Best places to visit in Asia in May

Asia

Indonesia · 31°C (88°F) · 6 rainy days

Bali

Hindu temples, rice terraces, surf beaches and volcano sunrises. Dry, sunny and less humid — one of the best months for trekking, diving and rice terraces.

Japan · 25°C (77°F) · 10 rainy days

Kyoto

Temples, Zen gardens, geisha districts and Japan's finest traditional food. Warm and green, with long days; Golden Week at the start of the month is very busy, then crowds ease.

Japan · 25°C (77°F) · 10 rainy days

Osaka

Japan's street-food capital, neon canals and an easy base for Kansai. Warm and fresh; Golden Week at the start of the month brings crowds and higher prices, then it calms.

South Korea · 24°C (75°F) · 9 rainy days

Seoul

Joseon palaces, market food and late nights in a 24-hour capital. Warm, green and one of the most comfortable months, with lanterns for Buddha's Birthday.

Japan · 24°C (75°F) · 11 rainy days

Tokyo

Neon districts, historic shrines, outstanding food and punctual trains. Warm and pleasant, with azaleas and irises; trains and attractions are packed in the Golden Week days at the start of the month.

Philippines · 33°C (91°F) · 9 rainy days

Cebu

Spanish-era Cebu City, sardine runs, waterfalls and island beaches. The hottest month, with calm, warm seas; summer school holidays keep resorts busy.

Vietnam · 33°C (91°F) · 7 rainy days

Da Nang

City beaches, river bridges and mountains on Vietnam's central coast. Hot and sunny with warm, calm sea; occasional afternoon showers.

Vietnam · 33°C (91°F) · 7 rainy days

Hoi An

Lantern-lit merchant streets, tailors and rice-field cycling near the coast. Hot, mostly dry and good beach weather; walk the old town early and late.

Indonesia · 32°C (90°F) · 9 rainy days

Jakarta

Dutch-era old town, national monuments and Indonesia's street food. Drier and sunny; a good month for walking in Kota Tua early or late in the day.

Indonesia · 31°C (88°F) · 8 rainy days

Yogyakarta

Borobudur, Prambanan and the Sultan's Javanese court city. Dry season begins; clear sunrises at Borobudur become more likely.

Azerbaijan · 22°C (72°F) · 4 rainy days

Baku

A walled medieval Old City, flame-shaped towers and a long Caspian promenade. Warm and sunny, one of the best months to visit.

China · 26°C (79°F) · 6 rainy days

Beijing

Imperial palaces, hutong lanes and the Great Wall within a day's reach. Warm, dry and sunny; one of the best months, apart from the very crowded 1–5 May Labour Day holiday.

South Korea · 23°C (73°F) · 9 rainy days

Busan

City beaches, seaside temples and Korea's biggest fish market. Warm and sunny before the humidity; public holidays bring domestic crowds to the beaches.

Japan · 24°C (75°F) · 9 rainy days

Fukuoka

Tonkotsu ramen, riverside yatai stalls and an airport five minutes from downtown. Warm and sunny; the Hakata Dontaku festival fills the streets during Golden Week.

Japan · 25°C (77°F) · 10 rainy days

Hiroshima

Peace memorials, Miyajima's floating torii and layered okonomiyaki. Warm and pleasant, with azaleas; Golden Week and the Flower Festival bring large crowds early in the month.

South Korea · 22°C (72°F) · 10 rainy days

Jeju

Volcanic craters, lava tubes, haenyeo divers and black-pork barbecue. Warm and settled, with royal azaleas on Hallasan from late May; school trips and long holiday weekends make it busy.

Japan · 25°C (77°F) · 10 rainy days

Nara

Japan's first permanent capital, the Great Buddha and a park of bowing deer. Warm and green; Golden Week in early May is crowded, and the first deer fawns are born from late May.

China · 25°C (77°F) · 11 rainy days

Shanghai

Art Deco riverfront, plane-tree lanes and a skyline across the Huangpu. Warm and pleasant before the humidity builds; avoid the 1–5 May Labour Day holiday at the big sights.

Georgia · 24°C (75°F) · 11 rainy days

Tbilisi

Sulphur baths, balconied old streets, qvevri wine and a fortress above the river. Warm with frequent showers and thunderstorms; one of the best months for walking and day trips.

Armenia · 24°C (75°F) · 10 rainy days

Yerevan

Pink-stone boulevards, ancient manuscripts and views of Mount Ararat. Warm, with occasional showers; one of the best months to visit.

Philippines · 32°C (90°F) · 8 rainy days

Boracay

Powder-white sand, paraw sailboats and sunsets over the Sibuyan Sea. The hottest month; still calm on White Beach before the monsoon changes late in the month.

Beach, city or budget: May picks by trip type

What's on in May

Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.

• Kyoto: Golden Week holidays (late April to early May)
• Osaka: Golden Week holidays (late April to early May)
• Seoul: Lotus Lantern Festival — lantern parade along Jongno (usually the weekend before Buddha's Birthday, April or May)
• Tokyo: Golden Week holidays (until about 5 May)
• Jakarta: Java Jazz Festival (usually late May or early June in recent years)
• Yogyakarta: Vesak — Buddhist procession from Mendut to Borobudur (usually May or June)
• Baku: Independence Day (28 May)
• Beijing: Labour Day holiday — heavy domestic travel (1–5 May)
• Busan: Haeundae Sand Festival (usually May)
• Fukuoka: Hakata Dontaku — parades and street performances (3–4 May)
• Hiroshima: Hiroshima Flower Festival on Peace Boulevard (3–5 May)
• Jeju: Royal azalea bloom on Hallasan's upper slopes (usually late May to early June)

Daylight in May

Day length on these trips ranges from about 11.7 hours in Bali to 14.5 hours in Tbilisi (sunrise to sunset on 15 May). Longer days mean more sightseeing time; shorter ones favour museums, food and evenings.

May weather compared

Questions travellers ask