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Seeking Cool Escapes: Top 'Coolcation' Destinations in Asia-Pacific
🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

Seeking Cool Escapes: Top 'Coolcation' Destinations in Asia-Pacific

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A growing travel trend, dubbed 'coolcation,' sees travelers seeking cooler destinations to escape the summer heat.
  • Destinations like Jeongseon in South Korea, Australia's Blue Mountains and Tasmania, New Zealand's Queenstown, Vietnam's Sapa, and Sri Lanka's Nuwara Eliya are highlighted for their cooler climates.
  • These locations offer alternatives to traditional summer spots, focusing on nature, relaxation, and unique experiences away from high temperatures.

As heatwaves continue to grip many regions, a new travel trend is emerging: 'coolcations.' This phenomenon sees travelers actively seeking destinations with cooler climates to escape the oppressive summer heat, opting for mountains, forests, and highlands over traditional beach or water park getaways.

According to Booking.com's '2026 Sustainable Travel Report,' approximately one in five Korean travelers prefer destinations with cooler climates. Reflecting this preference, Booking.com has identified seven 'coolcation' spots in the Asia-Pacific region that offer a refreshing escape.

Within South Korea, Jeongseon offers a unique underground 'coolcation' experience in the Hwaam Cave, a former gold mine combined with a natural limestone cave. This hour-and-a-half tour provides a respite from the heat while exploring industrial heritage and natural wonders. For accommodation, the Park Roche Resort & Wellness in Jeongseon offers yoga, meditation, and spa treatments.

Australia's Blue Mountains, located west of Sydney, provides a cooler alternative with its sandstone cliffs, eucalyptus forests, and temperate climate due to its Southern Hemisphere location. Nearby, Tasmania offers a winter escape with snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes, and unique wildlife, alongside seasonal delicacies like black truffles and oysters.

New Zealand's Queenstown, nestled by Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps, is another prime 'coolcation' destination, offering stunning snowy landscapes and winter sports. Visitors can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, scenic cruises, and wine tasting in the Central Otago region.

Further afield, Vietnam's Sapa, in the northern highlands, boasts a cool plateau climate, terraced rice fields, and misty mountain scenery. Travelers can ascend Mount Fansipan or explore local ethnic minority cultures. Sri Lanka's Nuwara Eliya, situated in the central highlands at a high altitude, offers a cooler climate characterized by rolling tea plantations, misty ridges, and waterfalls, providing a distinct experience from the island's coastal areas.

About one in five Korean travelers prefer destinations with cooler climates.

— Booking.com's '2026 Sustainable Travel Report'Highlighting the growing preference for cooler travel destinations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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