Asia Travel Guide

Bangkok is the best place for cheap shopping of all kinds.  They are renowned for their authentic-looking rip-off designer goods, and clothing is amazingly cheap.  Best markets/places to go include:  Chat Tu Chak (although it is really hot and crowded & can become overwhelming), Sum Lum Night Bazaar is good for a night out,  MBK (Mahboonkrong) Center sells great bags and clothes (and is wonderfully air-conditioned), but by far the best place for shopping (and just to check out the scene) is Patpong.  It is certainly the Thai experience. I kinda hate Bangkok, as it is a falling down mess, but the shopping and food are unbeatable.  I suggest being adventurous & buying from the street sellers... they really make the best food although it looks dodgy.  Great places to visit are: The Royal Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and taking an hour or so train to the abandoned city of Ayutthaya (although I suggest seeing Ayutthaya before ever going to Cambodia for Angkor Wat).  After Angkor Wat, Ayutthaya is quite disappointing.

Be careful of the kids when you're going through this checkpoint!! DO NOT GIVE OUT FOOD OR MONEY of any kind!!! They will mob you. The kids in this area are trained to look as cute as possible, but if you watch them, they run and give the money to someone else (usually an adult) who is sitting off to the side and out of site. And a lot of times, the smaller kids get mugged by the bigger ones. Just don't fall for it. I know they're all so cute and you'll want to keep one or two (or all), but just don't do it.

Temple Street market is a great place for cheap food and a relaxed atmosphere amongst tacky yet beautiful souvenirs, head to Kowloon side and get off at Jordan Station, cant miss it! Bubba Gumps on Victoria Peak is good food and good views over HK and buy an Octopus card for travellign if you are there for more than a day or two, you can use it on ferries, buses and the MTR.