By this I mean the overstimulation of the senses that happens while you are there.
My answer is probably Old Delhi. From the sheer population density, the near-constant honking, the utter chaos on the streets, the panoply of religions and ethnicities, the myriad scents and colours that pass you by as you travel down the narrow lanes, and not least the choking air pollution, it is certain to keep you on edge, not necessarily in a bad way.
Are there other cities that come close to, or even surpass, this?
Delhi! That city is madness. But I kinda like for a little bit, I’m sure it’s too much for a lot of people and even for locals. I am from Bangkok and lived in Singapore and US. I think Bangkok is a lot. But Delhi is another level. Coming back to Bangkok felt like “normal”.
Bangkok public transport is easy, clean and simple. Delhi public transport is an experience, and if you’re not Indian ethnicity you’ll be a spectacle.
I think the Delhi metro is the most normal/straightforward part of traveling to the city. It just seems like the same kind of metro that other cities and countries have. Taking the autorickshaws is a whole other can of worms but that’s not really public transport.
Totally agree on Bangkok being cleaner and more organized though. I know a lot of Indian-Thais, and they’re always like “it’s SO MUCH CLEANER HERE”.
Damn, that metro sticks in my mind. Mostly for one reason.
You know that “protocol” where people boarding should let people off first?
Well, on a scale of 1 (impatient ) to 10 (Japan level politeness) NYC scores about 6 and Delhi scores -100 (minus 100).
To exit at a busy station, I had to really put my shoulder into it and channel “the refrigerator” William Perry.
What about Singapore?