Let it snow. Here’s a comprehensive list of the most underrated white Christmas destinations in Asia, where a snowy December is almost always guaranteed.
Throughout the holiday season in Harbin, China, the annual Harbin Ice Festival is the pride of the snow town. A celebration that began in 1963 has been spreading Christmas joy and adventure in surplus with snowmobiling, Siberian tiger spotting, and so much more. In Srinagar, India, churches are all decked up, sparkling from in-between the rain of snow. Turn towards Southeast Asia and in Sa Pa, a small town perched up Hoàng Liên Son Mountains in Vietnam, the beginning of the Christmas season brings in perhaps the only white blanket on the eastern edge of mainland Asia.
Across Asia, Christmas marketplaces and celebrations start popping off around the end of November, with chalet-like outlets selling hyperlocal cuisine to annual events boasting colossus ice sculptures, and warmed wine. The closer you get to the eve, some destinations in Asia turn into a labyrinth of half-timbered bazaars illuminated with thousands of bulbs. We bring you six Asian favourites that boast their own unique Christmas culture, from unmissable classics like Japan to off-the-beaten faves like Vietnam.
[Hero Image Credit: Michael Sum/Unsplash; Featured Image Credit: Delphine Ducaruge/Unsplash]
Underrated spots to enjoy a white Christmas in Asia
Sapporo, Japan
The largest city on the island of Hokkaido turns into a snowy playground in December. The city first became popular after becoming the home ground for the 1972 Olympic Winter Games, but today, the postcard-ish landscapes dusted with snow are captivating enough to keep tourism flowing to the destination.
A white Christmas here begins with the opening of one of Asia’s most popular German Christmas markets (November 20–December 25). The Sapporo White Illumination (November–December) displays light installations throughout the city. Looking for an illuminated walk to a cosy retreat? Walk the Jozankei Onsen Snow Light Path (January) for a literal adventure leading to one of the most popular hot spring resorts in the area. Do not miss out on the endless skiing and snowboarding activities available at nearby resorts like Teine and Kokusai.
How to reach:
- By air: Flights between Tokyo and Sapporo take approximately 1.5 hours, with frequent departures from Haneda and Narita Airports to New Chitose Airport.
- By train: The 8-hour journey from Tokyo involves the JR Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and a transfer to the Hokuto limited express, fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
- By ferry: The ferry journey from Oarai Port to Tomakomai Port takes 19 hours, with an overall travel time of about 24 hours.
Did you know that Sapporo in Japan is the birthplace of Miso Ramen?
Srinagar, India
In Srinagar, hop on over to the Holy Family Catholic Church on Maulana Azad Road to observe communal spirit and a special morning prayer during Christmas time. Saint Joseph’s Church is another popular place of worship that holds Christmas prayers. In 2023, an evolving display of papier-mâché art decorated several buildings around the city, gaining national acclaim for a niche group of artisans. Make your way up towards Gulmarg, celebrating a white Christmas all winter long with festive decorations, skiing, snow skating, and snow cycling.
How to reach:
- By air: Sheikh ul Alam Airport, also known as Srinagar Airport, is located 15 km from the city centre. It is well-connected with regular flights to and from Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh.
- By train: The nearest railway station is in Banihal. From Srinagar Railway Station, cabs or taxis are readily available to reach the city.
- By road: Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is well connected to major cities, including Delhi (876 km), Chandigarh (646 km), Leh (424 km), and Jammu (258 km).
Yongpyong, South Korea
A destination centred around the same-named ski resort in Gangwon Province, Yongpyong Resort in South Korea celebrates a white Christmas with some of the best adventure-filled activities in Asia for the season. From a Christmas ski package and snow sledging to learning why the province is called ‘South Korea’s Winter Wonderland’, there’s much to do and many good reasons to extend your winter break here. The resort is also well known for hosting concerts by artists such as Donghyun from BOYFRIEND and Choi Min Woo from Phantom Singer.
Location: 715 Olympic-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Timings: 7 am to 10 pm on all days
Fee: A normal Ski Pass starts from KRW 123,000 (SGD 117), and a 1-day pass from 9 am to 5 pm for foreigners costs KRW 99,000 (SGD 94)
How to reach:
- By air: The Samcheok Airport (SUK) is approximately 45.3 km away. Other nearby airports include Chongju (147 km), Seoul Gimpo (165.9 km), Daegu (194.2 km), and Incheon (197.9 km).
- By train: Take a KTX train from Seoul to Jinbu Station (2 hours), then use the Yongpyong Resort Shuttle Bus (20 minutes, free for resort guests).
- By bus: From Gangbyeon Station (Line 2, Exit 4), head to Dong Seoul Bus Terminal and take an intercity bus to Hoenggye Intercity Bus Terminal (3 hours). From there, a taxi ride will take you to Yongpyong.
Explore more with our essential guide to South Korea’s public transport system.
Sa Pa, Vietnam
A white Christmas in Asia is definitively rare and noteworthy, but in Sa Pa, Vietnam, there’s an added tinge of excitement between December and late January, the coldest time of the year. One of the couple other places that can enjoy snowfall in the country, Sa Pa’s 1- to 2-day powdery shower is a rare and captivating sight. While high chances of snowfall are present, climate conditions and functions often decide when the phenomenon will take place.
Fansipan Mountain, the highest peak in Vietnam, is a key location to experience snow. Visitors can take a cable car or hike to the summit. From the top, visitors can see temples and, on snowy days, snowmen can be made. Ham Rong Mountain, 3 km from Sapa town, is another place you can find yourself in knee-deep powder at its 1,800-metre summit. Beyond Christmas, Sa Pa is also worth adding to your Vietnam itinerary for its natural landscapes and crowdless experience.
How to reach:
- By air: The Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi is about 320 km from Sa Pa.
- By train: Trains like Chapa Express, Victoria Express, and Fanxipan Express run from Hanoi to Lao Cai City, the nearest train station, about 40 km from Sa Pa.
- By bus: You can book a bus ticket through the Hai Van mobile app or online via platforms like Vexere. The travel time from Hanoi to Sa Pa by bus is about 5 hours.
Seoul, South Korea
Similar to Sa Pa, Christmas in Seoul recently found itself climbing among the best white Christmas destinations in Asia when 2023 marked the city’s first snowfall in eight years. The snowfall began on Christmas Eve and continued into Christmas morning, recording 2.1 cm of snow. Myeong-dong (Myeongdong Cathedral) and Itaewon saw thousands of visitors alongside Gwanghwamun Square, and Seoul Plaza Rink. While snowfall like this isn’t guaranteed every year (we do recommend tuning into the forecast), a visit nonetheless to the metropolitan capital is a must to soak in the festive spirit, especially for the Seoul Winter Festa, Seoul’s largest winter festival celebrating light as a bridge between tradition, modernity, art, technology, cityscapes, and nature.
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When: December 13, 2024 (Friday), to January 5, 2025 (Sunday).
Location: Gwanghwamun, Gwanghwamun Square, DDP, Bosingak Pavilion, Seoul Plaza, Cheonggyecheon Stream, and more.
How to reach:
- By air: All major cities have direct or connecting flights to Incheon International Airport, located near Seoul, and an hour’s bus ride to Incheon.
Harbin, China
When stepping into Harbin in December, especially into the Ice and Snow Festival, it won’t be surprising to experience a dropped-into-Frozen 2 moment. Massive ice sculptures towering above an unbelievably long queue is often the first scene you can fearingly admire, but once inside, the 41st International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival returning on January 5, 2025, is a fairytale dream. And this destination knows what it is doing, adding to the arsenal of why a trip to Harbin is an essential, once-in-a-lifetime white Christmas experience in China. Catch the Harbin Ice and Snow World experience around December 20, alongside the Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo, Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Art Fair and Harbin Songhua River Ice & Snow Carnival.
From December 30 to January 1, 2023, Harbin attracted over three million tourists to enjoy the white Christmas scenes in Asia, a typical metric for tourism in China, generating revenue of approximately CNY 5.914 billion (SGD 109,982,658), as reported by the Harbin Cultural Broadcasting and Tourism Bureau.
When: December 20, 2024, to February 25, 2025.
Location: West part of the Sun Island, Songbei District, Harbin
Timings: 9:30 am to 9 pm
Fee: Ice Lantern Art Fair – No fee; Sun International Snow Sculpture Art Expo – RMB 330 (SGD 61); Harbin Ice and Snow World – RMB 330 (SGD 61); Harbin Wanda Ice Lantern World – RMB 260 (SGD 48); Harbin Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival – RMB 288 (SGD 53).
How to reach:
- By air: Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB), located 33 km from the city centre, offers flights from Los Angeles, Russia, and Japan. Taxis to the city cost RMB 100-120 (SGD 18-22).
- By train: Regular trains connect Harbin with major Chinese cities. Taxis are available outside Harbin Railway Station for local travel.
- By road: Harbin is accessible via China Highway 102, with a convenient route through Changchun. Buses run from Beijing, Jilin, and Vladivostok (Russia) to Changtu Keyun Zhan terminus, opposite the railway station.
Note: The Chinese Spring Festival (January 28 to February 3, 2025) sees a surge in visitors, leading to higher crowds and prices for hotels, transport, and services. Consider alternative dates to avoid the peak holiday rush.
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All currency conversions were done at the time of writing.
This article originally appeared in Travel + Leisure Singapore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Japan, China, and Hong Kong are among the few Asian countries that observe enough snowfall for a quote-unquote ‘White Christmas’, with destinations like Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps leading the scoreboard.
Christmas in Asia is as vibrant as it is varied. In Japan highlights illuminated displays, the Philippines extends festivities into January, and India blends religious and secular traditions.
Some romantic destinations in Asia include Hokkaido and Niseko in Japan, Seoul in South Korea, and the snow-covered village of Shirakawa-go in Japan.
Travelling to these places during Christmas can be expensive as it is peak season, with higher prices for flights and accommodations.
Packing for a white Christmas in Asia should include warm clothing like insulated jackets, thermal wear, waterproof boots, and accessories like gloves and scarves.
Unique cultural experiences during Christmas in Asia include the Sapporo White Illumination in Japan, Christmas markets in South Korea, and lantern-lit temple festivals in countries like Thailand and Vietnam.
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Written by
Sneha Chakraborty is a journalist and photographer covering how travel intersects with food, culture, and identity. Her reporting has appeared in National Geographic Traveller India, Lonely Planet, Conde Nast Traveller, Vogue India, and Hindustan Times, where she spent two years on staff as a correspondent covering travel and culture. She is an alumna of the University of Westminster`s Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design. Currently based in Delhi, she grew up in various cities across India and has lived in Amsterdam, and London.
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