The best cool weather destinations in Southeast Asia

Venture out of Bali and into Bandung, the capital city of Indonesia's West Java province. The climate here is some of the best in Indonesia, maxing out at 27 degrees Celsius thanks to its sheltered position among volcanic mountains. University students descend upon the city every year for studies, so Bandung is not short of shopping, cultural attractions, and nightlife. Head further out for some nature – you can drive right up to the crater of Mount Tangkuban Perahu. 

DO Visit the Lembang Floating Market to browse the fresh produce and snacks on sale, and dine at the floating restaurants and eating places. Besides going up Mount Tangkuban Perahu, you can also consider visiting the stunning White Crater in South Bandung, and the beautiful tea fields in Kebun Teh Sekitar Ciater. 

Just a few hours outside Metro Manila, you can find one of the coolest places in the Philippines – and Southeast Asia, for that matter. Situated about 5,000 feet above sea-level, temperatures in Baguio rarely exceed 30 degrees Celsius. The moutainous area and lush forests bring in the cold breeze, and it usually gets even cooler over December to February. 

DO Explore Mount Pulag National Park which has incredible biodiversity and the the third highest mountain in the Philippines. If you want a drink to go with your moutaineering, then Baguio Craft Brewery is your watering hole. Check out its innovative brews and bar bites.

Venture beyond Bangkok to the capital of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai. Winter is the best season to visit – from December to February, temperatures max out at 30 degrees Celsius, dropping into the 10s at night. Known as the 'rose of the North', Chiang Mai offers an exciting mix of city, nature and heritage. It has affordable markets, two vast nature parks where you can get your fill of moutains, waterfalls and more, and is also one of the few places in Southeast Asia you can see beautiful cherry blossoms. 

DO Catch blush pink cherry blossoms in the gardens of Khun Chang Kian Highland Agriculture Research Centre between December and February. Culture vultures will love the Wat Chedi Luang in the city centre, but you can also head further out to Doi Suthep to visit the ancient temple and enjoy impressive views of downtown Chiang Mai.  

This modest town located close to the Chinese border, northwest of Hanai is known is for its cool weather that doesn't top 20 degrees Celsius all year round. Trekking in Sapa is also a must-do and almost every hotel offers some sort of hiking experience, some requiring an overnight stay in a village in the mountains. It is also home to different ethnic trial groups, making it one of the more culturally rich areas in Vietnam. 

DO Make sure you see the green rice terraces of Muong Hoa Valley and visit Cat Cat Village where the Hmong people live. With so many different ethnic groups in Sapa, it’s best to be a little adventurous and sample different cuisines too. 

This popular highland destination on the northwestern tip of Pahang enjoys cool temperatures all year round. That's thanks to its high elevation – the Cameron Highlands sit between 800 to 1,600 metres above sea level, so its mercury never rises above 25 degrees Celsius. Tea plantations dominate the scenery here, but there are plenty of hiking opportunities to explore its unique flora and fauna, as well as pay the Orang Asli community a visit. 

DO Follow your guide for a spot of tea picking at the Bharat Tea Plantation. The on-site tea shop is a great place to sample some teas and admire the surrounding vistas. For something more rugged, try out one of its many numbered trails, including the enchanting Mossy Forest on Mount Brinchang. 

Jakarta might be notorious for being one of the hottest cities in Southeast Asia, but a little trip to Central Java just a few hours away might surprise you. Wonosobo is flanked by two mountains, Mount Sindoro and Mount Sumbing. They keep things pretty chill, and temperatures on Dieng Plateau can even dip below zero degrees.

DO Hike Mount Sindoro for the edelweiss flowers and best sunrise views at the peak. A visit to the spiritual place Dieng Plateau is a must. Explore volcanic craters, tour ancient temples and shrines and witness colour-changing lakes all at once. 

Just a two-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu is the mountain town of Kundasang. Known to many as the New Zealand of Sabah, the slow-paced town can be found in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu. The mountainous areas are refreshingly cool during the day, and temperatures dip below freezing during night time. Immerse yourself in local life through independent homestays and dig into unique dishes such as wild boar with salted egg yolk and grilled ostrich at the likes of 89 Station.

DO Rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit at Poring Hot Spring, located inside Kinabalu Park. The hot sulphuric minerals are said to have therapeutic and healing properties. At night, arm yourself with a torch and extra layers and head to the buffer zone of Mount Kinabalu Golf Club, which offers a mystical view of the Milky Way.

Stunning limestone cliffs and glittering rivers define the landscape of Ninh Bihn. This Northern province gets hot and humid in the summer months, but temperatures drop to a cool low 20s during the autumn dry season from September to November. This is the best time to visit this "Halong Bay on Land", where you can explore heritage sites like Bich Dong Pagoda, paddle through marshes at Vân Long Nature Reserve and honour history at Vietnam's ancient capital Hoa Lư.

DO Climb 500 steps at Hang Múa for a bird's eye view across the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A paddleboat tour in Trang An or Tam Coc is essential – it will bring you past towering karsts and hidden grottoes. 

Known for its forested mountains, streams and temps that don’t cross 30 degrees Phetchabun in north-central Thailand is known as Little Switzerland because of its peaceful and tranquil vibe. Home to untouched nature and ancient ruins, Phetchabun is the perfect cold weather getaway for those hoping to catch some culture. Dig into some street food, and if you’re planning to hike in Khao Kho, book a stay at Phu Sandao Resort where you’ll be sleeping in pastel-hued pods in the hills. 

DO Climb up Phu Thap Boek Mountain, the highest point in the region. Stop for a visit at Wat Pha Sorn Kaew the ‘temple on a glass cliff’ which is decorated with colourful tiles, and boasts amazing views.

Located in Luzon, Sagada enjoys a subtropical highland climate and cool temperatures that hover below 20 degrees Celsius all year round. This municipality is a haven for nature and adventure lovers – its serene mountains and mysterious caves lend themselves to a range of thrilling activities such as hiking at Marlboro Hills or Mount Kiltepan, spelunking at Lumiang Cave and whitewater rafting in the Chico River.

DO Check out the eerie hanging coffins at Echo Valley, just a 20-minute trek from the town. There are a number of mountains and waterfalls to visit, but one of the most unique is the Blue Soil Hills which has – you guessed it – faint blueish soil that makes for a great photo spot.