Best destinations to visit in January
Best destinations to visit in January
Warm southern hemisphere beach tracks and crisp northern winter valleys in January
For a lot of travelers, January comes down to one choice, escape the cold with a warm trip, or lean into winter with a proper snow trip instead.
Some travelers want to chase the sun straight into a Southern Hemisphere summer, trading a cold commute for a beach day instead. Others lean into the season, heading somewhere snowy for skiing, hot springs or the simple pleasure of a quiet mountain town. City breaks appeal to travelers who want lower prices and thinner crowds once the holiday rush has passed. A fresh start to the year also makes January a popular time for a first big trip, whether that means somewhere new or a place worth returning to.
The destinations on our list cover that whole range, from warm escapes to proper winter settings built for the season. Either way, starting the year off with a trip is always a good idea, wherever you may land.
Lists by region
Country
Japan
Bullet trains, temples, onsen and neon cities
Meiji Shrine in Tokyo draws about three million people in the early days of January. Visitors line up to pray for good fortune in the new year. Snow monkeys bathe in hot springs at Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano each winter. Niseko in Hokkaido is known for deep powder snow.
Country
India
Palaces, temples, backwaters and Himalayan peaks
Republic Day on 26 January brings a grand military parade to Kartavya Path in New Delhi. Jaipur Literature Festival gathers authors at Diggi Palace each January. Kite flying fills the skies over Gujarat around 14 January during Uttarayan. Cool dry weather across the north suits visits to the Taj Mahal in Agra.
Country
Cambodia
Angkor temples, riverside cities and quiet coast
Angkor Wat was built in the early 1100s by King Suryavarman II. January falls in the cool dry season with clear skies over the temples. Ta Prohm, where tree roots wrap ancient stone walls, is a short tuk tuk ride away. Sunrise crowds gather beside the reflecting pond before dawn.
Country
Maldives
Coral atolls, lagoons and overwater villas
The Maldives spreads 1,192 coral islands across 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean. January belongs to the northeast monsoon, which brings dry weather and calm seas. Whale sharks gather around South Ari Atoll throughout the year. Water temperatures stay near 28 degrees Celsius for snorkeling and diving.
Country
Sri Lanka
Ancient cities, tea hills and surf beaches
Blue whales feed off Mirissa on the south coast from November to April. Whale watching boats leave the harbor at dawn for a morning at sea. Galle Fort, a UNESCO site since 1988, sits about an hour's drive along the coast. Yala National Park in the southeast is known for its leopards.
Village in Japan
Hakuba
Alpine ski valley beneath the Japan Alps
The 1998 Winter Olympics used Hakuba for alpine skiing and ski jumping. Ten ski areas fill the valley beneath the Northern Alps. Cold winds from Siberia pick up moisture over the Sea of Japan and drop deep snow. Onsen baths in the village warm tired skiers after a day on the slopes.
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