More Trip Recommendations!

By Sofia Roche-Vidaurre, National University of Singapore

Building on my previous blog post, I had to come back with more recommendations! Since there is so much to explore here are three more trip recommendations for both close and far away destinations.

1. Tokyo, Japan
   Although far, Japan is a must visit country. Up north you have amazing skiing in Sapporo, and down south you have beautiful beaches. Most people take at least 2 full weeks to travel through most major cities from Sapporo to Tokyo to Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka, to finally Fukuoka. Regardless, if you only have time to visit one city go to Tokyo. It is the perfect place for everyone. The city offers everything from culture (temples and shrines) to modern art and amazing foods. Make sure to plan before hand as Tokyo, similar to many Major Asian cities, is huge. I also recommend making reservations for restaurants, museums, Disney land, entertainment early as Tokyo is consistently full of tourists. Highlights from my stay included Tsukuji market, Shimokitazawa (neighborhood known for thrifting) and Tokyo tower (go during the day and at night). Try and stay as long as you can so you can aimlessly walk around and explore the city with no stress. Make sure to check when the cherry blossoms bloom in order to match your trip to the schedule. Also look out for concerts or events such as baseball which can be very unique experiences in Japan. All in all Tokyo is a beautiful, safe, interesting city you must visit during your year abroad!

2. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
   This is the closest destination you have to Singapore and it is just 1 hour away! Personally, I left it for last as I knew this trip could be done whenever. Most exchangers go in there first weeks but its an easy trip which would you could do right before exams or right before you move back home. This city combines many cultures and religions which you can see through visiting the famous Batu Caves, Thean Hou Temple, and Islamic Arts Museum. Similar to Singapore there are many malls and amazing food all around the city. Make sure to visit the famous Petronas Towers at night as during the day it is very hot and they stand out even more at night. Take your time to research the city and its many local coffee shops and cocktail bars they are famous for. Overall, you do not need to spend too much time here but it is definitely worth the visit.

3. Hanoi, Vietnam
   Finally on my list of recommendations is Hanoi! Unlike Tokyo and Seoul, Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur are affordable close by destinations. Hanoi is famous for its Train street, Tram Quoc Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and more. For food I used the Michelin Bib guide which recommended local spots which have been vetted thoroughly, thus they will not let you down. Apart from its historical sights and food, their coffee shop culture is very strong. As I am a big fan, I will list some here I think are worth mentioning, and which can be quick stops as you tour around the city: Abstract Lounge, Tamai Hanoi, and Giao Mua. I stayed for almost a week but you can get the same experience in just 4 days. TIP: When in Vietnam get Grab (Asia’s Uber) motorcycles because it is more affordable than a car and way quicker. This is because everyone moves around the city in motorbikes making it very very slow to travel by car. Many people visit Hanoi and make day trips to the bay or other nearby cities, so when in Vietnam make sure to visit multiple cities.

If planned ahead of time Tokyo and other far away destinations can be budget friendly. If your budget is tight: stay in hostels, book online ahead of time, and eat at street markets! Also many cultural sights such as temples and shrines are free or cost around 3$ to enter.

All in all, Asia has many beautiful cities but I cannot recommend these 3 destinations enough!