The more you travel, the more you begin to realize that there are times in the year which are the best suited for a particular location. It does depend on what you want though. Sometimes the best time for you could be in the non-peak season where you aren’t brushing arms with a hundred other tourists.
Some people choose to visit in the peak season because the weather is amazing or there is a particular attraction that can only be seen at a particular time of year. It is this that inspired me to start documenting the best places to visit in Asia by month. So, continuing with our series, today we will take a look at what seasoned travelers have to say about spending June in Asia.
If you are interested in exploring the other months that we have covered, you can take a look at the links below.
Table Of Contents: June in Asia
In order to help you navigate through our list of places where you can spend June in Asia, we have sorted all the locations based on the country they are located in. For your convenience, we have also placed links to the countries below. Just click on the country that you would like to explore, and you will be taken directly to that section. Not sure where you want to head to? Don’t worry! Just keep scrolling! There are a lot of options and I am sure you will find some inspiration here.
China
China has always been a place I have wanted to visit. My dad would carve Chinese paintings and figures into wood and he had numerous story books that centred around the beliefs and legends of the Chinese. It made me want to visit the country as a child and it still has an allure as an adult. That is why I was so pleased to see that it is a great place to spend June in Asia.
1. Beijing
Beijing is an intriguing place to spend June in Asia.
LOCATION: Beijing
GETTING THERE: Most travellers visiting Beijing fly into Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), which is a little over 30 km away from central Beijing. The easiest way to get from the airport to the city centre is the Airport Express Line which runs every 15 minutes. A one-way ticket costs 30 RMB for a 15-20 minute trip (depending on if you leave from Terminal 2 or Terminal 3).
WHERE TO STAY: Budget Hotel: Inner Mongolia Grand Hotel is only a 15-minute walk from Tiananmen Square, making it easy to get around the city sights. It’s a five-star hotel with a mix of modern and traditional décor.
Mid-Range Hotel: New World Beijing Hotel has all the convenience one could want in a hotel. It’s located near a main subway stop as well as top tourist destinations including the Forbidden City. Next door to the hotel is the Xinglong International Museum where you can exchange currency at a decent rate.
Luxury Hotel: Hotel Nuo Wangfujing has plenty of luxuries to offer while still being close to attractions in the city. The decor of the hotel is French-Orient and includes an indoor pool & spa. This hotel is only a 5-minute walk from Tiananmen Square.
June is a wonderful time to go to Beijing since the weather is nice and warm without being too humid. The weather gets hotter the further into the month and the further south you travel.
The top thing to see near Beijing is the Great Wall of China. It’s about a 90-minute drive to the Wall but it is worth it. Many hotels can help you organize a trip or private transportation. The wall is over 13,000 miles (21,000 km) in length though it is difficult to measure due to some of it being very remote. There are people on the wall who can help guide you or hold your hand as you explore the wall so be sure to bring cash to tip them.
Beijing city is home to its own palaces and temples that are worth seeing as well. The Summer Palace is jaw droppingly beautiful. Chinese culture is on full display throughout the architecture. The Forbidden City, while less beautiful than the Summer Palace, is packed, literally packed, with history. If you spent 1 day in each room, it would take you over 23 years to explore every palace. Near the city is Jinghsan Park where you can take a break to enjoy nature! The Temple of Heaven was visited by many Emperors to pray for good harvest.
Wangfujing Street Market is THE place to go for local food and souvenirs. While the market is open during the day, night time is when the market comes to life. This street market is where you can find the craziest things to eat – including scorpions and spiders! While exploring at night, be sure to check out the Beijing Olympic Park. It lights up the night with a variety of colours. The Beijing National Stadium – nicknamed the Nest – is one of the most unique modern buildings in the city.
By Pam from The Directionally Challenged Traveler
Japan
Japan has made it to our lists so often and I have to say that we are considering visiting the country soon. Between the gorgeous country and delicious food, you will find that it is becoming a popular tourist spot. In fact, a couple of travel bloggers have suggested spending June in Asia here. Take a look at the locations they added to our list.
2. Sapporo
Sapporo is another fun place to spend June in Asia.
LOCATION: Sapporo
GETTING THERE: Domestic flights from around Japan. International flights from around Asia.
WHERE TO STAY: Mercure Sapporo
The capital city of the northern island of Hokkaido, Sapporo is often referred to as the “Wild West of Japan”. A city of outcasts and wanderers, Sapporo is most famous as the jumping off point for Japan’s ski areas. Compared to other Japanese cities like Tokyo, Sapporo is a much more relaxed and slower paced city. The city features wide, tree-lined streets running throughout the city making it very pedestrian friendly. Odori Park sits in the middle of Sapporo providing a slice of nature amongst the city’s skyscrapers. Each June, the park hosts Yosakoi Soran, one of Japan’s largest street dance festivals featuring over 30,000 participants.
For sports lovers, no trip to Japan in June is complete without going to the Japanese baseball game. Much like throughout the rest of Japan, residents of Sapporo love their home team, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. A trip over to the Sapporo Dome to take in a game should certainly be on your list. Not many travellers think of heading to the beach when they plan a trip to Japan. Only 30 minutes from downtown Sapporo is Aso Beach and the perfect location to escape city life for an afternoon. Regardless of what the calendar reads, Sapporo’s food scene is reason enough to visit.
Hokkaido is the dairy producing area of Japan. As a result, many dishes, including the beloved ramen feature dairy products especially butter. There’s nothing better on a warm summer day than enjoying a famous Hokkaido ice cream cone. If you are looking for another city to explore in Japan during the summer, certainly consider adding Sapporo to your Japan itinerary. Afterall, come winter Sapporo is cold and snowy.
By Amber from Food And Drink Destinations
3. Kamakura
Have you ever thought of spending June in Asia at Kamakura?
LOCATION: Kamakura
GETTING THERE: Located just south of Tokyo, you can take the train to Kamakura.
WHERE TO STAY: Hotels in Tokyo could be quite expensive. It not, the room could be quite small that barely can fit an open suitcase on the floor!
Shiba Park Hotel is conveniently located between two subway stations, Onarimon and Daimon, with two convenient stores just around the corner. At a similar price range, the hotel offers a relatively bigger room at around 400 sq ft. Kamakura is an old capital of medieval Japan, with an abundance of impressive Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. Kamakura is merely 50 kilometers away from Tokyo, and it is also a prominent resort town by the Sagami Bay shoreline in the modern-day.
The most well-known and visited landmark is the Kotoku-in Temple’s Great Buddha – a 15th century made bronze statue and the largest of its type. The temples and shrines look even more beautiful in June because this is the time for Hydrangea blossoms. A couple of spots are named the most popular hydrangea viewing location in the country, from Engaku Temple, Meigetsuin, Kuzuharaoka Shrine to Hasedera.
The hydrangea bloom occurs during late May until the end of June during the rainy season. Therefore, don’t forget to bring an umbrella when you plan to have a 1-day excursion from Tokyo to Kamakura. While you are in town, take a hike in one of the walking trails in the hills, visit some of the shrines and attractions in the city, or enjoy the local food and delicacy in the main shopping street in Hase.
By Kenny from Knycx Journeying
Kazakhstan
The rugged nature of Kazakhstan is certainly alluring. If this country has been on your bucket list, then you are in luck. According to our fellow travel bloggers, Kazakhstan is a great place to spend June in Asia. Take a look at the locations in the country that made it to our list.
4. Arslanbob
June in Asia? I wish I could head to Arslanbob!
LOCATION: Arslanbob
GETTING THERE: Arslanbob is about 4 hours by bus from Osh in Kyrgyzstan.
WHERE TO STAY: In one of the homestays from the community-based tourism organization.
Arslanbob is a scenic village in the southern mountains of Kyrgyzstan near the border with Uzbekistan. What makes this mountain village so special is that it combines spectacular mountain sceneries with a range of interesting cultural and outdoor activities. Arslanbob is a place like no other in Kyrgyzstan. First of all, it is an Uzbek village with a thriving community that has set up a nice network of cosy homestays for tourists to stay. The hospitality is heart-warming and the homecooked dishes are some of the best you will have in Kyrgyzstan.
Second of all, it is home to some of the largest walnut forests in Asia. The people of Arslanbob are very proud of this nut and most of their life revolves around it. You can visit the local walnut oil factory or taste some of the nuts in the local bazaar.
Arslanbob is also a great destination for walking, hiking and horseback riding with spectacular views on the Baba Atash mountains everywhere. June is a good time because of the great weather. There are several trails to beautiful waterfalls and through the famous walnut forests of Arslanbob.
By Ellis from Backpack Adventures
Kyrgyzstan
Another interesting place that made it to our list of places to spend June in Asia is Kyrgyzstan. Located in heart of Asia, this country isn’t talked about much but when it is, you will find that people talk about its gorgeous landscape. To my ear, it sounds like a peaceful escape from the more popular places in the continent that generally suffer from overtourism.
5. Osh
If you are thinking of spending June in Asia, I would suggest considering Osh.
LOCATION: Osh
GETTING THERE: To get to Osh, you can travel via a marshrutka / shared taxi or take a flight from Bishkek. There are several flights a day from Bishkek and back. It costs from 30 to 50 euro
WHERE TO STAY: It is almost impossible to break your bank here as you can live with a nomadic family in their opulent circular yurts, a legacy of Genghis Khan for as low as USD$15 a night. There’s a yurt camp called Kyrgz-ata-yurt camp. The city has many historic footnotes that make you wonder about what it was like for merchants, traders and commoners to wander these inhospitable places and carry along goods, ideas and a variety of languages.
Imagine a place that has their nomadic cultures intact and where it is known to be one of the oldest cities along the Silk Road, almost 3,000 years old – this was Osh, a gateway to Central Asia’s culture and cuisine. I spent one month in Kyrgyzstan experiencing different modes of transport from bicycle touring to hiking and taking their local taxis (marshutkas) while living with the locals in their yurts.
Osh is specifically the second-largest after Bishkek and it takes you through some of the most remote corners of the world including stunning mountain passes, bustling bazaars, embarking on the Lenin Peak Base Camp trek and walnut forests in Arslanbob.
By Pashmina from The Gone Goat
Myanmar
Myanmar is another lesser visited country that made it to our list of countries to spend June in Asia. If you want to head to a place that has loads of temples and pagodas, this may just be the spot for you. The country is famous for its pagoda dotted landscape, quiet peaceful spots to relax in and the local culture.
6. Bagan
Bagan is a great cultural spot to consider spending your June in Asia.
LOCATION: Bagan
GETTING THERE: The best and most cost effective way to reach Bagan is by road. Comfortable buses are available regularly from Mandaley and Yangon. For more adventurous souls, Irrawaddy river cruise to Bagan can be an interesting option. The fastest way is by air to Nyaung U Airport which is at 20mins drive from Bagan.
WHERE TO STAY: Ostello Bello is a very prestigious chain of hostels originally from Italy and their hostel in Bagan, Myanmar is a true paradise for backpackers where one gets a real chance to mingle with world travellers.
Bagan with its Pagoda laden skyline is stunning to the core. On a hired scooter, when you explore it at your pace and hop from one Pagoda to other, you can actually traverse though stagnant time. Pagodas with age old architecture, River Irrawaddy with its beautiful sunsets and the snail pace of life with old traditions transport you to another world.
Bagan, formerly known as ‘Pagan’ was the capital of the present-day Myanmar between 9th and 13th century. With more than 2500 Buddhist sites and super dense presence of archaeological structure, Bagan is a treasure trove of well-preserved culture and traditions which makes this ancient town one of the fastest growing tourist attraction of the world. The colour of Bagan changes every hour and its landscapes in each direction present an overwhelming image of different shades and hues.
Some of the must visit sites are Shwesandaw Pagoda, Dhammayangyi Temple, Sulamani Temple and Pyathat gyi Temple. In the evening, a river cruise down the Irrawaddy is highly recommended. The best way to explore Bagan is to hire an electric scooter to hop around. The time to go there is now as it still presents a raw beauty untouched with commercialization.
By Himanshu from Everything Candid
Malaysia
Malaysia is one of our favourite destinations. Though we have travelled to the country many times, we somehow have found ourselves visiting places in Malaysian Borneo. Needless to say, we want to go back and explore the mainland more. It is also the perfect place to spend June in Asia.
7. Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian islands is a great beach location to spend June in Asia.
LOCATION: Perhentian Islands
GETTING THERE: You need to get to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia or Singapore. From here, you can take a flight to Kota Bharu or travel overland via bus or the jungle railway. Once in Kota Bharu, you can take a taxi or local bus to Kuala Besut where it’s a 40-minute boat ride across to the Perhentian Islands
WHERE TO STAY: Perhentian Island Resort, a nice resort on the best beach on the islands which also has a pool and other facilities and a variety of room types.
The Perhentian Islands consist of two main islands – Besar and Kecil which translate to big and small. Both are fun and worth exploring with great beaches, jungle interiors and places to snorkel and dive. June is a great time to visit Perhentian Islands thanks to the monsoon season being well and truly over and it not being a peak tourist period.
Activities on the Perhentian Islands centre around nature. There is great snorkelling and diving and you can participate in many water sports. On dry land, there are many nature trails and you can track across both the islands. It’s easy to get around thanks to many boat taxis. If that all sounds too hard, there are many gorgeous beaches where you can relax. If your idea of the perfect vacation in June is about sea and sand, then this is a great choice!
By Sharon from Dive Into Malaysia
Nepal
Nepal is another fun place to spend June in Asia. Based in the Himalayan range, this country has access to some of the most famous treks in the world. If nothing else, you can chill with the cool mountain air blowing in your face. It is totally something that I would love to do. As you can imagine, Nepal is another location that is on my bucket list.
8. Poon Hill
If you love mountains, Poon hill in Nepal is a great place to spend June in Asia.
LOCATION: Poon Hill Circuit
GETTING THERE: The Poon Hill Circuit is a trek that is best started in the small town of Nayapul, at about 2 hours drive from Pokhara. You can get there by private shuttle. Once there you will have to get permits for the trek in the local tourism office.
WHERE TO STAY: You will find plenty of small tea houses along the hike. These are very basic places to stay. You get a very basic room which usually has two beds with covers and pillows but no bed linen, so you will have to bring your own sleeping bag. Toilet and shower facilities are shared among the various guests. Tea houses usually also provide basic meals.
The Poon Hill Circuit is one of the best hikes in Nepal, and one of the easiest (at least compared to the Annapurna or Everest Base Camp ones). You start at an easy altitude and the highest peak you get to is Poon Hill, which is at 3200 meters above sea level.
Each day is a solid day of walking, with the second day being the toughest as you have to climb around 5400 steps to get all the way to Ghorepani, which is at around 2900 meters above sea level. From there, an early wake up call and a short hike will take you to Poon Hill from where, if the weather cooperates, you get to see the most incredible mountain peaks.
You can walk the Poon Hill Circuit throughout the year. Doing it between May and June means that you will have to put up with the beginning of the monsoon season, with rain that can at times be very heavy and leeches that infest the grass – stay on the trail and do not walk on grass to avoid them.
The good thing about walking the Poon Hill Circuit during the monsoon season is that there are significantly less people, which means that you won’t have to worry about not finding accommodation along the way (there is really no way to book the tea houses) and the temperatures are much milder.
By Claudia from My Adventures Across The World
Philippines
Philippines is a gorgeous country which spans across a number of islands. Famed for its beautiful beaches, crystal clear water and a variety of water based activities, this country makes it way onto our list of great places to spend June in Asia.
9. Benguet
Benguet is a perfect spot to spend June in Asia.
LOCATION: Benguet
GETTING THERE: Coming from Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, take a bus going to Baguio City. Travel time from Manila to Baguio is around 4-6 hours. From Baguio, you can take a bus, van, and/or a jeepney to take you to various towns you want to go to.
WHERE TO STAY: Benguet is a large province and it consists of thirteen municipalities. Hence, it is highly advisable to choose your accommodation in the area closest to the things you want to see. Camping is a great option for a more rural destination but there are some homestays too. Just be sure to coordinate in advance with the designated local tourism office of the town or municipality you are visiting.
Nestled in the northern part of the Philippines, Benguet is a sublime part of the mountainous Cordillera Administrative Region. It looms in the middle of a swirling tropical vortex, so it’s always raining somewhere. The start of the rainy season is in June and offers little to medium precipitation, but don’t let the June weather stop you from exploring its almost raw aesthetic as it has a lot to offer.
The best must-see spots include a lot of outdoors, so you’re in for an adventurous treat that extends a bunch of the most exquisite hiking trails, gorgeous waterfalls, pristine rapids, and stunning mountain peaks.
Hiking Mt. Pulag is definitely one of the most popular activities in Benguet which will present you with an astonishing sunrise and a river of cotton candy clouds. Visiting the four mystical mountain lakes of Kabayan is also something that you need to see. Kibungan’s “Great Rocky Wall of Beauty” is one of the most astonishing sights for sore eyes.
If you’re into chasing waterfalls head to Bakun to satisfy your thirst for next-level adventure. Benguet awards you things and sights unlike no other and staying here for a few days might not be enough if you want to explore all its grand splendor.
By Charlotte from Charlotte Anne
South Korea
South Korea is a great location to spend June in Asia. The country maybe small but there is a lot to explore. I am so glad that one of the travel bloggers thought to add it to our list. Hopefully Shawn and I will get a chance to visit it someday soon.
10. Seoul
One of the places that really captured my attention when it comes to spending June in Asia is Seoul in South Korea.
LOCATION: Seoul
HOW TO GET THERE: Fly into Incheon Airport / Boat from China to Incheon / Ferry from Japan to Busan + train Busan – Seoul
WHERE TO STAY: Seoul is a big megalopolis with many different neighbourhoods, all worth checking out – we recommend:
Insadong (close to most major attractions)
Hongdae (bustling nightlife)
Gangnam (for luxury accommodation)
The bustling capital of South Korea is a great destination to visit in June. The weather is warm with temperatures going from 17 to 18 C and an average of 25 sunny days!
Things to do in Seoul are plenty and so diverse. We spent 7 days here and we enjoyed every single one of them. Seoul ended up being one of our favourite cities in Asia. There are so many points of interest in Seoul, you just turn a corner and the city changes completely, but everything seems always perfectly framed. Besides the tourist attractions, this metropolis is really worth exploring, wandering randomly its diverse and mutable areas.
There are nice historical buildings to check out, although most have been restored after the war, they are still very interesting. Most of them host amazing museums about the history of the country (don’t miss the changing of the guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace). The contrast between ancient and ultra-modern is mind-blowing in Seoul, so be sure to visit also the skyscraper neighbourhoods (like Gangnam) to enjoy one of the best skylines in Asia.
June is also perfect weather for hikers, not everyone knows that Seoul has a lot of mapped hiking trail within reach of the subway network, most of these walks will give you the chance to enjoy beautiful views of the city. Another reason to visit in June is to enjoy the nearby islands for a swim in the ocean, the island of Muuido, for example, makes for a great day trip (or weekend) from Seoul, and with its nice landscapes and clear waters is a must to include in your Korean Itinerary.
By Daniele and Elena from Cycloscope
Have you ever spent June in Asia? Which location did you pick? Let us know about your experience in the comments below. We love learning from other people’s travel experiences.
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** The photographs in this post are not the property of Globetrove and have been provided by the individual authors. The featured image is courtesy The Gone Goat.