Best Places in Asia to Visit in the Winter

1. Harbin and its Ice and Snow Festival, China

The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is the largest ice an snow festival in the world. It attracts more than 18 million visitors each year. The festival is a traditional ice lantern show, and garden party originated in winter in 1963.

2. Skiing in Japan

With champagne powder snow and frozen tree-lined skiing routes, Japan attracts skiers and snowboarders from across the world. Plus the hot springs and warm sake are the best accompaniments to a winter holiday. The most popular ski areas are Hakuba 4 hours from Tokyo and Niseko in Hokkaido. The ski season normally lasts from December to the end of March.

Top 5 Ski Resorts in Japan
1. Shigakogen Mountain Resort (Honshu, Chubu, Nagano)
2. Happo-One-Hakuba (Honshu, Chubu, Nagano)
3. Niseko United (Hokkaido) Much quieter than other resorts
4. Zao Onsen (Honshu, Tohoku, Yamagata)
5. Iwatake (Honshu, Chubu, Nagano)

3. Sapporo Yuki Matsuri | Sapporo Snow Festival (February 4-11)

The Sapporo Snow Festival was first held in 1950 built by six high school students in Odori Park. The snow festival is usually staged on The Odori Site in the Odori Park, Sisikino Site and Tsu Dome Site where you can go on snow slides. Warm Sake is also a great thing to have for Winter in Japan.

4. Nagano (snow monkey onsen) Japan

The best time to see the snow monkeys is during the winter (December-March). This is when the park and the surrounding area is at its most picturesque, covered in snow, and when the snow monkeys come down from the mountains for food and to warm up in the hot springs.

5. Shirakawa-go (winter light-up village)

There are rustic thatched-roof farmhouses tucked in between the Japanese Alps and rice paddies.

Going to Shirakawago in winter provides spectacular views with snowy roods and houses light up at night. The best place to see the entire village is from the viewpoint on the top of a small hill.

6.Yunnan( Lijiang, Kunming - bird migration)

Visit Yunnan in winter for a great view of snowcapped mountains with crisp air and fewer clouds, you will have a greater opportunity to see the peaks of the Meili Snow mountains and the glacier scenery around Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The most beautiful view of Yuanyuang Rice Terraces appears in winter when they are filled with water and look like shining sapphire gems. Also, birds migrate through Yunnan during winter, making it the richest province for bird watching in China with over 770 species recorded.

7. Yongpyong Ski Resort, South Korea (skiing)

This is where Pyeong Chang Winter Olympic was held in 2018. it is also one of the largest ski complexes in Asia. The ski resort is serviced by 15 cable lifts including an 8 person high-speed gondola, which lift skiers from base level to Dragon Peak (1,438m) at the resort's highest point. Beginners are well catered for as there are some slopes that are wide and comfortable for beginner skiers to try out skiing for the first time.

8. Tibet and Himalayas

Tibet is situated on the Qingzang mountain plateau. the highest in the world with an average elevation of 4,875 m, and is also known as the Roof of the World. Tibet isn't that cold in winter. It is a great time for photography as the sun is lower and the sky is clear. In winter, you really get to appreciate the breathtaking scenery, with fewer people in the way..

Winter is also a festive season in Tibet. Tibetan New Year, also known as Losar is one the most important, other festivals like Tsongkhapa Butter Lamp Festival in October is also a unique festival where Tibetan monks light up butter lamps on the altars in and around temples, to honour Tsongkhapa, a respected teacher and founder of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism.

7. Sri Lanka

December, January and February is an excellent time of year to visit Sri Lanka as the rainy monsoon season is gone and replaced by blues skies and sunshine (average temperature about 27 to 30-degree celsius). Sri Lanka produces some of the world's best tea like Ceylon Red Tea, export more than 90% of the world's cinnamon, have one of the world's best surfing beach in Arugam Bay, it's the land of some of the best quality Blue Sapphires & Rubies, and fiery Sri Lankan curries.

4. Vietnam

With its warm temperatures, historic sites, bustling cities, scenic landscapes, idyllic beaches, and paradise islands, Vietnam is the ideal location for a winter break. Relax on a cruise of Halong Bay, soak in the atmosphere in vibrant Hanoi and cosmopolitan Ho Chi Minh City, delight in the colonial buildings of Hoi An and relax on the beach in sunny Phu Quoc.

5. Cambodia

Journey into ancient civilisation the UNESCO Temples of Angkor, the national museum, the royal palace, Crab Market in Kep, Bamboo Train in Battambang, get a glimpse of the Kratie Dolphins in Mekong River, Take a beach excursion to Sihanoukville or Koh Rong for pearly white sand.

6. Laos

The winter months in Laos, from December to February, are the perfect dry and cool season with a warm temperature range between 22 to 25-degrees celsius. It is very comfortable weather for an active holiday. Visit the Royal Palace and the Wat Xieng Thong in the ancient town of Luang Prabang where it used to be the country's capital. Traverse to the stunning Khuang Si Waterfalls, the Pak Ou Caves and overlooking the city from the viewpoint of Mount Phousi. Discover the mysterious Plain of Jars; Pha That Luang and Patuxay Buddha Park in Vientiane; Blue Lagoon, Phu Kham Cave and Tham Chang Cave in Vang Vieng. The sunset is magical with a clear sky.

8. Langkawi -Malaysia

Langkawi sky cab, street food at night market taste local Malaysia delicacies, jetski and island hopping, kilim karst forest park, Langkawi seafood, parasailing. Forested hills, romantic white sandy beaches.

9. Thailand

Temperature stay at around 30-35 in Thailand through winter, it's the dry season in the country, and the most pleasant season for sightseeing and visiting

2. Hong Kong

Submerge in Chinese culture at spiritual temples and, sipping cocktails at sophisticated bars with the famous city view, haggling at a bustling market,  trekking your way to the hidden beaches. Visiting Hong Kong in winter with crisp, clear days instead of hot and humid weather in the summer.

1. Sanya

Sanya has some of the best golf course in China and there is the least rainfall in a year in winter. It is perfect for spending time fine-tuning your golf skills on the beautiful golf courses by the South China Sea. Relaxing on white sandy beaches are also nice under the warm weather. There are plenty of water sports and yacht activities available on the clear water and its rich marine biodiversity.

3. Taiwan

Basking in autumn colours at Qingjing Farm, see the queen rock formation in the Yehliu Geopark, Learn the tradition Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, have a quiet moment by the sun moon lake, falling in love with the unique charms and food of Jiufen, sending you wish with paper lantern at Shifen, visiting the bustling night markets, drink all the bubble tea you want.

Hiking in Yushan (3,952m) or see Taroko Gorge National Park on the east part of island
It is a bonus to find a hotel with a beautiful view of Sun Moon Lake and enjoy the peace in mind.