Taiwan or Hong Kong

[Farang]

I'm heading to Bangkok and thought I'd add another country to the list of those I've visited. Most airlines stop in either Hong Kong or Taiwan, so I thought I would fit in a weeklong layover in one of those places.

First impressions are that Hong Kong is much more densely populated than Taipei, and is more expensive. Walking down the street and taking in the sights may be more enjoyable in Taipei, and I get to see Taipei 101. With more space I can check out some of those typical Chinese-style buildings with big courtyards like you see in Beijing, and Hong Kong is more just a bunch of skyscrapers.

What am I not giving Hong Kong credit for? Any really good reasons to go to one instead of the other for a week?

Taipei also has a handicap because I might end up going to Hong Kong anyways in the next year.

 

[Aimster]

Hong Kong is beautiful

Don't know about Taiwan

 

[sdifox]

Hong Kong is a puny place. Definitely go to Taiwan.

 

[jpeyton]

King Kong

 

[andylawcc]

since you have a whole week, spend it in Taiwan.
Hong Kong can be toured in its entirety in 3-4 days.

 

[jackbristow]

Being a former British colony, HK is pretty English language friendly. If you only speak English and worry about language then I would suggest HK.

 

[frankie38]

How about Seoul?

 

[absolu7]

ive been to both, definitely hong kong, (3-4 days here is perfect) you can take a ride to macau also spend a day.

nothing much to do in taipei, 2-3 days max

 

[Stiganator]

Having spent a good amount of time in both places, I'd say it really depends what you're looking for.

Taipei: everyone more or less speaking English, Taipei 101 and icecream store at the top, Danshui boardwalk 45 mins by the MRT, Hot springs just before danshui don't recall the name, various parks and the electronic boutiques one stop over from the central train station. Lots of good bubble tea, lots of street food vendors and night markets.

Hong Kong: Victoria Peak, Worlds longest escalator, Hong Kong Garden, Star Ferry, Wan Chai Kangaroo Down Under is sweet bar the downside/upside is that cute prostitutes will rag on you all the way too it, Lan Tau Island, Other Islands for kayaking or seeing old school villages, can take a boat to Macau ( Vegas of Asia, very pretty Portuguese architecture), Laser Light show if you take the star ferry at around 7ish at night, skyline is gorgeous! I would recommend the Regent just go in an get a drink and take in the scene or for free walk the avenue of stars, Great clubs in Tsim Sha Shui as well as cheap tailors get armani quality suits for $150area, Mong Kok has the Nathan Street Night Market, there are a couple of great malls, most of that is just on kowloon, hong kong island proper has Shang Wan with is more local shops and lots of restaurants and clubs, Causeway Bay, Clearwater Bay, The Harbor with all the boats starts with an A can't recall it, the IFC mall has a store called Pret A Mangie best tuna melt EVER! Ocean Palisades mall has a great sorbet store.

I love Hong Kong and Taipei. If you plan a little bit there is probably more to do in Hong Kong. Seafood is better in Taipei IMO.

EDIT: Density of cute girls seemed higher in Taipei if that matters.

 

[absolu7]

theres just a lot more to see in HK.
im a bit biased been to taipei 3 times.

 

[simms]

You are missing the bars and clubs at Lan Kai Fong (LKF!!) in HK... stiganator has it pretty well.

 

[Farang]

Thanks for the info. I'm not going to be able to go into hardcore tourist mode right away, as I haven't been traveling for a year. The week will be very laid back and I'll probably only hit a few tourist spots, the rest of the time will just be random walking around and trying food/drinks and taking in the sights. Not much planning will be involved as I have enough on my plate with getting my move to Bangkok organized.

The opportunity to go to Macau is interesting. Do you need to get a Chinese visa to go to Macau?

 

[absolu7]

you need a boat ride
i miss lan kwai fong

 

[Farang]

I think I'm going to go with Taiwan.. the ferry to Macau is too expensive and Taiwan has good train service so I can fit in another city of I go there (was thinking of Hualien).

 

[mooncancook]

I think Taiwan chicks are hotter

 

[Stiganator]

Both places will be equally warm, so skirts will flow like water. They like the skirts short too Shanghai is also extraordinarily good for hot chicks and short skirts. The only places in Taiwan I really liked was Tainan and Taipei, Kaohsuing and Hsinchu were industrially cool but not fun to be at otherwise. Haven't been to the other side of the island.

 

[Rumpltzer]

If you stick to Taipei only, then you'll easily survive on only Engrish in Taiwan. It may not be as easy as in Hong Kong, but it'll be pretty easy.

Taiwanese chicks are definitely hotter than the ones in Hong Kong.

Taiwan is less expensive.

Taiwan is a whole lot more friendly. I didn't quite know what it was about Hong Kong until someone pointed it out to me; the people are a little rude and service isn't as good as most of Asia.

I wouldn't agree that all of Hong Kong could be seen in 3-4 days. I spent a week there over the winter, and I could have stayed even longer. I had a lot of fun.

I've spent months in Taiwan, so all of my opinions are biased. The thing about Taiwanese chicks being hotter, though... that's just the truth.



My advice about Thailand is to get out of Bangkok as soon as possible. Head south or head north, but don't spend a lot of time in Bangkok.

 

[Kaieye]

I've been to Hong Kong and Taiwan about six times each. My vote goes to Hong Kong because the energy/vibes seems to be much higher there, Shenzhen is right next door and as a English speaker, its much easier to get around.

 

[Minjin]

I loved Hong Kong. I strongly recommend it.

 

[DarkKnight69]

THIS BEAT IS BANANAZ

HK FTW!

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
If you stick to Taipei only, then you'll easily survive on only Engrish in Taiwan. It may not be as easy as in Hong Kong, but it'll be pretty easy.

Taiwanese chicks are definitely hotter than the ones in Hong Kong.

Taiwan is less expensive.

Taiwan is a whole lot more friendly. I didn't quite know what it was about Hong Kong until someone pointed it out to me; the people are a little rude and service isn't as good as most of Asia.

I wouldn't agree that all of Hong Kong could be seen in 3-4 days. I spent a week there over the winter, and I could have stayed even longer. I had a lot of fun.

I've spent months in Taiwan, so all of my opinions are biased. The thing about Taiwanese chicks being hotter, though... that's just the truth.



My advice about Thailand is to get out of Bangkok as soon as possible. Head south or head north, but don't spend a lot of time in Bangkok.

I'm moving to Bangkok, but thanks I'm actually not too worried about being stuck there because I'll have plenty of time to travel, and its central location means I can cheaply go just about anywhere in the region.

I go to a major American university located in a small town, so there will definately be less hot chicks than I am used to in both places.

If you could recommend one place in Taiwan besides Taipei, where would it be? I was thinking of Hualien.

Thanks for the info everyone.

 

[uhohs]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
Taiwan is a whole lot more friendly. I didn't quite know what it was about Hong Kong until someone pointed it out to me; the people are a little rude and service isn't as good as most of Asia.

cantonese people

 

[DaWhim]

first of all, do you have respiratory problems?

I went back to HK for the winter break and also went to taipei for 4 days. if you don't mind the pollutants concentration in the air is 200% over the WHO standard, go to HK. I just hate how smoggy HK has became since I left in 1999. I could feel dusts in my throat...yikes!

taipei was good, though, kinda backward compare to hk.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: uhohs

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
Taiwan is a whole lot more friendly. I didn't quite know what it was about Hong Kong until someone pointed it out to me; the people are a little rude and service isn't as good as most of Asia.

cantonese people

who are you to judge!

 

[Stiganator]

I would agree that HK seemed a little less friendly. You must, MUST stay at hostels. If you stay in a hotel your time will suck. At hostels you are forced to me people who are generally very cool. I traveled all of mainland in hostels, best decision of my life.

While it is true there are lots of hot chicks at US universities, you are underestimating the sheer numbers asians can produce . I think highest density of hot chicks I've come across was definitely shanghai. Walking down the street was at least 2-3 in view per second! And I was there during finals week so most were studying!