5 Best Places in Asia to Visit for Easter 2023

Japan: Best Place to Go for a Truly Magical Easter

Smart Tips:

• Japan will be fully reopening its border to international tourists from 68 countries and regions from 11 October 2022, after two-plus years of entry restrictions. There will be no more quarantine. Visa-free travel will be resumed and visitors will no longer need to book their trips through an authorised travel agency. However, visitors will be required to show proof of vaccination or negative test result upon entering the country. 

• As for the weather, milder temperatures between 10°C and 19°C can be expected in April. Most people will find a T-shirt with a thin coat sufficient in central Japan. However, gloves, scarves and waterproof jackets are recommended if you plan to travel up north to places like Hokkaido, where temperatures can still be below 10°C.

Thailand: Best Place to Go in Easter 2023 for Those Who Love a Party

With the majority of its population Buddhist, it is no surprise that Easter isn’t as widely celebrated in Thailand compared with other destinations we have on the list. The holiday is mainly celebrated by the 1% Christian population and the expat community, with hotels being the most likely places to offer special Easter events. Nonetheless, Easter is one of the busiest travel seasons in Thailand as it is a popular destination among European travellers and tourists from nearby regions, such as Hong Kong, who prefer an Easter vacation in the sun. 

Easter isn’t a national holiday in Thailand, but April marks the beginning of the Thai New Year and Thailand’s most famous festival, the Songkran Festival. Usually celebrated between 13 and 16 April, the traditional Buddhist festival is also known by many as the “water splashing” festival. Expect major roads to be closed as people nationwide head out to the streets with their buckets for a spectacular ritual cleansing water fight.

Smart Tips:

• April is one of the hottest months in Thailand, with temperatures reaching 30℃ to 40℃ during the day. Rainy days typically make up around 8 to 10 days in April in most regions. But since it usually only rains during the night, there should be little disruptions for your daytime excursions. However, coastal areas may experience more days of rain.

• Pack for hot and humid weather. As temperatures can soar to 40℃ or higher, summer essentials such as shorts, breathable t-shirts, tank tops and hats will help prevent heat strokes. Mosquito repellent, sunscreens and umbrellas can provide extra protection. A travel waist bag or crossbody pouch to keep your passport, money, and other valuables close to you will also ensure extra safety.

Singapore: Best Place to Travel to in Easter 2023 for Groups & Families

Photo credit: @worldgourmetseries (Facebook)

 

April is the time for chasing stars in Singapore – Michelin stars that is, as Singapore plays host to the World Gourmet Summit. April 2023 will see the 27th edition of the annual epicurean extravaganza, where local culinary talents and international Michelin-starred masterchefs get together in the Lion City to showcase the best the city has to offer. So grab your foodie friends and book one of their culinary master classes hosted by master chefs, or indulge in good food and wine with themed menus at the many partner restaurants.

 

Singapore is also a popular family Easter vacation destination for its hassle-free transportation and plethora of family-friendly activities. Apart from their must-visits such as the Universal Studios, Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and landmarks, those travelling with kids can take part in Easter egg hunts by parks around Singapore. Jurong Bird Pak, Fort Canning, Gardens by the Bay and HortPark are some of the parks that has hosted Easter egg hunts in previous years.

Another major event every Easter, the Singapore Rugby Sevens, a leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series, will be held during the Easter weekend on 8 and 9 April 2023. With over 50,000 spectators filling the stands of Singapore National Stadium, it is an exhilarating carnival-style weekend packed with fun activities and entertainment for all ages, on top of the actions from the world’s top rugby sevens squads.

 

Smart Tips:

• On average, Singapore’s temperature is between 26℃ and 32℃ in April, with approximately 11 days of rain and occasional thunderstorms. February to April is considered the dry season with the most sunshine and least rain and humidity. Similar to other tropical countries, wear short-sleeves, shorts or breathable pants to keep cool in the sharp heat. A small umbrella, sunscreen and hat will also come in handy.

 

• As of September 2022, travellers born on or before 31 December 2019 are allowed to enter Singapore without testing or quarantine as long as they can show proof for having taken the minimum dosage of Covid-19 vaccine or pre-departure PCR or ART test.

South Korea: Best Place to Go for an Enriching Easter Vacation

Spring flower and cherry blossom festivals can be found in many cities during Easter. Among those, the Jeju Canola Flower Festival is one of the most scenic hotspots where visitors will find fields upon fields of bright yellow canola flowers as well as cherry blossoms lining some of the fields – talk about killing two birds with one stone. Jeju Island is also known for the dol hareubang volcanic stone statues, which alone draw hundreds and thousands of visitors to the island all year round. 

If you want an in-depth understanding of Korea’s culture and history, the city of Gyeongju is one not to be missed. Once the capital of the ancient kingdom Silla between 57 BC and 935 AD, Gyeongju is described by UNESCO as the museum without walls for its rich cultural heritage, historical architecture and archaeological sites. Lying on the southeast coast of South Korea, the tranquil city is perfect for those who want to enjoy a slower-paced Easter vacation and get to know Korea beyond its modern metropolis and the charm of its pop culture.

Smart Tips:

• April is the transition from winter to spring with an average range in temperature of 7℃ to 18℃. It will be slightly chilly and humid with occasional rainfall. Pack a mix of comfortable t-shirts and long sleeves, long pants or leggings, and bring a light jacket for early mornings and night times. A lot of the places will require quite a bit of a walk, so comfortable walking shoes will be good to have.

• While a pre-departure Covid-19 test is no longer needed to enter South Korea, visitors are required to take a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival and submit the test result via the Q–code website.

Hong Kong: Best Place to Go for a Lively, Cosmopolitan City

Hong Kong is one of the best places to go for Easter vacation with the abundance of delightful cuisine, exciting entertainment, ample cultural happenings and festivities. As a legacy of the city’s colonial era, Easter is celebrated widely in Hong Kong. It is a 3-day public holiday that runs from Good Friday to Easter Monday. For the Christian community that makes up around 1.3 million of the population (as of 2021), Easter services are held in many of the city’s churches.

The Lion Rock

 

April in Hong Kong tends to be warm, with average temperatures ranging from 21℃ to 26℃. It is one of the last chances to explore one of the many trekking trails before the scorching summer heat arrives. Some iconic trails include the Lion Rock Hiking Trail in Sha Tin, Lantau Peak Trail in Lantau Island, Devil’s Peak Train in Lei Yue Mun and Ngong Ping Train in Ngong Ping.

Photo credit: @hkiffs (Facebook)

 

Prefer something a little more laid-back? The annual Hong Kong International Film Festival will take place from 30 March to 10 April 2023. It is one of the oldest film festivals in Asia and one of the city’s largest cultural events. During the 12-day festival, films from Asia and around the world will be screened in local cinemas. If cultural activities are up your alley, check out some of Hong Kong’s cultural venues such as Tai Kwun, PMQ, The Mills, West Kowloon Cultural Districts and one of the local museums for a wide array of events, exhibitions and shows year-round.

 

Smart Tips:

• Easter is a peak season for hotels in Hong Kong. Hotel accommodations are high in demand, so booking early is recommended, especially for hotels along the Victoria Harbour and in central districts such as Tsim Sha Tsui, Central and Causeway Bay. Some hotels offer early bird deals for stays booked in advance. During Easter, many hotels in Hong Kong offer discounted deals that come with special dining or entertainment offers. 

• Don’t forget to compare prices from hotel websites and online travel agencies (OTA) when booking for your Easter vacation. While most people may think booking through an OTA is the cheapest option, you may be surprised that some hotels offer lower rates when you book directly with them. Look for hotels and accommodations that have an enhanced hygiene protocol in place to give you peace of mind. Research which areas are safer for travellers to stay in, especially for solo travellers, and yet easily accessible via public transportation. 

• Easter is a time for family travel. Keeping the little ones entertained when mum and dad want some downtime can be tricky. Luckily, many hotels in Hong Kong offer festive activities and special dining menus in celebration of Easter. From Easter egg hunts inside the hotel, egg painting workshops to meeting an actual Easter bunny, parents can surely kick back and enjoy some much-needed R&R. 

• Why stop at visiting just one city? Double or even triple the fun by ticking off two or three destinations that have been sitting on your bucket list now that we’re finally back on the road again! Take advantage of Hong Kong’s vast connectivity – all the cities we’ve mentioned are around a 4-hour flight (or less!) from Hong Kong. 

Photo credit: @HongKong7s (Facebook)

 

Learn from the rugby fans that flock to Hong Kong for what is widely recognised as the best rugby sevens tournament, the Hong Kong Sevens, which will be held between 31 March to 2 April 2023. It is one of the favourite stops in the world series for its party-like atmosphere and world-class event experience. But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Many will then head for Singapore as that’s where the next tournament is on the Easter weekend.