Best Time to Visit North Asia, China & Japan

For keen skiers, venture to Japan from December to February to one of the top destinations for skiing in the world, Hokkaido, one of the least developed islands in Japan. Famed for the unbelievably soft powder snow, it’s a must for powder hounds. After an adrenaline filled few days taking in the astonishing mountain scenery, delve into the cultural melting pot of Tokyo, which is just a short flight away. Be astonished by the total contrast as you are surrounded by towering skyscrapers, neon lights, robot cafes, intricately designed temples and an array of sushi and ramen restaurants.

Japan in April is magical as the country is cloaked in pink cherry blossoms. Explore intricate temples and ryokans in Kyoto with splashes of dusky pink blossom surrounding them and amble past the Meguro River in Tokyo, lined with dusky pink sakura, with the cityscape as the backdrop. The temperatures are pleasantly warm and it’s relatively dry, so it’s ideal for exploring. From March onwards as the weather begins to warm up venture through China, a country that is steeped in mystery and provides a cultural adventure like nowhere else.

Yunnan in China has a spring-like temperature year-round, and while July and August may bring more rain than other months of the year, it’s an incredible time to immerse yourself in this enchanting region with fewer tourists. Yunnan is brimming with diversity from the wildly changing landscapes of spectacular rice paddies, glistening lakes and deep canyons, to the myriad of ethnic minority tribes and ancient architecture. Other regions of China during this time of year can get very hot and flooding is common, so we wouldn’t recommend travel elsewhere in China.

Marvel at the vivid hues of red, orange and yellow as you explore Japan in the heart of Fall from mid September to November. This makes for a truly stunning backdrop to the temples and sites of Japan, and with cool, pleasant temperatures it’s the perfect time to immerse yourself in this captivating country.

For a truly spectacular experience, journey to Ulgii in Mongolia and live amongst the Kazakh eagle hunters in this wild and rugged region of Mongolia. Early October is when the annual Eagle Festival takes place and you’ll need to wrap up warm as this is when the temperatures begin to plummet!