Capitals in Asia

Yangon is rundown. It looks like it was built centuries ago (it was, during mid 1800s by the British) and then left to decay (it was). The once pastel-coloured houses are covered in mold, streets are riddled in potholes, and there are loose hanging wires everywhere. Yangon is soaked in grit and feels very exotic - even for Asia-harden travellers. The traffic is another... hmm, interesting thing in Yangon. You can either take a ride with a tricycle rickshaws, a slow and uncomfortable, but cheap, way to get around, or join the dense crowds on the public buses. Some of these buses are pre WWII and in shocking condition, but nevertheless a miracle since they still run. Newer second-hand buses have been imported from Japan, meaning passengers have to get in and out from the traffic side, since driving in Myanmar is on right side (and left in Japan). Beside getting use to the odd things in Myanmar, Yangon has several interesting sights where the impressive Shwedagon pagoda, of course, tops the list.

A visit to Pyongyang is more a trip back in time than anything else. The broad streets are vacuumed of everything besides political manifests. The few shops that exist do not advertise, the bright blue traffic directors (strangely all makeup-wearing young females) look like something from a children's book, and all the women fancy haircuts from the 50s. Even the subway (which by the way is the deepest in the world, going 120 m underground) looks like a toy model. It is a wicked mix of drab Soviet-style buildings and grand monuments, which are all dedicated to their dear, dead, leader Kim Il-Sung and his son Kim Jong-Il. This fascinating city is built on ideology and fully cleansed from all capitalism - and where else on the planet do such places exist? Welcome to people's paradise!

Islamabad is one of those planned capitals, which was designed from scratch. Up until 1967 Karachi in the far south was the capital, but for various reasons they picked a new location. Islamabad is beautifully nested at the foot of Margala Hills and is known for its wide boulevards and green parks. Islamabad seems like a very livable and easy-going city, particularly for a capital. However, for the traveller it lacks the edge and charm of cities with a long history, like Lahore. The list of sights in Islamabad is fairly shot and contains; Pakistan Monument, Lok Virsa Heritage Museum, restored village of Saidpur, and Faisal Mosque (pictured).

Not many has Manila as their favourite place (maybe besides sex tourists), but nevertheless most travellers to the Philippines end up here for a night or two. It's a spread out and congested mega city with many ramshackle houses and bumper to bumper traffic, but Manila isn't without charm. The area within the old city walls, Intramuros, is probably the most interesting with a few cobbled streets and colonial buildings. Fort Santiago is also located here and the Rizal Park lies just outside the walls. Another interesting place is the North Cemetery, which is like small town of tomb houses shared by both living and dead. Else you can always do as everyone else in Manila, eat and drink your time away.

If you come directly from India, you will find Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, refreshingly small, orderly and friendly. For others, Colombo can seem dirty, worn-down and confusing - but still friendly. The city is spread out over 15 zones, each with their own characteristics, but without an actual centre. Grand colonial buildings stand among empty lots and fenced off drab residential houses. The few shiny modern office buildings often look misplaced in the sea of concrete and corrugated iron, and no street is too exclusive for wandering sacred cows. When seeing the ocean down at Galle Face, you ask yourself why this perfect sea side location isn't more embraced. But this just means you need to work a bit harder to appreciate what Colombo has to offer. The best way to explore the city is probably randomly. Let fate (or a mad rickshaw driver) take you through parts of the city you otherwise would have missed if you had focused on the few sights the city holds.

For some, the only real reason to stop in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe is merely transport logistics. Truth be known, a visit here is almost inevitable. But as opposed to skipping through as quickly as possible on the way to someplace "better", the city could do with a couple days visits. Arguably the best thing to do is head to any one of the numerous parks in town. People-watching is spectacular as locals congregate for an afternoon stroll. But with a number of museums, monuments and other such tourist favourites, the city is more than just a place to get an airplane ticket or stock up on visas.

Tashkent is a sprawling city with no particular centre. The boulevards are wide and the urban space is an odd mix of green parks, imposing aged government buildings, and apartment blocks, mostly of the Soviet architecture type. But since this is Tashkent, it's often done with a twist of eccentricity. Take for example Navoi Park: a huge park with an artificial lake, where there also are a sandy beach, a fairground, some statues, and just weird buildings. But Tashkent also has a more traditional side where vibrant bazaars and beautiful mosques stand next to dense neighbourhoods of mudbrick houses. Tashkent might not be pretty nor exciting, but it's easygoing.

Though Hanoi is beaten in size by Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) it can still offer way more in terms of sights. Old communist relics stand proud here along with historical places from the Vietnam War, the French colonial time and all the way back to the Dynasties. The old quarter charms any visitor with its narrow lanes that are packed with shops selling anything from Barbie dolls to mini temples and dried Seadog penis (don't ask). The range of coffee shops, cafes and restaurants are so overwhelming that it can be hard to pick where to go. The best advise to any first time visitor is to see a few mandatory sights and then just lose yourself to the madness in the area around Hoan Kiem Lake.