7 exotic Asia honeymoon:
India
India's diverse scenery is matched only by its diversity of cultures. Approximately one-third the size of the US and home to thousands of different ethnicities, attempting to cover the entire country in a single trip is a daunting task. The key to a successful honeymoon in India is to focus on a region (we recommend either the north or the south) and explore it fully. Here are two itineraries that will let you appreciate India's vast beauty without feeling overwhelmed.
Maldives
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Language: Dhivehi is the national language, but English is widely spoken, especially by staff at the resorts and spas.Flight time: Check for connecting flights from major European cities or South East Asian locales. From London, it's approximately 11 hours.
Getting around: Taxi, boat, plane
When To Go: Maldives at its best
Best weather: It's sunny, warm and humid year round. April is often the hottest, December the coolest. Monsoon season is from May to September.Best prices: High season is dry season: December through April, so look for deals between May and November.
Thais commonly use the word sanuk when talking about their Southeast Asian kingdom, which means "fun." Yes, within Thailand's tropical terrain lies a sensory sojourn for travelers -- the eye candy of ornate gilded palaces, rich coral reefs, and many varieties of wild orchid; the hypnotic rhythms of Buddhist mantras; the palate-pleasing platters of spicy cuisine; the tactile allure of rustling Thai silk; and the aromatic odyssey of bustling bazaars.
East meets west in this region by the sea comprised of 260-plus islands facing the South China Sea. Whether it's taking in all the tantalizing flavors in a teahouse (think wonton noodles and steaming hot sweet buns with melted butter), shopping the markets, or enjoying a cocktail at one of the many trendy bars in Lan Kwai Fong, you'll find more than enough entertainment to fill a whole week and more.
Home to the Forbidden City, the largest royal palace in China; the Great Wall of China at Badaling, one of the seven worldly wonders; and the Temple of Heaven, where Chinese emperors once worshiped, Beijing is the quintessential city of China and its sites and splendor should make it to the top of your must-travel destinations. While you're there, definitely take in the main attractions, but also don't miss the opportunity to dine in the teahouses, shop the markets, and jet-set to a surrounding water village like Tongli or metropolis like Shanghai.
What To Do:
Nothing! The Maldives are perfect for seclusion, spas, scuba, snorkeling or just sitting still. Whether you choose to stay over the ocean in a bungalow or take a lazy swim in the ocean with colorful fish, you can do it all, or have just as much fun doing nothing at all. Located southwest of Sri Lanka, on the equator, the Maldives is made up of 1,190 coral islands (only 200 are inhabited) with 87 serving as resorts. This place is made for guests who relish having alone time.Go under the sea: Take a ride 120 feet below water in a state-of-the-art passenger submarine -- 99% of the Maldives is covered by water so to see it all you'll have to take the plunge. Descend beneath the surface where you will encounter corals and the reef fish that call them home -- it's common to be greeted by schools of snappers, lionfish, boxfish, turtles, sharks and huge groupers. Some dives tour historical shipwrecks and shark-feeding sites while night adventures search out manta rays. Check out SubmarinesMaldives.com.mv for more info.
Hang with whales and dolphins: Clear waters and an abundance of sea life make the Maldives an amazing place to see whales and dolphins in their natural environment. There are more than 20 different species in the area, from the Blue Whale (the largest animal alive) to the acrobatic Spinner Dolphin. Safari boats take guests into the open waters to spot species not often seen outside the Maldives, like the Dwarf Sperm Whale, Melon-headed Whale and Tropical Bottlenose Whale. Beautiful black and white Orcas have also been known to make an appearance.
Thailand
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Entry requirements: Valid passportLanguage: Thai
Currency: Baht
Flight time: 19 1/2 hours from NYC, 17 hours from L.A., 19 hours from Dallas
When To Go
Best weather: November to January is the "dry and cool" season, though the rest of the year can be just as fair. Be prepared for hot, humid weather any time of year, though there are three recognizable seasons: summer from February to May; rainy from June to September; and cooler from November to February.Best prices: Mid-May to mid-October, exact dates vary by hotel
What To Do
Get to Bangkok: Just as New York City doesn't define the total American experience, Bangkok isn't representative of all of Thailand. This is a huge metropolis: Neon billboards and high-rises flank humble temples and the traffic -- consisting of cars and rickshaws -- is nearly always congested. The paradox is exactly what makes the city interesting. Check out Chinatown, a ramble of lanes near Yaowarat and Charoen Krung roads, browse the shops on Charoen Krung for kitschy souvenirs, dare to peek into one of the "dance" clubs in Patpong, Bangkok's notorious red-light district, and definitely do not miss the Grand Palace. Hike the hills: Strap on those hiking shoes for ventures into northwestern Thailand and the infamous opium-growing Golden Triangle, where Thailand borders Burma and Laos. Chiang Mai, "the rose of the North" about an hour's flight from Bangkok, is the gateway to this mountainous region. From here you can explore the city's countless wats, including the awe-inspiring mountaintop Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, and take a pachyderm pleasure ride, drift down the Mae Tang River on a bamboo raft, explore the stunning Doi Inthanon National Park, and trek to remote villages inhabited by colorful hill tribes (some of whose lifestyles have barely changed over the centuries, while others now kowtow to the tourist dollar).
Hit the sand: Spin the compass south toward the narrow peninsula of southern Thailand for picturesque beaches, a rich diversity of coral life, and exotic seascapes punctuated by towering and dramatic limestone stacks jutting out of the water. Skip Pattaya (way too touristy), but do head for Phuket and Ko Samui, both island beauties easily reached by air from Bangkok. Phuket is Thailand's largest and poshest island -- with ample dive and sailing facilities plus striking scenery make it a hot destination. Ko Samui, in the Gulf of Thailand is blanketed with coconut palms and rimmed with white sand and aquamarine waters. Beside lazing around, water sports, principally sail boarding and diving (Ang Thong Marine National Park is nearby), will occupy your days.
-- Lori Seto & Dan Klinglesmith
Tokyo, Japan
If you feel like you've seen it all on your travels throughout the States, take a trip to Tokyo for an entirely different experience. With culture, cuisine, and customs all its own, Japan can easily overwhelm the senses. Prepare before you travel, however, and you won't have to worry about the unique experiences available in Japan getting lost in translation.
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Entry requirements: Valid passport
Currency: YenLanguage: Japanese
Flight time: 14 hours from NYC, 9 1/2 hours from LA
When To Go: Tokyo at its best
Best weather: March and April are when the weather is temperate and the cherry blossoms bloom; June, July, and September are rainy monthsWhat To Do
Go to the theater: Take in a Japanese Kabuki performance, plays with elaborate sets and costumes in which all of the roles (even female characters) are traditionally played by men. Don't worry about the language barrier here -- the dramatics of the production make the plays easy to appreciate. A view from the top: For a view unlike any other, go to the observation deck of the Tokyo Tower at night (the deck is about 820 feet high).
Soak in hot springs: Take a train to Hakone, a hot spring resort about an hour outside of Tokyo. The volcanic surroundings have created relaxing natural hot springs (called onsen), this is one of the best places to get a view of Mt. Fuji, which you might feel compelled to climb...
Hike Mt. Fuji: A nighttime hike to the summit of Mt. Fuji -- Japan's highest peak and most recognizable mountain -- is a challenge with a truly rewarding payoff. During the July and August climbing season, take a Fujikyu bus to the fifth station on the mountain, and start hiking at about midnight. It takes about four or five hours to get to the top (there are a few rest stops along the way), and you'll reach the summit just in time to see the sun come up. A word of warning: The climb is doable but definitely not leisurely.
Take a side trip: After you've experienced the crowds, fashions, and cutting-edge electronics of Tokyo, step back in time with a trip to Kyoto, a former capital of Japan. Since Kyoto was spared from much of the destruction of World War II, many of the city's old temples remain intact. Don't miss the Toji temple (the highest pagoda in Japan), and the Kiyomizu temple, which was built in the 17th century into the side of a mountain. To see equally beautiful temples in a less busy setting, take a train from Tokyo to Kamakura, which is about an hour outside of the city.
-- Miles Stiverson
Hong Kong, China
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Entry requirements: PassportLanguage: Chinese, although English is widely spoken
Currency:Hong Kong dollar (HK$)
Flight time: Approximately 14 1/2 hours [14 1/2 hours] from Los Angeles and 16 hours [16 hours] from NYC
Getting around: Mass Transit Railway, taxi, bus, and ferry
When To Go: Hong Kong at its best
Best weather: You'll find a nice mild climate (sunny, 70 degree temperatures) from the middle of September to February. The rainy season runs from May to September and is also the hottest time of year -- temperatures can be in the 90s and the humidity can near 90 percent or more!What To Do
Get to Victoria Peak: You'll find the most romantic views of Hong Kong and Victoria Harbor on Victoria Peak. An eight-minute ride in the Peak tram will take you to the top of the tallest hill in Hong Kong where you can take in the views in the wok-shaped Peak Tower at the top.Shop till you drop: Hong Kong's status as a duty-free port (from cosmetics to electronics) makes it a prime shopping destination. Take in the markets in Mong Kok, or Yau Ma Tei's Temple Street Night Market. Don't be surprised if you run out of room in your suitcase and have to buy a second bag while you're there.
Dine on dim sum: A standard daytime snack, eating dim sum is a must-do in Hong Kong. Always served with Chinese tea, these savory snacks are most often enjoyed during breakfast and lunchtime and are filled with pork, prawns, rice, and flour (there are about 100 varieties of dim sum!).
Explore the nightlife: Go to Lan Kwai Fong, popular during the post-sunset hours. There you'll find tons of bars, restaurants, and clubs all within blocks from one another to keep you entertained all night long.
-- Anja Winikka
Beijing, China
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Entry requirements: PassportLanguage: Chinese (Mandarin)
Currency: Renmibi (RMB)
Flight time: Approximately 13 hours from LA
When to Go: Beijing at its best
Best weather: The best months to visit are early fall between September and October when the weather is relatively dry and warm. For cheaper flights, you might also consider spring or winter. The rainy season runs from May to September and can also become extremely warm and muggy.What To Do
See the Great Wall of China: The paragon monument to China's history, the Great Wall is considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, stretching close to 4,000 miles across mountains and valleys from east to west. See it in the capital city of Beijing, or for the less-crowded (and a less touristy) view, go to the nearby town of Mutianyu.Drink tea: Escape the tourist sites for an hour or two, and duck into one of Beijing's many teahouses. While you're there, sit back and relax, catch up on your reading, or just revel in each other over bottomless cups of jasmine tea. Many teahouses are clad with replica Ming dynasty furniture and some even feature live traditional Chinese music.
Spend time at the temples: You don't have to go all the way to Tibet to find Buddhist monks. Go to the Yonghe Gong (the Llama Temple), an active place of worship for many Tibetan monks, where you'll see the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, The Hall of Everlasting Blessings, and the Tower of Ten Thousand Happinesses, to name a few. After you've seen the Buddhist monks, see the Daoist monks in Baiyun Guan (the White Cloud Temple).
Jet to Shanghai: Take a flight to the bright metropolis of Shanghai. Known as the Paris of the East, you can take in the whirlwind by shopping Xiangyang Market, where you'll find all the take-homes you're looking for and more; then walk the Bund, a strip along the bank of the Huangpu River strewn with restaurants, bars, and world-famous Art Deco buildings.
-- Anja Winikka
Lolling between the Java Sea and the Indian Ocean, Bali is a fish-shaped isle along the equator, one of over 17,000 Indonesian islands that stretch between Australia and Asia. You'll arrive jetlagged, and depart transformed. Be warned, though, that Bali can tempt even the most level-headed travelers to start calculating the cost of permanent relocation.
Bali
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Entry requirements: Passport with more than six months validity, return ticketLanguage: Bahasa Bali, Bahasa Indonesian, English
Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Flight time: More than 24 hours from most U.S. cities
Getting around: Taxi, bemo (minibus), rental car (keep left!), motorcycle, bikes
When To Go: Bali at its best
Best weather: April and May, September and OctoberBest prices: Rates are fairly consistent year-round
Festival highlights: The Balinese follow two local calendars, the Hindu saka and wuku. The 10-day Galungan Festival in July, during which mythical lion-dog creatures scamper from temple to temple, is the highlight of the wuku year. Nyepi, a day of silence when the island closes down in fear of evil spirits flying in from the sea, is the saka calendar's New Year's Eve and falls on the vernal equinox. Independence Day is celebrated on August 17, with sports events and cultural performances.
What To Do
Tour the temples: There are an estimated 20,000 shrines and temples scattered across this palm-studded landscape half the size of Connecticut. Don't miss the nine great temples, the Pura Agung, built along the slopes of Bali's "bellybutton" (more on that below). Put Pura Luhur Uluwatu on the list for a sunset excursion. Ensconced atop 300-foot-high cliffs at the southern tip of Bukit Badung Peninsula, its dramatic setting is otherworldly.Bali's most sacred site is Pura Besakih, one of nine major temples located on the slopes of Gunung Agung, a volcanic peak that the Balinese believe is the "navel of the world." Pura Besakih is called the "Mother Temple" and encompasses dozens of thatch-roofed spires and terraced courtyards scented with incense and bedecked with flowers. During the tenth month of the Balinese lunar calendar (which coincides with March or April on our calendar), Besakih plays host to the island's grandest get-together of pilgrims to celebrate when the "gods all descend together."Get cultured: The town of Ubud is a good place to scope art galleries and craft villages (woodcarving, jewelry, painting), the tranquil Puri Lukisan Museum, restaurants, dancing, and music. Ubud is also a good base camp for active adventures such as whitewater rafting and trekking.
Go to festivals: In this "Land of the Gods," festivals are practically an everyday event. Attending one is an incredible way to experience wayang kulit (shadow puppet shows) and hear gamelanorchestras tease melodies from flutes, cymbals, gongs, drums, and bamboo xylophones. Ask your hotel concierge about nearby festivities or consult the Bali Post, which carries a schedule of upcoming events.
Dance all night: While you might not want to stay in the Kuta/Legian beach area, do plan to visit and sprawl out on the beautiful beach. This is also Bali's nightlife center, with lots of bars, shops, and all around merriment.
-- Lori Seto & Dan Klinglesmith
Fuhh!!!!!!! tu dia...so, aper lg klu rs2 nk honeymoon kt asia, this may help you..dlm byk2 ni, i pilih Beijing la..huhu..
with love
Honeys
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