Best places to visit in Asia in November

Asia

South Korea · 12°C (54°F) · 8 rainy days

Seoul

Joseon palaces, market food and late nights in a 24-hour capital. Late foliage early in the month, then cold arrives; kimchi-making season fills markets with cabbages.

Thailand · 32°C (90°F) · 6 rainy days

Bangkok

Gilded temples, river boats, street food and rooftop bars. The cool, dry season begins, and Loy Krathong fills the river and park lakes with candlelit floats.

Vietnam · 25°C (77°F) · 6 rainy days

Hanoi

Guild streets, lakeside temples and street food on plastic stools. Dry, mild and sunny, ideal for walking the city and for Ha Long Bay and Ninh Bình trips.

China · 24°C (75°F) · 5 rainy days

Hong Kong

Harbour skyline, dim sum and mountain trails minutes from the towers. Sunny, dry and pleasant — many residents' favourite month for walking and outdoor dining.

Japan · 18°C (64°F) · 7 rainy days

Osaka

Japan's street-food capital, neon canals and an easy base for Kansai. Crisp and sunny, with autumn leaves at Minoo Park and Osaka Castle from mid to late November.

Taiwan · 25°C (77°F) · 12 rainy days

Taipei

Night markets, temple incense, hot springs and mountain trails by MRT. Mild and comfortable for walking and hiking, with occasional drizzle as the winter monsoon begins.

Japan · 17°C (63°F) · 8 rainy days

Tokyo

Neon districts, historic shrines, outstanding food and punctual trains. Crisp, sunny days and autumn leaves from mid-to-late November, especially the golden ginkgo avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien.

Japan · 17°C (63°F) · 7 rainy days

Kyoto

Temples, Zen gardens, geisha districts and Japan's finest traditional food. Autumn foliage usually peaks from mid to late November, turning Tofuku-ji, Eikan-do and Arashiyama red; expect peak crowds and prices.

South Korea · 17°C (63°F) · 5 rainy days

Busan

City beaches, seaside temples and Korea's biggest fish market. Crisp, sunny autumn days with colourful leaves at Beomeosa and in the hills.

Japan · 18°C (64°F) · 8 rainy days

Fukuoka

Tonkotsu ramen, riverside yatai stalls and an airport five minutes from downtown. Clear and cool, with autumn colour at Dazaifu and in the temple gardens; the Kyushu sumo tournament is held in the city.

South Korea · 16°C (61°F) · 11 rainy days

Jeju

Volcanic craters, lava tubes, haenyeo divers and black-pork barbecue. Cool and often clear; tangerine harvest begins and many farms offer picking. A good month for hiking.

China · 17°C (63°F) · 7 rainy days

Shanghai

Art Deco riverfront, plane-tree lanes and a skyline across the Huangpu. Crisp, often clear days and golden plane trees in the French Concession; a large trade fair can push up hotel prices.

India · 33°C (91°F) · 2 rainy days

Goa

Portuguese-era churches, 100 km of beaches, fish curry rice and beach shacks. The season begins: dry and sunny with calm seas, and prices rise towards December.

Japan · 18°C (64°F) · 7 rainy days

Hiroshima

Peace memorials, Miyajima's floating torii and layered okonomiyaki. Autumn colour peaks on Miyajima's Momijidani valley and at Shukkei-en, usually in mid to late November; illuminations begin downtown.

Laos · 29°C (84°F) · 4 rainy days

Luang Prabang

Gilded monasteries, dawn alms rounds and the Mekong in Laos's old royal capital. Clear skies, green hills and comfortable temperatures; one of the best months to visit.

China · 24°C (75°F) · 4 rainy days

Macau

Portuguese squares, Macanese cooking and the resorts of the Cotai Strip. Sunny, dry and warm; one of the best months, with motor racing and food festivals.

India · 34°C (93°F) · 1 rainy days

Mumbai

Victorian Gothic and Art Deco, Bollywood, sea-facing promenades and vada pav. Dry and warm with falling humidity; the start of the best season for visitors.

Cambodia · 31°C (88°F) · 8 rainy days

Phnom Penh

Royal Palace, riverside promenades and Cambodia's modern history. The dry season returns; the Water Festival can bring huge crowds to the riverside.

Cambodia · 31°C (88°F) · 6 rainy days

Siem Reap

Gateway town to Angkor Wat, the Bayon and the temples of the Khmer Empire. The dry season returns while the countryside is still green; many visitors consider it the best month of all.

India · 29°C (84°F) · 0 rainy days

Agra

The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Mughal tombs along the Yamuna. Pleasant days and cool nights; busy with Golden Triangle tours. Air pollution can be heavy in some weeks.

Thailand · 29°C (84°F) · 4 rainy days

Chiang Mai

Lanna temples, night markets and mountain day trips in northern Thailand. Cool, dry and clear; Yi Peng and Loy Krathong fill the river with krathongs and the sky with lanterns.

India · 28°C (82°F) · 0 rainy days

Jaipur

Pink City bazaars, hilltop forts and Rajput palaces in Rajasthan's capital. Clear, comfortable days and the start of peak season; the Pushkar Camel Fair is a popular side trip.

Nepal · 23°C (73°F) · 1 rainy days

Kathmandu

Stupas, Newar temple squares and the gateway to the Himalaya. Sunny, stable weather and the clearest mountain views of the year; book treks and flights early.

Japan · 17°C (63°F) · 6 rainy days

Nara

Japan's first permanent capital, the Great Buddha and a park of bowing deer. Autumn colour peaks in Nara Park, Isui-en and Yoshiki-en, usually mid to late November; very busy at weekends.

Beach, city or budget: November picks by trip type

What's on in November

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

• Seoul: Seoul Lantern Festival along Cheonggyecheon (usually November)
• Bangkok: Loy Krathong — floating candle offerings on the river and lakes (full moon, usually November)
• Hong Kong: Christmas lights go up on Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront buildings (usually late November)
• Osaka: Autumn leaves at Minoo Park and Osaka Castle (usually mid to late November)
• Tokyo: Autumn leaves in Rikugien, Shinjuku Gyoen and Meiji Jingu Gaien (usually mid-November to early December)
• Kyoto: Autumn leaves and evening temple illuminations (usually mid-November to early December)
• Busan: Autumn foliage on Geumjeongsan (usually early to mid-November)
• Fukuoka: Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament (usually November)
• Jeju: Tangerine harvest and farm picking (usually November–December)
• Shanghai: China International Import Expo — trade fair that fills hotels (usually early November)
• Goa: International Film Festival of India in Panaji (usually late November)
• Hiroshima: Autumn foliage at Momijidani Park, Miyajima (usually mid to late November)

Daylight in November

Day length on these trips ranges from about 10.1 hours in Seoul to 11.6 hours in Phnom Penh (sunrise to sunset on 15 November). Longer days mean more sightseeing time; shorter ones favour museums, food and evenings.

November weather compared

Questions travellers ask