With Thanksgiving break quickly approaching, we’ve put together a list of some of the best travel destinations both near and far. Read on for a comprehensive review of some possible long-weekend trips suitable for any budget.

Travel Throughout China

Hong Kong Transportation By Plane: 2.5 hours. Cost: around 1200 RMB.

AccommodationThe Upper House: Located on Hong Kong island next to Victoria harbor, the rooms are spacious and the view of the skyline is amazing. Close to bars and restaurants. L’hotel Elan: Though this hotel is not in the center of Hong Kong island, it is really close to the subway station. Located in a quiet neighborhood with a beautiful skyline view, swimming pool, and gym, this hotel is equipped with ample spacious rooms. Last but not least, the price makes this hotel one of your best choices. Rosedale On the Park Hotel: This hotel is in one of the best neighborhoods. You only need to walk 5 minutes to get to Causeway Bay, and 3 minutes to get to the subway station. The rooms are luxurious and carefully designed. Things to DoIndulge: Street Food around Causeway Bay. Have Dim Sum in Lian Xiang Lou, Tim Ho Wan, or Luk Yu Tea House. Explore: Hong Kong History Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui. Shop ‘til you Drop:

Central Park: This place is packed with world famous brands, and their prices can be really low during the discount season.

Causeway Bay: Here, there are more things with decent prices. This place is the old business center.

Harbor City: A newly opened gigantic shopping mall with any kind of brand you can think of. Located in Tsim Sha Tsui with beautiful views and cafés all around, but be prepared, it is huge and really easy to get lost.

Get High: See the night views from Victoria’s Peak. Get Lost: Wander around Mongkok during the night. BeijingTransportationBy Plane: 1.5 hours. Price: 600-800 RMB. Faster than taking the high-speed rail. By Train: High-speed rail takes 5 hours. Price: around 550 RMB. Delays less likely to happen than if you fly. AccommodationDouble Happiness Courtyard Hotel: The best combination of comfort and history. Located in a 300-year-old traditional Chinese courtyard, this hotel has a bilingual front desk. The location is also really convenient because it is not only close to many historical sites, but also close to funky bars, restaurants, and cafés. Red Wall Garden Hotel: A luxury boutique hotel located in the hutong area in Beijing. If you are not used to the traditional Chinese style housing, this hotel is the best choice for you. Also, it is close to the Wangfujing, which is one of the central business areas in Beijing. A good choice for those coming to Beijing for the first time. Things to DoSee:

Tiananmen square

Forbidden City

Summer Palace

National History Museum

The Great Wall

Wang Fu Jing

Chill:

Sanlitun: A really cool place full of restaurants, bars and a shopping mall.

Nali Patio: An area in the middle of North Sanlitun and South Sanlitun. There are couple of lounges and some restaurants with exotic cuisines.

Wu Dao Kou: This neighborhood is the heart of Beijing’s international college student community. Located next to Peking University, Tsinghua University and the Beijing Language University, this neighborhood is full of nice cafés, bars, and shops.

Xi Dan: This place is the center of the west part of Beijing, with countless shopping centers and shops. You can find all kinds of things, ranging from real Louis Vuitton at Lafayette Beijing to fake Louis Vuitton at Bright Pearl Market. There are a lot of snack places too!

Indulge.

Da Dong Roast Duck: Specializing in Peking Duck and creative Beijing cuisine.

Na Jia Xiao Guan: Specializing in imperial Chinese cuisine.

Quan Ju De Roast Duck: The most historical Peking Duck restaurant.

Bai Jia Da Yuan Restaurant: Imperial Chinese cuisine located in a historical courtyard.

Wish Beijing: Asian fusion and creative cuisine with a chill environment.

Capital M: International cuisine with a great view, run by the same company as M on the Bund.

Traveling Close to Home

Suzhou An ancient city 30 minutes away from downtown Shanghai famous for its classical Chinese gardens, which are listed as UNESCO world heritage sites. TransportationBy Train: The fastest way to travel to Suzhou is taking high-speed trains with the G-prefix, which take about 25 minutes at around 30 RMB. High-speed trains with the D-prefix take slightly more time and cost slightly less money. If you are truly adventurous or really budget-conscious, consider taking normal trains (which have either a T-, K- or Z-prefix), which would cost as little as 7 RMB but could take around an hour to get there. Accommodation: A relatively large city, Suzhou has many low-cost accommodation options. You can either stay in a chain hotel such as the Jinjiang Inn or Motel 168, or find a youth hostel and get a bunk bed. Airbnb might also be an option. Things to DoAppreciate Architecture: Explore classical Chinese gardens, only owned by the richest people of ancient China. Admire the delicate details that the architects included in their timeless designs. Be Cultured: Pay a visit to the Suzhou Museum. Designed by I.M.Pei, one of the most renowned architects in the world, the museum is a modern reinterpretation of classical Suzhou garden aesthetics. The exhibits in the museum give the viewer a crash course about the history of the city and its vast collection of classical gardens. Indulge: Try Suzhou Noodles (make sure to try them twice—once with soy sauce soup and once without). Also enjoy Suzhou Dumplings. Go Cruising: Take a sampan (an ancient Chinese flat-bottomed boat) for a night cruise along the course of the old city river. Nanjing Having served as the capital of China for more than 10 dynasties, Nanjing is now a modestly large city with a distinct cultural heritage. TransportationBy Train: The fastest way to travel to Nanjing is taking a high-speed train with the G-prefix, which takes about 2 hours at around 219 RMB. High-speed trains with the D-prefix take slightly more time and cost slightly less money. Normal trains (which have either a T-, K- or Z-prefix), can cost as little as 28 RMB but take around 3 hours to arrive. Accomodation Nanjing is the capital of the Jiangsu province, so you should not encounter any problems finding a relatively budget-friendly hotel or hostel. As in Suzhou, you can also stay in a chain hotel such as Jinjiang Inn or Motel 168, and Airbnb might also be an option. Things to Do History:

The Residence of the Former President of the Republic of China: Before the Kuomintang left Mainland China for Taiwan, this is the very place where General Chiang Kai-shek worked and studied.

Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum: A place to remember and pay homage to the founder of modern China.

Shop on the Water: Check out the Qinhuai River. Always portrayed as a semi-red light district with a romantic touch in classical Chinese novels, the Qinhuai is now a tranquil river with ever-busy shops on both banks. Get Moving:

Walk up 392 steps and pay homage to the great leader of the Chinese revolution.

Walk along the city walls: Nanjing has one of the best-preserved city walls in the world.

Go Cruising: Take a Chinese sampan cruise along the Qinhuai River. Chongming Island A rural island on the estuary of the Yangtze River, north of downtown Shanghai. TransportationBy Metro and Bus: Take Metro Line 6 to Jufeng Rd, then transfer to Shenchong No. 6 Bus Line (申崇六线). A trip from the Century Avenue metro station to Chongming Island takes about 2 hours at 22 RMB (metro 4 RMB, bus 18 RMB). Accomodation Stay at Nongjiale, (农家乐), a type of private hotel run by local farmers commonly found across rural areas in China. Most Nongjiales in Chongming provide the basic facilities one would expect from a mid-range hotel, including hot water, private bathrooms, and wireless internet access. Prices of the Nongjiales can vary greatly, but in most cases a 130 RMB-per-night room would satisfy the needs of an average budget-conscious traveler. Things to DoTake a Walk: Explore the Dongtan Wetlands (东滩湿地). Walk along wooden paths in endless fields of reeds that stretch far away into distance. In late fall and winter, migratory birds from the north, including some of the rarest species, will pay their annual visits to the wetland before setting out further south. A great place to visit for any photographer out seeking good shots of nature. Go Camping: Visit Dongping National Forest Park (东平国家森林公园). Once a Communist collective farm, the former Dongping Tree Farm was converted to a forest park in the 1990s and is now one of the largest forest parks in east China. Apart from enjoying the fresh air in the forests, tourists can also take advantage of the camping facilities and sports venues provided by the park. Be a Local: Check out Qianwei Village (前卫村), a local village that has been converted by the villagers into a tourist hotspot. Qianwei Village offers a surprisingly wide range of attractions including several exhibits of rural life in Chongming, botanical gardens, Nongjiales, and even a horse and go-kart tracks. Definitely a place for those who are feeling adventurous. Indulge: Sample some Chongming lamb with Chongming rice wine (老白酒). Pull an All Nighter: Watch the sunrise in the Dongtan Wetlands. See the Island on Two Wheels: Take a bicycle trip around the island. Go Cruising. Return to Shanghai by taking the ferry. The ferry port is near the Chongming terminal station of the Shenchong No. 6 Bus Line.

Traveling Internationally

TaipeiTransportationBy Plane: 2.5hours. Around 1200 RMB. AccommodationW Taipei: A really well equipped hotel next to the Taipei 101. Located in a really good neighborhood in the center of Taipei, with really considerate service and great food. Hotel Sense: Highly recommended. An exquisite hotel located in a really convenient area, only 3 minutes walk away from the subway station. The breakfast is really good and it is a very good choice for those who would like to explore their neighborhood. Things to DoExplore: Taiwan has tons of night markets filled with stalls waiting for you to discover. Shi Lin Night Market is the one that most tourists must go to, but Tong Hua Night Market is more local. The prices of goods at night markets are usually fairly reasonable. Be Cultured:

Go to the top of Taipei 101 to see the view of Taipei and pay for a tour guide to get a really good introduction to Taipei.

Visit the Taipei Palace Museum.

Visit the Miniatures Museum of Taipei. This museum is the second largest miniatures museum in the world. With abundant collections from different time periods, it will definitely impress you.

Get Lost: Wander around Ximen Red House (Ximending), buy some souvenirs, and eat some street food. Get Moving: Walk around and explore the neighborhood of Bopiliao, which was one of the busiest areas in Taipei for three dynasties. This neighborhood is historical and became famous during the Qing dynasty. With the great architectures all around, you experience a very different feeling than when you’re in the modern part of the city. Be a Bookworm: Visit Eslite (Cheng Pin) bookstore, which is thought to be the most comprehensive bookstore in Taipei. It was also the beginning of independent management in the bookstore field. Seoul, South KoreaTransportationBy Plane: Takes about 2 hours. Cost: 1800RMB AccommodationAirbnb: Rent an apartment in Gangnam, Hongdae, or Sinchon. Compared to what you would pay for a hotel in the same district, Airbnb can help you find a great deal. The personal touch each owner has for his or her apartment is also a unique aspect hotels can’t offer. Metro Hotel: Affordability (600 RMB/night) and a location in the famous shopping district of Myeongdong—what more could you want? Things to DoGet High: Hike Mount Bukhan, the highest mountain in Seoul, for a stellar view. Shop ‘til you Drop: Myeongdong, Namdaemun Market, and Gangnam are excellent shopping districts, even if you simply want to window shop.

Myeongdong: A high-end district packed with people and known particularly for makeup and skincare products.

Namdaemun Market: A nearby area with cheaper prices.

Gangnam: Made famous by PSY, this neighborhood is filled with skyscrapers and shopping malls. Check out COEX, a gigantic underground mall equipped with a movie theater, hotel, and even an aquarium!

Indulge: It’s not a trip to Korea without barbecue, kimchi, or bonchon chicken. Check out other Korean delights, like budae jjigae, gimbap, bibimbap, or manduguk (dumpling soup). Party: With its bustling nightlife districts, its hard to not find a party going on in Seoul. Soju is drunk like water in Korea, so embrace the local culture and buy a few bottles. Check out Itaewon for Western-style clubs, Sinchon to party with local students, or Apgujeong to rub shoulders with the rich and famous. Bangkok, ThailandTransportationBy Plane: About 4.5 hours. Cost: 2400 RMB Accomodation Airbnb: Stay in Siam for proximity to shopping, Rattanakosin for Old Bangkok, or Yaowarat and Phahurat to be amongst the Chinese and Indian communities, respectively. Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn: A 5-star hotel with specials running for 600 RMB a night. This is something you’ll want to take advantage of, especially after seeing their rooftop infinity pool. Things to Do Shop ‘til You Drop: Bangkok has loads of huge malls that can be accommodating towards any budget, the most popular being Siam Paragon and Central World. Also check out MBK, a huge bazaar similar to Chinese fake markets. Alternatively, abandon the comfortable air-conditioned malls for a more local experience on the weekend and go to Chatuchak Market. Indulge: Bangkok boasts two of the Top 10 Best Restaurants in Asia, according to San Pellegrino. Check out Nahm for modern Thai food, or Gaggan for gastronomic Indian food you’re likely to never experience anywhere else. Check out After You Dessert Cafe for their famous Honey Thick Toast. When you’re ready to take a break from shopping, wander around until you find street food, and be sure to get Thai Iced Tea to cool off. Get Cultured: Thailand is home to some of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in the world. Visit Wat Pho, Wat Suthat, or Wat Phra Kaew. Get High: You should never leave a city without seeing at least one rooftop view. Try Sirocco Sky Bar, Vertigo at Banyan Tree Bangkok, Vertigo and Moon Bar, or Sky Bar at Le Bua, made famous by The Hangover 2. Hanoi, VietnamTransportationBy Plane: 3-4 hours. Cost: 2280 RMB. Accomodation Hanoi Hostel: Highly recommended by other guests. Hostels are a great way to meet other travelers, especially since some may even end up being your roommate. Just 60 RMB a night gets you a bed to sleep on and a warm, welcoming staff ready to assist you with your sightseeing plans. Things to Do Explore on Two Wheels: Rent a motorbike for about 30 RMB per day to explore the city like no other. Feel exhilarated as the wind runs through your hair. Don’t forget a helmet! Indulge: A Vietnamese vacation is not complete without pho and banh mi. Empty your loose change at street food stalls and get a feast in return. If you want fresh seafood, try Hai San Ngon for a slightly more sophisticated al fresco dining atmosphere. Get Cultured: As Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi is jam packed with the country’s rich history. The first university in the country was established in the Temple of Literature, filled with endless courtyards, greenery, and of course Vietnamese architecture. See propaganda and revolutionary works at The Ho Chi Minh Museum. Go for a Stroll: Enjoy the scenery at Hoan Kiem Lake, a lakeside park at the city center. You can spend hours people watching as you walk along the water with a backdrop of the Tortoise Tower and the Huc Bridge. Please note that prices of flights, lodging, etc. are not guaranteed and are subject to change. This article was written by Tatiana Bautista & Amy Zhao. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Tirza Alberta