travel333

Wondering about good places to visit in Asia at Christmas time for a family with grown children, about 2 weeks. Very active group, love nature, culture, local life. Any recommendations would be appreciated!!!

Cicerone

With two weeks, you could go to several places. In terms of activities and sights and great weather, Thailand and Hong Kong come first on the list. Lots to see and do in both, and you could include some beach time in Phuket or time in the cooler mountain areas around Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai.

Great weather in Hong Kong in December, mid 70s F and sunny, perfect for walks or more strenuous hikes (Hong Kong has an amazing trail system), and there is the shopping, great food, ferry rides, boat trips to sight pink dolphins, etc enough to keep a family happy. The skyscrapers are all decorated and you can have a traditional Christmas dinner with turnkey and all the trimmings at most every hotel. A great time to be in Hong Kong.

Thailand will be hot and humid, but little rain so it is a great time. Note that this is high season, and beach resorts may have minimum stay requirements, plus prices are at their highest. Thailand is also very safe for kids.

Other parts of China will be quite cold, but if this does not bother you then Beijing and Xian would be good choices, not crowded at all. Singapore is a bit on the rainy side them, I would choose Hong Kong over it if you want a city experience. Bali would be on the list, although weather-wise it is not as good as Thailand.

India is perfect in December, not sure if this would be on your list, but in addition to tremendous sight-seeing there are excellent beaches in Goa and Kerala which are at their best in December. You could rent a houseboat with staff and cook and cruise the canals of Kerala. You would need probably the entire two weeks for India, as there is a lot of ground to cover. If you have never been to Asia before, India may not be the best first choice.

travel333

Thank you for such great information! Will explore the possibilities.

Cicerone

I completely forgot to mention Australia and New Zealand, which aren't strictly in Asia but certainly worth considering. Great weather at that time (it is their summer, you can have Christmas lunch ON the beaches). Great people, food, lots of outdoor activities. Great cities and great countryside. You could spend 2 weeks in either country, would be hard to do both in one trip as there is so much to see and do and flight time is long. Take a look at the Australia board or post a question there.

Cicerone

I completely forgot to mention Australia and New Zealand, which aren't strictly in Asia but certainly worth considering. Great weather at that time (it is there summer, you can have Christmas lunch ON the beaches). Great people, food, lots of outdoor activities. Great cities and great countryside. You could spend 2 weeks in either country, would be hard to do both in one trip as there is so much to see and do and flight time is long. Take a look at the Australia board or post a question there.

boo_msw

I am looking for places in asia to go to over the christmas holidays (after xmas actually into the new year). BKK airfares are very expensive around the holidays, i have found. Can anyone suggest other asian cities that are affordable around that time. Thanks so much!

hobbes

Try India and for a very special experience look at the Windamere Hotel in Darjeeling - but HURRY as it books up fast!