What"s Hot and What"s Not for Asia in October

Asia in October can very enjoyable; the month is a transition period. Countries with hot summers and high humidity finally start to cool off, and the leaves will be changing colors in China, Japan, and other parts of East Asia. Families with young children and backpacking students have all returned to their home countries for school, so many islands and attractions are less crowded.

Mountainous places such as Nepal and North India are at their prime with low humidity and higher visibility of the Himalayas before the snow begins.

While foliage is also changing in Japan, the typhoon season is still in full swing; the potential for tropical storms can change the weather in the region at anytime.

• Read more about Asia in fall.

Asian Festivals and Holidays in October

Planning your trip around large festivals is essential. Accommodation and transportation can fill up, wrecking budgets and itineraries. Ideally, you'll be well settled a few days at your destination before any of these big festivals hit, or avoid the area altogether until the smoke clears.

Many or these big fall festivals in Asia are based on a lunisolar calendar, so dates and months can vary from year to year. The following festivals take place or could hit in October:

• National Day in China: (Always on October 1)
• Gandhi's Birthday in India: (Always on October 2)
• Phuket Vegetarian Festival: (Dates vary)
• Full Moon Party in Thailand: (Monthly; check dates)
• Festival of Ages in Kyoto, Japan: (Always on October 22)
• Many festivals in Rajasthan, India: (see a list of Indian festivals in October)

• Diwali in India: (Dates vary: November 11 in 2015)

Where to Go in October

Since October is a transition month for the monsoons in Asia, weather can be hit or miss. The monsoon rains don't always begin or end on time, however, many countries will enjoy less heavy rains and sporadic sunny days.

Traveling during the monsoon season -- especially at the end of October -- does come with many advantages; among them are fewer crowds and lower accommodation prices. With a little luck you'll still have plenty of sunny days and less people taking up space on the beach!

Places with the Best Weather

• Hong Kong
• Taipei
• China
• Nepal - Read about the trek to Everest Base Camp
• Northwest India

Places with Poor Weather

• Bangkok
• The Thai Islands
• Malaysian Borneo
• Sri Lanka

Southeast Asia in October

The monsoon rains are beginning to taper off across much of Southeast Asia, while rain begins in countries farther south such as Indonesia. Most countries in the north receive less and less rain, particularly toward the end of the month.

October is a good compromise between seasons; with student backpackers gone, many countries along the Banana Pancake Trail will be less crowded but still have off-season prices for accommodation. The rain will be slowing down in Cambodia, Laos, and North Vietnam.

October serves as a shoulder month in Thailand before the peak season between November and April. See the best time of year to visit Thailand.

October is an excellent month for visiting some of Southeast Asia's popular sites such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Now is the time to enjoy cooler weather and less crowds before the busy season begins to start up again in November.

This month offers a last chance to visit popular island destinations such as the Perhentian Islands and Tioman Island in Malaysia before they practically shut down due to low crowds and rough seas.

China in October

October is one of the best months to visit China. Beijing's sweltering heat and urban humidity are beginning to subside, while the leaves are changing colors around much of the country. Views of fall foliage from the Great Wall are incredible this time of year!

• See some interesting facts about the Great Wall of China.
• Read about fall foliage in China.

China's largest public holiday (National Day) will be in full effect the first week of October. Expect major transportation delays and inflated accommodation prices in Beijing beginning the last week of September as people flock to the capital to celebrate.

• Read more about National Day in China.

With low humidity and very little rain, October is considered the best month to visit Hong Kong. Read more about Hong Kong in October.