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February often brings Chinese New Year, so flights and hotels across Asia fill up and some shops close for days. Outside those dates it is a good month for festivals and beaches.
1. Sapporo, Japan
The Sapporo Snow Festival, usually held in early February, fills Odori Park with huge snow and ice sculptures.
Key sights
- Sapporo Snow Festival: Huge snow and ice sculptures in Odori Park, usually in early February.
- Otaru Snow Light Path: Candles and snow lanterns along the canal in February.
- Jozankei Onsen: Hot-spring village in a snowy valley, an hour from Sapporo.
Tip: Hotels near Odori and Susukino sell out; book as soon as the festival dates are announced.
2. Taiwan
Mild weather and the Lantern Festival, which falls 15 days after Lunar New Year, with sky lanterns in Pingxi.
Key sights
- Pingxi sky lanterns: Release a paper lantern over the old railway line, busiest around the Lantern Festival.
- Jiufen: Hillside old street of teahouses and red lanterns above the sea.
- Taipei night views: Elephant Mountain or Yangmingshan for the city lights and Taipei 101.
→ See the suggested day-by-day itinerary
3. Phuket and Krabi, Thailand
Peak dry season on the Andaman coast: calm, clear sea for island hopping and snorkelling.
Key sights
- Phi Phi Islands: Limestone cliffs, snorkelling and Maya Bay by boat.
- Railay Beach: Beaches reached only by longtail boat, with rock climbing.
- Phang Nga Bay: Sea-kayak among limestone islands and sea caves.
4. New Zealand
Late summer, warm settled weather and fewer crowds than January.
Key sights
- Abel Tasman: Golden beaches on a coastal track, by foot or kayak.
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Full-day hike past volcanic craters and emerald lakes.
- Rotorua: Geysers, mud pools and Maori culture.
5. Yunnan, China
Dry, sunny and mild in Kunming and Dali, with canola fields starting to bloom around Luoping.
Key sights
- Luoping: Golden rapeseed flower fields, usually February to March.
- Dali and Erhai Lake: Cycle the lakeshore and wander the old town.
- Lijiang: Canal-lined Naxi old town below Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
→ See the suggested day-by-day itinerary
Tip: Dali and Lijiang sit at about 2,000 to 2,400 m: take the first day easy.
Weather to plan around
If your dates overlap Chinese New Year, expect higher prices and closures across China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and parts of Southeast Asia.
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Questions people ask
Is February a good time to visit Japan?
Yes for snow and winter festivals in Hokkaido and the Japan Alps. It is cold across the country, and cherry blossoms do not start until late March in most cities.