THE SNOW DRAGON TRIP

 As winter draws to a close the prospect of a summer holiday might seem more appealing than planning a winter break. However, it may be that the prospect of yet another trip to a generic European destination filled with British tourists doesn't fill you with excitement. The memories of sunburn, sultry hangovers and tourist filled beaches don't have you desperate to visit your local travel agent; or if you haven't ignored the 21st century, google “beach deals.” It may even be that you are not even such a summer fiend and the cold, freshness of winter, safely wrapped up, is more of a comfort than revealing your summer beach body.

Those idle hours at work spent anticipating the standard summer break could be replaced by a different kind of excitement. Excitement to embrace winter. You could be forgiven for thinking this article is being written by Narnia's white witch and is about to encourage you to book an Eskimo experience for the next 3 years. It is not- it is merely suggesting that not every holiday has to be a clichéd picture of blue skies, beach bars and the open sea. This year, you could let your friends organise the summer trip whilst you focus your efforts on something a lot more alluring; the Snow Dragon Trip in China.

The Dragon Trip has been offering adventure tours of China since 2011 but these have only operated between March and October. They have created a new product aimed at those with a more wintry inclination. The Snow Dragon Trip is a 14 day experience that showcases the best of China's winter. It starts in Beijing and takes in various spots in Northern China.

After a couple of days you will be in the winter wonderland of Harbin which is renowned for its ice festival, snow palaces and hundreds of penguins. Interesting animals are not in short supply with the Siberian Tiger Park boasting not only rare tigers but also “ligers.” For the unaware, these are a cross between a lion and tiger. All this in the setting of a city known as “Eastern Moscow” due to its European style architecture and Orthodox Churches. 

The next part of the trip is a further step into winter with a stay in one of Asia's foremost ski resorts; Yabuli. A couple of days of skiing and snowboarding or just sit back and roll down the longest Alpine slide in the world. Apres ski takes on a whole new meaning with noodles soups and baijiu (Chinese wine) to warm your body and soul. Revitalise your muscles with a foot massage and prepare yourself for a trip to the North Pole of China; Mohe.

Mohe is right on the border of Russia and can occasionally offer sightings of the Northern Lights. There is plenty else on offer with fishing, hiking and the Chinese Arctic Point. It is a place that has been touched by tragedy with a fire that blazed for a month and almost destroyed the entire county. The next destination borders another place of shaky repute in the form of North Korea. The city of Dandong provides a fascinating snapshot into two countries' cultures and you can get an insight into how they view the world at the Chinese People's Anti-US War Museum. You can catch a rare glimpse into the world's most secretive state and hike along the easternmost part of the Great Wall of China.

The final destination sees the Snow Dragon Trip loop back into Beijing and the various sights and sounds of the nation's capital. A trip to Tianammen Square to see the flag-raising and Chairman Mao's body is as powerful an expression of patriotism as you could ever wish to see. The trip is rounded off by visits to some of China's finest sights such as the Summer Palace and Forbidden City and its frenetic and varied markets. No trip to Beijing is complete with a final Roast Duck dinner to reminisce on the experience.

This year's big trip could be something totally different. You could spend those dragging afternoons fantasising about ligers, the Northern lights and ice palaces rather than worrying about your tan lines.

The Snow Dragon Trip runs in January 2016 and costs £715 for a 14 day trip including all accommodation, transportation and guiding. www.thedragontrip.com