My Top 5 Favourite Cities in Asia

Asia is full of huge, buzzing metropolises packed with energy, exotic street food, and illuminating neon lights at dark. It’s a continent I have travelled around fairly extensively, minus a few bigshots like Japan. So I thought it’d be fun to make a list of my Top 5 Favourite Cities on this vibrant continent.

5. kuala lumpur, malaysia

I love KL. It’s a city close to my heart - I have visited it so many times (more than anywhere else in Asia), and lived there on and off for over six months (adding all the days together). Malaysia’s capital is not likely to be included in many lists ranking top Asian cities. You’ll probably see names like Bangkok or Hanoi replace this underrated South East Asian travel hub, more commonly used as a stopover city by visitors. However, this is a personal list - and here’s why KL easily makes the cut on mine:

Food. Malaysian food is my favourite cuisine in the world. No, that’s not a statement I make lightly! Sure, it’s not necessarily the healthiest grub, but for me it has the best taste and variety. Malaysian food has the unique trait of combining a variety of different influences, made up from its three main races: Malay, Chinese and Indian. Put these three together into food, and you have an incredible fusion that knows no boundaries. The Indian Mamaks (open diners) that dot the streets of KL produce some of the finest tasting fast food in the world. Think India-meets China in a tropical South East Asian climate: curries, noodles, meats, fish, soups. Sweet, sour, bitter, savoury it doesn’t matter - Malaysia (and this city) has it ALL. Nasi goreng (fried rice) or kuay teow goreng (fried flat noodles) are some great starter options. The national dish Nasi Lamak comes with Malaysia’s much beloved spicy red samal sauce. Whether it’s the bold red noodle soup with shrimp (Laksa), or Chicken Satay on a skewer and dunked in peanut sauce, I promise you the food in KL will leave you drooling for more.

Kuala Lumpur doesn’t have many standout attractions of historic grandeur like other Asian cities - such as the Forbidden City in Beijing, or Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi. The twinkling Petronas Towers and colourful Batu Cave steps tend to draw the tourist crowds. And don’t get me wrong, both are worth seeing in their own right. But there’s so much more to this city than what lies on the surface. For me, the draw is and always has been, the effortless/laid back nature KL possess. People sitting on plastic tables and chairs by the streetside - chatting with friends, enjoying the food and drink in the warm evenings. Because it’s so unapologetically warm and humid, casual clothes and eating are the usual practise. The tropical green jungle the city was built on shows between tall apartment buildings as you traverse around the complicated roads. At night, when the city switches to neon mode, the swirling overpasses of KL’s highways always remind me a little of Blade Runner. The more I found myself visiting KL, the more I fell in love with it. And unlike other cities, my adoration for KL is mostly in the little things. It’d probably be ranked higher on this list, but I’m aware there are certain biases towards the cities we’ve spent a lot of time in.

4. shanghai, china

View from The Bund

I spent a year living in China when I was 20. I went there to complete a year’s worth of work experience for my University Placement Year (I studied Tourism) at a five star hotel - Fairmont Yangcheng Lake. The hotel, located in Kunshan, was just a 20 minute bullet train journey from Shanghai. Whenever I had days off, I would head straight to the big city, each time exploring an area I hadn’t seen. It impressed me how Shanghai always has something new to see or do. And for the most part, it’s quite different to the rest of the country. Shanghai is as westernised as China gets. It’s possible to pass time in a Starbucks or Hooters, talking to a variety of expats speaking English, all of whom live and breathe in the same bubble somewhere in the French Concession. That’s not to say you shouldn’t get stuck into the traditional Chinese aspects of Shanghai, you absolutely should. The old port city has a lot of identity and history. But it’s worth bearing in mind that it’s not exactly Beijing either. The main draw of Shanghai is the modernity, the comfort, and the 21st century glamour. It looks to the future, where other cities may find themselves dwelling a little too much on their past glory days. Never have the words communism seemed so outdated - there is nothing collectivist about Shanghai. Lamborghinis and Rolex watches are the norm here. It’s commercialism and globalism on steroids. Ironically, I tend to cover cities that are generally the opposite in my vlogs. However, the reason it makes my list is simple: Shanghai inspires me. As a young guy living abroad for the first time, gazing at Pudong’s glorious skyscrapers - this city taught me it was possible to reach for the stars.

Above all, Shanghai is a megacity that will on many occasions, leave you breathless. This is epitomised by the famous skyline view from the Bund. There are no shortage of wow factor places: Yu Garden’s mazy streets packed with people, energy and street food, West/East Nanjing Road’s designer shops with pulsing lights and music. Spectacular futuristic skybars and nightclubs with world-class views and shark tanks. Often, Shanghai has the ability to transport you what feels like ten or twenty years in the future. Love it or hate it, I have no doubt that a trip here will leave a lasting impact on you, emphasising the leading role China plays in the world today. Despite not being perfect, like Kuala Lumpur, my personal connection to it has given me many happy memories.

3. Singapore

Gradens by the Bay

Singapore really is the definitive model of ‘how to be a perfect city’. I have yet to visit anywhere that is cleaner, or more organised than this city-state. Some may argue that being too tidy does not always come off - and to that I’d answer, usually. We all appreciate a bit of grit and edge. There are numerous examples of pristine cities which have seen a huge amount of investment, but tend to lack any true soul or character. Thankfully, Singapore does not suffer this familiar fate. The reason why is: history. Singapore is packed with it. The skeleton of British colonial architecture rubs shoulders with the districts of Little India and Chinatown, creating an explosion of new and old. In fact, Singapore scores well in all departments. Historical buildings and tradition - check. Ingenius modern architecture and planning, check. Beautiful spots of natural beauty such as the world’s largest Botanical Gardens, check. Safety, ease of public transport, diverse food, and family-friendly, you bet.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Singapore has a reputation for being expensive, and this can certainly be true when it comes to accommodation. Despite this, many elements of the city are surprisingly affordable. The food is cheap and thrilling if you opt to take your pick from the array of options at one of the many atmospheric hawker centres. The metro system is a driverless, automated dream, without tearing a hole in your wallet. The only thing that’s really going to set you back? Where you stay, and whether you’re the type of person to drink Singapore Slings or Kopi-O’s on the regular. English is recognised as the shared national language, which only adds to the international ‘welcome to all’ appeal it possess. You’re sure to be charmed from the moment you arrive in Singapore’s glamorous Changi Airport, which feels like a huge five star hotel (and for me is the world’s best). I’d live in Singapore in a heartbeat - if only I could afford it.

2. Seoul, South Korea

At number 2, one of the most exciting places in Asia - the capital of South Korea. Quite honestly, there is simply too much to see and do in this 24/7, super convenient, hyper technological, forward thinking, and overall absolute killer of a city. I was quite honestly surprised at just how much it impressed me. Going into it, I thought it would be nice, but it really wowed me. At night, the packed streets of Mapo-Gu near my hostel catapulted me into a state of wonderment for those first few hours of aimless exploring. Cute and cool are the norm - shops are packed with fluffy objects, inventive gadgets, or the latest stocks of Korean hipster fashion. If there’s a word I could give to describe Seoul, it would be youthful.

Food-wise, you may not know what to expect. Whilst Korean restaurants are vastly popular in other Asian countries, it’s not as commonly found around the rest of the globe. Many people have not yet been introduced to their cuisine. And if they have, it was probably only in the last decade or so. One spot I highly recommend visiting is Gwangjang Market. An exciting food experience, the sheltered centre is buzzing with activity and mouth-watering smells. Impressed at the tasty looking object that’s frying away in a huge pan? Point your finger, take a seat, and toast like a proper Korean before proceeding to consume multiple shots of Soju. I had an absolute blast - which I covered here in my Seoul vlog.

Gwangjang Market

Music is a big deal here. Kpop is the country’s largest export. Wherever you are, walking the streets, browsing the shops or dining in a restaurant, there is always a Korean song blaring in the background. Constant stimulation compensates for the general shy demeanor of most Koreans. Take the excellent metro system, and aside from the sound of the train moving, there is not another noise. Inspect the carriage and you will notice that almost everyone has their heads down, eyes glued to the screens of their phones. That’s not to say it’s necessarily a bad thing - just the way it is. The people are humble and respectful. Get to know them and they will show you a good time with all their effort and good humour. Contrary to what you may believe, aside from language barriers, Seoul is quite accommodating for English speaking tourists. Although not everyone will be able to communicate with you directly, they are smart and quick-thinking enough to understand your needs. The city is also so developed and high-tech, that you often never need to ask for help. Ease of travel is one of the many other reasons I love Seoul. It’s a city where they have truly have thought of everything.

1. Hong kong

Hong Kong is the first place I ever travelled to alone. I went there at the age of 20, intending to do a visa run, before flying on to mainland China (where I was to work for a year, as mentioned in the Shanghai listing). Upon arrival, it instantly blew me away. The first culture shock of my life hit me ever so hard. The anxiety and excitement collided into one huge ball of emotion. I remember all the details - the dense humidity, not knowing where to turn in the otherworldly backstreets of Tsim Sha Tsui, cramping myself into a tiny box of a room on the 39th floor, eating alone in a rather intimidating local restaurant and not knowing how to eat with chopsticks while the locals stared back at me. For the first time in my life, I was well and truly outside my comfort zone. And it was an incredible feeling.

Like a few of the other cities, I have a strong personal connection to Hong Kong - which is partly why it’s at number 1. You can’t really know for sure how much you like somewhere until you find yourself going back to visit it again and again. My trips to Hong Kong since that first trip have only confirmed to me that it’s my favourite. Each time I’ve fallen in love with it a little bit more. It has everything - a friendly mix of people from all nations, incredible food diversity, green spaces for walking and hiking, beaches, breathtaking cityscape viewpoints, modern life, traditional life, luxury restaurants, hotels and thrilling bars, never ending street markets. Fancy or simple, new or old, urban or natural, you can find it here.

As many cities around the world become more similar by the day, Hong Kong still manages to retain its identity. Though some of you may argue that might not be for much longer (who knows). That aside, I adore those things that make Hong Kong so unique: the density of high rise buildings and those unmistakable neon signs overhanging the streets. The iconic ticking sound of the pedestrian crossings (if you know you know). Dim sum. Bartering knock off-items in Chunking Mansions, or getting a massage in Kowloon. Drinking with an international crowd in Lang Kwai Fong. Or perhaps a peaceful trip outside the urban sprawl, to the glorious tropical hills and beaches. Hong Kong is the epitome of that saying ‘east-meets-west’ in the most explosive way. Like Singapore, Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur, colonialism has left its mark on Hong Kong, adding to a cocktail in which traditional Chinese influences have played a huge role.

I remember on my first day in Hong Kong, I was so overwhelmed by it all that I actually sat and cried to myself in that tiny, sweaty room. It felt overwhelming, being well and truly alone for the first time, in a strange foreign city on the other side of the world. As the days went on, I became more confident, venturing outside and visiting new places. People know me today through my YouTube videos as the confident, self-assured, independent traveller who’s been to a lot of places that many wouldn’t consider visiting solo. I see that first trip to Hong Kong as my rite of passage. It literally felt like I was going through a pit of fire at the time - peeling away years of teen anxiety and apprehension in just a few short days. I distinctly remember a moment on my second day, where all that accumulated worry-energy seemed to come to one huge pop. And then it was gone - I walked around the bustling streets of Hong Kong in a state of calmness I’d never felt before. I’ve never really been able to articulate what happened in that moment, because I’m not sure I really understand it. I still feel that inner calm and peace to this day. That initial anxiety I had never returned. Hong Kong got me interested in solo travel, it hooked me, addicted me, changed me. It was a massive turning point in my life, a road which lead me to where I am today. If you’re afraid to travel alone, I hope this can be of some inspiration to you.