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Winter in Southeast Asia: The Coldest Destinations in the Tropics

Winter in Southeast Asia: The Coldest Destinations in the Tropics

If you’re like us who suffers the scourging heat every day, then you’ve also probably thought of escaping to a cold country where you can sport your sweater and not worry about sweating. Countries like Europe, Canada, and the US comes to mind, and those places can get a tad expensive just to experience a cool weather.

Looking at my wallet (and my saving), i am not sure if i can fly to those places today. Hmmm

Let's not worry. There are actually alternatives that offer the cool and cold breeze that we crave for, and you’d be surprised to find out that these places can be found in Southeast Asia.

Time to bring the temperature down a notch! The lower temperature is not the only reason why these places are cool.

1. Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar

Myanmar's Pyin Oo Lwin | Burmaholidayarchitecture
Myanmar's Pyin Oo Lwin | Burmaholidayarchitecture

The city with an altitude of 1,070 meters (3510 ft) above sea level is a bustling place with an abundance of fresh fruits and flowers, mainly for the enjoyment of well-to-do locals. The mercury drops under 10 °C (50 °F) in winter, freezing by tropical standards. Travelers come for the refreshing air, beautiful scenery, and what remains of the Old World charm.

2. Sapa, Vietnam

Sapa | Indochinatravelpackage.com
Sapa | Indochinatravelpackage.com

Sapa has a lovely view and with a mean annual temperature of 15.4 °C (59.7 °F), making it favourite summer getaway spot for wealthy businessmen and an ideal place for everyone. Today, “the Tonkinese Alps” is still worth visiting for its rich culture of Hill Tribe minorities and breathtaking views of lush mountains and rice fields.

3. Xam Neua, Laos

Xam Neua | Typeapad.com
Xam Neua | Typeapad.com

Xam Neua is one of the most remote places in Laos. The real reason why travelers come to this quiet town tucked away in the northeast corner of the country is to use it as a jumping point for waterfalls and caves near Vieng Xai, Hintang Archaeological Park, as well as other eco-tourism sites in the province.

4. Loei, Thailand

A very Thai time in the lovely hills of Loei | TAT Newsroom
A very Thai time in the lovely hills of Loei | TAT Newsroom

For a local experience in Thailand, look no further than Loei. The whole province in general has a cooler temperature compared to the rest of Thailand, which makes it downright enthralling for local Thai tourists who fancy spending their leisure time at the kitschy riverside town of Chiang Khan and relish the chance to wear their winter clothing at Phu Ruea National Park, said to be the coldest place in the country (Mt Phu Ruea is 1,365 m or 4,478 ft tall).

5. Lake Sebu, Philippines

Lake Sebu | Pinterest.com
Lake Sebu | Pinterest.com

While Baguio is the go-to cool destination in Northern Philippines, Lake Sebu is dubbed the Summer Capital of the Southern Philippines. Situated on an elevation of approximately 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level, the temperature here rarely rises over the 25 °C (77 °F) mark. Aside from the eponymous lake and the legendary dream-weavers, there is also the famous Seven Falls which makes for a great location for the zipline.

6. Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Cameron Highlands | Sgmttaxi.com
Cameron Highlands | Sgmttaxi.com

Among other spots that we have on the list, Cameron Highlands has to be the most convenient one to visit. Local tourists flock to the former British hill station to pick plump strawberries, shop for fresh produce, sip cups of hot brews, as well as scarf down piles of scones. If these things are not your cup of tea, there are enough hikes, places of worship and plant nurseries to keep you busy, all with the usual trappings of a modern tourism spot.

7. Bokor, Cambodia

Thansur Bokor Highland Resort | priceline.com
Thansur Bokor Highland Resort | priceline.com

Situated at 1,048 meters (3,438 ft) above sea level, Bokor Hill Station is blessed with stunning views of Kampot Town, the Sihanoukville coastline, the Gulf of Thailand, and an all-year-round cooling mountain climate ranging from 15 to 25 °C. The main pull of this former hill station built by the French colonialist, however, is the eerie charm courtesy of the abandoned ruins dotting the area.

8. Dieng Plateu, Indonesia

Dieng Plateu | Tempo.co
Dieng Plateu | Tempo.co

With scenes of misty hills, colourful lakes, volcanic craters, and 8th century Hindu temples, the caldera complex which sits at 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) above sea level really lives up to its name (“Dieng” means “the Abode of Gods”). The plateau has an average annual temperature of 14 °C (57.2 °F) making it ideal for planting tea and mountain papaya (Carica pubescens), a must-buy when you’re in town.

Source : Travel 360 | Windowseat.ph

Akhyari Hananto

I began my career in the banking industry in 1997, and stayed approx 6 years in it. This industry boost his knowledge about the economic condition in Indonesia, both macro and micro, and how to More understand it. My banking career continued in Yogyakarta when I joined in a program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),as the coordinator for a program aimed to help improve the quality of learning and teaching process in private universities in Yogyakarta. When the earthquake stroke Yogyakarta, I chose to join an international NGO working in the area of ?disaster response and management, which allows me to help rebuild the city, as well as other disaster-stricken area in Indonesia. I went on to become the coordinator for emergency response in the Asia Pacific region. Then I was assigned for 1 year in Cambodia, as a country coordinator mostly to deliver developmental programs (water and sanitation, education, livelihood). In 2009, he continued his career as a protocol and HR officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, and two years later I joined the Political and Economic Section until now, where i have to deal with extensive range of people and government officials, as well as private and government institution troughout eastern Indonesia. I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief in Good News From Indonesia (GNFI), a growing and influential social media movement, and was selected as one of The Most Influential Netizen 2011 by The Marketeers magazine. I also wrote a book on "Fundamentals of Disaster Management in 2007"?, "Good News From Indonesia : Beragam Prestasi Anak Bangsa di dunia"? which was luanched in August 2013, and "Indonesia Bersyukur"? which is launched in Sept 2013. In 2014, 3 books were released in which i was one of the writer; "Indonesia Pelangi Dunia"?, "Indonesia The Untold Stories"? and "Growing! Meretas Jalan Kejayaan" I give lectures to students in lectures nationwide, sharing on full range of issues, from economy, to diplomacy Less
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