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5 Great cities in Asia and how to see them in one trip
Are you happiest in the city? Do you get a buzz from the frenetic pace, the architecture and the people watching?
These 5 big cities in South East Asia are a wonderful blend of culture; a fusion of religion, art and food that is only found in the bustling metropolises of Asia. Flights between each of these cities take around two hours, so while hardly noticing the journey between them, you’ll step off the plane into the wildly different experience that each Asian city offers. Time to plan yourself all little Asian city multistop?
London - Kuala Lumpur - Bangkok - Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi - Hong Kong - London
from £899 per person. Call us on +44 1273320580 to plan this trip!
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is your first stop and what a city to start. The city's gleaming Petronas Towers were once the tallest building in the world before being overtaken by Taipei 101 in 2004, but their impressive design still attracts visitors to the city today. They look particularly beautiful at night and seeing the glittering spires is a truly stunning sight. Whilst you're in KL, Make sure you head to Little India for some delicious Indian-Malaysian fusion food, the combinations of spices are sure to make your taste buds tingle! The Kuala Lumpur Bazaar is also a brilliant place to shop; it’s full of weird and beautiful things – and the malls a great place to pick up a well-priced tech gadget.
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand is a chaotic and crazy city that keeps you on your toes the whole time. Wat Pho or ‘The Temple of the Reclining Buddha’ is one of the largest Buddhas in the world and Bangkok’s premier sight. The feet of the Buddha are 3-metre high and intricately made from a mosaic of mother of pearl. Head downtown and Silom Night Market is one of the best markets in the city thanks to its vast array of stalls and nearly as many bars! It is at its best in the early evening and just perfect for a pre/post dinner outing.
If you fancy leaving the city bustle, hop on a boat to Koh Kret, an island in the Chao Phraya River only 20km from central Bangkok. The village community of this small island has retained its particular version of Buddhism as well as their skill for pottery. It is an oasis of calm after the excitement of the city and the perfect way to spend one of your days in Bangkok. Another highlight in Bangkok is having a drink at Sky Bar in the State Tower, it’s the highest open-air bar in the world, and the views are indescribable, you’ll just have to go and see for yourselves.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
The roads in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam are some of the busiest in the world. Hundreds of mopeds, often carrying entire families zigzag along the highways, with rickshaws taking a more leisurely pace alongside them. Getting up the courage to cross the road is quite a feat, but you’ll feel triumphant once you’ve done it!
Visiting the Reunification Palace is a great place to learn about the history of Vietnam and the war, supposedly unchanged since the day before Saigon fell, in 1975. This vast building is a significant attraction in Saigon, but the crowds are made up for by the fascinating exhibits inside. The War Remnants Museum also makes for an exciting visit.
After all that history you’ll be getting hungry, so make sure you eat local while exploring this city, enjoying the famous pho (noodle soup) and spring rolls. Vietnamese food is fresh and delicious, and luckily your next destination is also in this charming country.
Hanoi, Vietnam
Next, fly up to Hanoi, the pleasant capital city of Vietnam. From its vantage point in the north of the country you can nip down to the coast and see the stunning limestone scenery in Halong Bay, but there’s also plenty to keep you busy in the relaxed capital.
The Temple of Literature in central Hanoi is dedicated to Confucius and the site of Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1076. The beautiful architecture and manicured gardens make this temple a sanctuary in the city, with curling incense sticks making the small rooms smell of jasmine. The National Museum of Vietnamese History is also worth a visit, focussing on the early history of the country rather than the more recent war.
Hong Kong, China
The stunning skyline of Hong Kong is indeed an excellent way to finish your trip. The famous Star Ferry will carry you from Kowloon to the island, with breath-taking views of the famous Hong Kong skyscrapers. Make sure you enjoy this last leg of your trip by relaxing in one of the city’s fantastic rooftop bars. To get out of the busy centre, hop on the bus and head to Stanley, located in the south of Hong Kong Island. This small town has a lovely market and harbour and is a welcome break from the heat of Central, as well as showing a slower paced side to Hong Kong.
Want to visit some of the great cities in Asia?
If cities are your passion, or you want to work some cool city stopovers into your round the world ticket - talk to us! We don't do boring itineraries; we specialise in booking you precisely the trip you want. Because we have an unrivalled knowledge of ticket rules and all the possible options, we can do any itinerary - and we get a buzz from doing it for you. Get in touch for a quote or call us on +44 1273320580 to start planning!
About the Author Milly Barratt
Fresh out of high school, Milly left her home comforts behind and set off to work in a school in Thailand for a year. Whilst working in Thailand she managed to explore Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and China before uni. In the breaks from her English & American Literature degree she interned for Travel Nation, eventually joining our team in 2014. Milly is fascinated by wildlife and food and weaves these elements into both her own trips and those she plans for others. Her natural instinct for building fascinating trips that take you off the beaten track inform the trips she plans and she currently works in our Product Team sourcing great hotels and tours for our customers.
