Bundle Up for Winter Bargains in Asia

Though Asia, in general, seems to be recovering from its recent economic malaise, the upturn in its fortunes hasn’t yet affected the state of its tourism. Most nations of the Far East continue to offer real value to the American visitor, as does India. Here are some of the most appealing prices and values for the coming winter:

Japan: Despite a strengthening yen, Japan can still be a good deal. Japan Air Lines, through an air-fare consolidator called Pacifico, telephone (888) 852-5725, offers this low-cost winter package: $860, including air fare from Los Angeles or San Francisco and five hotel nights in Kyoto, Japan’s historic and cultural capital. The package is available from Jan. 2 to March 31, a period of many festivals there yet low international tourism. The price is per person, two to a room.

For authentic ryokan accommodations in Kyoto or, if you’d prefer, in Tokyo (instead of a standard, Western-style hotel) the price is $900 for Kyoto and $1,055 for Tokyo.

Other cities available for hotel stays include Sapporo, Fukuoka, Kanazawa, Yokohama and Hiroshima, at varying prices.

Three big deals: From Jan. 15 to March 31, a week in Bangkok, Hong Kong or Bali can be had for $599, including round-trip air fare from Los Angeles. And though a dozen major tour companies are currently selling air-and-land packages to these popular places, no one else comes even close in price to the multiple offerings of Unique Destinations Asia, tel. (877) 733-2254.

In Bangkok, you get five nights in the Bangkok City Inn with full American buffet breakfast daily and a three-hour tour on the Chao Phraya River.

In Hong Kong, it’s five nights’ lodging, Chinese breakfast daily and a half-day city tour.

In Bali, it’s five nights in a bungalow with American breakfast daily and a half-day tour.

All prices are per person, double occupancy. The flight from Los Angeles is on EVA Air and involves a seven-hour layover in Taipei.

India: During January and February, the very best time of year to visit the subcontinent, big consolidators are offering low-cost air fares there. And once you arrive, you’ll discover India to be one of the cheapest places on Earth to visit.

If you’re on the West Coast and have “miles” to spend getting to New York, Sunline Travel, tel. (212) 599-7246, will fly you to New Delhi or Bombay on Gulf Air for only $870, round trip. A-One, tel. (718) 779-2243, will send you from New York to Bombay or Delhi on Kuwait Airlines for $990. A-One also can fly you round trip from Los Angeles to New Delhi on KLM for $1,135. Add taxes, facility charges and other government fees.

Hong Kong: For as little as $730, you can fly from the West Coast on Northwest Airlines and stay six nights at the Majestic Hotel. The price includes all hotel taxes and service charges, plus a city tour.

The dates are Jan. 2 to March 11, though departures around Chinese New Year in February are subject to a cost increase.

Operated by the prestigious Pacific Delight Tours, the package must be booked through travel agents. The Web site is https://www.pacificdelighttours.com.

China: Some of the country’s most remarkable sights, such as the terra-cotta warriors of Xian, can be seen in winter for an amazing $899. The price includes round-trip air fare and nine nights of accommodations per person, double occupancy, and American-style breakfasts. Although northern China can get pretty chilly in the coming months, the price of the package from SmarTours, tel. (800) 337-7773, will make the difference for a great many people.

You visit three cities in all--Beijing, Shanghai and Xian--and fly out of San Francisco on Air China.

What’s best about this trip is that despite its low price, it includes the visit to Xian and its thousands of clay warriors. Xian often is omitted from inexpensive packages because it requires an hourlong flight from Beijing.