So this is what I did this year.
1. Landed in Hong Kong but didn't spend much time there.
2. Crossed to Shenzhen, spent a few days there enjoying the modern cityscape of China.
3. Took a train to Guangzhou where got showered by torrential rain.
4. Then took a fast train to Nanning (700km West) and got familiarized with a slightly different (i.e. non-first tier) China.
5. Then flew to Hanoi to see some crazy traffic in the old quarter and see Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum (didn't go inside though)
6. Took a train to Saigon. All 1729km in one go which took 33 hours.
7. Then flew to Singapore and had some quality time there.
8. Then flew to a wicked place called Macau for some good time which concluded my journey
2400km on fast and not so fast trains, numerous flights, lots of sights and different experiences. If that sounds any interesting please keep an eye on this thread and I'll show it all
Quick highlights:
- Cities visited: Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Nanning, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore
- Most memorable experience: 33 hours on a train from Hanoi to Saigon in one go
- Duration: 3 weeks
- Distance travelled by trains: 2400km
- Flights: Nanning-Hanoi, HCMC-Singapore, Singapore-Macau
Map:
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So let's start with Hong Kong
Didn't stay too long in HK this time due to time constraints and perhaps not least due to the fact that I visited there twice last year and wanted to dedicate more time to other destinations during this year's trip.
Landed in HKIA early in the morning (around 8 a.m.). Familiar sights of HKIA arrivals and a good feeling of being back in HK. It's always a great feeling to land in HK be it 3rd or 10th time. The experience starts with a great airport and Hong Kong did this part very well. HKIA is usually ranking near the top of airport rankings. It even made the top spot in Skytrax rankings a few years ago albeit not recently. Mind you there are better airports than that and we'll be visiting them too (that's right Changi)
IMG_20150928_084121
Flags outside the main terminal building
Bus stop area. Numerous buses will take you pretty much anywhere in Hong Kong. I did mention this before but it's probably worth repeating that HK bus system is easily among the best in the world with extensive network coverage, clever fare system and fast journey times. There is even wi-fi in some public buses which is handy for those visitors who are arriving without a local SIM card. Bus fare from airport to the main areas in HK is around HK$30-40 which is less than half of the train fare. And since it's usually going to take you pretty much right to the destination it probably makes sense to take a bus instead of train which is much more expensive (HK$100 if I'm not mistaken), isn't too much faster and will only take to a couple of central locations from where you'll probably have to take a bus or taxi to your final destination anyway. I usually try to avoid public buses in favor of any other modes of transport but Hong Kong is an exception
Transport infrastructure near the main terminal building
Lots of different routes and lots of buses
1. Landed in Hong Kong but didn't spend much time there.
2. Crossed to Shenzhen, spent a few days there enjoying the modern cityscape of China.
3. Took a train to Guangzhou where got showered by torrential rain.
4. Then took a fast train to Nanning (700km West) and got familiarized with a slightly different (i.e. non-first tier) China.
5. Then flew to Hanoi to see some crazy traffic in the old quarter and see Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum (didn't go inside though)
6. Took a train to Saigon. All 1729km in one go which took 33 hours.
7. Then flew to Singapore and had some quality time there.
8. Then flew to a wicked place called Macau for some good time which concluded my journey
2400km on fast and not so fast trains, numerous flights, lots of sights and different experiences. If that sounds any interesting please keep an eye on this thread and I'll show it all
Quick highlights:
- Cities visited: Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Nanning, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore
- Most memorable experience: 33 hours on a train from Hanoi to Saigon in one go
- Duration: 3 weeks
- Distance travelled by trains: 2400km
- Flights: Nanning-Hanoi, HCMC-Singapore, Singapore-Macau
Map:
---
So let's start with Hong Kong
Didn't stay too long in HK this time due to time constraints and perhaps not least due to the fact that I visited there twice last year and wanted to dedicate more time to other destinations during this year's trip.
Landed in HKIA early in the morning (around 8 a.m.). Familiar sights of HKIA arrivals and a good feeling of being back in HK. It's always a great feeling to land in HK be it 3rd or 10th time. The experience starts with a great airport and Hong Kong did this part very well. HKIA is usually ranking near the top of airport rankings. It even made the top spot in Skytrax rankings a few years ago albeit not recently. Mind you there are better airports than that and we'll be visiting them too (that's right Changi)
IMG_20150928_084121
Flags outside the main terminal building
Bus stop area. Numerous buses will take you pretty much anywhere in Hong Kong. I did mention this before but it's probably worth repeating that HK bus system is easily among the best in the world with extensive network coverage, clever fare system and fast journey times. There is even wi-fi in some public buses which is handy for those visitors who are arriving without a local SIM card. Bus fare from airport to the main areas in HK is around HK$30-40 which is less than half of the train fare. And since it's usually going to take you pretty much right to the destination it probably makes sense to take a bus instead of train which is much more expensive (HK$100 if I'm not mistaken), isn't too much faster and will only take to a couple of central locations from where you'll probably have to take a bus or taxi to your final destination anyway. I usually try to avoid public buses in favor of any other modes of transport but Hong Kong is an exception
Transport infrastructure near the main terminal building
Lots of different routes and lots of buses