Where to go in Asia in January

Cambodia and Laos

Angkor, Luang Prabang

Dry, sunny and warm by day, with cool mornings, especially in northern Laos where it can be cold at dawn. Angkor is busy but at its most comfortable. Luang Prabang's river is calm and its roads are dry.

Thailand

Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui

Cool, dry and sunny nearly everywhere. Bangkok and Chiang Mai are comfortable, and the Andaman coast around Phuket and Krabi has calm seas. High season prices and crowds apply, especially in the first days of the month.

The Philippines

Manila, El Nido, Cebu, Bohol

Dry and relatively cool, with calm seas on Palawan and the central islands. Sinulog in Cebu, in the middle of the month, brings huge crowds and street parties. Cool air in Manila, which is a relief for sightseeing.

Sri Lanka

Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Galle

Dry and sunny on the south and west coasts, and the hill country is cool and clear. The Ella train and the tea estates are at their best. The north-east monsoon is ending in the east. Peak season for the beaches around Galle.

India

Rajasthan, Kerala, Delhi

Cool, clear days in Rajasthan, mild weather in Kerala, and good conditions in the south. Delhi can be foggy and cold in the early mornings and can disrupt flights. Peak season, with high prices around the new year.

Japan

Kyoto, Tokyo, Hokkaido

Cold and dry in Tokyo and Kyoto, with clear skies and short days. Temples are quiet and onsen are at their best. Hokkaido and the Alps have deep snow for skiing. Most businesses close for the first three days of the year, so plan around that.

Taiwan

Taipei, Taroko, Tainan

Cool and damp in Taipei, with grey skies and drizzle, but pleasant in the south. Hot springs at Beitou are the point of the month. Taroko Gorge is clear on dry days. Lunar new year, around the end of the month, shuts many shops.

Vietnam

Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Saigon

The south and centre-south are dry and warm, good for Saigon, the Mekong Delta and the beaches. Hanoi is cool and often drizzly. Tet, the lunar new year, can fall at the end of the month, shutting many businesses for days.

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Borneo

The west coast, including Penang and Langkawi, is dry and sunny. The east coast is in monsoon, with many island resorts shut and rough seas. Kuala Lumpur rains as usual in the afternoon. Thaipusam at the Batu Caves can fall here.

Bali and Indonesia

Bali, Komodo, Lombok

The wet season, with warm days, high humidity and frequent afternoon rain. Bali is green and quiet, with lower prices. Seas around Komodo can be rough. It is a fair month for Ubud and spas, less for the beach or boats.

Nepal and Bhutan

Kathmandu, Pokhara, Paro, Thimphu

Cold nights and clear, crisp days in Nepal's valleys and Bhutan's lower valleys. Mountain views are good, but high passes can be snowed in and treks above 3,000 metres are cold. Kathmandu and Pokhara are pleasant by day.

South Korea

Seoul, Gyeongju, Jeju

Very cold and dry, with Siberian winds in Seoul and temperatures well below freezing. Palaces and markets are almost empty. Ski resorts are open, and Seollal, the lunar new year, can fall at the end of the month, closing shops and filling trains.

China

Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai

Bitterly cold in Beijing and Xi'an, with dry air and short days. Harbin's ice festival is the draw in the northeast. The Chinese new year travel rush begins at the end of the month and fills trains, flights and the main sights.

Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar, the Gobi, the steppe

Extremely cold, with temperatures far below freezing and snow on the ground. Most tourist camps are closed. Ulaanbaatar is smoky from coal heating. Only a winter specialist trip, such as ice festivals, makes sense.