When to go

Try to avoid public holidays, especially Chinese New Year (usually early February), when transport will be full, shops and restaurants closed, and hotels very expensive. Airfares increase in summer and the heat can shorten tempers. While October is climatically pleasant, it is also holiday-time - try November instead.

The seventh lunar month (usually late August/early September) is Ghost Festival, which means there will be no Chinese travelers on the road and temples will be at their most active.