For those not tempted by the sun-soaked sands of the south, this article will offer three very different but equally valuable winter holiday destinations in the north of China. The three areas recommended are intended to appeal to three kinds of voyager: the skiier, the culture-vulture and the natural-beauty-seeker, although each destination offers its personal variation on each theme. Far away from the increasingly smog-choked cities of central China, the visitor to at least some parts of Northern China may well encounter a world (as well as a quality of air) that remains comparatively untouched.

1) Yabuli Ski Resort
Located roughly 160 km south of Harbin, the Yabuli resort is quickly attracting a reputation as China's prime venue for skiing. The sport is still growing in popularity in China, and Westerners are yet to fully take advantage of the riches on offer. With nine slopes at intermediate level or above as well as a 500m beginner slope, Yabuli is the closest thing China offers to a relatively small, well-seasoned Alpine skiing retreat. Where many Alpine resorts suffer in quality because of their age, however, Yabuli is ostentatiously modern, and facilities and accommodation are accordingly exceptionally comfortable, well-designed and located.

The resort offers a huge number of hotels to fit most price ranges, as well as a good number of bars and restaurants. A room can be found for 100 RMB per person per night, but food is often overpriced. A half-day ski pass costs 200 RMB, and longer periods will be cheaper than resorts in most other countries. The temperature generally floats around the -10 mark, but can drop to dangerously low levels. This resort will suit skiers of all abilities, as it currently acts as training for national and international competitors. It should be added that Yabuli cannot compete with the sheer range and variety that the top European, Canadian and Japanese resorts offer. Within China, however – a country where skiing is sure to explode in popularity as the middle class expands and the tourist industry grows – the resort offers a great and continually improving skiing experience.

For those missing that winter skiing getaway, Yabuli is a strong bet, and will become an even stronger bet in the coming years. Given its close proximity to Harbin, a few days skiing here may provide the perfect supplement to a visit to the famous ice festival, complementing the man-made aesthetics of the frozen sculptures with the natural, glacial splendour of the Changbai mountain range.

2) A Cultural Visit to Xinjiang Province
Xinjiang is an internationally recognised tourist destination, famed for its natural beauty and its truly fascinating blend of cultures - few areas of China have, through history, belonged to so many different nations and empires. Comparable in size to Western Europe, only a small amount of the province is easily habitable. The area is famed for its mountains (including the titanic, insurmountable K2) and, above all, its towering history.

Two locations come highly recommended as part of a two-city trip: Urumqi and Turpan, only 150 km apart. Turpan, home to a fertile oasis, contains a world-famous depression as well as a world-beating cultural legacy. The Jiaohe ruins, only 10 km west of the city, are not to be missed, and really give a flavour of the ancient vibes flowing through this region (the Tarim Mummies were found here, dating from 1900 BC). Urumqi, a location on the historic Silk Road, offers an incredibly vibrant history. The tourist will find no shortage of cultural attractions here, such as the International Grand Bazaar, the largest bazaar in the world and a potent symbol of Islam's profound influence on Chinese culture. Right next to the Grand Bazaar, be sure to visit the Silk Road Museum, which offers a clear insight into the most prominent connection between Ancient China and the Middle East.

Domestic flights to Urumqi are relatively cheap, and both cities offer a wide spectrum of hotels, from 30 RMB a night to five star luxury. Finally, the Shuimugou Hot Spring, just a few kilometres outside the city, offer just the right temperature to chase away those winter blues. The colourful fusion of cultures fizzing around these two cities, located in the very heart of the world's largest continent, guarantee a memorable and thought-provoking holiday.

3) Roaming in Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia is a punishingly cold but deeply rewarding choice for a winter destination. The nature of the province is such that travelling to any specific place alone will inevitably disappoint. The expansive steppes demand extensive travel, continual exploration and considerable stamina.

The most suitable mindset for attacking this colossal region is that of the rampaging warrior; I recommend you learn from the best and begin with a visit to Genghis Khan's mausoleum in Ordos City. From here, you must visit one of the many grasslands; preferably the Ordos Grassland, conveniently near the mausoleum. Ordos (one of the ‘counties' of the province) works well as a starting point due to its location in the South – from here you can gradually work your way north (if you still aren't convinced, it will also play host to the 2012 Miss World finals). The Grasslands offer a glimpse into the extraordinary world of the Mongolian folk life, and contain thousands of small yurts where you can stay if you so wish. The temperature is still manageable in winter (although the very heart of winter is best avoided), and in fact the clear, cold skies that accompany this season really emphasise the bleak wilderness that dominates this region.

The Hangqiq Banner (the area of Ordos where the Grasslands area found) also contains the Qubuqi desert, where tourists can easily experience a trail on a camel or horse. From Ordos, travel east to Hohhot City, the capital city of the province, dating from the 16th century. Here, visit the Buddhist 5 Pagoda Temple and the Dazhao Monastery.

Overall, Inner Mongolia will not be an easy holiday, but the potential rewards are great. If you feel up for the challenge, and are growing disillusioned with a claustrophobic, urban lifestyle, a winter visit here could well introduce you to some of the more fiercely untamed realities of China.
 

Related links
Southern Exposure: Six Sunshine Getaways this Winter
Alternative Holidays: Vary Your Vacations this Chinese New Year
China's Top 5 Honeymoon Destinations

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