Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei

Advantages: see review
Disadvantages: distance, language

...with the half-day sightseeing tour. Taipei is a western stile modern city despite of the Chinese characters and the many motorbikes. At first we were visiting the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall (picture above). Chiang Kai Shek was a Chinese General, who was elected president of China. In 1945 he fled the Chinese mainland from the Communists with another 1, 5 Mio devotees to the isle of Taiwan. There he reigned for more than 25 years as a dictator. Thereby Taiwan remained capitalistic, but the unification with the Chinese mainland never was give up and each tendency to separism is accompanied with threats of war from Peoples Republic of China. Despite the conflict between the two China, it is possible for Taiwanese to travel to the communist part of China. In the monument... Read review

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Advantages: Pollution free, Less poverty, friendlier people and better food
Disadvantages: Its a long old journey from Bangkok, will you have enough time

...Mai is centred around the night bazzare, a market and food hall teaming until around 1am. Here u can buy tradtional handi-crafts aswell as the usual fake t-shirts etc. The main street is just full of stalls and shops selling ANYTHING you require and the best selection in Thailand I think. Visit the Doi Suthep, An amazing wat high above Chiang Mai and next to the kings winter palace. The view of Chiang Mai from here is unbelievable. Nightlife is great, a selection of bars shoulder to shoulder at night bazarre plaza, all with the obligatory "hostesses"! The best is easily the Doors pub owned by a dutch guy, try it! I stayed with a native of Thailand who I work with in England, his brother put us up, so I cant comment on the accomadation first hand. I heard good things about it and understand it is plentiful. No visit to Thailand... Read review

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Advantages: Cultural, busy, great shopping
Disadvantages: Pollution

...temples to cover up legs and arms and to remove your shoes). The view over Chiang Mai woudl have been more breath-taking had it not been for low cloud and smog, but you coudl still get a sense of how far up you were which was rather awe-inspiring. The temple is so beautiful I'm not even going to try and describe it, I coudln't do it justice. All I will say is that the light sparkling from the golden buildings has left a lasting image in my memory that will never be erased. I adored Chiang Mai, the street sellers haggling in the night bazaar, the majestic elephants wandering down main roads, the saffron-robed monks travelling on the backs of mopeds, bald heads glistening with sweat. it truly is like visiting another world, one that you will not want to leave.... Read review

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