Many cultural events take place over Gion Matsuri in Japan in July, but the most popular is the grand procession of 32 floats that are paraded, some two-floors high and weighing up to 10 tons with a combination of music and performances taking place on them.
George Town World Heritage Day (7 July) & George Town Festival take place in Penang, with activities focusing mainly on Penang's unique heritage and traditions.
Boun Khao Pansa (Buddhist Lent) in Laos marks the beginning of the three-month Buddhist Lent, which commences on the full moon in July, continuing until the full moon in October. This is considered a particularly auspicious time for Lao men who enter the monkhood through numerous ordination ceremonies.
Sumida River Fireworks (27 July) in Tokyo has been held every year since 1978 and is today one of the largest and most famous firework festivals of Tokyo. On top of traditional fireworks displays, a contest is held between new creative fireworks at Venue 1 to further enliven the event.
Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka (24-25 July) claims to be the world's biggest boat festival. Highlights include a land procession formed of a parade of over 3,000 people dressed in the imperial-court style of the 8th-12th Centuries.
Galungan Day (22 – 24 July) is celebrated by Balinese people (Hindus) every six months (as per the Balinese calendar). Galungan commemorates the victory of dharma against adharma and marks the time when the ancestral spirits visit the Earth. The last day of the celebration is Kuningan, when they return.
The Grand Sumo Tournament (5 – 19 July) takes place in Nagoya.
All you ever need to know about automobiles will be covered at the Shanghai International Auto Show (8 – 11 July). View everything from passenger cars o commercial vehicles, trucks, buses and special prototypes.
Rainforest World Music Festival in Kuching, Sarawak (10 – 12 July) is a unique festival that brings together renowned world musicians from all continents and indigenous musicians from the interiors of the island of Borneo.
Singapore Food Festival (12 – 28 June) is a month-long food festival that started back in 1994 and is organised annually by the Singapore Tourism Board. Enter a magical world of exciting garden designs and exquisite floral creations as Singapore goes into full bloom at Singapore Garden Festival in July.
The Borneo Jazz Festival (17 – 19 July) is an annual international jazz festival, one of the longest-running in the region, that takes place in the seaside city of Miri at Coco Cabana, featuring a vast repertoire of Jazz genres.
The Singapore Garden Festival (18 – 26 June) gathers the world's top award-winning garden and floral designers under one roof. Landscape displays and award-winning plants will be showcased at the National Orchid Garden and other parts of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
The Malaysia Coffee Fest takes place annually in Kuala Lumpur during July.
Chinese Opera Festival kicks off in Hong Kong during July, as well as the Hong Kong Summer Fun Festival.
The annual Indonesia International Mask Festival held in Solo, Central Java during July, showcases unique traditional mask dance performances from every corner of the world, including the iconic mask dances of Indonesia.
The month of July in Indonesia is similar to the previous month with a peak in visitors. We recommend booking your trip well in advance. Now is a good time to visit Malaysia, Central Vietnam and Tibet as temperatures are pleasant and the landscape is at its greenest.
The Gulf of Thailand (especially Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan) has hot dry weather at this time of year.
Southeast Asia and parts of China turn a vivid green as the sun shines following the rain. Waterfalls throughout Asia (especially 4000 Islands in Laos and the mountainous regions of Thailand) are at their most prolific.
A beach break in Japan is best taken in July. We suggest trying Okinawa for an enticing blend of beach and culture.
