Spring Break 2013 – East Asia!

3 responses to “Spring Break 2013 – East Asia!”

1. 

   Troo

   February 5, 2013 at 11:13 am

   Are the flights themselves booked? Otherwise you could save significant travel time by doing HK first or last, rather than in the middle.

   I’d recommend:
   Hong Kong:
   – Lantau Island / Ngong Ping 360 / Tian-Tan Buddha
   – Victoria Peak (and there are tourist tat shops up here which are cheaper than the street markets no matter how good your haggling)
   – Temple Street Night Market (and surrounding area for restaurants)
   – Langham Place, Mongkok, for a peaceful shopping mall
   – The Temple of 10,000 (ugly fibreglass) Buddhas

   Japan:
   – Sengakuji, Tokyo
   – Meiji Shrine / Harajuku, Tokyo
   – Nakano Broadway, Tokyo (better than Akihabara for geek shopping)
   – Sensoji, Tokyo
   – Suijobus river cruise on the Himiko or Hotaluna ships, Tokyo
   – Ginkakuji, Kyoto (less visited than Kinkakuji, but I think the gardens are far more beautiful)
   – Nijo Castle, Kyoto
   – Kiyomizudera, Kyoto
   – Sanjusangendo, Kyoto
   – Himeji Castle, Himeji
   – Ryoanji, Kyoto (If you only have time for one place in Kyoto, I highly recommend this)
   – Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto
   – Ninja Museum, Iga-Ueno (long trip to reach from Kyoto, easier from Nara)
   – Deer Park, Nara
   If you intend to travel from Tokyo -> Kyoto -> Tokyo, obtain a JR Pass before you travel, because it’s cheaper than the Shinkansen tickets otherwise.

   South Korea:
   – Gyeongbokgung, Seoul
   – Changdeokgung, Seoul
   – Hwaseong Fortress, Suwon
   – Beomeosa, Busan
   – Haedong Yonggungsa, Busan
   – Bulguksa, Gyeongju
   – Dosan Seowon, Andong

   Phew!

   Reply

   • 

     yael

     February 5, 2013 at 11:28 am

     Thank you, these are great!!

     Reply

     • 

       Troo

       February 5, 2013 at 11:31 am

       You’re welcome. Obviously they aren’t comprehensive, but hopefully they’re of some use 🙂