Southeast Asia’s Winter Wonderlands

by Aimee Groom

There's no denying it – winter in Shanghai is a chilly affair indeed and somewhere around now, as the deep, damp, cold starts to sink into your bones, you're probably kicking yourself for not heading home for the holidays. That's not to say it's that much warmer wherever you come from, but there's a lot to be said for central heating, double-glazing and a bit of heartwarming Christmas cheer. So, if you're in Shanghai but hankering for some holiday spirit and a change from the Shanghai grind and grey, here are some suggestions for sunny Southeast Asia destinations that come with a hearty dose of Christmas spirit and not a snowflake (or space heater) in sight.

 A Filipino Fiesta

One of only two Asian countries where Christianity trumps other religions, Christmas or ‘Pasko’ in the Philippines is a great place to head to get your fill of festivities. Celebrations here kick off mid-December and last through to mid-January with Epiphany on 9 December and the Feast of Santo Niño on the third Sunday of the month. Even non-regular churchgoers will be moved by the nine "Simbang Gabi" or night masses that take place in churches all over the country every night from 16 December. After the services, street vendors gather outside to sell local specialty dishes like bibingka (a rice flour and egg cake), putò bumbóng (a sticky, purple rice delicacy steamed in bamboo tubes served with brown sugar and shredded dried coconut), salabát (hot ginger tea) and tsokoláte (thick Spanish cocoa)—even more reason to brave the early start and get into the local holiday spirit!

Wherever you head in the Philippines, you'll find a seriously festive atmosphere with decorations, brightly colored parol (lanterns) and nativity scenes at every turn. Nightlife hotspot Boracay is a riot of beach parties, music and dancing at the best of times, but come Christmas, locals and tourists alike get down and celebrate island-style, and believe you me, there's nothing that cures a Christmas-induced hangover better than sipping a cocktail from a coconut on palm-lined White Beach! For those who can stick around until January, Santo Niño celebrations get going with tribal dancing, drumming, drinking and cockfighting all across the island nation. Celebrations in Cebu (home to the Santo Niño de Cebú, a revered figure of the child Christ in opulent dress) are particularly vivacious with many days of fervent Catholic celebrations, lively processions and religious and festive ceremonies taking place. 

Shanghai-Manila flights from RMB 1,900 + tax

Ho Ho Ho Chi Minh

Not only did the French leave a legacy of great coffee, bread and patisserie when they ceded colonial rule over Vietnam to Japan during the Second World War, they also left behind a penchant for Yuletide cheer that suits the Vietnamese peoples’ natural proclivity for fun and merrymaking. Despite being a predominantly Buddhist country, Christmas is actually one of the four biggest festivals of the Vietnamese year (the others are the birthday of Buddha, the Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival). Though religious ritual only plays a part for about eight per cent of the population, the rest are more than happy to get down and party.

Head to Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh for Christmas Eve midnight mass and you’ll find the surrounding streets and park alive and bustling late into the night with food vendors and happy folk. In the city center, roads are closed to cars and the pavements packed with revellers, throwing confetti, eating delicious Vietnamese snacks, drinking and enjoying the glittering Christmas trees, colourful lights, window displays, big-bellied Santas and of course, a multitude of life-size statues of Mary, Joseph and lowing cattle surrounding baby Jesus in his manger.

If after a few days you’ve had enough of big city celebrations, then why not head to one of Vietnam's great beach resorts like Nha Trang, where you can contemplate the Immaculate Conception while snorkeling below the waves or kick back in the sun and mull over the meaning of Christmas with pina colada in hand!

Shanghai-Ho Chi Minh flights from RMB 1,250 + tax

 Hark the Herald Angels Sing(apore)

For fun, sun and some serious Christmas shopping, Singapore can’t be beat. Christmas is a public holiday in the tiny island nation, and its many famous shopping malls celebrate the season by decking its air-conditioned halls with promotions and discounts galore. If you want to pick up a winter bargain, this is it – and rest assured, what you shell out on a flight or a glitzy hotel, you can make back with massive savings on your Christmas shopping list!

The bright lights of Singapore are impressive at any time of year but throw in streets festooned with Christmas trees, twinkling lights and decorations and a soundtrack of Christmas tunes, and it’s a truly magical affair. There are so many open-air concerts, plays and special events taking place all over the city throughout December and into January that you’ll be spoilt for choice—from nativity plays on Orchard Road and Christmas Eve caroling on the steps of Marina Square Shopping Mall to the sensational Silosa Beach Party on New Year’s Eve, there’s something for every taste.

For families with kids in tow, your children will forever remember any Christmas visit to Resorts World Sentosa. Transforming into a fantastical fairytale world where the spirit of Christmas is very much alive and well, the beachside theme park is full of fairytale folk and festive cheer throughout the holiday season.

Shanghai-Singapore flights from RMB 2,360 + tax

Visit Ctrip.com for all the latest flight and hotel deals for Manila, Cebu, Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore.