China, Colombia or India?

HankScorpio1985

Hey,

I am planning on taking 3 weeks off this summer to go on holiday(it's the most I can take off) and I was debating which one of the above 3 to go to. I have travelled Central America, South America(not Colombia though) and South East Asia extensively before and I'm really in two(well 3) minds.

I would want to see/do as much as possible in 3 weeks and I was wondering if anyone could give me their view on what to do.
If I went to Colombia I would definitely want to go to Cartagena, Medeillin ,trek to Ciudad Perdida and maybe visit the Amazon at Reserva Natural Zacambú and go to a few beaches etc.
For China I was thinking about flying into Beijing and out of Hong Kong. Travelling down the coast and trying to see the Great Wall, Terracotta Army, Shanghai, the Forbidden City and whatever else on the way down.
I know 3 weeks is definitely not enough time for India but I was thinkiing of flying into Delhi and out of Mumbai. Try and see as much as possible including the Taj Mahal and Goa.

Obviously these are very preliminary ideas and anyones advice/views would be very welcome. I'm trying to fit as much in in 3 weeks as possible, while keeping costs fairly low.

Cheers

cailinoBAC

Hey, can’t comment on India or China, though a friend of mine just returned from China and wasn’t impressed. Colombia is great though. You seem to have the right things on your list anyway.

maggiemissy

Hey. Have travelled in all 3 places and each is great in its own right. I found china really great to travel in and cheap, also the weather would be nice and hot during the summer, maybe a bit too much for India though!! China has a great variety of places to see and 3 weeks would be great to see a fraction of it anyway. If you want any advice just let me know I would be happy to help you out.

blorg

The heat isn't the issue in India in the summer, it's the rain. The hot season runs March-May and is followed by the monsoon June-September. I haven't experienced it myself but I don't think I'd pick it if you are looking to travel in that time period. It's an interesting country certainly, and dirt cheap. Hassles were far less than I anticipated, and people far friendlier than I expected- although I have been mainly in the middle of nowhere where they don't see a lot of tourists. Although the place is very crowded and utterly filthy... you run a fair chance of illness. Cheap hotel accommodation is of a pretty high standard, you can get a _nice_ double room with en suite outside the major cities for under €5. Figure on paying €10 in Mumbai for a more basic double. The food is fantastic... but with it comes the illness

caoty

Go to China.

Squirm

I have only been to India, of the three, but I couldn't recommend it higher.
It would be difficult to fully appreciate the country, or even Rajasthan, in only 3wks, but it would be a very worthwhile trip. I would recommend Jodphur, Jaisalmer, Agra (for the Taj, but also for Fetaphur Sikri), the Ranthambore National Park (not too far from Agra and a good chance of seeing tigers in the wild). I was not a fan of Mumbai so didn't spend much time there and subsequently didn't give it a chance to change my mind. I did not go to Varanasi (and regret it hugely) but if you could manage to get there and back in the 3wks I gather it would be more than worth the effort. I spent nearly 4 months there and didn't pick up any stomach bugs etc. I took a probiotic supplement for a month before heading over and continued it over there, stuck to vegetarian food (not a problem as the food was divine) and used a bit of cop on when it came to street food. We lived on a budget of E20 a day and it was WAY more than enough. On average I was spending about E100 a week and this was including buying a fair few things and shipping a couple of packages home.
It's hot, sweaty, congested, polluted, filthy, crowded, noisy, beautiful, amazing, awe inspiring, hilarious and heart breaking madness and it is utterly unlike anywhere i have ever been in my life. I adored my time there and look forward to returning to explore a little more of the country.