We all have images of terrible floods and torrential rains in our minds. Enough to convince you that the monsoon period in Asia should be avoided for a tourist trip! What if this was a slightly exaggerated cliché? Indeed, this season has many realities and will be experienced very differently depending on the country and the spots chosen. Going during the monsoon in Asia can even be a real advantageespecially if you are on a tight budget or want to escape the crowds! This is the opportunity to discover a destination in complete authenticity. Where to go? What to expect? We tell you everything!
The monsoon in Asia: it’s not so terrible!
Seasonal meteorological phenomenon, consequence of a set of thermal depressions between the mainland and the ocean, the monsoon actually refers to winds.
In Asia, we can distinguish two types of monsoons:
- The summer monsoonalso called “great monsoon” is the wettest. Winds blow from the southwest (from the sea), towards Asian countries, bringing with them rains which can be intense depending on where you are. Most often, this period lasts from April to October.
- The winter monsoon occurs due to winds coming from the northeast (from inland). Much drier, it generally lasts from November to March.
Since geographic configurations and relief greatly influence cloud formation, the distribution of rain is very irregular : some regions have more water than others. For the same reasons, the wet monsoon period is often shifted depending on the country, or even within regions of the same country!
Note that certain countries, such as Sri Lanka and some islands of Indonesia, experience two series of rainy periods : the great monsoon and the little monsoon.
While rain can bother some travelers, the monsoon is a boon for local culture and flora. Nature, tarnished by the period of heat and drought, emerges from its lethargy to revive. So, the mountains like the plains are covered with a mantle of vegetation which comes in all shades of green.
Concretely, showers usually only last a few hours and often take place at the end of the day or at night. The rest of the time, the sun is out. Apart from the exceptional cases which cause spectacular floods, as we can have in Europe, the monsoon in Asia is not so terrible!
Different periods from one country to another
Asia is big! From India to Japan, via the immense Indonesian or Philippine archipelagos, the monsoon will manifest itself in different ways depending on the reliefs and the distance from the ocean:
The monsoon in India and the Indian Ocean
- We can therefore note that the monsoon, extending from May to November in the Maldives, arrives in India from the west in June and continues until the end of September in the northwest, and until the end of October in the northeast. .
- In Sri Lanka, the west coast and the south of the country experience a period of rain between May and the end of August while the north coast and that of the North-East experience it from October to the end of January.
- In India, the monsoon is later and less marked in the southern tip and on the east coast. On the other hand, the east coast and the North-East are more often affected by cyclones which form in the Bay of Bengal. In this region, it is the winter monsoon which governs the climate.
- Most of the time, the sky is low and gray. The rains occur at the end of the day, but are not a handicap for traveling in the country.
The monsoon in Southeast Asia
In the majority of countries in this area, showers intensify between May/June and Octoberor even October for Cambodia and Vietnam. During this period, the thermometer rises and humid heat can be stifling. Here are the places to favor or avoid to travel as peacefully as possible:
- In Burma, it is advisable not to stay on the coast, which is very wet. Inland, where the monsoon penetrates with more difficulty, the weather is most often dry and sunny!
- In Laos, the rains are particularly abundant in the south. If you go north, the sky should just stay overcast, which is no obstacle to discovering this wonderful country!
- In Thailand, you should avoid the coasts along the Andaman Sea in favor of the Gulf of Thailand and its magnificent islands. On the program: sunbathing and relaxing in the shade of a coconut tree!
- Cambodia is relatively spared compared to its neighbors further north. The rains are lighter so you can go all over the country.
- In Vietnam, rains are particularly present in the south of the country and in the Mekong Delta. Elsewhere, they are condensed at the end of the day and offer splendid panoramas in the rice fields of the north.
Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, the monsoon is delayed :
- In Malaysia, the period from November to the end of February is very rainy on the peninsula, while East Malaysia is rather sunny.
- In Singapore, the wettest months are November and December. However, in such a cosmopolitan city, you will always find a nice place to shelter in case of rain!
- In Indonesia, the monsoon lasts from November to March, with abundant rain depending on the islands. While Bali and Borneo are relatively spared and experience beautiful sunny days, Java, Papua and Sumatra experience torrential floods.
The monsoon in East Asia
- In Taiwan, the summer monsoon period, which occurs from April to September, results in heavy rains in the south of the island, while the north of the island is relatively spared. Note, in fact, that the little monsoon (the winter monsoon), from October to March, is less influential, because it brings little humidity.
- Given the vast expanse of the Philippine archipelago, the monsoon period is different between the north and the south. Thus, the eastern coasts of Luzon, Samar and northern Mindanao are very rainy between December and February. On the other hand, from June to October, the west and north of the Philippine archipelago suffer the horrors of the summer monsoon and typhoons increase from mid-August to mid-September.
- Southern and central China also experience the monsoon, from July to September, while the north and northeast remain relatively dry.
- In Japan, the monsoon is called “tsuyu”. It most often begins at the beginning of June and lasts until mid-July depending on the region. Only one island is spared: that of Hokkaido, located in the far north. During this time it does not rain every day, but it is usually very hot and humid.
Take advantage of good deals during the monsoon in Asia
Against all odds, traveling to Asia during the present monsoon period many advantages ! For example, you can discover a country off the beaten track, or even save money on your travel budget.
Here are all the reasons why it is interesting to go during the monsoon in Asia:
Enjoy great light for photos
The clouds, after pouring down torrents of rain, dissipate and give way to superb sunshine. This sometimes results in a magnificent light, which can be warm (the red or orange light at the end of the afternoon) or cold (the bluish atmosphere at the start of the day) that any paragraph worthy of the name wishes to capture in order to magnify your souvenir photos.
Take advantage of the clearing hours after a rainy episode
Asian countries with a monsoon climate do not experience all the hardships caused by bad weather. Showers can be moderate and only occur for a few hours a day, if at all! Thus, the rest of the day the clear sky allows visitors to enjoy beautiful clearings, enjoy the beach or indulge in some interesting activities.
Enjoy the tranquility of the tourist sites
The monsoon season corresponds to the low tourist season in Asia. Indeed, most tourists prefer to wait until the dry season to leave and make their dream trip come true. Therefore, tourist sites are not very busy. It’s the right time to discover unmissable moments like the Shwedagon Pagoda in Burma, the Grand Palace of Bangkok, the temples of Angkor in Cambodia, the Taj Mahal in India, or even the superb city of Hoi An in Vietnam, it also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Immerse yourself in the heart of lush landscapes
The rain brought by the monsoon regenerates the vegetation, after a period of relative drought. Thus, rice fields, tea plantations, forests, mangroves and other vegetation are regaining color: green comes in all shades. It’s the ideal time to go hiking in the heart of nature and recharge your batteries!
Take advantage of affordable rates
As said before, the rainy season coincides with the low season. Plane tickets are more affordable than during the winter and most hotels lower their prices from 20% to 40% depending on the destinations.
Not only is the monsoon period a godsend for cheap travel in Asia, but also for enjoy the little treatments offered by the staff of the hotel, less overwhelmed during this period compared to the high season.
Going during the monsoon in Asia: some recommendations!
- Because rain can thwart your schedule, it’s better have for flexible timing. This way, you will be able to adapt your days according to the weather conditions and the opportunities available to you.
- Opt for comfortable accommodation : if it rains all afternoon, you will be happy to be in a cozy place!
- Also think about choose the contents of your suitcase depending on the hot and humid climate: prefer light clothing that dries quickly so you don’t have to change after each rainy episode. The same goes for accessories like shoes, hats, etc.
- It is important tohave an adventurous soul to be able to take advantage of the monsoon period in Asia. If you are willing to see authenticity in every unusual situation, then you will have a great time!
