Traveling around Asia in summer is nice, as always, but many destinations will have to deal with heat, humidity, and monsoon rain.
Most places in Asia are hot and humid during the summer, unless you are heading for milder climates at higher elevations. Urban heat in large capitals can become oppressive.
Just as monsoon rains close in to keep much of Southeast Asia green, the dry season begins in destinations around Malaysia and Indonesia. Bali fills up. East Asian countries like China and Japan really get hot in the summer!
Bali in summer
Bali, one of the busiest destinations in Southeast Asia, reaches its maximum capacity in the summer months. June, July and August are usually the driest months for the island. They are also the peak winter for people in the southern hemisphere who take cheap flights to Bali from Australia to warm up.
Fortunately, Bali is just one of a multitude of interesting islands in Indonesia. You can still enjoy the beautiful summer weather and escape some of the busyness by heading to some of Bali’s close neighbors, like Nusa Lembongan or Lombok.
Thailand in summer
The summer season in Thailand brings rain that helps cool things down a bit after the scorching heat of April and May.
Air quality is greatly improved in northern destinations such as Chiang Mai and Pai, where seasonal agricultural fires create suffocating haze and unhealthy pollution.
Even though summer is traditionally a low season in Thailand, some islands like Koh Tao and Koh Phangan get busier as young backpackers on summer vacations come to party. Islands like Koh Lanta drastically decrease the season as storms advance; Many businesses close until October. Neighboring Koh Phi Phi remains open for parties.
Expect monsoon rains in Bangkok and throughout Thailand in the summer. But don’t despair: traveling during the monsoon season in Thailand has some advantages!
Traveling through Southeast Asia in summer
Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam also receive a lot of rain in the summer months. Although traveling during the off-season is still enjoyable, showers can ruin outdoor plans like exploring Cambodia’s Angkor Wat.
In theory, the further south you move in Southeast Asia during the summer, the better weather you’ll find. But of course, Mother Nature is always unpredictable.
Kuala Lumpur experiences heavy rains in the afternoon regardless of the season, however the months of June, July and August are usually the driest. Singapore has a similar climate.
The dry and busy seasons begin in the summer for the Perhentian Islands of Malaysia and Pulau Tioman, as well as the Gili Islands of Indonesia. Although the rainforest receives a lot of rain throughout the year, summer is the best time to visit Malaysian Borneo to see orangutans and enjoy rainforest trekking.
China in summer
To say that things heat up in Beijing during the summer is an understatement.
Apocalyptic pollution traps urban moisture within the city, making the air thick and humid. Travelers are better off visiting greener places where the air is cooler.
Regions like Yunnan in the south will experience a heavy rainy season until around the end of July. Summer is a great time to visit fringe places like Tibet with noticeably colder climates.
India in summer
India’s summer actually runs from March to May, with temperatures consistently above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Again, the pollution in places like New Delhi is suffocating.
Around June, the southwest monsoon moves in to cover most of the country in rain and clean things up a bit. Conditions during the monsoon season can be difficult for travel, however you will still find some great places to visit.
Escape the oppressive heat and rain by heading north into the Himalayas! Consider Himachal Pradesh, Spiti, Ladak, Leh, and Manali for a higher elevation adventure.
Great Asian festivals in summer
A handful of big events, holidays, and festivals happen in the summer. Don’t be surprised or miss out on the fun!
- Gawai Dayak: Dayak is the collective name given to more than 200 indigenous tribes found in Sarawak, Borneo, and neighboring Kalimantan. Gawai Dayak is a two-day festival celebrated on May 31 in Sarawak, Borneo, to celebrate its cultures.
- Obon Festivals in Japan: Obon, one of the most important Japanese traditions, celebrates the return of ancestor spirits to their homes. Although the dates vary from region to region, Obon is typically observed in August. Many Japanese take time off work to travel and honor the memories of their ancestors.
- Rainforest World Music Festival – Located in the beautiful cultural town of Sarawak outside of Kuching in Malaysia’s Borneo, the Rainforest World Music Festival is one of the biggest cultural events in Southeast Asia, and it’s fun! Workshops and cultural events permeate the afternoons before bands from around the world take the stage in the afternoons. Getting to Borneo from Kuala Lumpur is easy with cheap flights.
