Most overrated and underrated country in Asia (life, pros, developed)

[Stumbler.]

Originally Posted by Davy-040

International Tourist Arrivals (Asia)

2010:
1.China - 55.67 million
2.Turkey - 27.0 m
3.Malaysia - 24.58 m
4.Hong Kong - 20.09 m
5.India - 17.90 m
6.Thailand - 15.84 m
7.Macau - 11.93 m
8.Saudi Arabia - 10.85 m
9.Singapore - 9.16 m
10.South Korea - 8.80 m
11.Japan - 8.61 m
12.Syria - 8.55 m
13.U.A.E. - 7.43 m
14.Indonesia - 7.0 m
15.Vietnam - 6.0 m
16.Jordan - 4.56 m
17.Philippines - 3.52 m
18.Israel - 2.81 m
19.Lebanon 2.17 m
20.Laos - 1.87 m


2009:
1.China - 50.88 m
2.Turkey - 25.51 m
3.Malaysia - 23.65 m
4.Hong Kong - 16.93 m
5.Thailand - 14.15 m
6.Saudi Arabia - 10.90 m
7.Macau - 10.40 m
8.South Korea - 7.82 m
9.Singapore - 7.49 m
10.U.A.E. - 6.81 m
11.Japan - 6.79 m
12.Indonesia - 6.32 m
13.Syria - 6.09 m
14.Jordan - 3.79 m
15.Vietnam - 3.77 m
16.Philippines - 3.01 m
17.Israel - 2.32 m
18.Cambodia - 2.16 m
19.Lebanon - 1.85 m
20.Qatar - 1.66 m

Wow, what caused India to become so popular within a year's time so that it got near 18 million tourists in 2010, but didn't even make the list at all in 2009?

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by Stumbler.

Wow, what caused India to become so popular within a year's time so that it got near 18 million tourists in 2010, but didn't even make the list at all in 2009?

I was wondering the same thing. I think they just left India out in the 2009 list.

[Trimac20]

The OP didn't specify what he/she meant by 'overrated'. Japanese culture is very popular worldwide, although it's not very visited, mainly because people perceive it as expensive. I'd love to visit Japan one day.

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by tvdxer

Overrated: Laos, at least in the backpacking community.

Underrated: Kazakhstan

I actually had Laos in the back of my mind, but withheld commenting because I haven't been. I've been to Vietnam, briefly considered going to Thailand via Laos, but wondered if there was anything there I couldn't find in Thailand. Were you underwhelmed by it? It does seem to be a 'must visit' place for backpackers, a long with Cambodia (which frankly only interests for me for Angkor).

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by

Overrated:

1. Japan: It is nice but Japan is still quite a bit overrated. Some people think it is the only country to visit in Asia and that is so far away from the truth.

2. Turkey: Most of it technically counts as being a part of Asia, at least by Wikipedia definitions. I'm generally not impressed enough by Turkey.

3. Mongolia: Boring frozen tundra most of the year with very long Siberian Russian like winters. Even in the summer, Mongolia seems boring and too difficult to travel in with not enough good infrastructure and stuff to do for travelers.

4. Bangladesh: Well this country is already not perceived that well and there are reasons for that. But still why would anyone travel to Bangladesh when they can easily go to India which is much better and much more interesting? (Unless it is for family or business reasons when they have no choice).

Underrated:

1. Taiwan: China upstages it by far. Taiwan used to be a part of China and some still don’t realize it is now technically its own country. Great vibrant modern city (Taipei), Hawaii like tropical scenery in the mountainous and coastline areas.

2. India: Some people focus too much on the negative aspects of India instead of all of the interesting and positive things about it. It has huge interesting cities such as Delhi, and Mumbai, vast coastline areas, mountainous areas in the Northern region, and plenty of interesting diversity in scenery all over the huge country. It is rapidly growing in its economy with infrastructure rapidly developing over time.

3. Vietnam: Two huge interesting cities (Hanoi and Ho Chi Mihn), a lot of nice tropical/subtropical coastal and mountainous scenery as well.

4. South Korea: Mostly just for Seoul which is a huge interesting city. I am sure there are other worthwhile places to visit in South Korea other than Seoul too.

5. Azerbaijan

6. Kyrgyzstan

Appropriately rated:

1. China

2. Thailand

3. Singapore

Why weren't you impressed by Turkey? Instanbul didn't do much for you? Did you venture away from the beach resorts? What about Cappadocia?

[BigCityDreamer]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

The OP didn't specify what he/she meant by 'overrated'. Japanese culture is very popular worldwide, although it's not very visited, mainly because people perceive it as expensive. I'd love to visit Japan one day.

I will certainly visit Japan sometime. I'm big into heavy hitter countries. :-)

[Davy-040]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

I was wondering the same thing. I think they just left India out in the 2009 list.

Couldn't find India's stats of 2009.

[foadi]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

The OP didn't specify what he/she meant by 'overrated'. Japanese culture is very popular worldwide, although it's not very visited, mainly because people perceive it as expensive. I'd love to visit Japan one day.

japan is the second most visited asian country by americans, not sure why ppl in this thread are claiming japan heavily visited - it is.

[dhdh]

Overrated : Vietnam, though I haven't visited all of it

Underrated : Singapore

[rsh56]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

In what respects?

I think Myanmar/Burma is probably the most underrated as a tourist destination. It seems more exotic and interesting than Thailand. I've seen a map of it, and it looks like it has literally hundreds of islands off the Southwest coast. I'm sure there are unspoilt beaches there every bit as good as those nice beaches in Thailand spoiled by the hoards of tourists. Especially when they party too hard (which in itself not a bad thing) and litter the beaches.



Overrated: Thailand - it's nice but it's not like there are no other places. Singapore, a little bit, but still a cool place.

My dad has by far the most conservative view of Thailand even though he has very close Thai friends. It's hilarious but Thais are not going to want to hear what he has to say (esp about Bangkok).