Asia

Comprised of 48 countries and two of the most populated countries in the world (China and India) and the top three populated cities in the world, (Tokyo, Delhi, Shanghai), Asia’s vast corners make any traveler undecided on where to begin. Do not fear, Asia is known for some amazing beginner backpacking destinations such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam – So pack your bags, we’re heading East!

Previous

Next

When to Go

The best time to visit Asia isn’t easily summed up – The largest continent in the world is characterized by regional weather patterns and nearly 25 different microclimates that can profoundly impact your vacation. Attempting to summit Mount Everest during the wrong month can be deadly and shoulder to shoulder crowds at the Taj Mahal isn’t very romantic, so consider all activities and interests to plan around the seasons.

Polar, subarctic, and temperate climates occur in North Asia while South Asia experiences a mix of grassland and tropical rainforest climates that encounter heavy rainfall and humidity. Central Asia has a distinctive continental arid and semi-arid climate with hot, cloudless, dry summers and moist, relatively warm winters in the south and cold winters with severe frosts in the north. East Asia is humid subtropical and humid continental; meaning summers are hot and humid, while winters can become very cold and wet.

Asia may have numerous microclimates that can confuse any traveler on when to visit, but focusing on Asia’s sub-regions provides greater insight into the continent’s “seasons” and how to plan vacations.

Central Asia falls under similar weather patterns of the United States, but has drastically hotter summers and colder winters. The driest desert in the world, Karakum Desert, is inhospitable during the summer, yet high-altitude mountain ranges like Fann Mountains in Tajikistan or the Tian Shan Mountains in Kyrgyzstan begin buzzing with adventurers seeking world-class trekking. Traverse the Pamir Highway, the second highest altitude international highway in the world, before the winter freezes over and check out incredible modern-day Silk Road cities that have remained rich in culture, cuisine and architecture.

As you travel to the Eastern part of Asia, characteristics of spring, summer, autumn and winter become more obvious and consistent. For travelers who love these seasons, this sub-region is a must visit. Springtime is absolutely magical – cherry blossoms decorate the outdoors while festivals bring life to once cold, quieter lands. Summer heat warms the area and travelers rush to summit Mount Fuji, wander The Great Wall of China or explore Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. As the crowds and heat dissipate during autumn, head to cities like Kyoto, Hong Kong, Taipei and Seoul to truly relish in the modern yet traditional meccas that lure visitors from around the world. Shades of red, yellow and orange sweep across countries, luring visitors to mystical destinations like Japan’s Takachiho Gorge and China’s Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.  Make no mistake, the winter is less crowded and cheaper, but still offers endless opportunity and beauty during this time of the year.

Head to Asia’s Southern and Eastern corners, you will see the climate shift from the consistent four seasons to less defined dry, hot and wet patterns. For example, Pakistan and India are drenched from June to September, much like Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and the Philippines, but the rain is nowhere to be found during these months in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. This is a great article explaining more on what to expect from the dry, hot and wet seasons. Each country deserves attention and detailed research for planning vacations, so we don’t want to lump in a generalization even about these seasons because they are so different!

Scroll to the bottom for more unmissable travel opportunities in Asia.