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The Best Asian Countries to Visit in Summer

From peaceful paradise islands to fascinating cities that explode with colour, Asia has it all. From Thailand, Japan and Indonesia to Vietnam and Georgia – Culture Trip can take you there. Let us inspire you – and get booking!
Elle Redman
5 May 2023
It’s a continent blessed with natural wonders and hidden treasures, and what better time to experience some of them than in summer? We’ve rounded up the best places to visit in Asia, ranging from the beautiful beaches of Bali to the neon-lit skyscrapers of Japan. With Culture Trip, you’ll get to cover all the highlights, plus plenty of lesser-known gems with a Local Insider by your side throughout.
1 . Georgia, for delicious wine and spectacular hiking

Sitting at the intersection of Europe and Asia, Georgia is renowned for its warm hospitality, great cuisine and jawdropping landscapes. Foodies and wine connoisseurs in particular will love this specially curated, nine-day Georgian adventure from Culture Trip – there’s wine-tasting, bread baking, a traditional cookery class and lunch with a local family. You’ll also enjoy a walking tour of Tbilisi in the company of a Local Insider, as well as a soak in sulphur baths, a revitalising kisa massage and a hike in the majestic Lagodekhi National Park. Visit in summer for a backdrop of sunshine.

From£874
Next available from10 Jun 2023
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2 . Northern Thailand, for street food and jungle trekking

There aren’t many places that can boast such great food and natural beauty as northern Thailand. In summer, expect fewer crowds, hot weather and short-but-intense bursts of rainfall. Experience the very best of Asia on this off-the-beaten-track and intimate 10-day journey, which will show you an authentic side of the former Lanna Kingdom. Enjoy a street-food bicycle tour of Chiang Mai, scramble up the Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall, trek through the dense Mae Hong Son jungle and hike through the awe-inspiring Pai Canyon. You’ll also summit Thailand’s highest peak, Doi Inthanon, and visit an elephant sanctuary.

From£959
Next available from11 Jun 2023
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3 . Japan, for vibrant cities, hot springs and sushi-making

Undoubtedly one of the most captivating places in Asia, Japan has something for everyone. It’s a nature-lover’s paradise and a city-dweller’s dream, combining tradition with modernity. Plenty of festivals are in full swing in summer, and it’s a good time to go if you want to avoid peak tourist season – as long as you’re prepared for hot, humid weather. On this 12-day adventure, you’ll explore Tokyo, learn about Hiroshima’s past at the Peace Park and Museum, hike through the Arashiyama bamboo forest and soak in hot springs in the alpine town of Hakone. Sample sake, a traditional Japanese spirit made from fermented rice, learn how to make sushi, and admire Mount Fuji from a cruise on Lake Ashi.

From£2672
Next available from7 Sep 2023
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4 . Bali, for snorkelling with sea turtles and learning to surf

With sacred temples, tropical waterfalls and jungle-covered mountains, there’s no mystery as to why Bali is known as the Island of the Gods. It’s also home to some of the best beaches in Asia, offering vast stretches of soft, white sand and coral reefs teeming with marine life. If you’ve ever wanted to snorkel with turtles or learn to surf, this 12-day Bali trip allows you to do both in the company of a Local Insider and a small group of culturally curious travellers. You’ll also cycle through rice paddies by e-bike, attend a Balinese cookery class in Ubud, climb Mount Batur at sunrise and relax on the idyllic beaches of the Gili Islands. Summer is the perfect time to visit as it’s the dry season.

From£1239
Next available from17 Jun 2023
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5 . Vietnam, for sumptuous cuisine, eclectic architecture and a luxury sea cruise

From tranquil seascapes and lush rice paddies to aromatic street food and lantern-lined streets, there are endless layers to peel back in Vietnam. This 12-day adventure allows you to venture into the heart of Hanoi on a walking tour, experience rural farm life in Mai Chau, glide across Lan Ha Bay on a luxury overnight cruise and tuck into spicy street food on a cyclo tour in Hue. Finally, you’ll arrive in the atmospheric city of Hoi An, with its Unesco-listed Ancient Town and a blend of French, Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese influences. The signature local dish, cao lau (spiced pork with noodles and herbs), is a must.

From£902
Next available from12 Aug 2023
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Maja Proescholdt contributed additional reporting to this article.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel – and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Bespoke Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Bespoke Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm – and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.