As we move into autumn and the weather dries up in Southeast Asia, these are the best (and sunniest) short-haul direct flight destinations from Hong Kong
There's so much to see and do in Southeast Asia and autumn is a great time of year for many destinations as the unstable rainy season gives way to blue skies, dry days and often lower temperatures.
From jungle to city to beach, we've rounded up some of the best destinations that benefit from a direct flight from Hong Kong and will see you safely in your destination in under three hours.
Vientiane
Laos' capital city sits on the banks of the mighty Mekong river (picture courtesy Unsplash)
Steeped in history, the capital of Laos, Vientiane, is located on the Mekong River just north of the Thai border. The main city attractions are easily explored by foot, bike or tuk tuk.
Wats, or temples, are plentiful and worth including on your itinerary is Wat Si Saket. It was built in 1818, survived the Siam sacking of Vientiane in 1827 and is possibly the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. Highlights include the ornate five-tiered roof, flowered ceiling and the more than 10,000 buddha sculptures.
The gold-coated Pha That Luang, or Great Sacred Stupa, is considered the most important national monument in Laos and dates back to the third century.
If the kids need a run around, south of the city on the banks of the Mekong lies pretty Buddha Park; discover the more than 200 Buddhist and Hindu sculptures scattered amongst the gardens.
Airlines: Hong Kong Airlines flies direct to Vientiane every Saturday. If you want to combine a trip to Luang Prabang, a new, high-speed rail network linking the two cities takes just two hours.
Flight time: Two hours and 25 minutes.
Where to stay: Crowne Plaza Vientiane is a well-located, modern hotel with a resort-style pool, fitness centre and spa. It’s 15 minutes from the international airport.
Khao Yai
Khao Yai National Park is two hours north of Bangkok
Fly into Bangkok and head north to experience the 2,000 sq km Khao Yai National Park. Established in 1962, the park is the third largest in Thailand. It is a World Heritage Site with a rich biodiversity and is a habitat for more than 350 rare and endangered species.
The evergreen forests are home to gibbon, hornbills, wild elephants, macaque, deer and a huge range of birds and butterflies.
By November the rainy season is at an end and temperatures are cooler, making it an ideal time to visit.
Enjoy whitewater rafting, cycling and camping, or arrange with your hotel for a guided day trip into the park.
Not only that, one of Asia’s foremost vineyards is also located just outside of Khao Yai where you can enjoy a tour, tasting and lunch.
Airlines: Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines and Thai Airways all fly daily between Bangkok and Hong Kong.
Flight time: Two-and-a-half hours.
Where to stay: InterContinental Khao Yai Resort is nestled in nature a short drive from the park entrance. Set around a series of lakes, this stunning property is designed by the renowned Bangkok-based architect, Bill Bensley, with guest rooms located in luxuriously upgraded heritage rail carriages. The quirky resort boasts a pool, gym, spa and restaurants. Kids can enjoy the children’s club and garden with its very own pet rabbits or head off for a bike ride around the lakes. The hotel can arrange limousine airport pick-up and drop-offs; Khao Yai is approximately two-and-a-half hours from Bangkok airport.
Read our review of InterContinental Khao Yai Resort here.
Phnom Penh
Raffles Hotel Le Royal makes a great base for exploring Phnom Penh
The rain tapers off in November making it a great time for sightseeing in Cambodia’s capital.
Grab a tuk and tuk and head to the Royal Palace, the home of the King of Cambodia. Don’t miss the stunning Silver Pagoda where you'll be wowed by the extraordinary Emerald Buddha and a solid-gold buddha encrusted with more than 2,000 sparkling diamonds, the largest weighing a mind- (and wallet!) blowing 25 carats.
Hire bikes and explore the surrounding countryside or take a boat ride on the mighty Mekong river.
Don’t miss Wat Phnom, which sits on the highest hill in the city and affords amazing views of Phnom Penh; kids can burn-off energy at the nearby playground.
Head to the night markets and tuck into the local food, including noodle dishes, fish amok, khmer curries, spring rolls and fresh fruit.
Airlines: Cathay Pacific will fly daily between Hong Kong and Phnom Penh from October 27 (the service currently operates five times weekly).
Flight time: Two hours and 40 minutes.
Where to stay: Raffles Hotel Le Royal is a stunning heritage hotel centrally located for most city attractions. There are two pools, one for adults and a ‘Fun Pool’ for families with young children. There’s also a mini cinema with a good selection of children’s films. Interconnecting rooms are available with child-friendly room set-ups.
Chiang Mai
Meet the locals in northern Thailand (photo courtesy Unsplash)
Charming Chiang Mai offers lots of fun opportunities for visiting families. The city is situated in the picturesque mountains of northern Thailand making outdoor activities are a must. Head to Mae Sa Valley with its strawberry farms, try mountain-top glamping or enjoy Thailand’s only jungle roller coaster, Pong Yaeng Jungle Coaster & Zipline.
Chiang Dao is a little further away from the city. It boasts mysterious caves to explore alongside lantern-carrying guides, as well as natural hot springs.
There are a number of elephant camps and sanctuaries; some are more ethical than others so make sure to do your due diligence before visiting.
A fun activity for kids is a trip to Elephant Poopoopaper Park in Chiang Mai to discover how to make paper out of elephant poo.
And of course Chiang Mai’s night markets are a must-do, they’re busy but navigable and chock-full of pocket money treasures and great eats.
Airlines: HK Express flies daily between Hong Kong and Chiang Mai; Hong Kong Airlines begins flying daily to Chiang Mai on October 27.
Flight time: Three hours.
Where to stay: For a decadent trip, head to the heritage 137 Pillars House. Cool off in the hotel’s pretty pool or try your hand at a game of croquet on the lush hotel lawns.
Read our review of 137 Pillars House here.
Koh Yao Yai
Escape the crowds on Koh Yau Yai
Thailand’s islands are starting to welcome the sunshine back at this time of year and dryer weather in Phuket, Khao Lak and Krabi put these islands right on the holiday radar for autumn.
Fly into Phuket but escape the crowds by jumping onto a 30-minute speedboat ride to the palm-fringed shores of Koh Yao Yai in the Andaman Sea.
Secluded Koh Yao Yai is around halfway between Phuket and Krabi and boasts plenty of idyllic sandy beaches, acres of rubber plantations and numerous traditional fishing villages. The waters are rich in marine life and corals; interesting local dive sites include King Cruiser Wreck near Anemone Reef.
Airlines: HK Express, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines and Thai AirAsia all fly direct to Phuket from Hong Kong.
Flight time: Three-and-a-half hours.
Where to stay: The recently opened Anantara Koh Yao Yai is the first high-end resort to set-up on the quiet island. The resort is perched on the eastern tip in a private bay with luxury villas cascading down the emerald jungle-clad hills to the golden sands below. There are dedicated family suites and family pool villas, a kids’ pool with slide, a children’s club and plenty of activities such as cooking classes, arts and crafts and movie nights to keep youngsters busy while mum and dad relax. Enjoy family-time kayaking the turquoise waters of the Andaman or relaxing with a family spa treatment.
Hanoi
Soak up the sights of Hanoi
October weather in Hanoi is a delicious combination of warm sunshine and cool breezes, ideal for exploring what was once the capital not just of Vietnam, but all of Indochina.
The sheer volume of motorbikes, cars, rickshaws and tuk tuks these days can be a little overwhelming for younger children, so hiring a tuk tuk or electric bus to tour around is worth looking into. Head to the Old Town for vibrant shops, heritage buildings and hidden temples - get up early to avoid the crowds and treat yourself to a traditional bowl of pho for breakfast.
The French Quarter with its high-end shops and cafes is also worth a visit, plus the grand boulevards make it easier going if you have a stroller.
Kids will love the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre and the popular Hanoi motorbike food tours are lots of fun (infant seats available).
Airlines: Hong Kong Express, Hong Kong Airways, VietJet Air, Cathay Pacific and Vietnam Airlines all fly direct to Hanoi from Hong Kong.
Flight time: Two hours.
Where to stay
The storied Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel is a stunning hotel in which to base yourself. The century-old property has recently upgraded its heritage wing with large suites and all mod cons. There’s an outdoor pool, a spa and multiple restaurants. And don’t miss the nightly ‘bunker tour’ that delves into the hotel’s wartime history.
Read our review of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel here.
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