Taiwan
According to Countryaah, Taiwan is located between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean and is only 160 kilometers from mainland China. It is about 400 kilometers long and 150 kilometers wide and two thirds of it consists of a mountain range that is divided into five mountain ranges and extends from north to south over the eastern half of the island. The highest point is the Yu Shan at 3,952 meters. The narrow valleys are flanked by steep slopes and were partially made usable by terracing, especially for tea and fruit growing. The west, on the other hand, is a flat, fertile, heavily populated plain. The island has a lot to offer in terms of landscape: breathtaking mountain panoramas, picturesque coasts with endless sandy beaches and dense bamboo forests,
Climate:
Northern Taiwan is considered to be subtropical with mild winters and warm summers. The south of the country is already assigned to the tropics, here it is warm and humid between May and October with over 30 degrees Celsius. The mountain climate can be described as moderate, cool summers are followed by snowy winters with regular minus degrees. The north-east and south-west monsoons bring precipitation to heavy rains all year round. In summer (between May and October) Taiwan is in the catchment area of tropical storms.
Best travel time:
The best travel times are in spring and autumn, i.e. in the months of March to May and September to November.
South Korea
South Korea is a country located in East Asia. South Korea has developed into a strong industrial power after separating from North Korea. Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is the center for art, culture. The country is scenically and culturally very fascinating with the 20 national parks, the picturesque steep banks of the east coast and the magnificent Buddhist temples. The subtropical volcanic island of Jeju-do, also known as “Hawaii of East Asia”, with its lava caves is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the largest of the South Korean islands.
Climate:
South Korea is influenced by a moderate continental climate, the four seasons of which are very pronounced, with the temperature differences increasing towards the north. Spring usually begins at the end of March and is mild and sunny. In June, the summer monsoon opens the rainy season, which is occasionally accompanied by tropical storms until mid-September. Summer maximum values of 30 ° C and high humidity between 80 and 95% are typical for this time. Autumn begins in mid-September and the dry continental air ensures milder temperatures and a decrease in precipitation. The winter months from October are cold and dry with an average of -6 ° C with snowfalls.
Best travel time:
The period between September and November is particularly suitable for trips to South Korea due to the weather. Winter sports enthusiasts can travel to South Korea for skiing between late November and April. A trip in the hot, humid summer months is not recommended due to the increased occurrence of typhoons.
Japan
The country’s name is made up of the characters ni, meaning “sun” and hon, meaning “origin” and is therefore also known as the “land of the rising sun”. After Indonesia, Madagascar and Papua New Guinea, it is the fourth largest island nation in the world and consists of countless islands. Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are the four largest islands of Japan, which make up 97% of the area. The country is a prime example of contrasts – on the one hand modern, high-tech cities and on the other hand an ancient world culture with many impressive UNESCO world cultural heritage sites.
Climate:
The climate in Japan ranges from temperate in the north to subtropical in the south and is shaped by the winds, which can also lead to typhoons and monsoon-like rainfall, with more precipitation falling in the south than in the north. In summer, temperatures of 25-35 ° C prevail, with the exception of the high mountain region. On the west coast, heavy snowfall can be expected in winter, while the Pacific region has hardly any snow. The central highlands have strong temperature fluctuations between summer and winter, around the Seto Inland Sea there is a mild climate all year round and the Ryukyu Islands in the south are subtropical with warm winters and hot summers.
Best travel time:
While spring (April and May) and the autumn months are considered to be the best travel time for the southern and central islands of Japan, as the temperatures are very pleasant, the north is more likely to be traveled in the summer months and early autumn (May-September). The north offers ideal conditions for winter sports enthusiasts from December to March. Spring, March and April, is a very special time when the cherry blossom transforms the whole country into a magical sea of flowers. The mild autumn (October and November) is also particularly recommended as a travel time due to the strong autumn leaves.