Shanghai, Singapore or Tokyo?

[ukdiva]

I'm starting to look at various stopover options for my trip to Australia and have narrowed it down to three, Shanghai, Singapore or Tokyo, and i was wondering if anyone had been to any of these places, and if so, what did you love about the place? Would you recommend it for a 2 day stopover for a female travelling solo?

Cheers! :thumbs-up

[Hal]

To put the 3 locales into perspective I believe they are no more dangerous than London for a lone female traveller - if like I would expect you to be, you are sensible.

I have only done Singapore which was good, however from your list, and whilst Shanghai does appeal, the one that really stands out is - for me - Tokyo. It would be a golden opportunity to visit Tokyo. To whet your appetite here (http://www.schofs.com/2007/10/to-paradise-and-back-part-1.html) is an account of several days spent by some one in Tokyo en route to Tahiti (and yes you will want to go there too once you have read it).

:wavey:

[grumpys wife]

Hi Tracie, we have only ever done a stopover on route to Australia and that was in Singapore. The people were very friendly and I would highly recommend it:thumbs-up

[freakyjo114]

My parents recently went to NZ and they stayed in Singapore on route. They loved it.

[ju_itfc]

Been to both Singapore and Shanghai but not Tokyo.

I loved both of the cities. Singapore was our first introduction to SE Asia and was quite an easy culture change, with western very much meeting eastern. Shanghai was tougher but in a good way. It was nice to know you couldn't eat at the Hard Rock for example and the food we did eat was outstanding and dirt cheap. In fact if you look at both cities, and probably include Tokyo into the equation, Shanghai is going to be the cheapest by far. We were drinking 600ml bottles of Suntory beer for 5 yuan, which is about 35p.

Shanghai was defintely more a city to walk around in compared to Singapore. There are some great museums in Shanghai (just keep an eye out for the scam artists) but it was not heavy on attractions (although the Pearl Tower was amazing and the Bund area). Singapore has Sentosa Island which is either a bit love it or hate it, but it was a nice day trip. The city tour of Singapore was fantastic as well and very cheap. In fact we paid nothing as we had flown in on Singapore Airlines and they had a tie up with the tourist board.

Shopping is great in both cities and was cheaper in Shanghai we found and transportation was excellent in both cities.

If you want a comfortable introduction to SE Asia with a lot of western influence then go to Singapore, however why not stretch yourself and visit a city which is a little trickier in Shanghai. It really is dirt cheap, very safe, and a wonderful walking city.

Going to be hot in both though, which may or may not be a good thing.

Whatever you choose, I don't think you can fail with your three options.

[*source*]

Out of your list, I have only done Singapore en route to Australia (did Bangkok and Seoul too and didn't enjoy either) but really loved Singapore. Would highly recommend it!

[ERICSMUM]

I have just come back from a 2 week holiday in Japan and I would thoroughly recommend Tokyo. It is perfectly safe for solo women as long as you are careful - e.g. careful if you go into bars on your own, down dark alleys, etc.

Loads to see - 21st century architecture, ancient temples and shrines, modern shops, traditional shops. Restaurants from around the world. Tokyo is vast. Would also recommend the day trip to Kyoto, to see the Golden Temple and Gion - the Geisha district.

I have not been to Shanghai so cannot comment, but I spent 3 days in Singapore some years ago and did not like it.

Hope this helps.:wavey:


Linda

[ukdiva]

To put the 3 locales into perspective I believe they are no more dangerous than London for a lone female traveller - if like I would expect you to be, you are sensible.

I have only done Singapore which was good, however from your list, and whilst Shanghai does appeal, the one that really stands out is - for me - Tokyo. It would be a golden opportunity to visit Tokyo. To whet your appetite here (http://www.schofs.com/2007/10/to-paradise-and-back-part-1.html) is an account of several days spent by some one in Tokyo en route to Tahiti (and yes you will want to go there too once you have read it).

:wavey:

Thanks for that link, reading that, and doing some of my own research into Tokyo, i think i must definately visit there! :thumbs-up It sounds unlike anywhere else i have visited and would ever visit!

After reading the other comments, i may do a stopover in Shanghai or Singapore on the way home, so now i just need to decide between these two!