My family and i are planing to skip the chinese new year festive fever and go for holiday. However due to past experience of going to china during CNY, we would like to avoid going to any chinese country during that period of time. We were either going to Thainland, Indonesia or just within Malaysia. Would like to hear your opinion on different destination.
1) Thailand: Basically we had been to Hatyai, Songkhla, Bangkok, Samoi, Phuket, Cheng Mai, Pataya. Among all we like Phuket the most. Any other places like that in Thailand beside Phuket?
2) Indonesia: We only been to Bali. Dont plan to go Jakarta as there is nothing much to see there. So any other interesting place in Indonesia?
3) Malaysia: Basically we been to almost all tourist attractions in West Malaysia. At first my father suggest to go to Penang since he havent been there for quite sometimes. But due to the heavy traffic on the way to Penang and in Penang island itself, i do not really kine to go there during CNY, and if possible even try to avoid driving up north During that time. So any other interesting, but not well known places that you would recomment?
4) Singapore: May sound stupid to go to Singapore during this time, but could be a good decision. But i am not sure about the traffic and also if there will a lot of shop closing for CNY. Anyone experieced CNY in Singapore?
5) Other closeby Asian country: If there is any interesting places beside Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos (My dad been there few times) Plese advise.
We will be going in 5 people, and my parent are too old to do all those moutain climbing or bunchy jumping and other extreme stuff, so my choice here are limited. Oh and budget try to stay within RM1500 per person including air flight and hotel, for at least 4 days. I know its hard, but got budget limits here.
BTW, if you have a good travel agency to recomment, or you are an agent yourself, plese drop me a PM. Thanks.
General rule is, during CNY, don't go to places with lots of Chinese. During Christmas, don't go to places with lots of Christian like Manila for example.
Have a look at Myanmar. Shwedagon Pagoda is a sight to behold. Never seen 50 tons of gold before.