Best 3 Asian Destinations for the U.S. Dollar

Text was originally published in Yahoo! Voices on Sep 10, 2011

3 Asian destinations for the weak U.S. dollar - China, Thailand, Malaysia

Even though the U.S. dollar has been hitting record lows against many currencies, it still goes a long way in Asia. Here are 3 Asian countries than you can get the most bang for your buck.

The downturn in the U.S. economy that started in 2008 has consumers tightening their pockets. The value of the U.S. dollar has declined considerably since then, but that hasn’t stopped avid travelers from flying to far-flung destinations. The good news is that the greenback still commands top dollar in many Asian countries.

Asia is an intriguing destination and should be a destination on every traveler’s bucket list. Many people find the region daunting and difficult to navigate, due to the language. This might come as a surprise, but English is spoken in many big Asian cities. To justify the long flight time, you may want to take a slightly longer vacation and visit several countries while there. Following is a list of Asian countries where you can get the most bang for your buck:

CHINA

From the Olympics in Beijing to the World Expo in Shanghai, China has most certainly captured the world’s attention. A dozen years of statospheric economic growth has catapulted it to the second largest economy in the world. Even so, you can still buy a lot with the U.S. dollar.

The Bund in Shanghai

China is a vast country, diverse in terrain and with a culture steep in tradition. History buffs will be amazed with the history of China at the capital city of Beijing alone. Historical sites like the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Ming Tombs are just some of the reminders of the 5,000 years of Chinese history

Other popular cities to visit are Shanghai for the shopping, Canton for the world-famous Cantonese food, Xian for the Terracotta Warriors, and Guilin for the spectacular limestone cliffs, the backdrop of many Chinese paintings. For the more adventurous, venture west to Tibet to see an entirely different world, from the landscape to the people and their customs and religion.

And if you thought Chinese products are cheap in the U.S., wait until you get to China. Not only are there bargains galore, the array of goods offered is mind boggling. A word of caution: shop at reputable stores to avoid getting scammed with faked products.

THAILAND

Bangkok is such an exotic city that no matter where you go, it is a feast for the eyes and senses. It could be a ride on the public ferry or water taxi on the Chao Praya River, a visit to  one of the markets, be it floating (the Damnoen Saduak floating market) or on land (the Chatuchak Weekend Market), or a tour of the Grand Palace.

 

Do not leave the country without experiencing a traditional Thai massage! Most hotels provide this service, but you can get a much better price elsewhere. Renowned for the enormous reclining Buddha, and for its Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School, the Wat Pho Temple is a good place to get one. Be forewarned that there will be a lot of yanking, pulling, and kneading, but you will feel so good afterwards that you'll want to come back for more. Where else in the world can you get a 1 hour full body massage for 200 Thai Baht (U.S.$6.66 at the current exchange rate). The U.S. dollar still goes a long way in Thailand. 

If you crave tranquility, nature and beaches, visit the Chiang Mai in the north, and Phuket and the Similan islands in the south. The dramatic landscape of Phang Nga Bay is simply breathtaking.

Exploring the caves in Phang Nga Bay, S. Thailand

beach at Hua Hin, south of Bangkok

MALAYSIA

Another fascinating southeast Asian country that has a good exchange rate for the U.S. dollar is Malaysia, Thailand’s southern neighbor. Its history couldn’t be more different. Its location along the route of the spice trade between China and Europe in the 1500s brought the Portuguese, Dutch, and British to the peninsula. The Chinese and Indians arrived later. As a result, the country is diverse in terms of people, culture, food and religion, and you can see this multiculturalism as soon as you arrive in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital city. The recent boom in Malaysia has led to dramatic changes in  Kuala Lumpur (aka KL), of which the most visible is the Petronas Twin Tower dominating the skyline. Bukit Bintang, the city’s main drag, is dotted with hotels, upscale shops and fancy restaurants. KL has emerged as one of the most exciting cities in Southeast Asia to visit. English is widely spoken.

Like many southeast Asian countries, Malaysia is blessed with lush tropical rain forests, waterfalls and beautiful beaches. Sea-turtles return year after year to lay their eggs on the Perhentian Islands, on northeast state of Trengganu. The white sand beaches, reefs and crystal-clear water are perfect for diving and snorkeling as well. Visit Malacca for the history, Penang for the temples and cuisine, Tioman and Langkawi Islands for dramatic waterfalls and aquamarine beaches, Sabah and Sarawak for the rain forests.

A dose of colonial history in Malacca

Sources:
Personal experiences
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/