The winter chills have well and truly set in, and China is preparing to celebrate.
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Heilongjiang's capital is a natural site for the festivities, as it gets the harsh, cold winds from Siberia. In winter the temperature is an average of -16.8°C, but it can be as cold as -38°C if you’re unlucky!
But don't let the freezing Chinese winter climate dampen your enthusiasm. The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival is one of the largest winter festivals in the world, and there's a lot of fun to be had if you can brave the cold!
To visit the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, take a two-hour flight from Beijing to Taiping International Airport. Then catch a bus from the airport to the festival sites, which are located about an hour away.
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All rooms evoke the essence of old Shanghai, with silk print wallpaper and whimsical Asian artifacts and furniture creating the atmosphere of the Orient. The plush canopy beds are another nod to the past, as their design was inspired by traditional Chinese wedding beds. Perhaps sleeping in them will give your relationship the bliss of happy Asian newlyweds!
The contemporary-styled bathrooms are luxuriously large, the perfect place for relaxing after a busy day sightseeing. A glass wall allows you to gaze out at the Huangpu River while you soak in the freestanding tub.
Rooms at Hotel Indigo Shanghai start from 1580 Chinese Yuan, which is equivalent to around $240 US.
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Changeokgung Palace is one of South Korea's five grand palaces, but it's the one that most princes of the Joseon Dynasty liked the best. It's not hard to see why. Its secret garden was a favorite place for archery games and fireworks displays, with its lotus ponds and landscaped lawns. The building itself strives to blend in to its natural surrounds, a revolutionary idea for 1405. Sadly much of the palace was destroyed during the Japanese occupation of Korea, so only about a third of its structures remain.
It may not have the rich history of the other buildings we’ve mentioned, but that's no reason to dismiss Coconut Palace in The Philippines. This palace was built under the order of former First Lady Imelda Marcos for Pope John Paul II's 1981 visit. The octagon-shaped building is an excellent example of Filipino design, with its body of hardwood and materials derived from the coconut. There are even more coconuts inside, with coconut chandeliers and furniture inlaid with coconut shells. This quirky building is easily accessible for tourists as it's part of Manila Bay's cultural center complex.
So make sure you get out of the bustling cities while you're traveling around Asia; there are some stunning architectural marvels just waiting to be explored.
If that hasn't calmed you, consider a soak in the Jacuzzi or a treatment at the city's first Anantara spa. The spa's treatments are a real experience as they use ancient techniques from China, Thailand, and India. Emphasis is placed on the beneficial powers of natural products including moisturizing avocado, purifying ginger, and healing volcanic stone.
Personally I can't imagine wanting to work up a sweat with all this pampering around, but if you do you can work out at the state of the art fitness center. There's high tech gym equipment, a sauna and steam room, and lap pool.
A night at the PuLi Hotel and Spa doesn't come cheaply, with rates starting from $500 US a night. However, if you want to come away from your 
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The Shine for Sheraton spas sound like easy places to relax, with their marble, mahogany, and polished metal surrounds rendered in warm cream, burnished gold, and cobalt blue shades. These hues and materials were specifically chosen to create an atmosphere that feels playful, yet opulent.
"Introducing the Shine spa experience across our portfolio on the heels of our $6 billion revitalization effort will be an invaluable, welcome addition to the Sheraton guest experience," Hoyt H. Harper II, senior vice president for Sheraton, 
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For interesting animals and plants, look to the Bonin Islands off the Japanese coast. These 30 different islands were formed long ago by an ancient volcano, and have since evolved in their own unique ways. The islands are home to more than 14 different animals and 100 unique plant species including the protected Ogasawara damselfly, the Japanese Woodpigeon, and the Bonin Flying Fox. Access is difficult though, so you’ll need to be keen. The Ogasawara Maru liner leaves from Tokyo Bay four or five times each month, and takes around 25 hours to reach its destination.
Tourists can feel like royalty traveling on the backs of 
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Foodies in China willingly risk hepatitis, typhoid, and dysentery for a taste of blood clams. The danger comes from the bacteria the clams harbor which often survives the boiling process. Sadly there's no safe way to go about trying the treats as they're banned in the country, although you can buy them on the black market. If you're brave prepare to pay exorbitant prices and risk serious illness!
The South Korean delicacy of sannakji is the tamest dish on this list, but it's certainly not for the faint hearted. It's actually raw baby octopus served up still squirming about on your plate! Seafood doesn't come much fresher than that! The danger comes from the octopus' suction caps, which can latch onto your mouth or throat and cause choking. Make sure you take small bites and chew each one thoroughly to minimize the risks.