I don’t think it’s possible to make a top 5 declaring one of these cities better than another because they all have unique characteristics that make them equally fascinating and enjoyable to visit.
5 capitals of Asian countries where I lived, in each of them, for several months : I will try in this article to convey what impressed me most and what can be expected from the various cities!
Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, in Southeast Asia are cheaper than Seoul or Taipei, but there are ways to do not spend too much money here too: for example using hostels and airbnb, occasionally cooking your own meals (the hostels have almost all a kitchen made available to guests), eating the delicious and cheap street food or going to some local fast chain.
Seoul can become very cold during the winter and super hot during the summer but spring and autumn are really beautiful, Taipei and Hanoi reach during the months of December and January cool temperatures and in summer the thermometer goes up a lot, while Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are hot and humid all year round.
Hanoi – Capital of Vietnam
Hanoi is full of vitality, not that the other Asian cities of which I speak on this page are not, but here is really pure energy that the capital of Vietnam releases and transmits at every step between its alleys and streets.
The most interesting part of the city is probably the old quarter, a colorful and lively set of small restaurants and stalls where you can try the local delights of traditional food, shops that sell a bit of everything, cool markets but above all the coffee shops where you can enjoy a delicious Vietnamese coffee seated on one of those low stools typical of Vietnam while observing the super dynamic coming and going of people on foot and by scooter.
Ancient temples, parks and lakes, colonial architecture and museums (very important is the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the father of the country) will keep you busy during the day on a visit to the city of Hanoi, while from late afternoon and through the night you can cool off with a good and cheap beer “Bia Hơi” eating some local street food.
The food in Hanoi is delicious and with unique flavors that you will not find in other Asian cuisines. Many leaves and fresh aromatic herbs are used. The noodles are super succulent, very famous the pho (noodle soup), meat like Bún chả, fish and seafood are amazing too, all to try! You can taste several particular foods, which you can find quite easily: snake heart, boiled chicken or duck embryo (hot vit lon), fried insects and many other culinary quirks.
Vietnamese coffee is really good and with a very strong taste and intense aroma, usually they serve it with condensed milk and you can enjoy it hot or cold. In some bars they serve it with the egg (Cà phê trứng), I think it’s worth trying, even if someone do not like it at all.
The best way to visit Hanoi is on foot or riding a scooter. You can also use the good public bus transportations and services such as Uber or Grab, here there is the motorbike option where the driver comes to pick you up on his two motorised wheels!
Kuala Lumpur – Capital of Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, or KL, as the locals call it, is a city that is becoming more and more modern and beautiful, every time I come back I discover something new and interesting.
The main attraction, beside the wonderful Petronas twin towers that I recommend you do not miss, is the kind and friendly people!
Malaysia is made of a mixture of Malay, Chinese and Indian culture and in the streets you will notice this unique and interesting meeting of different trends coming from very different parts of the world, visible both in the architecture and in the lifestyles and customs of the local population: characteristic that reaches its peak here in the capital Kuala Lumpur!
Gorgeous mosques, colorful and majestic Indian and Chinese temples, restaurants with a really impressive and excellent variety of foods, originated from the various culinary typicality of the different ethnic groups and from the mixtures of them during the time. And all the various traditions that are still strong here that can be seen in every aspect of the daily life of the local population, in contrast with their modern and globalized lifestyle. It’s quite easy to stop and chat with someone who lives and was born here, who will be happy to tell you something about his life and convey to you what Malaysia represents for him!
When you feel destroyed by the heat and humidity of the city you can go to find some rest in a shopping mall, it’s also an interesting opportunity to see how the locals live.
Kuala Lumpur is very easy to visit on foot, by bus (there are some public transport for free!) or by subway. Grab is a really good service and I recommend you use it to get around.
Bangkok – Capital of Thailand
One of the most famous and visited places in all of Asia: Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is probably a place where many of you have already been… and not by chance! This city has a lot to offer to the tourists and travelers coming from all over the world with a variety of interests: culture, relaxation, entertainment, food, nature, shopping, history.
A quite populated megalopolis, super active 24 hours a day, where you will find something to do at any time and wherever you are.
Well known for its delicious and spicy food: Thai cuisine has become one of the most appreciated of Asia, the culinary specialties are numerous and varied and for sure you will find a dish that will make you want to eat it over and over during your stay in the country.
The nightlife here is unique: there are some neighborhoods where tourists are concentrated, like the areas around Sukhumvit or the super famous KhaoSan Road, but almost everywhere else in city you will find a bar or a place open all night to party.
Markets are another big attraction of the city: the stalls sell everything during the day, there are also many night markets that remain open until morning where you can eat street food and buy a wide variety of items and clothes at any time that you will spend here in Bangkok. Some are really immense, like Chatuchak’s open on the weekends.
Besides the nighttime follies and some small gluttonies Bangkok also offers relaxing solutions for body and soul: Thai massage centers are present in every corner of the capital and the therapies are super pleasant and very cheap. Usually the massage is quite intense because the pressure exerted on the muscles is strong, but you can request it more delicate and soft.
The temples, which you will find everywhere, are another way to experience the culture and peace that Buddhism has spread throughout the country. The only smile of the Buddha, which you will see entering religious architecture, is enough to calm the mind without having to use meditation techniques, which you can still practice around here!
Often what you have experienced you can also learn it through the various courses that they organize, like Thai cooking, Thai Massage that are often held in temples and meditation classes.
The Chaophraya River is a beautiful place to visit during the sunset and during all the day the boats that sail it are a good way of transportation that you can use to avoid road traffic. The same can be applied to the various canals in the city, which during the navigation you will pass along really interesting areas to discover.
Bangkok also has one of the most beautiful chinatowns I’ve ever seen, take a walk along Yaowarat Road and in the streets and side alleys that will certainly lead you to an alternative city tour. The food in this area is great!
Do not stop at the usual and super touristy Khaosan Road or the crazy Sukhumvit, but get deeper into the city to discover the real Bangkok!
You can travel around the Thai capital by metro, with the sky-train ( the train that passes on your heads), with taxis (which are really cheap), using the service of Uber or Grab and, my favorite, jump on a boat that sails the Chaophraya River or one of the many canals in the center.
Taipei – Capital of Taiwan
Taipei is the capital of the beautiful island of Taiwan, animated by night markets that you will find in different areas of the city and where you can have a taste of the special and tasty local food!
A meeting between China and Japan with Western influences, that makes the capital unique and despite being a big city you have the feeling of being in a quiet, pleasant and not suffocating place.
Many things to do and visit in Taipei: do not miss a photo shoot of the Taipei 101 (one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world) or at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. The fascinating and ancient Chinese temples that you can find at every corner, parks, museums and numerous festivals will give you an excellent introduction to the local culture.
Culinary delights are one of the highlights of the city, in addition to the markets that sell street food, each area and neighborhood have something distinctive and exquisite to satisfy your appetite. Sometimes you’ll sense a strange smell coming from one of the street food stalls, do not worry, there’s nothing that’s going bad, it’s “stinky tofu” (臭豆腐 / chòudòufu), a specialty that I suggest you try, if you feel like it …
Taipei is not just cement and roads, there are many opportunities for being out with nature: just a few minutes from the center you can take a nice walk in the relaxing Yangmingshan National Park, or have a beautiful view of the city from Mount Xiangshan, also called Elephant Mountain. All destinations easily reached by using the subway. The hot springs are very popular and near the capital there is the sea with the beautiful coast of the island of Taiwan!
It is very easy to get around on foot or with its super effective ways of transport: the subway reaches many areas of the city and is really convenient! You can also rent one of the many bikes of the excellent bike sharing system available everywhere.
Seoul – Capital of South Korea
Seoul, the super-populated capital of South Korea, is perhaps my favorite among many … ok I did not want to make a top 5 … but this is a really nice place to visit.
Contrasts are what fascinate me the most in the Asian cities and here in Seoul they are unique, traditional lifestyles mix with the more westernized and modern ones in the super technologically advanced capital of the Asian peninsula which has a deep imprint in the unique and inimitable Korean style!
A feature that makes me appreciate Seoul is the fact that it’s not as famous as other cities, so there are not yet all the foreigners who for years now had already invaded the other capitals and it is pleasant for me to be one of the few Westerners around here.
Seoul has an explosive nightlife, which is mainly concentrated in the neighborhoods of Hongdae, Itaewon and Gangnam, where fun is overwhelming and inevitable! There are restaurants open 24 hours a day, clubs, live bars and pubs at every corner full of people who want to forget the stress of the day and spend a pleasant evening, which usually extends until late morning.
The food is great and varied, an unique and intense flavors cuisine, often very spicy but you can also find more soft delights. Sometimes you find really eccentric specialties, like the hongeo (fermented fish) or the san-nakji (an octopus that is served raw and so fresh that the tentacles keep moving in your dish).
Seoul is surrounded by mountains, which can be a good idea to spend a day in nature, all easily accessible by subway or bus.
A city full of beautiful museums and interesting ancient and modern art: Korean music and films are super famous here in Asia and they are also becoming popular in the rest of the world. As I said, it is a super modern and advanced capital, but beside skyscrapers and buildings you can still find fascinating hanok, the beautiful traditional Korean houses, some kept as private residences transformed into cafes or restaurants. In addition, the center has 5 unique and enchanting royal palaces of the various rulers of the Joseon dynasty that have taken place in the past, including the most famous and important Gyeongbokgung Palace.
During the spring the city is covered with cherry trees in bloom, with branches covered with flowers with white petals to decorate the streets of Seoul, always full of people at every hour of the day.
Seoul is immense, go around on foot is impossible, but fortunately the Korean capital has a really effective transport network! The subway goes almost anywhere and the system is extended to satellite cities, buses are another great option to use to travel around the city. Uber is not present but taxis are not too expensive.
