Where to go in January
The best places to explore at this time of year
The best places to explore at this time of year
A new year, a new adventure – and Asia is a great place to be. January is peak season across much of Asia and the continent is full of dry, sunny skies, balmy temperatures and plenty of festivals. It’s a prime month for temple-hopping in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand as humidity is at its lowest. The Maldives is also at peak dreaminess, with endless sunshine and glassy turquoise waters, however this does come at a price and it's one of the most expensive times to visit. In Bhutan and Japan, winter is crisp but magical (and there are fewer tourists around), whilst in India, Rajasthan and Agra are basking in perfect sightseeing weather. The backwaters in Kerala and the beaches in Goa are pretty good too.
Vietnam covers several different climatic zones, and finding a time in which all of them are good can be tricky… In January, mild temperatures, minimal rainfall, and soft sunshine characterise much of the country from Hanoi in the north to the Mekong Delta in the south. Sapa and the mountainous northern region can, however, get very cold, so we recommend saving your hiking for the milder spring months.
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