Walking in the winter wonderlands

November has arrived and despite the gloriously sunny days that Bangkok is experiencing, winter is knocking at the door and we “tropical birds” are thinking about migrating for a winter retreat. As Thailand’s cold weather tends to last for a week, if it comes at all, that means taking flight to somewhere cold and snowy, a place with a beautiful landscape and exotic scents and tastes. With so many low-cost carriers and full-service airlines from which to choose, Asia’s best winter destinations can be reached within five hours.

Here are our tips for the hottest destinations to enjoy the cold.

 

LIJIANG, Yunnan, China

Tucked away in Northern Yunnan province, Lijiang means “beautiful river” in Chinese and this town certainly lives up to the name. The 800-year-old urban settlement is built where Jade River splits into three and its streams form the waterways that flow along the old town’s streets. The old city once drew the caravans of ancient traders, as Lijiang is part of the Tea Horse Road – an ancient network of mule caravan paths winding through the mountains of Yunnan and the Tibetan Plateau. Today, the Unesco World Heritage site draws visitors for its charming historic townscape. The city is famous for Naxi traditional houses, most of them two-storey with wooden frames walled with adobe on the ground floor and planks on the upper floors while the exteriors are plastered and lime-washed. With winter temperatures rising to around 14 degrees Celsius in the day and falling to below freezing at night, it’s a great place to spend a week wandering the webs of narrow pathways, watching, shopping, drinking and eating.

HOW TO GET THERE: Fly to Kunming, Yunnan’s capital, from where Lijiang is about an hour by plane. Thai Airways and Thai AirAsia operate flights between Bangkok and Kunming.

 

GANGWON, South Korea

Three-quarters of South Korea is covered by mountains so it’s no wonder that thousands of tourists fly in every winter to enjoy the slopes. Thai snow-virgins can easily jet into to Seoul and take the bus for to Gangwon for an affordable white holiday. From November to March, the Taebaek mountains are transformed into a skiing paradise that is sure to satisfy even the most rabid aficionado. Whether you're in search of an adrenaline-fuelled adventure, the perfect family chalet, or tips on the best way to jump off a cliff, there's something new for you in Gangwon. Check out Yongpyong Resort (www.Yongpyong.co.kr) for 29 kilometres of slopes spread out to suit beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert levels. Or head to Vivaldi Park – an hour’s drive from Seoul – and rub shoulders with the young Koreans crowd. Visit www.DaemyungResort.com.

HOW TO GET THERE: Fly to Seoul

 

XI’AN, Shaanxi, China

Xi’an, as it name suggests, is in the west and it is peaceful. This is China’s former capital and a former seat of power of the Qin, Han, Tang and other dynasties. The hustle and bustle of the summer and fall seasons give way to a slower pace of life in the winter, when the area is less crowded and prices are low. The main attractions in Xi'an are all inside rather than in the chilly air. The terra cotta soldiers are enclosed and the Shaanxi History Museum is heated while the pagodas, drum tower and bell tower are attractively lit at night. For “tropical birds” eager to experience the biting cold, there’s cycling along the city wall or five great areas for skiing. Fengyu Zhuangyuan Ski Resort, two hour’s drive from the town has alpine skiing for all levels, while Bailuyuan Ski Resort has two pistes – one for skiing and another for snowboarding – in the city. 

HOW TO GET THERE: – Thai AirAsia operates daily flights between Bangkok and Xi’an. 

 

NISEKO, Japan

Niseko is a resort town in Hokkaido, northern Japan. Located in a massive valley, it’s flanked on the east by the Yotei-zan mountain and to the west by Niseko Annupuri. When snow is falling (and it does a lot), sounds are dampened, making even a walk out to the car seem like a magic sleigh ride. Skiing at Niseko, with its jaw-dropping views of mountains and its plethora of onsen, is unequalled. Like its northern cousin Furano, Niseko enjoys perfect powder snow; if you’re one of the first on the slopes, you’ll feel like you’ve left Earth as you float downhill. For the finest winter playground, check into Niseko Village (www.Niseko-Village.com/en), a ski in-and-ski out resort with around 60 beginner, intermediate and advanced runs. And while the hype can be pretty overwhelming at times, the white stuff is close to perfect, especially after a blizzard when the sky clears.

HOW TO GET THERE: Thai Airways operates direct flights between Bangkok and Sapporo (Hokkaido’s Capital). Niseko is about three hours on the bus from the airport.

 

LEH, India

Perched at a dizzying altitude of more than 3,500 metres, Leh was once the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh and is now a district in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir. In summer Leh is touristy, with backpackers taking over the souvenir shops, pizza restaurants and guesthouses. In winter, the extremely cold weather dresses the Himalayan town in solitude and the snow blocks the narrow zigzag dirt roads, cutting the small town off from the rest of the world. Yet despite the harsh conditions, the local market is fully operational and bustling with activity. If you’re looking for a rustic experience, try staying with a local family as a paying guest.

HOW TO GET THERE: Air India, Jet Airways and GoAir have daily flights from Delhi to Leh. Give yourself at least a few days of flexibility as flights are often delayed due to weather conditions.

 

TIBET, China

Billed as the “Roof of the World” and with an average elevation of 4,900 metres, Tibet is locked away in the northeast of the Himalayas. Unfortunately, Tibet’s 3 million lama monks and pilgrims tend to be overrun by 8 million tourists in summer so it’s best to travel to Tibet in winter and revel in the delights of the snowy plateau. Though most places of Tibet are chilly, Tibet is not as cold as you would image with Lhasa usually warmer than Beijing. From November to January, you will find Tibet quieter and more authentic. Tibetan pilgrims outnumber tourists, and everything is cheaper. As the sun is lower in the winter and the sky is clear, it casts beautiful shadows and illuminates almost everything you want to take photos of. 

HOW TO GET THERE: There are a number of points of entry into Tibet with one of the nicest being the epic train journey from Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou. People who fly in directly from sea level tend to suffer serious altitude sickness. The rule is to spend your first night no higher than 2,400 metres, and raise your sleeping elevation by no more than 300 meters per day. Dali, Yunnan, Lijiang, and Zhongdian are the “base camps” before hitting the Roof of the World.