The best destinations for snow hunters in Japan

Winter in Japan is also a wonderful opportunity to venture out beyond the urban sprawl and experience the country, its customs, and cuisine like a local. Below are the best destinations for who want to explore Japan in winter, especially, for the snow hunters.

Abashiri Drift Ice, Hokkaido

Head right up north to the Sea of Okhotsk along the coast of Hokkaido, and you would be forgiven for thinking that you are in fact in the middle of the Antarctic. Here massive plates of drift ice known as ryuhyo float atop the ocean surface.

Drift ice season may not be Japan’s most well-known winter vacation opportunity, but it is definitely one of the country’s more unique experiences. Emerging in around mid-January and gone by March, there is a little time to check it out if you do want to see it in action. Occasionally from land you can spot drift ice floating along the coast, but to really explore the area at its peak, it is recommended you hop aboard one of the Aurora Sightseeing Boats. The tour boats depart from Abashiri Port in Hokkaido’s northeastern corner a couple of times daily, and a tour costs around 3,000 yen (£20) per person.

Otaru, Hokkaido

When it comes to winter in Japan, the heaviest snow falls in Hokkaido, where you can enjoy the annual Sapporo Snow Festival. But, take a 45 minute train ride, and you will be whisked away to the port city of Otaru, a city pivotal to the development of Japan’s northernmost island. Brick warehouses and Victorian style street lamps line Otaru Canal, giving it a distinctly European feel. Visit at night and be charmed by Otaru’s Snow Light Path, an event held in February where the streets of Otaru are decorated with snowmen and candlelight.

Shirakawa-go, Gifu

Looking like an idyllic painting come to life, Shirakawa-go is a small traditional village in the heart of Gifu that is stunning year-round. Nonetheless, winter is when it is at its most beautiful. The area is best known for being the home of Japan’s unique ‘gasshou’ houses, a style of old-world traditional Japanese architecture.

Some of the houses here are over 250 years old. The name ‘gasshou’ translates to ‘praying hands’ in English. It was so named because their sharply steep roofs clasped together resemble the two hands of the Buddha in prayer.

See more: 10 best places to go skiing in Japan

Zao Snow Monsters

The best place to see snow monsters is at Zao Onsen, a well-known hot spring and ski resort in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture. These "monsters" are formed by heavy snow deposited on trees and frozen into shape by chilling winds. The Snow Monsters form around the peak of the Zao Ski Resort and are usually most spectacular around mid-February.

Ouchi Juku, Fukushima

Walk in the footsteps of samurai in the village of Ouchi Juku, a former post town on Aizu-Nishi Kaido that which connected Aizu, Fukushima with Nikko, Tochigi during the Edo Period. Ouchi-juku feels like a living museum, as the town has been restored to its former glory. Traditional thatched buildings, a trademark of post towns, line the unpaved main street, where you will find plenty of quaint shops, restaurants, and Japanese inns.

Warm up with a local specialty - fish grilled at an iriori, or sunken hearth - then head to Ouchi-juku Town Pavilion to explore more of this historic village.

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Reasons why you should visit Dubai during winter

Dubai residents wait for winter all year long. Indeed, those three months of the year are the most anticipated and enjoyed ones, with people talking about winter year-round and counting down the days. After all, Dubai takes on a new face during this season, which makes the entire city one of the best places to visit during winter.

Temperatures are actually bearable

Anyone who lives in Dubai will complain about the weather at least 10 times a day during summer. After all, temperatures rise as high as 50°C (122°F), making it impossible to be outdoors without dehydrating. However, winter in the city has weather that is not only bearable—it’s actually delightful! People will find any excuse to be outside during winter in Dubai and take advantage of the brief period of time when the city has a breeze and comfortable temperatures.

Winter is beach season

Beach season is an exciting time all around the world. People simply love tanning and enjoying the sea water. However, in Dubai, that is done during winter. Since it’s too hot outside during the rest of the year, this is the season to work on the perfect tan. For those who are looking for a winter destination that does not involve coats and gloves, booking a trip to Dubai will guarantee that they’ll only have to pack swimsuits.

New Year’s in Dubai is a blast

Dubai is known worldwide for its New Year’s festivities. There is no shortage of ways to spend New Year’s Eve (NYE) in the city. Whether one wants to spend it on the beach or in a luxurious hotel watching the Burj Khalifa fireworks, one thing is for sure: New Year’s in Dubai is always fun. People start planning their NYE months in advance, picking the perfect dress—yes, the weather is perfect to wear short dresses, with no need for jackets and such—and choosing the best venue from which to view the epic fireworks.

All the best events take place in winter

Dubai is big on events. They can focus on fitness, fashion, music or food, and they are a way that the city keeps its residents and visitors entertained year-round. However, most of the best and biggest events actually take place in winter. Anything from the biggest concerts in town to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship takes place at the beginning of the year when the weather is good enough to be outside.

Winter is camping season

For those looking for any good reason to be outside, camping is a fantastic way in which to enjoy the weather and make the most of the cooler temperatures. People in Dubai will commonly head to the desert in order to camp, where the temperature drops even lower. It gives them a real chance to be cold, something that is very rare in Dubai, with the exception of air conditioning.

See more: Best desserts you should try in Dubai

Source: Internet

The ideal places to hunt snow for winter lovers in Asia

If you are not looking to escape the chill of winter, but instead want to take in wondrous snow-covered views while exploring some of Asia’s best destinations, you will find that and more by heading to one of these spectacular places.

Photo @fswildvet

Sapporo, Japan

There are many places in Japan to experience snow, but one of the most popular is Sapporo. This city has a lot of ski resorts only 20 to 60 minutes ride away by car, so, adding that to your day trip itinerary would be bearable.

If you are a beginner, you could try sledding or snow-tubing, on the other hand, if you are not interested in snow games, you may want to time your visit during Snow Festival which usually takes place in February. Despite the freezing cold temperatures, more than 2 million people go to the Hokkaido capital to witness the snow come alive annually and Japan is well-known as one of the snow countries in Asia.

Mongolia

Looking for a snowy place that is unique and far the flocks of tourists? Why not pack your bags, and head to Mongolia in winter? With its majestic landscapes and countryside covered in white, snow seekers will absolutely find their bliss in this pristine and untouched land. For bona fide adventurers, Mongolia can help you unleash your wild side with its mishmash of outdoor thrills, such as canoeing, horseback riding, mountain climbing and skiing.

Harbin, China

The “Ice City,” as Harbin is known, hosts one of the world’s largest snow and ice festivals, the Harbin International Ice Festival. Held throughout much of January and into February, it features some 1,500 larger-than-life ice structures that shimmer with multi-colored lights. Every year there is a different theme, varying from mythical beasts to famous landmarks from across the globe. Harbin and the surrounding area also offers some of the best winter sports opportunities on the planet, including skiing and snow boarding.

Lhasa, Tibet

If you do not mind, or perhaps even revel in, extreme winters, by heading to Lhasa you will enjoy the breathtaking beauty of one of the world’s most jaw-dropping snowy wonderlands with fewer crowds and cheaper hotel accommodation. While it will be cold, it will not be nearly as chilly as you might think, particularly as December and January are dry months and the high-altitude sun is almost always in abundance, making it feel warmer than the temperature would have you believe.

You can also enjoy festivals, like the Monlam, or Great Prayer Festival, in which monks and artisans create colorful butter sculptures for burning during the Butter Oil Lantern Festival. If you are here for the Tibetan New Year, Losar, you can celebrate with the locals by watching dance performances at Potala Palace and even hanging up prayer flags on the temples and mountain tops.

Sapa, Vietnam

Being surrounded by many top summer destinations like Bali, Phuket, and Boracay, it may come as a surprise to you that Vietnam also experiences snow! Even though snowboards and toboggans are not commonplace to Vietnam, you will surely fall in love when what used to be green fields of rice in summer turn to white during the winter.

Beijing, China

Traveling to China during winter? China’s capital gets pretty cold in December, with the average temperature sitting around negative 2 degrees Celsius. Besides being a low-tourist month (you can enjoy super affordable fights and hotels in December in Beijing), you likely find snowfall in this city during Yuletide getaway.

Most of the city’s ski resorts open their doors, when December sets in, meaning you can try your hand at tobogganing, snowboarding and skiing. If you are lucky to catch some snow during your visit, make your way to The Summer Palace, for breathtaking snow views. And do not forget to check out the world renowned Great Wall of China, to enjoy elevated view of its snowy surrounding landscapes.

Shimla, India

Fabulous for a nature retreat, Shimla is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, while monkeys roam freely along the overhead cables, casually watching the shoppers below. It enjoys snowy winters thanks to its northern latitude, making it an ideal place to escape the intense heat that so many other cities in India endure.

Nearby at Wildflower Hall, you will find a haven for ski enthusiasts seeking refuge from crowded, overly commercialized resorts. This premiere mountaintop resort will make you feel as if you are stepping into the pages of a fairy-tale with its gorgeous vistas of endless forest and snow-capped mountain peaks. Spend your days taking part in whatever winter sport suits your fancy, and indulging in holistic spa treatments, complemented by more extraordinary views.

Read more: 7 Asian dishes you will love during winter

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Enjoy winter in Da Lat, Vietnam

Amazingly, just by sightseeing Da Lat in winter, we also can feel its romantic and melodious beauty. Light wind, little fog, and slight cold as well are enough to retain visitors. That is why Da Lat is really attractive Vietnamese destination for those people who want to enjoy cold but not nipping weather in winter.

Winter in Da Lat – season of yellow flower and flower festival

Da Quy

In the splendid cold-sunshine, through other flowers and leaves, plants and trees, wild sunflowers are flaunting everywhere, from roads, hills, to mountains. Hiking on tranquil roads with wild sunflower to enjoy fresh air of highland or holding hands in hands to view pine forest and admire pine trees are being decorated for Christmas.

Moreover, you certainly have wonderful experience, amazing feeling while wandering on yellow flower roads or gardens. From down to up sight, wild sunflower road looks like a golden river, squeezing among pine forests, mixing with paddy fields, vegetable gardens and stretching to roads that brings indescribably overwhelmed feeling.
If you travel to Da Lat in this season, don’t forget to hunt spectacular places for taking impressive photos with wild sunflower.

Wandering in Da Lat on winter days

It is not exaggerated to suppose that Da Lat is the most beautiful in winter. In the early morning, the whole land wallows in fog which can be compared to “the foggy city- London”.

You can spend all day long wandering on poetic roads of Da Lat, looking in attractions such as love valley, Than Tho Lake, Mong Mo hill, Prenn waterfall, or conquering imposing Langbiang mountain. If you are a person who want to find out about Da Lat history, you should find visit clay village for exploring truthful Da Lat’s beauty in the past or Da Lat educational college for visiting French unique architecture. At night, Da Lat becomes more and more attractive. Especially, on winter nights, it is covered by lightly spreading mist, chilly wind which give you fantastic feeling. In the evening, you can join a lot of interesting activities or enjoy cuisine at night market.

Sipping a cup of coffee and enjoy BBQ on the cold days

Coming to Da Lat on cold days of winter, you should stop by coffee shops for sipping a cup of coffee, you will experience its particular flavor as well as romantic atmosphere around you.

Under coldness of winter, hot dishes and BBQ are always the best choices for tourists. Ideally, you could easily find delicious food in Da Lat from early morning till very late at night such as Xuan An rice spaghetti (cooked with shrimp, crab or meat), Quang noddles at Chung house or Hue beef noodles. However, Da Lat cuisine is always more interesting and various at night.

Source Travelsense

6 best ski resorts in Asia

Winter is coming, and it's time to bring out the inner skier in you! There are plenty of ski resorts in Asia, but we have decided that these 6 are the best ones. Do consider these resorts if you are planning to go skiing this winter.

1. Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan

Thanks to bouts of winter storms off Siberia, the Niseko resort area ranks among the snowiest resorts in the world. It's also one of the few ski resorts in Japan with boisterous nightlife, which perhaps explains why it's the most popular ski destination in Japan among Aussies.

Niseko has four ski resorts, each with separate, but interlinked, ski areas. The terrain adds up to 2,191 acres and can be accessed with one ski pass.

Niseko Hirafu is the largest resort of the four and has a small town at its base, with two fun parks, snowmobiling courses, onsens, and massage facilities.

See more: 7 places to visit during winter in Japan

2. Alpensia Resort, Pyeongchang, South Korea

Seoul has been building ski venues to qualify as a host for the Winter Olympics for years. The Alpensia Resort in Pyeongchang hosted the recent Winter Olympics in early 2018.

The Alpensia Resort was completed in 2009 and covers 4.9 square kilometers of terrain. Alpensia's sports park has cross country and biathlon ranges, as well as two international-standard jump slopes.

The 160-meter tall ski jump tower offers great views of Daegwallyeong at the top and can be reached by monorail for 2,000 won. The resort is close to the Odaesan National Park and the Samyang Ranch.

3. Yongpyong, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Yongpyong Ski Resort is the oldest ski resort in South Korea and remains one of its most popular -- not only because of the superb skiing, but also because Winter Sonata, arguably the most beloved TV drama of the soap-obsessed country, was filmed there.

Yongpyong has 1,620 hecatares of ski terrain with 31 groomed slopes adding up to 25 kilometers. The 5.6-kilometer Rainbow Paradise is the resort's longest run and can be accessed by a 3.7-kilometer gondola that takes visitors up from the base. Yongpyong is frequently chosen as the site for international tournaments, including the Asian Winter Olympics in 1999.

See more: Best winter activities in South Korea

4. Gulmarg, Kashmir, India

In the 19th century Gulmarg was a hill station for British colonials to escape the summer heat. These days, it's a world-class ski resort blanketed with fresh, light powder from the Himalayas, attracting ski bums tired of Alpine lift queues and fondues.

The resort's claim to fame is the Gulmarg Gondola, the highest ski lift in the world at a dizzying 3,979 meters. At the top station, skiers can take on challenging runs with Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth-highest peak, as a backdrop.

5. Yabuli Ski Resort, Heilongjiang, China

Yabuli Ski Resort is China's largest ski domain with ski slopes that add up to roughly 30 kilometers. And while it's the main training venue for the Chinese national skiing teams, it also has plenty to offer adrenalin seekers.

Yabuli has 18 runs of different levels of difficulty. The 3-kilometer A1 is the longest intermediate ski trail in China and is nicknamed the "Trail to Happiness." Experienced skiers may want to have a go at the 2.7-kilometer A5, known as the "Road for Brave."

6. Appi Kogen, Tohoku, Japan

Appi Kogen, or just Appi to regulars, has 282 hectares of ski area and 21 ski trails with an average run of two kilometers, Japan's longest average. Many of them are empty even during high season, and carpeted with fresh dry powder. Seasoned skiers can whiz down the ungroomed steep slopes on Mount Nishi Mori while the kids can stay on the gentle 5.5-kilometer Yamabato run.

Appi also offers plenty of off-piste options, including an on-site dairy farm that produces ice cream and cheeses, snowmobile and sledding courses, and onsens. Tots won't want to leave the Spongebob Kids Park, which has mini ski areas for first timers.

See more: The great places to experience snow in Asia

Source: cnn

8 snowy destinations in Asia for mountain and winter lovers

When people talk about Asia, some of the first things come to mind are the spectacular islands, crystal clear waters, beach parties, or anything that you can incorporate into summer and tropical weather. While this is not surprising as this is what Asia, particularly southeast part is mostly known, tourism wise, did you know that Asia can also be a great destination for a snowy getaway? Here is a list of some of the best snowy destinations in Asia for those who love the winter.

1. Sapporo, Japan

There are many places in Japan to experience snow, but one of the most popular is Sapporo. This city has a lot of ski resorts only 20 to 60 minutes ride away by car, so adding that to your day trip itinerary would be bearable.

If you’re a beginner, you could try sledding or snow-tubing, on the other hand, if you’re not interested in snow games, you may want to time your visit during Snow Festival which usually takes place in February. Despite the freezing cold temperatures, more than 2 million people go to the Hokkaido capital to witness the snow come alive annually and Japan is well-known as one of the snow countries in Asia.

See more: Visit Japan in Winter

2. Yunnan, China

The second one is Yunnan Province where the small mountain range of The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain – one of the most beautiful snow places in Asia is located. Soaring throughout the headwaters of the Yangtze River, this mountain range is famous for their far-fetched views and is a portion of a high altitude nature reserve.

3. Yongpyong, South Korea

Another place to go if you are looking for some ice adventure in Asia is Yongpyong, South Korea. This place has a lot to offer for those who are looking to go skiing or snowboarding. You will find a trendy ski resort on the slopes on Mount Balwang. Some other popular activities here include floodlit night skiing and a cross-country hiking. Just like in Sapporo, they also hold a snow festival every February.

See more: Best winter activities in South Korea

4. Sapa, Vietnam

Being surrounded by many top summer destinations like Bali, Phuket, and Boracay, it may come as a surprise to you that Vietnam also experiences snow. Even though snowboards and toboggans aren’t common places to Vietnam, you will surely fall in love when what used to be green fields of rice in summer turn to white during the winter.

Sapa located in northwestern part of Vietnam is now becoming more and more popular among visitors from all over the world. The natural beauty of rugged mountain ranges along with the interesting cultural diversity of the ethnic minorities living in the regions is what attracts many tourists here all year round. 

5. Taichung, Taiwan

Another unpopular winter destination is Taiwan. Located in Heping District, Taichung, Xueshan or Hsuehshan or all known as Snow Mountain is the second-highest peak in the country standing 3,886m. This mountain is often ignored by many tourists who opt for Mt. Jade hiking as it is the tallest one. However, Snow Mountain offers a more scenic and interesting hike.

Hiking here is pretty safe even during the winter and the scenery is spectacular. However, you have to make sure to sign up months prior if you are planning to hike as they limit the number of hikers during the snowy season.

6. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

A few hundred miles away from Beijing, Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar is another place ideal for all the winter lovers out there.

If you’re an adventurous soul who wants to try something exciting, you are able to enjoy snowboarding and skiing just outside the city at the mountain called Bogd Khan Mountain, which is a protected mountain range that lies in the southern part of Ulaanbaatar. Keep in mind, though that temperature here tends to be very low. During the months of November to March, the temperature can get as low as -35°C, positioning Mongolia as one of the coldest snowfall countries in Asia.

7. Putao, Myanmar

Another country in Southeast Asia where you can experience snow is Myanmar. Famous for Bagan and Inle Lake – pictured above – what might not be so well-known are its snowcapped mountain ranges. Putao which is located in the northernmost town of Kachin State is a dream place for nature lovers. The region also has some of the tallest mountains in this part of Asia, one of which is Khaka Bo Razi, standing splendidly tall at 19,296 ft.

8. The Himalayas mountain range, Nepal

The Himalayas is a landmark of the earth. This mountain range is the most famous and also the most beautiful mountains in the world. Dates back to 80 million years ago when dinosaurs still exist, The Himalayas is the youngest and highest of its kind.

Every year, The Himalayas attract thousands of adventure seekers, nature lovers, and explorers who follow innumerable trails among wonderful forests and icy peaks searching for prehistoric monuments and spectacular panoramas. Himalayan mountains show an exhilarating range of mountain backdrop that will surely take your breath away. You will be stunned with various snowcapped mountain peaks, ever popular alpine grazing land, several stunning lakes, numerous high glaciers, and some of the gorgeous snow-fed rivers.

Source Internet