best beaches in SE Asia |
Before giving you a brief overview on Asia as well as the best time to travel and weather, let me quickly share with you seven places that are ideal for first time travelers looking to vacation in Asia. They are as follows:
1. Taipei Taiwan
Taipei Taiwan is one of the most expensive vacation spots in Asia, but it is also one of the most modern countries in Asia, offering a reliable and varied transportation system.
Taipei Taiwan is home to many memorials and cultural attractions, but it is also a city that offers plenty of outdoor opportunities such as climbing and hiking at the nearby Yangmingshan Park.
2. Hanoi Vietnam
One of the most popular and affordable destinations in Southeast Asia, Hanoi Vietnam is a popular destination amongst outdoor and shopping enthusiasts. The old Quarter of Hanoi boasts a variety of street markets where you can get cheap foods, souvenirs, etc.
Top 10 Places To Go In Southeast Asia |
Seoul Korea is another destination in Asia renowned for its tax free shopping opportunities, and electronic goods.
Seoul Top Tourist Sites and Attractions |
4. Surabaya Indonesia
If you are planning a holiday vacation in Bali, Surabaya Indonesia is normally considered a transit city between Jakarta and Bali.
Having said this, Surabaya Indonesia is a great vacation spot on its own right, and one of the best destinations in Asia for families. The city is home to the Surabaya KBS Zoo and the Ciputra Zoo.
5. Manila Philippines
The capital city of Manila Philippines is another popular family destination with many festivals such as the Filipino Heritage Festival geared towards families.
beautiful places in Philippines |
6. Okinawa Japan
If you’re looking for an affordable family vacation in the Asia Pacific region, Okinawa Japan is one of the most popular places to go in Japan.
With so many beach resorts and beaches offering camping by the beach opportunities you can have an affordable vacation. There are also many things to do and see such as visiting the renowned Okinawa Aquarium.
7. Goa India
Being a former colony of Portugal, Goa India has distinctive feel to the rest of the Indian subcontinent. The state of Goa India is one of the trendiest places in the region and a popular beach vacation.
Apart from beaches and festivals, Goa India offers plenty of outdoor opportunities such as hiking at one of the nearby national parks. If you are planning a first time vacation to Asia but not sure where to go, read on to get an overview of the different regions in Asia and best time to travel.
Overview
Asia is, indeed, a vast continent and it is one of the most culturally diverse places on earth both geographically and ethnically. One of the most interesting facts about Asia, it’s that more than half of the world’s population lives in the continent with Japan and China being two of the most powerful economies in the region.
Planning where to go in Asia (or anywhere in the world, for that matter) doesn’t have to be daunting task at all, and choosing the right vacation spot comes down to three things:
- Type of vacation (family travel, romantic travel, cheap beach vacations, etc.)
- Budget (shoestring or luxurious vacation)
- When you’re traveling (off-season, peak-season, monsoon season, etc.)
Regions in Asia
The continent of Asia is traditionally divided into three regions:
- Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Burma, Laos, Brunei, East Timor, Papa New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand
- Asia Pacific: China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
- Indian Subcontinent: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Tibet
Where to go
There many great vacation spots in Asia but the regions of Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent are popular destinations amongst budget travelers and travelers backpacking around the world. The Southeast is home to many great vacation spots in Asia, and it’s a magnet to all kind of travelers (couples, families, backpackers, etc.). Anywhere you travel in this region, you can expect cheap shopping opportunities and good accommodation at affordable prices.
There are truly so many great vacation spots in Asia to suit anyone’s interests and budget that you won’t find any shortages of destinations. For instance, if you are tying the knot soon, Asia is home to some of the most exciting places to live (i.e. Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, etc) with popular honeymoon destinations such as a honeymoon in Malaysia.
Weather in Asia
Each of the regions in Asia share similar weather although each country has slightly different climate so, bear this in mind. Asian monsoons are another factor to take into consideration when traveling into the continent, as the region can also experience cyclones.
For instance, in the Indian subcontinent, the Himalayas and even parts of southern China experience the monsoon season between June and September. In the southeast region, the area experiences the monsoon season between December and early March, while Asia Pacific experiences a summer monsoon between early May and late August.
Best time to visit Asia
Weather truly plays a major role when deciding when to go to Asia and most travelers avoid traveling to Asia during the monsoon season, although some travelers take advantage of it to find better hotel deals and cheap airfare. If you are planning a getaway in Southeast Asia, the best time to visit this region it’s in the winter months (November and February), apart from Malaysia which is usually best enjoyed between late spring and late autumn.
In the Indian subcontinent, summer is very hot and humid, especially the further inland you travel, and if you’re not planning a beach vacation, you’ll find the hot weather very unpleasant and uncomfortable.For a trip to the Indian subcontinent, I would suggest traveling between March to mid-April when weather is much cooler and dryer.
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