May is a fantastic time to go on holiday in Asia, especially if you are looking for some active fun. In the south, large parts of Southeast Asia and the Indian sub-continent are experiencing peak summer, with very hot temperatures. However, the weather across the Orient and in the high Himalaya is very pleasant and dry.
May is one of our favourite months for Japan, as the mad tourist rush during the Cherry Blossom season is over, the weather is warmer and drier, and the gardens are in full bloom. It is also an excellent time for hiking in the lush countryside and mountains. The conditions are similar in China with fairly uniform dry and warm weather across the country.
By May, the snow begins to melt in the northern Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh in India, making it accessible again. If it is the coast that you are after, especially for those travelling with kids, May is the beginning of the dry season on the islands of Bali and Java in Indonesia. It’s still not quite the peak season, so you will be able to beat the crowds.
May is a great time to explore the untouched jungles of Borneo without the crowds. Experience one of the last surviving primary rainforests in Danum Valley Conservation Area, where you will have the best chance of seeing orangutans in the wild.
Good weather conditions continue across Bhutan in May with plenty of sunshine. However, the humidity level increases towards the later part of the month with a possibility of occasional light showers in the afternoons and evenings.
