One of the first things you’ll need to decide when planning a trip to Bali is when to visit this beautiful island. Find out which months have the best weather, when the high and low season is, and choose the best month for your trip to Bali. 

So you’re planning a trip to Bali? Good choice! After spending 4 months in Bali last year, I fell in love with this little island and decided to spend most of this year there too.

I’ve experienced different seasons in Bali, so I’ve basked in the Bali sun and got caught in the crazy Bali rain. I’ve seen the island heaving with tourists in high season and experienced it slightly less crowded in low season. So when is the best time to visit Bali?

Most people visit between April and October, simply because this is the dry season. You’ll get beautiful weather and clear skies (mostly, no promises), and if you’re into surfing these months are perfect for catching waves too. However, dry season is also high season, and you’re likely to experience Bali at its busiest between April and October. July and August are particularly busy, but this seems to be the case with almost every destination.

So there are pros and cons to different months in Bali. When you should visit will depend on whereabouts in Bali you’re visiting, the activities you have planned, and your budget for flights and accommodation.

• Which Months Have the Best Weather in Bali?
• January in Bali
• February in Bali
• March in Bali
• April in Bali
• May in Bali
• June in Bali
• July and August in Bali
• September in Bali
  
• October in Bali
  
• November in Bali
  
• December in Bali
  
• Which Months Are Best for Surfing?
• When is the Most Affordable Time to Visit Bali?
  
• Events and Ceremonies

Which Months Have the Best Weather in Bali?

If it’s warm weather you’re looking for, Bali has this year-round. You can expect average temperatures between 26°C and 29°C, but the reality is that average high temperatures regularly reach over 30°C. Coastal areas in Bali, such as Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak and Sanur will generally be a bit warmer (and more humid) than places like Ubud which are further inland and surrounded by mountains.

If you check out the chart below, you’ll see there’s not much difference in average temperatures from month to month.

Watch Out for Rainy Season!

As well as considering the temperature, you’ll also want to think about the Bali seasons. Bali has two main seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The Bali rainy season is usually between October and April, so for most people, the best time to visit Bali is between April and October.

Even if you’re the sort of person that doesn’t mind the rain, it’s worth noting that Bali rain is pretty intense. It’s often torrential, non-stop rain for days during the wet season. And while it can be exciting to see such heavy rain, especially if like me, you’re from a country where the rain is a little pathetic, it quickly wears thin, and it will ruin your plans to get out and explore, lounge around by the pool or enjoy the beach. Almost all of the tourist attractions and things to do in Bali are outside, so if you’re planning to explore Bali’s sights and natural beauty, the rainy season isn’t the best time to visit.

However, the wet season is the cheapest time to visit Bali, so if you’re travelling on a budget, you may decide to brave the rain. And if you do visit Bali between October and April, check out this list of things to do in Bali in rainy season.

A Breakdown of the Months in Bali

If you want to get an idea of what Bali is like in different months, here’s a breakdown of what to expect from each month of the year.

January in Bali

January is Bali’s most rainy month. With an average of 27 days of rain, it rains almost every day, and there are often multiple showers a day. There are quite a few thunderstorms during this month, which usually occur during the afternoon, evening or overnight. The tropical thunder and lightning can be quite impressive to watch, but it’s not ideal if you have day trips planned.

February in Bali

February isn’t quite as bad as January in terms of rain and thunderstorms, but it still rains an average of 22 days a month. Even though you’ll have more sunny and dry days than in January, the beaches may not be at their best — storms can wash up a lot of debris and seaweed, so February isn’t the best time to visit if you’re hoping to visit Insta-worthy beaches.  And just like January, February is a particularly hot and humid month.

March in Bali

March is the last month of the Bali rainy season, and while it’s slightly drier than February, you can still expect rain on most days. March is the most humid month in Bali, so you can expect to get hot and sweaty if visiting the island during this month. It’s not too busy in March, but you will find a lot of long-term travellers head to Bali at this point. Many tourists also want to experience Nyepi, the Balinese day of silence. Scroll down to read more about this Nyepi.

April in Bali

April is the start of the dry season, and with an average of only 9 days of rain in the month, you can expect good weather for most of the month. However, during this month, tourism starts to pick up, especially over Easter. It’s still nowhere near as busy as July and August though, so if you’re looking for a mix of good weather and bearable crowds, this could be the best month to visit.

May in Bali

Weather in May is much the same as April, but it can be a little quieter as there’s no Easter rush of tourists. You can get some good deals in May, and with beautiful weather, quieter streets and beaches, this is a great time to plan your visit to Bali.

June in Bali

June is one of the best months to visit Bali. The weather is perfect and not too humid, with a very slim chance of rain. Tourism really starts picking up in June so you can expect more crowds, but still it’s a great time to visit.

July and August in Bali

July and August are Bali’s busiest months, because of school holidays and the perfect weather. Traffic can be crazy, and beaches fill up. You can also expect higher prices as this is the peak time to visit the island. While the weather is great, I’d suggest avoiding these months if you can, and instead plan your visit for one of the dry season’s shoulder months: April, May, June or September.

September in Bali

You can still expect good weather for most of September, but as this is the last month of the dry season, you might experience a few days of rainfall and slightly higher levels of humidity.

Flights to Bali from Australia can be more expensive towards the end of September as there is an Australian school holiday at the end of the month, and into the first two weeks of October.

October in Bali

October is the start of the rainy season in Bali. On average, it rains on around 12 days of the month, and while the rest of the month is generally blue skies and great weather, it can get quite humid. However, it’s worth noting that in recent years, perhaps because of global warming, the rainy season hasn’t kicked in until late October/early November. So if you’re planning a trip in October, you may not experience any rain.

The first two weeks of October are Australian school holidays, so it can be a little busier than September, but it’s still much quieter than peak season, and you can still find some good deals on accommodation and activities. But flights from Australia can be more expensive.

November in Bali

Visiting Bali in November is a good choice if you’re on a budget. The weather isn’t fantastic: it’s a fairly rainy month and high levels of humidity mean you’re going to get pretty sweaty, but you’ll find plenty of affordable accommodation options, and you can get some good flight and tour deals.

December in Bali

In December, Bali starts to enter the height of the wet season. The start of the month can be relatively quiet, but over Christmas and towards New Year tourism can start to pick up as lots of people love to get away for the holidays and celebrate somewhere hot. Indonesian school holidays and year-end work leave also fall in December, so it can be busy with local tourists.

Which Months Are Best for Surfing in Bali?

Bali is the perfect destination for surfers. The island is famous for its surfing spots. Whether you’re a pro surfer or a complete beginner, Bali has the waves for you. But if you want the best possible wave-catching experience, it’s worth planning around the best months for surfing in Bail.

If you’re planning on surfing on the west coast in areas like Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu and Legian, the best time to visit is between April and October. During these months the offshore wind creates the best waves for surfing.

However, the reef breaks in the east coast might appeal more to you if you’re an experienced surfer. And if you’re hoping to surf east coast shores in areas like Sanur, it’s best to visit between November and March. This may be the rainy season, but you’ll still have some clear days, and the swell will make up for it. Plus, there’ll be fewer people about, which is always an added bonus.

When is the Most Affordable Time to Visit Bali?

Bali is a fairly affordable destination all year round. The cost of living is less than most destinations in Europe, North America and Australasia. Like anywhere, there’s both an expensive and affordable side to Bali. And as long as you’re not fine-dining every day, and staying in 5* resorts, Bali is a great destination for backpacking on a budget. 

However, the most affordable time to visit Bali is in low-season, also known as the wet season. Between October and March, you can find accommodation, flights and tours that are attractively priced and perfect for travelling on a budget. February and March in particular are often the best time to find deals, as during these months, tourism is at its lowest.

Events and Ceremonies in Bali

If you’re really hoping to throw yourself into local ceremonies, you’re probably hoping to experience some local events, ceremonies or festivals. The good news is, Bali has hundreds of ceremonies and you’re going to encounter lots of them during your visit. For example, ceremonies are held to mark the ‘birthday’ of temples, and as there are around 20,000 temples in Bali, I’m sure you can imagine these ceremonies are quite frequent.

Here are some of the Balinese events that you might want to experience.

Melasti and Nyepi

Nyepi is Bali’s day of silence and it’s the most important Balinese Hindu celebration. The day marks the New Year in the Caka Calendar and for 24 hours the island is completely silent. Silence is compulsory, so even tourists need to stay in, be silent, and turn off the lights. Yep, you read that right, no lights are allowed during Nyepi.

In fact, there are several rules that everyone on the island must follow during Nyepi:

1: Don’t go out onto the street
2: No fire, light or electricity (this also means there will likely be no internet)
3: No motor vehicles
4: Be silent — no one outside of your room should be able to hear you
5: No travelling — the airport will be closed, and you won’t be allowed to drive anywhere

The only people allowed to break these rules are emergency services.

It’s an incredible day to experience. With no traffic, no talking, or TVs blaring, no music and no lights, the island is at its most peaceful. You’ll see the stars like you’ve never seen them before, thanks to the lack of light pollution. And if you’re a keen photographer, you capture beautiful pictures of the stars, and even of the Milky Way.

The days leading up to Nyepi also involve a variety of preparations and Melasti ceremonies — purification rituals and ceremonies. Locals create ‘ogoh-ogoh’ which are statues that take the form of mythical beings and demons. These figures represent the bad spirits that are guided to leave the island during Nyepi. They are paraded through the streets the evening before Nyepi.

Galungan and Kuningan

Galungan is a holiday that celebrates the victory of good over evil and it occurs during the 11th week of the 210-day Pawukon calendar (the Balinese have several different calendars). Kuningan

The holiday will consist of a series of ceremonies and for 10 consecutive days, you’ll find traditional decorations over the whole island, and locals will be participating in festivities and ceremonies.  You’ll see penjors lining streets and decorating temples — these are ornate bamboo poles that hold religious offerings. Walking through streets decorated with penjors is quite an experience, and these traditional decorations can make for some beautiful photos.

While you’ll still see some decorations like these at other times of the year in Bali, the island is even more beautiful during Galungan. And visiting Bali during this holiday gives you a chance to immerse yourself in Balinese culture.

Bali Arts Festival

The Bali Arts Festival happens every year and usually lasts for a whole month. It celebrates Balinese culture and art with performances, exhibitions and traditional decorations all over the island. This festival usually starts in June and ends in July.

Ubud Writers and Readers Festival

The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival happens every year in October. The festival consists of five days packed with writing workshops, talks from authors and journalists, live performances and artistic events. This is a great event to visit if you love literature and want to learn more about Indonesian culture and how it is represented in literature and the media. This is a reflective event that will leave you feeling inspired to write and read more, and you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of Indonesian history and culture.

I was so excited to explore Vietnam that when I booked my Airbnbs, I booked much longer in each location than I needed. So whilst most people only spend a couple of days in Saigon, I booked an apartment in District 3 for an entire month.

After two days there, I’d completed most of the major tourist attractions, so I thought I’d set about finding the city’s hidden gems and quirky attractions.

By the end of my month in Ho Chi Minh City, I’d compiled a list of 27 things to do. And don’t worry, it’s a wholesome list, with genuine places to go, there’s nothing like ‘try the streetfood’ – although you should also do that too.

So for anyone else looking to spend a while in Saigon, here are 27 fun and unusual things to do in and around the city.

(I’ll start with the classic tourist attractions, so if you want the more unusual things to do, keep scrolling down the list!)

1: War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum is packed full of information about the Vietnam War, and the lasting effects of the weapons used.

I was guilty of not knowing all that much about the Vietnam War, so for me, this was a real learning experience. There was political information, as well as stories from individuals and pictures that captured the devastation of war.

As well as the main building, there was also a collection of war machines like tanks and planes outside. And round the back, there was a prison area, with information about how the prisoners were tortured and what crimes they’d committed.

I won’t lie, this museum is full-on. I had planned to combine it with the Independence Palace, but it didn’t seem right rushing on to another attraction. It’s a sobering but insightful experience.

Ticket Price: 40,000 VND

2: Benh Thanh Market

Benh Thanh Market is the most popular tourist market in Saigon, and it’s a must-see. There’s plenty of souvenirs to buy and even if you’re not interested in shopping, just walking through the narrow market paths is an experience.

There are colours everywhere, and some good food too. To find the food section of the market, just follow the smells.

Cost: Free! (Unless you buy something of course)

3: Thien Hau Temple

Thien Hau Temple is built with Chinese style designs and architecture. You can admire the intricate decorations, and learn about the history of the temple from a guide. It’s one of the most important temples in Saigon, so it’s definitely worth a visit.

I’d recommend visiting this temple as part of a tour (you can find tours that combine different attractions in the city centre for about $7 per person). This way, you’ll learn all about the temple’s history.

Cost: Free if you visit independently, or from $7 per person if you join a tour (the tour will involve other attractions as well)

4: Binh Tay Market

This is another market, but it’s one that’s not so touristy. It’s in Saigon’s Chinatown, in a two-storey building and it’s a great place to get a taste of local life.

There are lots of foods including colourful fruit and veg stands, but there’s also crafts, pottery, clothes and a few souvenirs for sale.

Cost: Free (unless you buy something)

5: Museum of Ho Chi Minh City

If you want to learn a little more about Vietnam’s founder, Ho Chi Minh, this is the museum to come to. There’s plenty of information about Ho Chi Minh’s life, and lots of photographs and objects from his life.

Ticket Price: 10,000 VND

6: Bitexco Financial Tower

When I go to cities, the first thing I do is try and find a good view. And the Bitexco Financial Tower has the best views in the whole city.

It’s a little pricey, but you can go up to the observation deck where there are panoramic views and information about the city’s most prominent buildings.

When I visited, I wanted to get higher up than the observation deck (because can you believe it, the observation deck isn’t even on the top floor!). So I asked if I could go for a cocktail in the bar which was slightly higher up.

To get to the bar we had to go up in a private elevator and pay extortionate rates for a drink, but it was worth it to be able to sit down and take in the views with a good cocktail.

Ticket price: 200,000 VND for entrance to the observation deck. The drinks in the bar were around 220,000 for one of the cheapest cocktails. 

7: Independence Palace

The Independence Palace is another popular tourist attraction. It was a government building before Communist tanks crashed through the gates in 1975, and now it’s still used for a lot of important official events.

The Palace feels quite eerie, as everything has been left or displayed exactly as it would have been back in the day. The décor is in perfect condition, and the chairs are still sat around the tables in meeting rooms.

It’s a great place to visit if you want to learn more about Vietnam’s history. But even if you’re not a history buff, walking the gigantic corridors and waving from the balcony can make you feel like royalty.

Ticket price: 30,000 VND

8: Saigon Cathedral of Notre Dame

The Saigon Notre Dame Basilica is one of the most famous landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City. The red brick, European style makes it stand out from the rest of the modern city, and with the Central Post Office just across from it it’s like stepping back in time.

You can go into the Cathedral during mass, or you can admire it and take photos from outside. There’s always lots of birds who fly in groups round and round the Cathedral, which makes for great photos and videos.

Cost: free!

9: Central Post Office

The Central Post Office is just across from the Notre Dame Basilica, so it’s worth combining these two attractions. The Post Office doesn’t look like much from the outside but once you step inside, it’s really quite grand.

The ceiling is so high it feels as though it’s miles away, and there are huge paintings of maps on the walls, with old fashioned booths beneath and clocks for different time zones.

There are several businesses within the Post Office, including several local services and a few little souvenir shops.

Cost: free! 

10: A O Show

The Saigon Opera House is definitely something you should consider seeing, but rather than just visiting the building, why not watch a show?

Don’t panic, you don’t have to sit through an opera, there are several shows about the history and development of Vietnam, the best being the A O Show.

You’ll see gymnastics, interpretative dance, and clever performances that demonstrate the growth of Ho Chi Minh City. And afterwards, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the performers!

Ticket price: 700,000 VND, 1,150,000 VND or 1,600,000 VND depending on what seats you choose

12: Fito Museum

If like me, you’re a fan of quirky museums, you’ll definitely want to visit the Fito Museum. It’s full of traditional medicines and set up like a pharmacy. You’ll be shown around by a guide who will fill you in on the history of Vietnamese medicine. You’ll even learn about stone-age remedies.

Ticket price: 120,000 VND

13: Starlight Bridge

The Starlight Bridge in District 7 is beautiful after dark. From the side of the bridge pours a multi-coloured waterfall that makes for great photos and a romantic setting. It might not be a whole day out, but it’s definitely worth taking a stroll by the bridge at least once during your stay.

Cost: free!

14: Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels were used by the Vietcong during the Vietnamese War. I went on a cheap $7 tour to these tunnels and it was one of my best days in Saigon.

You get to see machines like tanks and helicopters used during the war and even venture into different tunnels. The tunnels have been widened for tourists, but be warned, they’re still terrifyingly small.

I’d definitely recommend going with a tour group, as the tunnels are two and a half hours out of the city. And tour guides are able to give much more information than you’d get on your own.

Cost: Anywhere from $7-$160 (there are basic tours, combination tours, or luxury tours by limo)

15: Jade Emperor Pagoda

If you’re hoping to check out some Vietnamese temples or architecture, the Jade Emperor Pagoda is over 100 years old and it’s a sight to behold. The temple has some beautiful and intricate carvings, and inside you’ll find some interesting statues of characters from both Buddhist and Taoist legends.

Cost: Free!

16: Mekong Delta

There are so many different ways to see the famous Mekong Delta, but one thing’s for certain, you NEED to see it.

You can kayak down the river, take a speed boat, luxury boat or a tour boat. Most tours will also show you around the riverside villages, so you can see what life is really like in rural Vietnam.

As you cruise down the river you’ll learn about Vietnamese history and culture, whilst passing locals, wildlife and spots that were once home to the combat of the Vietnam war.

Tours range in price, some will involve basic boat trips, bike hire and a coach for large groups. But if you want to experience a luxury tour, you can get a private car (or limousine!) to the Mekong Delta region and then enjoy a speedboat ride down the river.

Cost: $30-200

17: Go Shopping At One Of The Many Mega Malls

Ho Chi Minh City has some pretty impressive malls if you’re interested in shopping. There are malls with boutique shops, global brand stores, and some malls even have a level dedicated to pop-up market stalls. You can also find delicious and cheap meals in mall food halls.

Lots of the Saigon malls are so large they even have entertainment complexes with arcades, cinemas, and in one case, an ice rink!

Some of the best malls I visited included the Vincom Mega Mall, the Vincom Centre and the Diamond Plaza. If you’re in Saigon in rainy season, these malls are the perfect place to spend a rainy day.

18: Take to the Ice at the Vincom Mega Mall Ice Rink

Ice skating is probably the last thing you thought you’d be doing in Saigon, a tropical city. But this was the most refreshing activity after walking around in the heat. The ice rink here is huge, and it was rarely busy. It filled up after schools finished but most of the time it was fairly quiet. And I often came across professional skaters practising dance routines on the ice.

Cost: Approximately $5 for 1 hour

19: Play Arcade Games or Go Bowling at Diamond Plaza

Diamond Plaza, a mall in District 1 of the city, has a whole level dedicated to entertainment. You’ll find a huge arcade with some of the best games, and tokens are affordable — you can buy a handful of tokens for around $5-15 depending on how much you want to play.

There’s also a bowling alley so if you want to challenge your partner/travel companions to a game this is the place to go. The bowling is a little expensive though, so if you’re on a budget it may be worth giving it a miss. They charge per person, per game and for shoe hire (you’re not allowed to wear your own shoes). For two people, for two games it cost us about $18.

20: Take on an Escape Room

There are several escape rooms in Saigon, including one in Diamond Plaza. These challenges are considerably cheaper than escape rooms you’ll find in Europe or the US, and they usually cost around $5-10 per person. There’s even a live-action, haunted-themed escape room for those wanting a scary experience.

Cost: $5-$10 

21: Hit the cinema (they’re incredible)

Before I went to a cinema in Vietnam, I thought cinemas were all the same. Oh how wrong I was. I’m used to paying about $15 for a cinema ticket, and all that includes is an uncomfortable seat.

But in Ho Chi Minh City, there are some of the most luxurious cinemas you can imagine. Standard cinema tickets start at about $3, but many cinemas also offer sofa seats or armchairs, tickets that include a cocktail and snacks or even a meal (served by a waiter once the film begins). And don’t panic, almost all cinemas in the city show films in English.

Cost: $3-$8

22: Rock climbing at Push Climbing

If you fancy being active, Push Climbing has a range of indoor climbing walls for all abilities. There are lead climbing walls, and routes for top ropes. You can climb independently, or if you’d rather climb with the help of an instructor, they offer climbing classes.

Rock climbing here is good fun and great value — you can get a day pass with all the equipment you need for about $9.

Cost: $9 for a day pass. 

23: Bouldering at the Vertical Academy

This place is really tucked away but you can easily drive there if you have a bike, or take a Grab taxi. It’s worth making the trip out of the centre if you’re a climbing fanatic.

It’s a bouldering place, so there’s no ropes or harnesses, you just climb and land on the mats below. The walls include high climbs, overhangs, and different coloured routes of different difficulties.

The staff are super friendly, they’ll help you figure out climbing techniques, and they speak great English too.

You’ll need to hire climbing shoes when you arrive, but even so, it’s great value and you can climb for as long as you like. One thing to note though is they only have climbing shoes of sizes up to a UK Men’s 12.

Cost: Roughly $5 

24: Dining in the dark

This is a quirky experience that I’d never heard of before arriving in Saigon. It’s basically a tasting experience where you taste different dishes without being able to see them.

You really won’t know what to expect! But don’t worry, if you’re vegan or vegetarian, they can cater for that, so you won’t end up accidentally eating meat.

This is a slightly pricey experience if you’re on a budget, but it’s definitely worth a try if you consider yourself a foodie.

Cost: $30 

25: Watch a Water Puppet Show

The Saigon Water Puppet Show is a famous show in Vietnam. Puppeteers act out traditional stories and legends while waist-deep in water. The performances are accompanied by traditional Vietnamese music, played with authentic instruments. These shows used to be performed in the rural rice paddies.

Cost: Approximately $5 for a ticket

26: Go to a bug café

Dining on bugs has become a popular tourist challenge, so if this is what you’re into, there are bug cafes that can satisfy your cricket cravings. You can try insects cooked and prepared in any which way — dine on gourmet bugs, or challenge your travel companions to eat a creepy crawly.

27: Meet Furry Friends at a Pet Cafe

Pet cafes are super trendy in Vietnam — you’ll find cafes with cats and/or dogs roaming around and customers are free to cuddle, stroke and play with them. So if you want to make some furry friends, check out one of these pet cafes.

I’ve wanted to see Chiang Rai’s White Temple for ages. Everyone I met on my travels recommended it, and showed me the most incredible pictures they’d taken of it. So I started looking into how to plan a day trip there from Chiang Mai.

I know there’s much more to do in Chiang Rai than just the White Temple, but I was strapped for time so I couldn’t spend a few days in Chiang Rai like most people do. Instead I got up at 6am and set out for a day trip to Chiang Rai’s White Temple.

Traveling to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai

I planned on getting the first bus at 7am, but after taking a little too long at breakfast (what can I say, I got distracted by food), I had to get the second bus at 9:15am. The bus was super easy to get, I just went to Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3, and got my ticket from the Green Bus ticket counter. It only cost 245 baht each way (about $7 each way).

The bus took longer than I expected (about four hours) and the road was a bumpy one. In fact, in some places the road wasn’t even built yet, and we had to wait for the road to be laid before we could drive on.

I was expecting to get off at Chiang Rai bus station and then get a bus to Wat Rong Khun. But about thirty minutes before we were due to arrive at the central bus station, it stopped just outside the White Temple. I quickly grabbed my things and jumped off with a few other passengers.

Arriving at the White Temple

The road towards the temple was lined with market stalls and coffee shops. Normally, I would have said the street vendors ruined the atmosphere, but after four hours on a bus, I was thrilled to see a coffee shop right in front of the temple. I grabbed a surprisingly reasonably priced brownie and smoothie and sat directly opposite the temple to get a time lapse of the hundreds of tourists.

At first I was a little disappointed at how busy it was. There was a queue to get into the temple, and people EVERYWHERE with selfie sticks. I guess that’s what I get for arriving in the afternoon, rather than early in the morning. But despite the crowds, the White Temple was still an incredible sight to behold.

Understanding the White Temple

I quickly learnt that all around the temple was contrasts between good and evil. The White temple was symbolic of purity and the tiny mirrors all over the temple were tactically placed to reflect the teachings of Buddha.

And to contrast the pure and good of the White Temple, there was a golden temple, and a golden toilet building. The gold of these buildings symbolises man’s desire and greed for money.

But there were lots of other, smaller contrasts between good and evil all around the temple complex. Just before the ticket counter there were trees with heads hanging from them (not real ones, obviously). Some were smiling, others were simply terrifying. It would be a great place to go at night, if you’re a fan of creepy stuff that is.

Underneath the bridge to the temple were hundreds of hands reaching up, apparently symbolising desire. The bridge represented rising above desire on the journey to purity.

I know there are lots of people who would probably disagree with me, but I found the small details around the temple just as impressive and interesting as the White Temple itself.

Each face, each statue and colour represented an emotion, a quality or a vice. I must have spent at least five minutes admiring each tiny detail.

Entering the White Temple

I’d hoped to get a perfect picture of the White Temple from the start of the bridge, but I should have realised that would be completely impossible with so many crowds.

But despite the hundreds of people rushing to see the temple, it was still incredibly impressive. First you have to walk over the bridge, over the sea of reaching hands, but each tiny part of the bridge was covered in sequin details, or more faces. So it’s safe to say, no one was moving very quickly.

We got to the White Temple entrance, and had to take off our shoes and carry them with us. Normally at temples you leave your shoes outside, but there’s no way that would have worked here, there were just too many people.

The inside of the temple was a little underwhelming compared to the outside, but still it was good to see. And walking around the temple’s veranda I got to admire the temple from different angles.

I even saw a couple of people that I’d met on Cat Ba Island (Ha Long Bay), so stopped for a catch up inside one fo the most impressive temples in the world.

Exploring the rest of Wat Rong Khun

Wat Rong Khun has so much more to offer than just the White Temple. The theme of good and evil continued throughout the rest of the complex, with modern figures like Spiderman, and Predators dotted about in trees or on benches.

There was also another impressive white temple-like building in the same style of the White Temple, but nowhere near as crowded. This was a great spot for pictures and selfies without massive crowds in the background.

Then there was the golden temple, which I don’t actually think was a temple at all. It had a bridge leading over a lake, and then a walkway around the building. Inside I think was a small art gallery.

And I’ve got to say, a highlight of the rest of the Wat Rong Khun grounds was the toilet. The golden toilet building might have symbolised greed, but still, I felt like a royal whilst going for a wee.

Lunch at the White Temple

After the long bus journey and the excitement of exploring the White Temple, I’d worked up an appetite. There were a couple of coffee shops directly opposite the temple, and luckily there was one with a couple of seats free outside, facing the White Temple.

I wasn’t expecting much from the food, I was just pleased to have such a perfect seat. So I set up my camera and tripod and started a time lapse of the busy crowds.

The food was also surprisingly good. They didn’t have much on offer, apart from a few pastries, cakes and brownies, and some great smoothies, but it was all delicious.

Wat Rong Khun Art Gallery

Outside the temple complex there was a gallery which was well worth visiting. There was information about those that designed the White Temple, as well as small pieces from the original temple. There was also some weird and wacky paintings that I can definitely recommend to any conspiracy theorists.

Getting back to Chiang Mai

My bus back was from Chiang Rai bus station, so I had to get to the town centre. I could have got a public bus, but after a long day, to be honest, figuring out the timetable and waiting around for one seemed like too much hassle. So I ordered a grab, and got to Chiang Rai with time to kill.

When my driver heard I was early for my bus, he recommended his favourite cafe, so I thought I’d give it a try. And I’m glad I did. It was one of the best meals I’d had in Thailand, and it was right opposite the bus station.

The bus ride back was just as bumpy and long, and I got back to Chiang Mai at about 10pm. It was a long day, but so worth it.

So recently I climbed the Great Wall of China, from Jingshanling to Simatai, and in more ways than one, it was not what I was expecting.

Every few minutes, I found myself thinking ‘I wish someone had mentioned this online’. I think, to put it simply, I just wasn’t mentally prepared.

I’m not going to be one of those people that pretends I ran the entire length of the Great Wall without even breaking a sweat, instead I’m going to be brutally honest: it was hard work. So hard in fact, that in my exhausted state of mind, I genuinely wondered how much it would cost to get someone to air lift me off of the wall, and back to safety.

This might sound like an exaggeration, and of course I would never actually have called myself a helicopter because 1) that would be ridiculous, and 2) that would have been the worst Great Wall victory story ever.

But the point is, I lived to tell the tale, and tell the tale I shall. So for those about to embark on an adventure on the Great Wall of China, here are 10 things you should know before doing so, so that you can mentally prepare yourself for what’s to come.

1) Climbing the Great Wall is hard work

The Wall stretches for thousands of miles, and climbing even a bit of it is hard work. Okay, if you go to the restored, more popular areas, like the area with a Starbucks built into the side of it, it’s going to be a little easier to wander about. But if you want to walk a good stretch of it, and go beyond the tourist sections, you’re in for a hard hike.

I walked 12km of the Great Wall, starting from Jinshanling, expecting a moderate hike, but 20 minutes in, I realised I was sorely mistaken.

Flat paths are few and far between on the Great Wall, instead, there are hundreds of rises and falls, with tall steps and ridiculously steep slopes.

If (like me) you’ve got short legs, the Great Wall isn’t going to be a walking experience, or even a hiking experience, it’s going to be a day of climbing. I had to use both my hands and feet to pull me up the Wall, and when it came to the steep downwards slopes, I won’t lie, I ungracefully stumbled and bum-shuffled my way down.

That being said though, it only took just over 3 hours, and whilst it was hard work, it was 100% worth it. Plus, I was able to indulge in a calorific meal afterwards, completely guilt-free.

2) It’s very, very high up

I never realised I was scared of heights, until I climbed the Great Wall. One thing I definitely wasn’t expecting was the sheer height of it.

Because I visited a relatively untouched section of the Wall, in spots the Wall had crumbled, giving way to massive drops. One wrong foot and I’d have tumbled off the Wall, into the Jungle.

At first, I hardly noticed the height, but as the slopes got steeper, with nothing to stop me from sliding down, and over the edge, my legs started to wobble a little.

When someone suggested we take a seat on one of the steepest slops, to take in the view, I reluctantly sat down, but sat clinging to the slates beneath me, and keeping my eyes shut most of the time.

3) The steps are not suited to those with short legs

The steps were much easier to tackle than the slopes, but still, they definitely weren’t built with shorter people in mind.

I’m 5ft3 and a lot of the steps were as tall as my waist, so I had to do some serious gymnastics to get up and down them. And when I say gymnastics, it wasn’t anywhere near as graceful as that.

4) There are some scary insects on the Great Wall

We’ve all read about the scary creatures that live in Asia, from the Asian Hornet to the Botfly, but what they don’t tell you is these critters apparently love to hang out at the Great Wall.

In the crevices of the Wall lurked spiders and beetles, and hornets and paper wasps seemed to be everywhere.

Looking back, I think the insects might have been what kept me going. Every time I stopped for more than a few moments, something would scuttle across the path in front of me, or buzz in my ear.

5) Don’t walk up to the Great Wall, take the cable car!

Before we started our walk on the Great Wall, we were given the option to either walk up to the Great Wall, or take the cable car.

We opted for the cable car, and after talking the rest of our group who walked it, we knew that we’d made the right decision.

Climbing the Wall was hard enough, and I can’t imagine how much harder it would have been if I’d have used all my energy on the 6km climb up to the start of it.

6) There was no one around for miles

The last thing I wanted was to go to a section of the Wall that was just a tourist trap, so I was pleased when we were the only group at Jinshanling. I could get perfect shots without having to battle through crowds, and without the risk of anyone’s head appearing in the bottom of my photos.

Although I was on a tour, we were simply given the instructions to walk the Wall at our own pace, and take the exit at the 500^thtower or something like that, so after twenty minutes or so, our group had spread out so dramatically that at times there was no one in sight.

7) Dress in gym clothes

Our guide picked us up at 6:15am, the day after I’d arrived in Beijing, and being jet lagged, I overslept my alarm, and woke up at 6:08am, 7 minutes before we were due to meet Chen (our guide) in our hotel lobby.

I threw on some harem pants and a baggy top, put my hair up in an unintentionally messy pony tail and grabbed my day bag (luckily I’d already got this ready). In my rush though, I hadn’t actually had time to think about what a practical outfit for climbing the Great Wall might be.

Now that I’ve been there and done that, I can definitely say: wear gym clothes! Anything light and breathable that’s going to wick the moisture away from your skin, because trust me, you are going to sweat.

8) Pack light

My day bag consisted of two cameras, two different lenses, a GoPro, a gimbal, a bottle of water, headphones, a book, and a whole load of other pointless nonsense.

Whilst I’m pleased I was able to get some photos of the Great Wall, I definitely didn’t need all my camera gear. I quickly realised how heavy DSLRs are, and how unsuited to big hikes they are.

In fact, after about an hour of walking and climbing, I put all of my camera gear away, and I didn’t touch it again for the rest of the climb.

Whilst you might not be traveling with camera gear, the point is: make your day bag as light as possible, and don’t bring anything that’s ridiculously and unnecessarily heavy.

10) Watch your step

So I’ve mentioned the slopes and steps, but seriously, the slopes can be lethal. At times, there’s no ‘wall’ to hang onto, just an open slope, with a steep drop either side.

This wasn’t so much an issue for us, because it was a sunny day, but even then it was slippy in places. And if we’d have slipped, we’d probably have slipped all the way back down the slope.

So especially if you’re going in wet weather, wear the right shoes, and watch your step.

11) Definitely have a hearty meal before climbing the Wall

I’m normally a budget traveller, but on this occasion I’d booked a four-star hotel, with a buffet breakfast, so that I could get the perfect night’s sleep and a full breakfast before the climb.

But because I woke up so late, I had to skip breakfast entirely, and got on the coach with a rumbling tummy. Our guide gave us all a Soreen loaf, which I know is packed with energy and protein, but in all honesty, it tasted awful.

So I climbed the Great Wall without having had anything to eat, and instantly I knew I’d made a mistake. My lack of breakfast was likely the reason I’d struggled so much, so moral of the story? Have breakfast before climbing the Great Wall.

12) The Great Wall is beautiful, and definitely worth the climb

Despite all my errors in preparation, and the hard work it took to climb the 12km, it was definitely worth it.

The views were beautiful, and it really was the most impressive thing I’d ever seen. It’s one of those things that you can’t really appreciate fully until you’ve seen it in person. So even if you’ve stalked every inch of the Great Wall on Instagram, visiting it in person is an entirely different experience.

And even though Jinshanling was a harder section of the wall to climb than Mutianyu, I would definitely recommend visiting this section for a more authentic Great Wall experience.

Miles away from civilisation, there were no tourist traps at Jinshanling. Just beautiful scenery and the noises of the jungle.