A season in white: from winter landscapes to tropical shores
Come wintertime, white can mean very different things. For some, it is snow-covered mountains, frozen lakes and crisp winter air. For others, it is bright sand, warm sunshine and the freedom to go barefoot by the sea.
Whether you are looking forward to a proper winter or planning to leave the cold behind, there are plenty of different ways to experience the season, all with a little white in common.
Follow the snow
If winter is your favourite season, this is your chance to lean into it. Snow-covered landscapes, frozen lakes and crisp mountain air are hard to beat, particularly when there is somewhere cosy waiting for you at the end of the day.
High on a plateau in Shangri-la, China, Banyan Tree Ringha feels made for winter. From November to March, snow settles over the surrounding valleys and mountains, creating a striking white backdrop for exploring the area on foot or discovering more about Tibetan culture. You can spend the morning out in the cold, then return to your traditional lodge, light the fireplace and settle in with the snow still falling outside.
Between December and February, China’s Beihu National Wetland Park freezes over, turning the landscape pristine white. Base yourself at Homm Changchun Beihu, and take in the wintry views from the resort’s indoor and outdoor hot spring pools. Or, for something more energetic, venture out for a horse-drawn sleigh ride, try your hand at ice fishing or take a turn on one of the park’s famous ice slides.
Kyoto, Japan has plenty of reasons to visit in winter, but catching the city under snow is one of the more fleeting pleasures. At Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto, a dusting of snow can transform the views across the city's wooden pagodas, gardens and bamboo groves. It is most likely from December to February, although it is never guaranteed, which makes catching one of those days feel like a small stroke of luck. Take a stroll through Higashiyama or visit neighbouring Kiyomizu-dera Temple to see just how different the city looks when its rooftops turn white.
Over in South Korea, Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul gives you that winter fix without having to leave the city. Namsan Mountain often turns white between December and February, while the resort's outdoor Oasis pool transforms into an ice-skating rink. Wrap up warm and check out Seoul's shops, galleries and neighbourhoods in the morning, then lace up your skates in the afternoon. It is a good reminder that winter in the city can be just as much fun as in the mountains.
Head for the beach
For a very different take on winter, leave the coat at home and look for another kind of white: soft sand, sunlit shores and bright tropical days.
On Koh Samui, Thailand, Banyan Tree Samui sits above a private bay where white sand meets clear water and jungle-covered cliffs. The days are yours to fill: swim before breakfast, spend a few hours on the beach, take to the water or wander along the shore when you fancy a change of scenery. December to February is among the island's drier months, so it is an excellent time for you to trade winter layers for swimwear.
At Angsana Velavaru in the Maldives, the Indian Ocean supplies a different kind of winter landscape. A brilliant white beach surrounds the island, while the water shifts from turquoise shallows to deep blue around the reef. You can stay on the main island or head offshore to one of the InOcean Villas, set around a kilometre away. During the Maldives' drier months, between November and April, it is easy to spend your days in and around the water. You could snorkel from the shore, swim in the lagoon or simply find a patch of sand and settle in.
Banyan Tree Lang Co has its very own piece of Vietnam's central coast: a sweeping white shoreline with jungle and mountains rising behind it. You might come for the beach, but there is plenty to discover beyond it, from adventures in the countryside to nearby cultural sites. From December, when the rainy season starts to ease, Lang Co becomes a tempting alternative to a northern winter, with warmer days and the East Sea on your doorstep.
At tiny Dhawa Ihuru, in the Maldives, the white sand is only the beginning. The island's house reef starts just offshore, so your morning on the beach could easily turn into an underwater adventure, with coral gardens and reef fish waiting beneath the surface. The dry season in the Maldives runs from November to April, when conditions are ideal for spending time on the water. If one resort is not enough, take a short speedboat ride to nearby Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru for another reef, another island and a change of pace.
Want to explore more ways to travel with the seasons? Take a look at our advice on making the most of spring, summer or autumn.