Asia is a vast continent with diverse climates and terrains, making it an ideal destination for a winter vacation every year. Whether you prefer lounging on the beach, immersing yourself in crystal-clear waters, or getting lost amidst majestic mountains, shouting with excitement as you ski down from the top to the valley, these 7 Asian destinations below are sure to provide you with the most complete travel experience, no matter what your preferences are.
1 .SAMUI ISLAND, Thailand
Samui – the third largest island in Thailand – is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. The winter season, when tourists are scarce, is a paradise for those who love a slow-paced lifestyle. Practice yoga on a quiet beach, lie down and read a book in a bungalow overlooking nature, or fall asleep to the sound of rain. The horizon of the sea becomes our own private place! Especially, hotel and resort prices during the low season are much cheaper. The tropical rainy season usually does not last long, pouring down heavily but quickly making way for the clear and sunny weather.
How to get there: You can fly directly to Samui airport, or to Surat Thani or Don Sak and then take a ferry to the island. There are also daily buses and trains from Bangkok to Surat Thani.
2 .CEBU ISLAND, Philippines
The cold winter never visits Cebu. Throughout the year, Cebu is filled with vibrant yellow sunshine, attracting people to participate in outdoor activities. Take a walk among the colorful flowers at the Terrazas de Flores Cebu botanical garden, or run barefoot on the smooth white sand of Bantayan Island. Be mesmerized by the touching love story at Leah’s Temple, or chat with locals over the famous lechon roast pig dish. Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain once declared that Cebu’s lechon is the best roasted pig in the world, so don’t miss it.
How to get there: Asian cities often have direct flights to Cebu or to Manila first, followed by another hour’s flight to Cebu Island.
3 .DA NANG, VIETNAM
Are you looking for a tropical paradise to escape the bone-chilling cold during your winter vacation? Visit the coastal city of Da Nang, with its pleasant climate all year round. Take a leisurely stroll along both banks of the Han River, or relax on a boat and admire the peaceful Phap Lam Pagoda and the Dragon Bridge illuminated at night. About 8 km from the city center is the stunning Ngu Hanh Son – a cluster of five marble mountains that are considered the “earth’s virtues” of the region. Below the mountains is Non Nuoc Beach, with its white sand stretching along the clear blue sea like two soft silk ribbons winding at the foot of the mountains. This dreamy scenery has been immortalized in Quang Nam‘s literature for centuries.
How to get there: Fly directly to Da Nang International Airport. Major cities in Vietnam also have train or bus routes passing through Da Nang.
4 .Cableway Tan, China
If you dream of a winter wonderland with white snow like a fairy tale, then come to Cableway Tan – where the two cultures of Russia and China converge. Every year during the winter holiday, millions of tourists flock to the capital of Heilongjiang Province to admire the masterful snow sculptures in the Cableway Tan Ice Festival. Some of the works are as large as a stadium!
In addition, take a leisurely stroll along the Zhongyang shopping street, visit the Da Lam Park. This is also an opportunity for children to play in the snow, go ice skating, and participate in many other outdoor activities. The brave can join the locals in trying their hand at swimming in the cold Tung Hoa River during the freezing winter.
How to get there: Take a flight from Beijing or a daily train from other major cities.
5 .NAGANO PREFECTURE, Japan
Show off your skills conquering the ski slopes on the mountainsides in Nagano Prefecture. Winter here lasts until March, with smooth, pure white snow covering the entire area. The thick, stable, high-quality snow, steep terrain, and beautiful scenery brought Nagano the opportunity to host the 1998 Winter Olympics.
This is also the festival season with bustling activities throughout the streets. Join a ninja training class, visit a museum, or relax in a hot spring in the middle of the cold winter sky.
How to get there: The most convenient starting point to get to Nagano is Tokyo. There are daily trains and buses, taking from 1.5 to 3.5 hours depending on the mode of transportation.
6 .PYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province, South Korea
When it comes to winter vacation paradises in Asia, Pyeongchang cannot be missed, the host of the 2018 Winter Olympics. Pyeongchang is located to the east of the capital city of Seoul. Visitors come here to breathe in the fresh mountain air, enjoy the salty sea breeze, and participate in winter activities such as snowboarding, skiing, and hiking through forests. The picturesque scenery here is the backdrop of the Korean love story movie that has touched the hearts of thousands of Vietnamese viewers.
How to get there: To serve the 2018 Olympics, a new railway was built and put into operation from December 2017. Passengers can choose to take a high-speed train for 1 hour or a regular train for about 3.5 hours. There are also buses available.
7 .SHIMLA, India
Christmas and New Year’s with white snow is a common sight every year in Shimla. Both locals and tourists take advantage of this opportunity to welcome the new year with fun activities in the snow and breathtaking scenery. Relax and enjoy the winter break at high-altitude resorts, surrounded by the towering Himalayan mountains, with diverse snow skiing areas and the only outdoor ice rink in Asia.
How to get there: The most beautiful route is the Toy Train route through the forest from Kalka to Shimla. You can also fly to Jubbarhatti, Chandigarh, and New Delhi, then take a bus to Shimla.