Articles - Asia
Things to Do on a Budget in BaliBali’s best-known attractions are its many Hindu temples. Each village is required to build and maintain at least three temples: the temple of origin, located at the pure side of the village, the village temple for everyday many more than the three required temples. Within Bali, there are nine directional temples, which are the largest and most important and are located at certain points around the island in order to protect its inhabitants. Pura Luhur Uluwatu (Uluwatu Temple), at the southern... [Read the full story]
Bali BasicsBali, with its beautiful sandy beaches, rugged coastline and world-class diving, is considered by many to be a paradise. The small island (it’s only about 90 miles long and 50 miles from north to south) is one of over 17,000 in Indonesia yet over 80% of visitors to Indonesian visit Bali – and only Bali. Since 1945, Bali has been part of the Republic of Indonesia. From the 1970’s on, the main industry in the country became tourism, which has been only slightly abated by the 2002 and 2005 terrorist... [Read the full story]
When to Go to ChinaWith its massive population, China is packed with people all year round. But it becomes even more overrun with people during the summer months, when most visitors come to the country. Like a lot of other places, the most popular time to visit China is during the warmer months of summer. This means that the most popular tourist spots in the country end up becoming almost unbearably packed during high season. And not only are the sites packed, but prices tend to go up during these times as well. If... [Read the full story]
Visting Manila, Phillipines, on a BudgetThe City of Manila in the capital of the Philippines and of the 17 cities of metro Manila, which is home to around 20 million people. It is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, though it only takes up about 39 square kms of land area. Manila is about 950 kilometers southeast of Hong Kong. Before World War II, Manila was considered one of the most beautiful cities in Asia but the war destroyed the city. Actually, it was the second most destroyed city after Warsaw, Poland. Old... [Read the full story]
Visiting Beijing on a BudgetBeijing is the capital of China and the political, educational and cultural center of the country. It is a huge, sprawling city with long distances between sights. Summers are hot and humid; winters are long and dry. For this reason, September and October (and also April and May) are the ideal times to visit. Of course, that also makes them the most expensive. Most visitors will arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport, 26 km from the city centre. Taxis are the easiest method of transport... [Read the full story]
Planning a Low-Cost Trip to Ha Long BayHa Long Bay, in northern Vietnam is known for its beautiful rock formations, which thousands of visitors come to see every year. Hanoi is 170km away, so many people choose to make their way here by car, which will cost around $100, depending on how long you stay. The drive will take 3-4 hours, though cheaper (and less efficient) buses are also an option. Most visitors to Ha Long Bay want to spend a few nights on a local boat, called a junk. This can be an expensive adventure though. A cheaper option... [Read the full story]
Phnom Penh, CambodiaPhnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia, located where the Mekong and the Tonle Sap rivers meet. Most international visitors will arrive via the Phnom Penh International Airport. You can grab a taxi or a tuk-tuk for under $10. Motorcylcle taxis are $2. If you are coming from elsewhere in Southeast Asia, you can arrive by bus, boat or train from many other cities. Motorbike taxis, taxis, tuk-tuks and cyclos – three-wheeled cycle-rickshaws – are all options for getting around.... [Read the full story]
Riding Vietnam’s Reunification Express RailwayThe Vietnam North-South Railway, also known as the Reunification Express, runs over 1000 miles from Ha Noi to Ho Chi Minh City, passing some of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam and all of Southeast Asia. The the journey can be completed in about a day and a half, it’s better to budget a few days so that you can stop off at some of the country’s charming small towns. The Reunification Express was built in the 1930’s, when Vietnam was under French colonial rule. When Vietnam... [Read the full story]
Cheap Places to Stay in TokyoTokyo is an expensive city and finding affordable accommodations is difficult. But it is possible to secure comfortable, safe lodging without spending a fortune, you just have to look outside the major hotels. Here are a few options to get you started. Ryokan Katsutaro The Ryokan Katutaro is located in a residential area of Tokyo. Rooms have free internet access and sleep 2-5 people, making it an ideal choice for families. Bikes are available for guest rentals for 200 yen (around $2US). Double rooms... [Read the full story]
A Shanghai, China PrimerShanghai is one of the largest and most-developed cities in China. With a population of over 18 million it’s a huge, sprawling, overwhelming, chaotic city, and one that should not be missed on any visit to China. The Pudong Airport serves international flights and is a main gateway into China from elsewhere in the world. It is about 40 kilometers (about an hour by taxi) from the city. You can also take the much quicker Transrapid Maglev train for a little less. Airport buses are much cheaper... [Read the full story]
