Where to Travel in Asia in the Summer Without the Heat or Crowds
Looking to travel to Asia, but tired of the heat and crowds? From Japan to Mongolia, these underrated summer travel spots across Asia offer mountain air, deep culture, and space to breathe.
At Another Word For Travel, we love exploring Asia—but we know that traveling during the summer months (June through September) can be tricky. Many popular destinations are hot, humid, and crowded, and we’re often asked, “Where can I go in Asia during the summer that’s comfortable and not overrun with tourists?”
While some avoid Asia this time of year because of the weather, we’ve discovered that some of the most peaceful, refreshing, and culturally rich places are hidden in the hills, highlands, and lesser-known corners of the continent. These are the spots where you can breathe easy, slow down, and truly connect.
If you’re looking for nature, culture, and room to exhale—these are the destinations we return to again and again.
Karuizawa, Japan – Mountain Air & Modern Style
Just an hour from Tokyo, Karuizawa feels like a completely different world. Set in the Japanese Alps, this highland town has long been a summer retreat for Tokyoites—and now it’s one of my favorite ways to escape the heat without leaving convenience behind. The town blends nature with luxury: think forest bike trails, boutique cafés, and Japanese onsen (hot springs) tucked into the hills. In summer, Karuizawa is green, breezy, and never crowded. You’ll find everything from art museums to outlet shopping—but also quiet temples and wildflower meadows.
What I love:
Biking through pine forests
Visiting Hoshino Onsen
Checking out modern cafés and galleries
Breezy weather: 70–75°F (21–24°C) in summer
Alishan, Taiwan – Forest Temples & Tea Hills
Alishan is one of Taiwan’s most sacred mountain regions, and in the summer it’s pure magic. The air is cool, the forests are alive with the sound of birds, and you’ll find yourself sipping oolong tea while clouds roll over pine-covered hills.
One of my favorite memories is riding the historic Alishan Forest Railway at sunrise, then walking through 1,000-year-old cypress groves that felt like something out of a dream. It’s peaceful, spiritual, and refreshingly local.
What I love:
Sunrise over the sea of clouds
Cedar forest walks
Sampling high-mountain oolong
Cool temps: 60s–70s°F (15–24°C)
Nagarkot, Nepal – Himalayas Without the Hike
Located about 90 minutes from Kathmandu, Nagarkot is one of those places that feels quietly powerful. On clear mornings, you can see the snow-dusted peaks of the Himalayas—including, if you’re lucky, Everest itself.
I stayed in a modest mountain lodge, woke up before dawn, and watched the sky turn pink behind the peaks. Then I spent the rest of the day hiking through nearby villages and terraced farms. It’s the perfect place to find stillness, surrounded by epic beauty.
What I love:
Himalayan sunrises
Short hikes through terraced farms
Fresh air and no crowds
Summer weather: 65–72°F (18–22°C)
Khovsgol Lake, Mongolia – Nomadic Peace & Glacier Water
Mongolia doesn’t make a lot of summer travel lists—and that’s exactly why I love it. Khovsgol Lake is in the north of the country, near the Siberian border, and it’s one of the most untouched places I’ve ever been.
The lake itself is huge and crystal-clear, surrounded by rolling hills and forests. You can ride horses with local guides, sleep in traditional yurts (called gers), and learn about the Tsaatan (reindeer-herding) community. It’s raw, beautiful, and unlike anywhere else.
What I love:
Riding with local herders
Swimming in Khovsgol Lake
Staying in traditional yurts
Dry, sunny days: 60–75°F (15–24°C)
Da Lat, Vietnam – Pine Forests & French Villas
Most of Vietnam is sweltering in summer—but Da Lat is a breath of fresh air. Literally. This central highland city is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” and has a mild climate year-round. Built during French colonial times as a hill station, it has European-style villas, pine forests, flower gardens, and markets full of local produce.
I love wandering through the night market, hiking to Elephant Falls, and sipping strong Vietnamese coffee in one of the city’s quirky hillside cafés.
What I love:
Waterfalls and flower farms
The quirky “Crazy House”
Vietnamese wine and strawberries
Pleasant temps: 65–75°F (18–24°C)
Bumthang Valley, Bhutan – Spiritual Stillness in the Mountains
Bumthang is the spiritual heart of Bhutan—and the kind of place where time slows down. The valley is filled with ancient temples, sacred rivers, and quiet trails that weave through fields and pine woods. Unlike the tourist-heavy areas of Paro or Thimphu, Bumthang feels like a secret that the mountains are keeping.
I stayed in a traditional farmstay, ate home-cooked meals by candlelight, and spent my days visiting centuries-old monasteries where monks invited me in for butter tea. It’s not flashy, but it’s deeply moving.
What I love:
Hiking to sacred monasteries
Traditional hot stone baths
Crisp and calm: 60–72°F (16–22°C)
Final Thoughts
Asia in the summer doesn’t have to mean sweating through city streets. It can be refreshing, grounding, and full of discovery—if you know where to look. These are the places that bring me back to myself.
If you’re looking for somewhere that feels like exhale, you’ll find it here.
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