Taipei or Siem Reap?

[jamming123]

Hi all, need some opinion!

Planning to go on a 1 week solo trip to either cities in May. The purpose of this trip is to chill, do some sight seeing and a little bit of shopping. I like to look at historical artifacts so there's the national museum in Taipei and Ankors in Siem Reap. Not enough money to do both places

Any comments on whether Taipei or Siem Reap is better for a first-time solo trip? TY

 

[natas]

Any comments on whether Taipei or Siem Reap is better for a first-time solo trip? TY

Personally if I have 1 week, I will go Taipei. There is nothing much in Siem Reap except Angkor Wat or maybe Tonle sap. No big mall, all night markets are the same. 3 days in Siem Reap, and I got bored. Siem Reap without Angkor Wat is another small city/village in a particular country.

 

[beanstalk6]

You will need to extend your itinerary to beyond either city to fill your 1 week. These options make a difference in your eventual choice. Beyond Siem Reap, you can visit Phnom Penh and perhaps Sihanoukville or Battambang. All of these options included may not justify a full week. In the case of looking beyond Taipei, you can venture a little out to hotsprings, Jiufen and Keelung to fill up the week properly.

 

[IronMac]

Agreed with both prior posters. I've been to both and, frankly, Taipei has more to do.

 

[LearnIT]

Taipei no doubt. Shopping, Mountains, Night Markets, Food, easy transport and Hotsprings.

 

[butterbarter]

If this is your first solo trip, Taipei (and Taiwan in general) will be easier for you, because:


* There are lots to see and do
* Food is good and safe to eat, even from street stalls
* Nobody tries to con you
* There is no language barrier if you can speak Mandarin
* Customer service is generally superb
* Transportation in the city and between cities is excellent, reliable and frequent, so you can easily extend your trip to other destinations even at the last minute.
* You won't get swamped by dozens of poor little kids trying to sell you trinkets

and... last but not least, if you are a guy, Taiwanese girls are super cute

Generally, I think you'll have an easier trip with Taipei. Once you are more seasoned, Cambodia is a great choice.

Hi all, need some opinion!

Planning to go on a 1 week solo trip to either cities in May. The purpose of this trip is to chill, do some sight seeing and a little bit of shopping. I like to look at historical artifacts so there's the national museum in Taipei and Ankors in Siem Reap. Not enough money to do both places

Any comments on whether Taipei or Siem Reap is better for a first-time solo trip? TY

 

[iCuteCube]

Hi, if you don't mind can pm me your plans also?

I am planning to go solo at mid-end may, about say 20th May for 1week.

 

[butterbarter]

Better double check the weather. May-June is the 梅雨 (plum rain) season, with frequent rains. I have not experienced it myself, but was told by Taiwanese hotel staff that it is not a good time to visit.

Hi, if you don't mind can pm me your plans also?

I am planning to go solo at mid-end may, about say 20th May for 1week.

 

[jamming123]

Hi guys, thanks for the advice!!!

Will go taipei then since it is my first solo... camping for cheap tickets now...

icutecube I havent planned an itinerary yet but I have an idea of the places that i want to go (ideas stolen from taiwan subforum) I am going early-mid May.

 

[iCuteCube]

Better double check the weather. May-June is the 梅雨 (plum rain) season, with frequent rains. I have not experienced it myself, but was told by Taiwanese hotel staff that it is not a good time to visit.

Ah, i heard of it also. But bo bian, i am only free at that window period

 

[iCuteCube]

Hi guys, thanks for the advice!!!

Will go taipei then since it is my first solo... camping for cheap tickets now...

icutecube I havent planned an itinerary yet but I have an idea of the places that i want to go (ideas stolen from taiwan subforum) I am going early-mid May.

Hahaha, can i steal your stolen ideas?
Planning short trip 1week.

 

[twinklingstars]

TS, I'm also planning a solo trip this year, probably later half of the year, to Taiwan, Cambodia or Japan. But most probably will stick to Cambodia cos I'm on a budget. I'm a girl though, so quite concern with safety.

 

[natas]

TS, I'm also planning a solo trip this year, probably later half of the year, to Taiwan, Cambodia or Japan. But most probably will stick to Cambodia cos I'm on a budget. I'm a girl though, so quite concern with safety.

Come towards the end of the year else u will face flood everywhere in Cambodia.

 

[jamming123]

Hahaha, can i steal your stolen ideas?
Planning short trip 1week.

Haha okay here's a list of places I am currently interested in and intend to go. Haven't sorted out the dates and transport yet

Taipei underground
Xi men ding
Taipei 101
Danshui old streets
Fisherman's wharf
Shilin night market
Jiufen / shifen (although I am wondering how I can light a sky lantern by myself lol)
National palace museum (best collection of chinese cultural artifacts)
Wufenpu
Rao he night market
Eslite bookstore

And also spend a day or two without plans, exploring / getting lost

TS, I'm also planning a solo trip this year, probably later half of the year, to Taiwan, Cambodia or Japan. But most probably will stick to Cambodia cos I'm on a budget. I'm a girl though, so quite concern with safety.

Saw female only dorms in taipei on airbnb i guess that would be good for you?

 

[twinklingstars]

Come towards the end of the year else u will face flood everywhere in Cambodia.

Really ah? How about July? Is it a good time?

 

[natas]

Really ah? How about July? Is it a good time?

It is rainy season...

 

[butterbarter]

Ah, i heard of it also. But bo bian, i am only free at that window period

I see. Why not go elsewhere then? Frequent rain can really put a damper (literally) on your sightseeing plans, and photos are usually grey and dreary.

 

[butterbarter]

Cambodia's dry season is roughly Oct/Nov to Mar/April, following the monsoons. So if you can, try to go in the dry season because:

1. Convenience. Sightseeing (esp the Angkor temples) is much better when it doesn't rain, esp when you might want to clamber up and down some of the temples.

2. Safety. Rain will make the surfaces downright dangerous if you are climbing any of the steeper temples.

3. Sunrise. When cloudy, the sunrise that you are anticipating over Angkor Wat will not happen. The sunlight will be too subdued and all you see is a gradually grey sky instead of sunlight. I speak from experience, because it happened to me :-(

Really ah? How about July? Is it a good time?

 

[forrester_0111]

My gf is local Cambodian in Siem Reap just started doing some tour business. PM me if you required booking of tour and private cars. I can send you more details.

Cheers