Hong kong or tokyo

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pmac

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Okay last year I planned to make a trip to HK when in china but for a few reason this never happened, this was the thread I started then http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/hong-kong-trip.470998/

The time has come again that in a few months we will be in china for 3 weeks and the master has allowed me free for a few days(leave mon back fri, so 3/4 days away).
I had planned on going to Hk but then looked at where else was possible in the same time constraints and for the same cost of flights. It seems that HK,japan and south korea all take roughly the same time and cost roughly the same price for flights.

So where would you go? This is a trip alone with my camera, mainly to explore and take pictures. Anyone been to both that can give me any ideas or advise.. language is an issue in either place as I don't speak chinese or japanese so equally as screwed, but i think japan will be a lot worse in this regards.

thanks
peter
 
pmac said:
Okay last year I planned to make a trip to HK when in china but for a few reason this never happened, this was the thread I started then http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/hong-kong-trip.470998/

The time has come again that in a few months we will be in china for 3 weeks and the master has allowed me free for a few days(leave mon back fri, so 3/4 days away).
I had planned on going to Hk but then looked at where else was possible in the same time constraints and for the same cost of flights. It seems that HK,japan and south korea all take roughly the same time and cost roughly the same price for flights.

So where would you go? This is a trip alone with my camera, mainly to explore and take pictures. Anyone been to both that can give me any ideas or advise.. language is an issue in either place as I don't speak chinese or japanese so equally as screwed, but i think japan will be a lot worse in this regards.

thanks
peter
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I haven't been to South Korea or Japan, but Hong Kong is amazing. It's vibrant with great scenery and tons of photographic opportunities. Most signs are in both English and Cantonese, so language isn't too much of a problem either.
 
Another vote for Honk Kong, photographers dream.

Huge city skylines and 30mins on a train and your in the awesome lush hills.

The people are colourful with lots of character so photographing them is great too.
 
Hong Kong is a photographers paradise and things are relatively cheap so you can pack a lot in on a sensible budget, would certainly get my recommendation if you haven't been before.
 
I've never been to South Korea, but I have been to Japan and HK.
As much as I love HK, I would give Japan some serious thought. Amongst others, Kyoto is a fantastic place to visit, although it was a lot more pricey than HK when I was there.
For best value, it would be HK, and as already mentioned, you'll have a great time.
 
Been to HK,but also always wanted to go Japan,so if i could afford it,it would have to be Japan :)
 
I've been to Japan and can honestly say, I would go again. The place it amazing. Not just for the architecture, but the people, food, night life and their culture. The shrines, landscape and birds or prey are amazing and mesmerising. Japan gets my vote :)
 
Seems to be mixed. When I asked people I know who aren't into photography on fb 99% said japan. My worry with japan is everyone mentions other city's being the place to go and I think with realy just 3 days leaving tokyo might be stretching it.
 
I went from Tokyo to Kyoto on the bullet train. Can't do that in HK!! Lol. The gardens and temples are stunning too.
Hard choice. Good luck.
 
Never been to any of them, but if the chance came up to go to Japan, I would take it. Only ever heard good things about it from friends who've been there - including one who liked it so much, she's still there three years later. Hong Kong I imagine (of course I've not been there) to be a bit of a 'plastic city' though I'm sure it depends where you go in the city. Have heard from a few people who weren't fans of the place.
 
I haven't been to Hong Kong but I spent a week in Tokyo a few years back and it's one of the most amazing cities I've ever visited, very much a street/city shooter's dream place.

Hong Kong is on my 'to visit' list though!
 
Japan any time of the day. HK is over rated and it is not much different to Beijing really.
 
Guess you haven't been to little England in Beijing then :). What I mean is , the building are very similar and you can get to the hills very quickly as well. They all have similar markets and shops etc..... Where japan is complete different think Kyoto etc....

another good place to go is pingyao old town. not far from beijing. The town is one of the best preserved ancient cities in the known world. Really take you back to the real china before it gone all westernized.
 
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Is the bullet train to kyoto not still about 6 hours? thats a days travel there and back.

well I've not even been to Beijing yet :rolleyes: that can be next years plan with the wife and kids in tow I guess.

I didn't think this would be such a hard decision. my heart tells me japan but my head says HK.

things putting me off about japan complicated transport by many accounts-bigger language barrier-seems more expensive
things making me think hk- easy transport system, alot more english speakers and signs- slightly cheaper

I should also say this is my first trip traveling alone and im not really one to do this sort of thing. alot of my friends and family were surprised i was thinking about it.
 
Lived in Hong Kong and been to both Seoul and Tokyo twice; loved them all. I would go to Tokyo if I was you - Hong Kong isn't a million miles away from Shanghai in terms of culture, and in most of the touristy places you will swear you are still back in mainland China. Seoul is great, but I feel Tokyo just edges it. Kyoto and Osaka are cool too but I'd save them for a separate trip next time. Don't worry about the language barrier, all these places are fine for getting about.
 
unless i made some mistake checking flights it seems the flights to tokyo have jumped £50-60 up in a week:eek: gone from £250-300+ and flights to HK have gone down the same amount from 230+ to 185
 
I don't even need to read past the title, or the first sentence.

TOKYO!

Just do it!! Who cares about money!!... you can't spend it when you're dead!!


Japan is amazing.

Go.

That's an order.
 
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Visited HK, amazing place, as others have said a photographers dream. You can catch the old boats/ferries to the islands close by. It will take you from City to amazing Countryside in 30 minutes.

It's a place I would love to go back to.
 
Hong Kong for me, Lantau Island, Big Budddha, Tai O, Jockey Club, All the Markets, Victoria Peak, Ocean Park (fantastic) Food, Food, Food and loads more. HK is a great place as travelling distance is minimal between attractions and photo opportunities are so diverse for distance travelled. The others are great too but mean a lot more mileage for time available.
 
Only been to Seoul out of these three for my brothers wedding and I didn't really spend as much time looking around as I could have. Obviously anywhere with people is going to have potential for street shooting but as far as the location goes the old Palaces and the wooded mountains in and around the city seems to be the main advantages.

Of all the cities I'v visited in Asia my recommendation would be Kathmandu. You've got three excellent old Durbar squares surrounded by temples, the Swayambhunath(monkley temple) and the Boudhanath(giant stupa) that whilst they have there share of tourists also still have a lot of local culture. A couple of hours drive up to the rim of the valley for views of Himalayas as well. Compared to India theres much less hassle as well although the normal streets whilst mostly modern have a lot of character to them.
 
I went to HK in 1998 it is a great place and so are the islands lamma has no cars only 3 wheel emergency vechicles
 
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