Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jamo]

So like a lot of us...thought I was gonna be able to use my contract-included vacation at will, but no it's pre-assigned for me

Anyway...gonna try to go to taiwan or thailand for the one week I have off in the summer.

Anyone been to both? Or have favorites in either land?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[Faunaki]

I love Taiwan way more than Thailand but it's not set up for travelers and not so easy to get around. If you know someone who lives in Taiwan and they have time to show you around, then go there if not go to Thailand where everything is easy and everyone speaks English.

[runthegauntlet]

I've been to both and like Taiwan better as well. I disagree that it's not easy to get around, though, as I had no problems at all exploring Taipei and making my way to Hualien and renting a scooter to explore Taroko Gorge and some beaches further afield. I also think Taipei has the best metro system I've ever come across. Taking it to the end of the line to Danshui was a great day trip.

With just a week, Thailand wouldn't be worth it, imo. It's a big country with soooo much to see and do. Unless you're just going to stay in one spot, you'd spend a lot of time trying to travel anywhere else. Plus the flight time is nearly double that of Taiwan.

[bbb0777]

I've only been to Bangkok in Thailand, and Taipei + surrounding areas in Taiwan. That said, I preferred Taiwan. I also think it was quite easy to get around, at least if you plan ahead. No more difficult than any other developed E. Asian nation.

Some obvious things, but my favorite sites were:

Taroko Gorge National Park (~2 hours train outside Taipei) - especially the water sheet cave
Taipei 101
Chang Kai Shek Memorial
Shei-Pa National Park (boiling puddles, rising steam, etc. from volcanic activity)

I'm not normally that interested in nature when traveling, so it's odd I included any national parks, let alone 2, but they really were impressive...

[reactionary]

I'm gonna go against the grain of this thread (in fact, I'm shocked...I expected a Thailand preference) and say Thailand all the way - food, cost, ease of travel, historical/culture sights, partying - i feel like Thailand wins in all of those categories. 1 week is short, but if you mean a full week (like 5 days and 2 weekends), that's plenty of time to get yourself to an island and chill, or go up to chiang mai and chill and trek.

i was only in taiwan for 5 days and got to taipei and kaohsiung - perhaps i missed out on the nature (though there's a lot of that in thailand as well), but iw asn't overly impressed. and something about the head there felt more oppressive than that of thailand...

i will say i didn't rent a scooter in taiwan - i'm terrified of them. they're very useful in thailand as well, but not as much a NECESSITY as they seem to be to get around in taiwan.

[bucheon bum]

If you love cheap, quality food and very affordable decent beer, go to Thailand. I love Bangkok personally. You can also take a couple short excursions from there during the course of the week. What are you looking for anyway?

[jamo]

thank you guys -- thing is that I always thought thailand but when i found out about my limited vacation time I reconsidered. I have two really fun friends heading to taiwan and they each know people living there - so that could make it easier as well when it comes to what to do, where to go etc.

I want more of a relaxing vacation...I've done a lot of hiking in my life, seen lots of nature, so hmmm I just dunno.

Another turn...it's taiwan w/ two great gals or thailand solo.

[AsiaESLbound]

It appears Thailand is about to have a civil war as shooting and commotion has been occurring for the past few days. Something to do with these red shirted people demanding to shut the government down. That's too bad, I always heard good things about Thailand and want to go, but not if a situation of most tourists being scared off.

There's also many other places such as Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. For Summer vacation, Japan or China might make a good trip. I heard they are running more flights this year than previous years to accommodate the influx of hedonist holiday seekers with a backpack and a big box of gimchee.