This post continues from the Part 1, in which I covered where I globetrotted in Southeast Asia for the year and a half I have mini retired. This post covers where I have been across East Asia.
As with the prior post, I have listed next to each destination: 1) an estimate of how long of a flight it is from Chiang Mai (unless otherwise noted), 2) how much it cost me last time to fly there (one way), and 3) a quick listing of the experiences I had while traveling there.
I wish you continued opportunities to travel and see this beautiful part of the world; it has been one of the best gifts I have given myself on my time off.
~Lester T
***PART TWO – EAST ASIA***
City (flight time from CNX, unless noted otherwise; USD cost for one-way flight)
CHINA
- Beijing (4h45m from BKK, $249). Hike for hours around the Summer Palace, around Kumming Lake, and up to the Pagoda. Marvel at the free art exhibits at Parkview Green mall. Hang out with Po and the Furious Five at Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness at Universal Studios Beijing. Enjoy a (surprisingly) tasty Mexican meal at Taco Bar and a crisp IPA at Wild Kite brewhouse next door.
- Jinshanling (2h drive from Beijing; $77 private transport with party of four). Hike over 5 miles with 1,400+ ft elevation gain, from Shalingkou Pass to Houchuankou Pass (Eastern Five-window Tower). Enjoy beautiful 70 degree April weather with apricot flowers in blossom.
CHINA – HONG KONG
- Hong Kong (3h; $121). Eat dim sum for brunch every day. Shop at various malls across the city: Langham Place, The ONE, Hysan Place, The Peak Galleria. Hike the Pok Fu Lam Family Walk around Victoria Peak. Take the quick (and expensive) funicular down Victoria Peak. Devour an egg tart from Bakehouse. Have a beer at the Kowloon Taproom while people watching.
JAPAN
- Tokyo (6h20m from BKK; $365 from CNX-BKK). Take in the Lost in Translation moment at Shibuya Crossing. Get a ‘fast food’ gyoza lunch experience at Kameido ($4.80 for 10 pieces). Have a classic egg toast breakfast at chain Komeda’s Coffee. Take photos of the beautiful architecture of buddhist temple Senso-ji. Indulge in street food treats like strawberry Dorayaki and soy-glazed dango at Asakusa. Get lost in tons of anime merchandise at Akihabara, including at my personal favorite MULAN.
- Osaka (5h20m from BKK; $202). Feel like a kid again in Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan (USJ). Get your adrenaline rush on Hollywood the Dream Backdrop, while listening to the opening theme song to Jujutsu Kaisen. Eat lunch with Gojo after watching the Jujutsu Kaisen 4D show at USJ. Take a stroll around streets of Shinsaibashi, stopping by the Ghibli store, the Pokemon Center, Jump Shop – and take a coffee and cake break at LiLo Coffee.
- Kyoto (2h Shinkansen train from Tokyo; $85). Stroll around Sannenzaka’s streets filled with souvenir shops, snacks (my favorite: iCHiMARU5), and a Ghibli store. Marvel at the pristine grounds and serene beauty of the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
- Nagoya (50min Shinkansen train from Osaka; $38). Transport into Ghibli scenes in the immersive Ghibli Warehouse at Mitaka. Go anime collectible hunting across Lashinbang, Mandarake, and Animate at the Osu Shotengai area.
- Fukuoka (5h30m from BKK; $108). Tour Shinto temple Kushida Shrine and Buddhist temple Tochoji. Stroll down shops along Naka River. Take a nature walk with cherry blossoms in Maizuru Park and Fukuoka Castle ruins. Breathe in the seaside air while forest bathing at Uminonakamichi Seaside Park. Delight in a 3-course pasta set for only $9 at Pasteria Felice.
- Okinawa (2h45m from HKG; $168). Marvel at a kind 80-year old lady serving me Onigiri at Naha airport’s PTO restaurant. Relax in the resort life at Hotel Nikko Alivila. Ride an e-bike for the first time – 10km to taste my first Blue Seal ice cream. Bike tour across Cape Zanpa Lighthouse, Senaha Coast, Zanee Beach, and Cape Maeda.
PHILIPPINES
- Manila (4h from KUL, $190 from CNX). Stroll around upscale neighborhood Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Slurp down some delicious ramen at Mendokoro. Get some retail therapy at Uptown Mall, Bonifacio High Street, and Greenbelt Ayala. Enjoy a boba tea break in nature at Track 30th. Take a morning walk at Legazpi Park.
- El Nido, Palawan (1h30m from MNL; $127). Soak up some sun at El Nido Beach. Dive across Palawan spots: Cadlao; Paglugaban; and Miniloc. Take boat to hang out at stunning Seven Commando Beach. Raft through Big Lagoon. Enjoy korean tofu bowls, lattes, and gelato in El Nido town. Kick back with the resort life at Seda Lio. Get a delicious vegan meal at PLNT+HRVST after a relaxing afternoon massage at A Spa at Lio beach
SOUTH KOREA
- Seoul (5h45m from BKK; $132). Chill with meerkats, racoons, foxes, and other cute exotic friends at Meerkat Friends. Stroll around Mapo-Gu, buy collectibles, online game at T1 Base Camp, and have a private shabu meal at 샤브로21 서교. Stroll around Gangnam-Gu, eat breakfast sandwich at Egg drop bloom, shop collectibles at Artbox, and delight in dessert at a Twosome Place. Take photos at the iconic Starfield Library and get lost in Starfield Coex mall.