May is another great month to visit Asia as the rainy season has yet to begin in the famous southeast Asian countries and the blistering heat has also yet to arrive in the more northern cities. In other words, you can go to almost any of the most popular destinations in Asia in the month of May and expect decent weather and also moderate crowds and prices.
If you are open to parts of the world outside of south or east Asia you might also consult our list of cheap destinations with great weather in May around the world. There are quite a few destinations on both lists, but the list below also includes cities such as Singapore and Seoul, which may not be quite so cheap even if they are good value in 2024.
One great thing to reveal is that hotel room rates are much lower in May of 2024 than they have been in most of the last few years. Tokyo, for example, used to famously be one of the most expensive cities on earth, but partly thanks to a sinking Yen, it’s MUCH cheaper than it used to be. Many others on the list below had really amazing room rates for 2024 so this could be an ideal year for a trip to Asia and hopefully more than one destination.
Important May holidays for travelers to Asia in 2024
- May 1 – International Workers’ Day/Labour Day/May Day: A public holiday in most of the world
- May 1 to 5 – Labour Day in China (rest days for workers)
- May 3 – Constitution Memorial Day (Japan)
- May 9 – Ascension Day (Philippines)
- May 23 – Vesak Day/Buddha’s birthday (Many Asian countries)
19 Best destinations to visit in Asia in May
Bali, Indonesia
- May avg high: 86F/30C
- May avg low: 78F/26C
- May avg precip: 3.0″/7.5cm
While most of southeast Asia sizzles with heat and humidity in May, Bali is entering it’s (relatively) cool and dry season. As the island is a bit south of the equator, May is actually part of its autumn, even though it’s actually fairly hot and humid every day of the year. Still, May is one of the best months to visit because the weather is nice and the large crowds of June haven’t yet arrived. Bali was hit very hard by the pandemic with tourism being virtually zero in 2021. It’s picking up and 2024 looks like a great year to visit with hotel rates being as low as they have been in a long time.
Hotel prices in May in Bali are very reasonable because it’s not yet part of the high season, and finding an affordable flight shouldn’t be too tough either. The popular Kuta Beach/Legian/Seminyak area is now so crowded that it’s hard to recommend unless you are there to surf during the day and party at night. Lovina in the north is still like Bali of old, and quite a bit cheaper as well.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from US$16 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from US$27 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from US$9 per person
>>Check current hotel promotions for Kuta, Bali
>>>Bali prices and travel tips
Tokyo, Japan
- May avg high: 73F/23C
- May avg low: 59F/15C
- May avg precip: 5.0″/12.5cm
Tokyo has cold winters and surprisingly hot summers, so a visit in May is just about as good as it gets. You might get a bit of rain, but that is true almost all year round, and the city is well suited with shelter and drainage. May is a good month for hotel prices as well, since it’s before the summer rush.
Most new visitors to Japan will just focus on Tokyo, which is understandable because it’s a huge city with plenty to offer. But it’s easy to take high-speed trains to Kyoto and Osaka, which are also very interesting, not to mention a bit cheaper as well. The Japanese currency has also taken a beating and the whole country is cheap to foreigners this year. In fact, hotel rates in 2024 (in US dollars) are lower than we have seen here in decades. This could be a perfect year to visit Japan.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $52 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $62 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from $17 per person
>>Check hotel deals for Tokyo
>>>Tokyo prices and travel tips
Seoul, South Korea
- May avg high: 73F/23C
- May avg low: 55F/13C
- May avg precip: 4.0″/10.0cm
Similar to Tokyo, Seoul has a nice sweet spot for weather in the spring and autumn, so a May visit will get you some of the nicest weather of the year. This huge city is not known for huge tourist crowds from overseas, but still there is a lot to see and do here. Seoul also has some of the world’s favorite Asian food, and prices here can be pretty reasonable.
Some people start in Seoul and then take the train or a flight elsewhere on the peninsula, and that’s a good idea if you have the time because the capital is rather crowded and the rest of the country has some very nice views. Flights into Seoul tend to be pretty cheap, and it’s a good place to start an Asia tour if you are coming from the western US or Canada. With a huge boom in K-pop and Korean food going global in the last few years, Seoul is also becoming a trendy place to visit. Hotel rates in 2024 are down again from last year so this could be a perfect time to visit and perhaps visit Japan on the same trip.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $41 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $63 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from $14 per person
>>Check current hotel promotions for Seoul
>>>Seoul prices and travel tips
Luang Prabang, Laos
- May avg high: 93F/34C
- May avg low: 74F/23C
- May avg precip: 5.9″/13.8cm
The May afternoons in Luang Prabang are going to be hot, but this city doesn’t feel quite as stifling as some larger cities because it’s fairly spread out and located along a wide river. The evenings in May get cool enough to make up for the daytime heat, and the night markets here are always a great way to spend a few hours after sunset.
Getting to Luang Prabang isn’t easy since they don’t have a large airport with an abundance of cheap flights, so many visitors are those touring Thailand or Vietnam. But if you can make it you’ll find this one of your favorite stops on your whole tour. After almost any other major tourist city in Asia, Luang Prabang will feel pleasantly mellow, which is another reason to love it. Simple hotels in Luang Prabang can be quite cheap, while some posh boutique places can get a bit pricey. You generally get what you pay for, so spending more will typically get you a much nicer place.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $31 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $71 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from $7 per person
>>Check hotel deals for Luang Prabang
>>>Luang Prabang prices and travel tips
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- May avg high: 91F/33C
- May avg low: 75F/24C
- May avg precip: 8.0″/20.0cm
Kuala Lumpur is pretty much scorching every day of the year, and most of the year has the potential for a heavy afternoon rain shower, but it’s still very much worth a visit. This is a modern and fairly rich city with great public transportation and even long above-ground paths that allow you to walk across downtown in the air-con the whole time.
Hotels in Kuala Lumpur are usually a bargain by Asian standards and you can often get great deals on 4-star hotels that would cost at least 3 times as much in nearby Singapore. Flying into KL is also easy because it’s got a large and busy airport and it’s one of the main hubs of Air Asia. Kuala Lumpur isn’t quite as well organized as Singapore, but that can be a good thing and it’s still very safe. While Western food is also available, the excellent local cuisine tends to be a mix of Indian, Chinese, and Malay. Try the laksa soup. Hotel rates in 2024 are down similar to some other large Asian cities on this list. Booking early may be wise.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $26 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $35 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from $7 per person
>>Check hotel deals for Kuala Lumpur
>>>Kuala Lumpur prices and travel tips
Singapore
- May avg high: 88F/31C
- May avg low: 78F/26C
- May avg precip: 6.8″/17.0cm
Singapore isn’t far south of Kuala Lumpur (see above) and it has basically the same climate and rain patterns. Both cities also offer a fascinating mix of Chinese, Indian, and Malay cultures, with outstanding food from each. Hotels and most other prices in Singapore are quite a bit higher than in KL, but this ultra modern city is still worth a look. The vast majority of Singaporeans are neither crazy nor rich, yet the city is so clean and well organized that it feels like a special place.
Speaking of food, Singapore is famous for its hawker centers where you can still get an excellent meal for very little. Visiting Singapore on a budget is easy if you can find a reasonable priced bed and avoid the expensive restaurants and bars of the business districts. Similar to Kuala Lumpur though, most of the cheapest hotel rooms have no windows at all, so be careful when booking. Amazingly enough, hotel rates in May of 2024 are also down in Singapore. It’s a low season month so you can probably afford something nicer than you expected.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $88 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $116 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from $14 per person
>>Check hotel deals for Singapore
>>>Singapore prices and travel tips
Bangkok, Thailand
- May avg high: 93F/34C
- May avg low: 78F/26C
- May avg precip: 8.7″/21.8cm
It can be debated that Bangkok may not belong on a list of great Asia destinations in the month of May because it’s hot, humid, and it can be rainy. But the rain tends to come down in 30 minutes or less, and Bangkok is filled with modern shopping malls with air conditioning that are pleasant every day of the year. It’s worth copying the locals this time of year as they stay out of the sun during the day and come out for the night markets in the streets each evening.
Flights into Bangkok are usually pretty affordable compared to other destinations in the area. Hotels and hostels in Bangkok are great value most of the time as well. Since May is part of the shoulder season you can often find a 4-star hotel room for a price that a 2-star or 3-star would cost just a month or two earlier. The so-called ‘backpacker ghetto’ known as Khaosan Road is actually a really fun and lively place, with lots of good hotels and affordable prices.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $16 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $28 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from $7 per person
>>Check hotel deals for Bangkok
>>>Bangkok prices and travel tips
Chiang Mai, Thailand
- May avg high: 93F/34C
- May avg low: 74F/234C
- May avg precip: 6.2″/15.5cm
Thailand’s second city has hot days in May, but at least the evenings cool down enough to make up for it. Chiang Mai is another city with extremely popular night markets, and most locals actually avoid the daytime heat and wait until sunset to come out for shopping and socializing.
Chiang Mai is also one of the world’s great travel bargains with hotel and hostel prices that look like misprints at first. This is a great city for a little splurge because you can get a very nice 3-star hotel room here for only a little more than a hostel bed will cost in Singapore or Tokyo. You can find decent hotel rooms here starting around US$20 per night, but those tend to be quite basic and it may not be worth saving the money. For about double that you can often get a nice hotel with a pool and a good location, which is pretty amazing in an interesting and safe city like Chiang Mai.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $15 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $37 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from $6 per person
>>Check hotel deals for Chiang Mai
>>>Chiang Mai prices and travel tips
Siem Reap, Cambodia
- May avg high: 96°F/36°C
- May avg low: 78°F/26°C
- May avg precip: 2.3″/5.8cm
As you can see just above, the daytime temperatures in Siem Reap are scorching, especially when combined with the ever-present humidity, and the evening temperatures don’t provide as much relief as we’d all like. Still, this town is worth a stop if you are touring the area and at least you’ll get long days to enjoy the neighboring Angkor Wat temples that are the whole reason for the visit in the first place.
Siem Reap is a small town compared to most of the rest on this list, and it’s more pleasant than most as well. Do like the locals and minimize your exposure to the sun during the day, and focus on the night markets and evening restaurant and bar scene along Pub Street. Hotels here are excellent value as well.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $18 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $23 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from $7 per person
>>Check hotel deals for Siem Reap
>>>Siem Reap prices and travel tips
Hanoi, Vietnam
- May avg high: 87°F/31°C
- May avg low: 77°F/25°C
- May avg precip: 7.7″/19.3cm
Hanoi does get some rain in May, but it’s a dense city so finding shelter in a storm is always pretty easy. The temperatures here are also pretty reasonable for this time of year in southeast Asia, so it’s still worth a visit if you are touring Vietnam or the area in general.
Another reason to visit is that Hanoi is always at or near the top of our annual Backpacker Index of Asia cities from cheapest to most expensive. Hotels here are excellent value and you get much more for your money than you might expect at the room rates that are offered.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $33 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $36 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from $7 per person
>>Check hotel deals for Hanoi
>>>Hanoi prices and travel tips
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- May avg high: 93°F/34°C
- May avg low: 77°F/25°C
- May avg precip: 8.7″/21.8cm
Most people who visit Vietnam will either start in Hanoi up north or in Saigon down south, and take the train between them. The highlight in the middle of the two for most people is the lovely village of Hoi An, so make it a point to stay there for a few days if you can.
Ho Chi Minh City, which it’s officially known as, is hotter than Hanoi and much more spread out, but there is plenty to see and do here so your really want to visit both of them. The food in Saigon is amazing as long as you enjoy Vietnamese cuisine at all, and hotel prices are great value as well. The central part of the city and tourism hub is District 1. Hotel prices there are a bit higher than the outer areas, but it’s probably worth it to pay a bit more for easier access to things and more people speaking English as well.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $21 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $41 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from $8 per person
>>Check hotel deals for Ho Chi Minh City
>>>Ho Chi Minh City prices and travel tips
Boracay Island, Philippines
- May avg high: 90°F/32°C
- May avg low: 77°F/25°C
- May avg precip: 4.0″/10.0cm
While some beaches and islands in southeast Asia are getting extremely hot and even a bit rainy in May, Boracay Island in the Philippines has one of its nicest weather months. You might get a quick afternoon rainstorm a few days a week, but the rainy season hasn’t started yet in May and the storms are almost over before you know they started.
Boracay Island is one of Asia’s loveliest beach areas that will remind older travelers of the way things used to be before the chain hotels and stores all moved in to Phuket and elsewhere. Hotels here aren’t the cheapest, but at least each of them is either on the beach or just a very short walk, so it’s still good value. There are now more chain restaurants and hotels on Boracay than there were a few years ago, but room rates in 2024 are still looking very appealing, especially in a shoulder-season month like May.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $47 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $49 for two people
>>Check Boracay resort deals
>>>Boracay Island prices and travel tips
Malé, Maldives
- May avg high: 84°F/30°C
- May avg low: 79°F/26°C
- May avg precip: 8.6″/21.5cm
While this entry is officially for the tiny and crowded capital island of the Maldives called Malé, you really don’t want to visit that city unless you have a special fascination for it already. The reason to come to the Maldives is to visit one of the private-island resorts up and down the archipelago, and if you can afford it you’ll want to stay in one of the water villa resorts in the Maldives.
You can get island rooms starting around US$100 per night, but the water villas start a bit above US$350 per night. The best value all-inclusive resort is usually Meeru Island, where you can get a huge Jacuzzi Water Villa for around US$600 to US$700 per night including all meals and alcohol. For the rates mentioned below you can expect a basic hotel on or near the beach, but nothing like a real resort.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $75 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $115 for two people
Pokhara, Nepal
- May avg high: 79°F/26°C
- May avg low: 63°F/17°C
- May avg precip: 4.0″/10.0cm
Kathmandu is the crowded capital of Nepal, but the main tourism hub is Pokhara, which is a small and relaxed town on a lake at the base of some huge mountains. This is perhaps the trekking capital of Asia, and a very pleasant place to just hang out in general because it’s so friendly and cheap.
The May weather in Pokhara is fantastic so it’s one of the most popular times of the year for a visit. Hotels here are amazingly cheap and so is most of the food. The guided treks into the nearby mountains are not cheap, however, so plan ahead for that. Hotel rates in 2024 are looking very cheap so this could be a good year to visit and stay a while.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $13 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $39 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from $6 per person
>>Check current hotel promotions for Pokhara
>>>Pokhara prices and travel tips
Goa, India
- May avg high: 91°F/33°C
- May avg low: 79°F/26°C
- May avg precip: 2.3″/5.8cm
Goa has its high season from December through May, so this is the last month to enjoy the fabulous and relaxing beaches here. Starting in June the rainy season begins and it’s so wet that localized flooding can be a problem. Since May is the last month of the season, crowds here are small and prices are even lower than usual.
Parts of India are scorching or roasting by the time May rolls in, but Goa is one area where it’s still pretty nice. If you are going to visit other parts of India this month it’s important to plan carefully. There are family-run and chain beach hotels in many different towns in Goa, and many of those are also very popular with domestic tourists. The small and funky towns of Vagator and Anjuna are the best places to experience the hippie culture and dance scene that Goa is so famous for. Hotels are available at rates even lower than those listed just below, but India has great numbers of inexpensive hotels that aren’t really up to “international standards” when it comes to quality and tidiness, so book at your own risk.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $38 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $61 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from $8 per person
>>Check current hotel promotions for Goa
>>>Goa prices and travel tips
Mumbai, India
- May avg high: 92°F/33°C
- May avg low: 79°F/26°C
- May avg precip: 0.5″/1.3cm
Another part of India with decent weather in May is Mumbai, which is also where many international flights from Europe land. This huge city isn’t known as a tourist hub compared to Delhi, but there is still plenty to see and do here for two or three days. After that the crowds will feel so intense that you’ll want to move on anyway. In other words, this city will drive you insane in a short time so don’t plan on spending more than three days if possible.
Hotels in Mumbai are the most expensive in India, but still reasonable by international standards. The tourist area in the south is quite small and surrounded by water, so there isn’t room to build enough new hotels.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $108 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $114 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from $19 per person
>>Check hotel deals for Mumbai
>>>Mumbai prices and travel tips
Beijing, China
- May avg high: 79F/26C
- May avg low: 57F/14C
- May avg precip: 1.3″/3.3cm
China’s most famous cities are more than are very cold in winter and scorching in summer, so May is a perfect month for a tour of China that includes Beijing. This huge city is very spread out and traffic is usually bad, so it’s not an easy place to visit on your own. If you mainly want to see the Forbidden City and Great Wall, it’s probably better to do a tour.
Flights into Beijing are fairly cheap, but be aware that almost all nationalities will need a travel visa and they require more time and paperwork than most others. Hotels here are expensive for China, but still pretty cheap by international standards. China famously closed to all tourism during the pandemic and then suddenly reopened without warning. Their economy is really struggling and you’ll still have to go through a long visa process for most people. It may not be the best time to go.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $80 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $88 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from $16 per person
>>Check current hotel promotions for Beijing
>>>Beijing prices and travel tips
Shanghai, China
- May avg high: 75F/24C
- May avg low: 61F/16C
- May avg precip: 4.0″/10.0cm
Shanghai is China’s other main international travel hub, so tours of the country often start in Beijing and end in Shanghai or the other way around. Again, tours of China are probably a wise idea for most visitors compared to planning and visiting on your own.
Unlike Beijing, Shanghai has a very compact center and English is more widely spoken. It’s probably better to see Beijing in as few days as possible and linger in Shanghai if you want to spend more time in the country. Hotels here are also expensive by China standards, but good deals even with good views are still possible.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $50 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $66 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in May from $16 per person
>>Check current hotel promotions for Shanghai
>>>Shanghai prices and travel tips
Xi’an, China
- May avg high: 80F/27C
- May avg low: 58F/14C
- May avg precip: 2.0″/5.0cm
The third most common city for foreign visitors to China is Xi’an, which is almost exclusively known as the home to the famous Terra Cotta Warriors. Lest you think this is a small city, Xi’an actually has 9 million people within the city limits and many more in the general area.
The Terra Cotta Warriors are a once in a lifetime attraction, but honestly Xi’an isn’t all that great otherwise. If you don’t care much about the Warriors it would be better to head instead to Guilin to see the famous karst hills along the Li River.
- Good 3-star hotels in May from $61 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in May from $83 for two people
>>>Check current hotel promotions for Xi’an
>>>Xi’an prices and travel tips
Top picture by Flickr CC user Bernd Thaller.