The Best Time to Visit Asia

Asia is the world’s largest continent, encompassing an enormous variety of landscapes, climates and geographical features. Considering this, it makes sense that every month of the year brings different weather according to where you are. Below we’ll provide a few useful insights into what each season has in store for some of our favourite places in Asia.

Most – though not all – of Asia is located in the Northern Hemisphere, which means January is the middle of winter. In Japan and South Korea you might see snowfall at higher altitudes, while high temperatures in Seoul average just 2ºC (36ºF). Closer to the equator, the weather is milder; across Southeast Asia you can expect average highs around 30ºC (86ºF).

Asia’s winter continues into February. This is one of the best times to visit Thailand if you want to go island hopping in the east, as the weather is dry and relatively cool at 30–35ºC (86–95ºF). It’s also a good month to visit India, and especially Rajasthan, where average high temperatures hover around the mid-20sºC (mid-70sºF).

March is the beginning of the spring shoulder season in many Asian countries, including Japan and Bhutan. It’s among the best times to visit Cambodia and Angkor Wat, as it’s not too hot or rainy yet and the peak-season crowds have dissipated. It’s also the dry season across much of Southeast Asia.

April is a transitional month throughout most of Asia. It marks the beginning of the dry season in Borneo and Indonesia, and the end of the dry season in the Maldives, northern Thailand and southern Vietnam. If you’re hoping to see cherry blossoms in Asia, this is also the best month to visit South Korea or Japan.

May is the final month of spring in Asia. However, it’s the hottest month of the year in India, where some places can exceed 40ºC (104ºF), making it a good time to head north to Kumaon. It’s also our favourite month to visit Borneo (especially if you want to see orangutans) and is among the best times of year to go diving or snorkelling in Malaysia.

June is hot and humid throughout much of Southeast Asia, as the rainy season begins in Cambodia and parts of Thailand and Vietnam. The summer months also tend to be rainier in both Japan and Nepal. If you’re travelling to India, this is the best time of year to go hiking in Ladakh. It’s also an optimal month to visit Central Asian countries like Georgia and Azerbaijan.

July is the rainiest month of the year in many Asian countries, such as India and South Korea. But other places experience dry and sunny conditions – including Bali, where high temperatures hover around 26ºC (79ºF) and rainfall averages just 5 centimetres (2 inches) throughout the month. The ideal weather makes this one of Bali’s busiest months.

August means monsoon season in Singapore, Thailand and other Southeast Asian spots, as well as Sri Lanka, Nepal and India. On the other hand, Indonesia and Mongolia are among the best countries in Asia to visit in August. Indonesia celebrates Independence Day on the 17th, while Mongolia sees some of the year’s warmest weather with highs in the low- to mid-20sºC (70sºF).

September is the start of autumn in Asia and one of the best times to visit Central Asian countries like Armenia and Georgia. It’s also a good time to avoid the crowds at popular attractions in India before the peak season begins. September is the rainiest month in Cambodia, which means smaller crowds but also challenging conditions for exploring.

October is the middle of autumn in Asia, when certain places come alive with the colours of changing leaves; Japan, South Korea and China are especially beautiful during this month. It’s the peak season in Nepal for hiking and local festivals, with sunny days and clear skies. It’s also one of the best times of year to visit Hanoi and Halong Bay in northern Vietnam.

November is the beginning of the peak season in several Asian countries, including Cambodia and Laos. It’s a great time to visit Luang Prabang, where average highs drop to around 30ºC (86ºF). November also ushers in the dry season in northern and central Thailand. It’s a great month to experience local festivals in Bhutan, including Jambay Lhakhang Drup in Bumthang.

December is a good month to visit some of the southernmost places in Asia, including the southern regions of Vietnam and Malaysia. It’s among the best times to visit Laos, with little rainfall and average highs in the mid-20sºC (mid-70sºF). It’s also an ideal time to enjoy the beaches of India and Sri Lanka, or to explore the incredible ancient temples of Cambodia.

The rainy season in Asia differs significantly between countries and regions. For example, in Nepal and India the wettest months are June to September; Indonesia experiences its rainy season from November to March; and Malaysia has two monsoon seasons from November to March and May to September. In countries like Thailand and Vietnam, the rainy season can shift considerably based on which part of the country you are in.

The best time to visit Southeast Asia is generally during the dry season, but the specific timing varies by country. November through February are considered the best months to visit mainland countries like Cambodia and Laos, while Indonesia usually has the best weather between May and September. The best time to visit Thailand or Vietnam depends largely on which part of the country you’re headed to, as different regions have distinct dry seasons.

The best time to visit Central Asia is either spring (April–June) or autumn (September–October). During these months, countries like Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan offer the optimal combination of pleasant weather and fewer visitors, while allowing you to avoid the extreme temperatures of summer and winter. One exception to this is Mongolia, which we recommend visiting during the warm summer months of June – August.

Typhoon season is the period of the year when typhoons (tropical cyclones) are most likely to develop. In Asia the main typhoon season lasts from around May to November, with the highest likelihood of storms from July to October (though this depends on the region). Typhoons should not be confused with monsoons, which are larger weather patterns related to wind direction.