The 7 best countries to visit during Golden Week
This year the Golden Week in China will start from 1st October and end up on 7th October. It is a busy time of year in China, which usually coincides with a major holiday when most people have time off to travel with family. Therefore, before introducing you to the travel destinations, here are two facts you might want to know before the trip.
- Train tickets and flight tickets might be very hard to book during the beginning and end of the Golden Week. We would recommend booking early, therefore, you can get a more competitive price.
- October is a popular season for most Asian destinations since the monsoons are over and the weather starts to cool down and be nice for travel. Therefore we suggest the earlier you make the decision the more options you can have.
While you are waiting for the options to firm up, here’s a reminder of which the best places are at this time of year and why you might wish to consider them for your holiday.
Cambodia
As the rainy season comes to an end and the dry season approaches, Cambodia is experiencing more pleasant weather in October. In the inland areas, the countryside is lush and green after long spells of wet weather, so this is a good time to hike. In the capital Phnom Penh, temperatures reach average highs of 31°C and lows of 23°C in October.
Cambodia is best known for its vine-covered Angkor complex, but it has much more to offer than you might think. Visit minority villages or the dense jungle of the Cardamom Mountains in Koh Kong Province. On a riverboat cruise in Kratie, you may even spot endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. Besides its haunting past, Phnom Penh also offers boisterous markets and French colonial architecture that offer a broader perspective.
Japan
It is one of the best months of the year to visit Hokkaido (Sapporo, Niseko, Furano). With sunny, crisp, dry days and comfortable avg temperatures 16°C, this is an ideal month for hiking, especially around Sapporo and Niseko. Especially at O-numa Quasi National Park on the southwestern end of the island and around Mt. Jozankei, Hokkaido’s National Parks are awash with reds and golds of the season.
As autumn arrives in Honshu (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima), the warm, rainy days of summer turn cooler and drier (avg temperature: 22°C). Compared to Osaka, Tokyo has seen more rain this month, while Hiroshima has seen more sunshine. Tohoku experiences some of the most spectacular Autumn colours during October, especially around Lake Towadako. Koyo colors can also be seen in Nikko and central Honshu’s National Parks. A sake festival in Hiroshima’s Saijo district offers visitors the chance to try Japan’s famous rice wine as they wander from brewery to brewery.
Laos
October finally brings good weather to Laos with less rain than the previous few months and plenty of sunshine replacing overcast skies. Temperatures continue to drop, with averages of 25°C in Luang Prabang and Vientiane, and 26°C in Pakse and the southern provinces, making touring and sightseeing a much more comfortable and less sweaty experience!
There is no doubt that Luang Prabang is one of the jewels in the crown of Laos, protected by UNESCO. Several temples, French-Colonial facades, and a laid-back Sunday morning atmosphere await you here. If you stay a bit longer, you’ll see early morning alms-giving rituals, be overwhelmed by the smell of the food market at Long Street, and discover the secret to climbing to the top of Mt Phou Si without being crowded. Take a bike ride along the Nam Ou River for an agricultural perspective on life in Laos’ ancient capital.
Vietnam
In North Vietnam such as Hanoi and Halong Bay, the wet season ends in October. During the second half of the month, the temperature drops, as does the rainfall as the cooler, dry winter approaches with an average temperature of 26°C. Sapa and Ha Giang in the far north have dry, clear weather, making for some of the best trekking conditions of the year. There is no better time of year to visit Mu Cang Chai than early October, when the region’s endless fields of rice turn golden.
Especially in the south, rainfall is decreasing as the region moves into its hot, dry months with an average temperature of 27 °C. Especially towards the end of the month, the southern beaches of Phan Thiet and Mui Ne, as well as the islands of Phu Quoc and Con Dao, are starting to recover from the winter months. Green Turtle hatchlings continue to emerge from their nesting grounds under the sand around the island of Con Dao.
South Korea
The high levels of humidity and oppressive, muggy air of summer are now a thing of the past, as are the torrential rains. Dry climates offer blue skies, sunny days, and comfortable temperatures ranging from 15°C in the north and at altitude to 26°C in the south. There is no better time to explore South Korea’s great outdoors than October, when you can view picturesque temples, such as Beopjusa in Songnisan National Park, against a backdrop of reds and oranges. It can get a bit chilly in the mountains after the sun goes down, so make sure to pack extra layers.
Myanmar
In spite of October being one of the coolest months of the year, temperatures are likely to remain in the high 20s and even early 30s°C throughout the month. Across Myanmar, rainfall has greatly reduced and sunny days have become more common. In October, the weather is generally good, and tourist numbers are lower than in other months, so it is a good time to visit Myanmar.
All major tourist destinations, including Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, and Inle Lake, are expecting great weather. Water levels on all rivers are high, so cruise boats are sailing again on the Upper Ayeyarwady River and on the Chindwin River. The 3,800 ancient temples of Old Bagan attract visitors from all over the world. Myanmar boasts a wealth of heritage, from colonial-era buildings in Yangon to the regal palace in Mandalay.
Bhutan
October is one of the most popular months of the year to visit Bhutan. Visibility is sparkling clear, allowing for sublime views of the mountains. The weather is warm and sunny, and the scenery is lush. Also, a packed calendar of cultural and religious events begins. The month is characterized by pleasantly mild temperatures, ranging from 19°C in Bumthang to 22°C in Thimphu, and dreamily clear Himalayan views. At higher elevations, it can get significantly cooler in the evenings, and snow may be a possibility early in the season. No matter where you are in Bhutan’s mountains, valleys, or forested regions in the south and centre, its autumnal colours are stunning. Taktsang Goemba, Punakha Dzong, and Tashichho Dzong will be at their busiest and everywhere there is an atmosphere of joviality – this is the Himalayan kingdom at its best.
If you need to plan the itinerary or have any concerns regarding the travel information in Golden Week, please feel free to talk to our travel consultants right ahead!
