Japanese really are.

        • manbearpig on 04/08/2017 - 21:06

          @AllWins: Typical. Why bring history into this? You're talking about a completely different generation of people with a different outlook, mentality and understanding of culture. The topic of discussion is referring to modern day citizens…

        • Ragnarok1983 on 05/08/2017 - 11:55

          @manbearpig: Denial of WW2 and history revisionism is well and alive in Japan.

      • love2buy on 05/08/2017 - 14:02

        How do they treat chinese people there? You know not long ago they weren't the best of friends.

    • j05h on 03/08/2017 - 07:46
      +2

      Japan is not expensive if you don't go for all of the touristy places. Cheap to eat, cheap enough for accomodation (AirBNB) and cheap enough for flights.

      • rambutann on 03/08/2017 - 07:55

        Oh 100% - unless you make the mistake of getting a late flight in and have to either stay at the airport or take a taxi……….. Its about $300AUD for the one way taxi trip from the airport into either Osaka or Tokyo..

  • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2017 - 17:03
    +3

    Before spending a grand on airfares start with Footscray, Richmond or Springvale, stomach that and you're good to go.

    • Peck on 02/08/2017 - 21:05

      "Springy Rocks"! (Only US old people will get this!)

  • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2017 - 17:16
    +3

    Hong Kong is my favourite stopover. Amazing place :) Perfect for a 1 week trip. Tokyo/Japan is great too, but too big for one week.

    • takezo on 03/08/2017 - 09:09
      +1

      No reason you can't just stay in Tokyo for a week.

      Agree though that Hong Kong is the perfect stopover.

  • Peck on 02/08/2017 - 17:40
    +3

    You say that you want cheap, but then you rule out the cheap (and in my mind best) destinations !!!!!!!

  • Brucet on 02/08/2017 - 17:48

    I suggest you travel to China first, Hong Kong, Singapore, south Korea & japan.

  • donkeydoc on 02/08/2017 - 17:50
    +4

    Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, street food is fresh and tasty :)

    • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2017 - 18:27
      +4

      So is the hepatitis

      • Brucet on 02/08/2017 - 18:36
        -2

        Exactly.
        Most of their foods look fresh & tasty BUT lots of chemical mix with them.

      • CLoSeR on 04/08/2017 - 13:56
        +1

        It's killed through cooking, if you're really concerned get the vaccination for type A.

        • [Deactivated] on 04/08/2017 - 16:14

          Just because you can get a vaccination/insurance for something, doesn't mean you should engage in risky behavior … Gastro can be pretty uncomfortable too.

        • CLoSeR on 04/08/2017 - 19:46

          @sp00ker: Eating in asia is risky behaviour? You can just as easily catch HEP A in Australia if food isn't prepared to high standards and not cooked. At least in asia most food is cooked, more risk with a Sumo salad!

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