Where to go in February
The shortest month carries the most festivals, and it is the last one where Southeast Asia still feels cool.
February holds Asia's densest run of festivals. Lunar new year sends several countries travelling at once for a week, while Southeast Asia is still dry and not yet as hot as the month after. Europe is still cold but room rates are the lowest of the year, which makes it a good month for a city trip if short daylight does not bother you.
8 places this month suits
ໄທ
Still dry, and the last month before March's heat. Both coasts remain calm with clear skies nearly every day.
ໄທ plansໄຕ້ຫວັນ
The south is dry and warm while Taipei is still damp, so this is a month for Kaohsiung and the southern coast rather than the north.
ໄຕ້ຫວັນ plansຍີ່ປຸ່ນ
The ski season is at its best and the northern snow festivals fall now, while southern cities begin to warm ahead of blossom season.
ຍີ່ປຸ່ນ plansອີຢິບ
Cool enough to walk the monuments in full sun all day, which summer makes impossible. It is the best-value month for a history-led trip.
ອີຢິບ plansໂມຣັອກໂຄ
Southern cities and the desert edge are comfortable by day and genuinely cold at night, so pack for both. It comes before the spring crowds arrive.
ໂມຣັອກໂຄ plansນິວຊີແລນ
Late summer, with the steadiest weather of the season and fewer people than January. Days are still long enough for a full trail.
ນິວຊີແລນ plansເກົາຫລີໃຕ້
Still cold and dry, with ski areas open to the end of the month. The cities stay easy to walk thanks to little rain and a lot of connected indoor space.
ເກົາຫລີໃຕ້ plansເມັກຊິໂກ
Dry country-wide: the Caribbean coast is at its best and the central highlands are comfortably cool. You can cross regions this month without meeting rain.
ເມັກຊິໂກ plansWhat this month does to a data plan
Lunar new year week congests networks in festival districts in bursts, especially on the big nights: a live upload from inside the crowd can crawl even with full bars. What works is filming first and uploading once you are clear of it.
What to skip this month
Unless the festival is why you came, avoid lunar new year week in China, Taiwan, Vietnam and South Korea: domestic transport sells out and many businesses close for days.
Where to go in February
When does lunar new year fall?+
It moves each year with the lunar calendar, falling between late January and mid-February. Check the date for that year before booking, because the effect lasts a full week.
Is Europe worth it this month?+
Yes for a city trip: rates are the lowest of the year and museum queues the shortest. The trade is short daylight and some outdoor attractions closed for the season.
What should I prepare for festival week?+
Book rooms and domestic transport further ahead than usual, and activate your plan before you travel — many service counters close for the holiday.