Best places to visit in Asia by month

The largest continent in the world, Asia encompasses diverse climates and environments, from lush tropical rainforests and snowy slopes to sparkling golden beaches and mountainside hot springs. To help you make the most of your travels, we’ve put together a guide on the best destinations to visit across Asia for every month of the year.  

January

Wulai, Taiwan China

This chilly season, warm up in the hot springs of Wulai, about 45 minutes from Taipei. A pretty river runs through the town, and surrounding it are pools of clear, hot natural spring water. Though you can no longer bathe directly in these pools, the rest of the town is filled with spas and hotels that offer a more private therapeutic soaking experience using water from the springs, and are available to book for short visits or overnight stays. Cherry blossoms enhance the scenery from around late-January to early March, and hiking trails provide an outdoor workout – best rewarded with a relaxing dip afterwards.

For more hot springs in Taiwan China, check out our guide to the island’s six top spots.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, the island nation just south of India, gets lots of rain, thanks to the monsoons that sweep through in late autumn and late spring. To avoid the downpours – while also enjoying cooler temperatures – visit from now to April. This will mean sunnier beach days on the south coast and clearer views from the ancient monuments in the mountains. But if you’d prefer to avoid the high-season crowds, think later in the year. It’ll be wet, but you’ll be rewarded with pockets of seclusion.

For more on where to sightsee and stay in Sri Lanka, we’ve curated this guide. 

February

Yunnan, Chinese Mainland

From late February each year, canola flowers blossom across Yunnan’s Luoping county, with prime vibrancy lasting just a few weeks across stretches of farmland both flat and rolling. After the delicate yellow flowers have wilted, farmers harvest cooking oil from their seeds. But for that short moment of spring blooms, the area is a photographer’s dream.

Want to see more of the Chinese Mainland’s natural beauty? See our pick of the best sights. 

March

Wuhan, Chinese Mainland

It’s the start of spring, and in many parts of Asia, this means cherry blossoms. In China, one of the most popular places to see trees overflowing with the pink and white flowers is Wuhan University, where peak blooming occurs around mid-March. The campus’ pagodas, lakes and bridges lend the scenery a classically Chinese atmosphere. Plan ahead as online reservations may be required to visit the school grounds.

Find out where to see cherry blossoms across Asia  in more detail here. 

Hong Kong SAR 

To sports fans, it’s world-class rugby. To the costumed in the stands, it’s the biggest party of the year. For three days each year, the world comes together for the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens , the city’s marquee sporting event, when the bars are packed, the streets exude festival energy and the stadium takes on a life of its own. It’s also a reminder to all that there’s no place like Hong Kong. In 2025, the event will take place from 28 to 30 March at the brand new Kai Tak Stadium, marking an exciting new chapter for this beloved tournament.  

Read our story on what it takes to be a professional rugby player, according to the Hong Kong China Sevens squad.  

April 

Hanoi, Vietnam 

Moderate temperatures and relatively low humidity during this month make it an ideal time for travellers to explore the outdoors comfortably, whether you’re steering a kayak around limestone formations in Halong Bay or wandering past hidden cafes in the Old Quarter before settling down at a breezy open-air bar. The end of the month also marks Reunification Day, one of Vietnam’s national holidays, where parades, firework displays and more take place to celebrate this historical occasion.  

Looking for a place to stay in Hanoi? Check out our top picks. 

May

Krabi, Thailand

It’s hot out in Asia; you need a beach. While Phuket is an easy option, savvy travellers have long favoured Krabi just a short hop away, where the beaches are less crowded and limestone cliffs tower over placid waters. It’s just about always warm here, and in May, the weather is nice and dry right before the monsoon rains hit. There’s rock climbing and kayaking, but Krabi is really made for another kind of trip – the laziest kind.

Travelling to Phuket instead? Read our guide on the best outdoor activities here.

June

Yunhe Rice Terraces, Chinese Mainland

Reflections of sunrise on hilly farmland create an astonishing sight at the Yunhe Rice Terraces, near the city of Lishui in China’s Zhejiang province. The best time to go is May to June, when the vast steep terraces are irrigated, giving them mirror-like surfaces. You get a bit of history and culture, too: the land was honed into this wondrous form over a millennium ago and is still tilled by the She tribe today.

Busan, South Korea

It’s warm but not sweltering, with summer rains yet to arrive: June is an ideal time to visit the beaches of Busan. Join the crowds at Haeundae and Gwangalli, the town’s most popular spots, or seek out quieter locations such as Songjeong Beach. For fans of Korean food, the best part about a trip to Busan is taking a break from the sun to try the many barbecue and seafood restaurants that line the streets just off the sand. 

July

Mongolia 

Mongolia’s national celebration, the Naadam Festival, features tournaments in three of the country’s traditional sports: wrestling, horseracing and archery. At the same time, it’s also an arts and culture festival, with captivating singing and dance performances. Most towns celebrate each July, with one of the biggest bashes held at the National Sports Stadium in Ulaanbaatar. It’s no coincidence that this celebratory holiday takes place in midsummer, when the weather is perfect.

For more on Mongolia, check out a first-time visitor’s account of their experience here.  

August

Bali, Indonesia

August is Bali’s most perfect month. It’s the driest time of the year, which means sunny skies every day, with cool breezes bringing the tropical temperatures down. This is also when the island’s western side gets the big waves that have made it Asia’s surfing nirvana. The waters will be crowded – but that’s all the greater motivation to seek out the quieter coves. Try Green Bowl Beach, or take a boat to Nusa Lembongan. During this month, you can also spend some time at the Jazz Festival in the town of Ubud, and then witness the chaotic joy of Indonesia’s Independence Day on 17 August, with parades, community gatherings, sports events and musical performances happening throughout the island.

For more about Bali, check out our guide on sustainable activities to do on your trip.

Kenting Surf Beaches, Taiwan China

Surfed Indonesia? And India? Even tried Hong Kong? Seek out more waves in Kenting on Taiwan’s southern tip, also known for its cycling and hiking. Surfing conditions here are consistently good in summer, making August a great time to head to the beaches of Jialeshui, where boards and hostels are available. The relatively uncrowded waters also make it a great place to learn the sport.

September

Panjin, Chinese Mainland

Panjin would be off the tourist trail were it not for one huge attraction: a wetland that turns bright red in autumn. Located in Liaoning province, accessible via Dalian’s international airport, the site (known as Panjin Honghaitan Scenic Area or Red Beach) is filled with a seaweed that reacts with its saltwater environment to change colour throughout the year. It goes from green in spring to deep red by September, and continues to darken until it dies in winter. A boardwalk spanning two kilometres lets visitors easily enjoy the vibrant beds of seaweed and the wetland’s many bird species.

October

Medan, Indonesia

Medan, the bustling capital of Indonesia’s North Sumatra province, is an ethnically diverse commercial centre known for its food and heritage sites. The city is also a jumping off point to the scenic resort area of Lake Toba and jungle trekking adventures in Bukit Lawang. October, the start of shoulder season, is prime time to check out all that Medan has to offer – with less of the crowds.

For more on the city, see our 10 reasons to visit Medan, Indonesia. 

November

Nepal 

The temperatures are comfortable, the skies are clear: November is the last chance to enjoy the year’s prime hiking period in the Himalayan ranges. You’ll get high-definition mountain views this time of year, but this draw also means Nepal’s major routes like Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit get crowded. If you want to avoid the throngs, try less popular – but no less spectacular – areas like Langtang, Gosainkunda and Helambu.

For more, read our ultimate guide to visiting Nepal here. 

December

Shirakawa-go, Japan

Once you’ve seen a photo of Shirakawa-go, it’s hard to forget it. The village in a river valley, part of a wider Unesco World Heritage Site in Gifu prefecture, is straight out of a fairy tale in summer and is downright otherworldly in winter, thanks to a thick blanket of snow and its historical gassho-style houses. It’s accessible as a day trip from Kanazawa, but you’ll want to see Shirakawa-go at night, when the lights from homes and streets cast a warm glow.

This story was originally published in March 2019 and updated in January 2025.