Christmas is not celebrated with as much gusto in Shanghai as it is in Hong Kong - there is no snowmen, nor trams ferrying carol singers - but Santa's presence can still be felt, or rather, his presents can be. From the towering Christmas trees at department stores to the turkey and mince pies at the city's international restaurants and hotels, something is in the air, and it smells like swiped plastic.

For those who want to do something different this year, however, China has much more to offer, from hot springs and luxury spas to knuckle-whitening outdoor ski runs. Shanghai Star Weekend reporter Wu Yiyao straps on her snowboard to investigate.

Christmas spa

Bantang Spa Resort is one of the hidden gems of Chaohu county. Its main asset is its remoteness from the hectic pace of city life. Here guests can immerse themselves in the same hot springs that have been easing the aches and pains of Chinese nobles for over 2,000 years. The spa, which sits inside a botanical garden and is divided into two parts, takes its name from its design: ban means "half" and tang means "spa". Although now open to the general public, it used to be the exclusive reserve of the royal family, other nobility and their entourages.

Travel tips

Take a train or long-distance bus to Hefei, the capital of Anhui province. The fast train takes 3.5 hours, with first-class tickets costing 190 yuan. Then take a connecting bus to Chaohu (1 hour, 20 yuan). Entrance fee for the spa is 100 yuan per person.

Frosty the snowboarder

A new outdoor snow dome close to Hangzhou means skiers no longer have to fly to frozen Harbin, or make do with Shanghai's ageing indoor runs, to experience some Xmas X-Games of their own. Jiangnan Tianchi Ski Resort is the largest outdoor skiing venue in East China and its private instructors are among the best in the country. A two-day pass to the scenic spot that houses the resort's 30-degree slope amid mountains and rivers costs 50 yuan. Ski lift and equipment hire costs 120 yuan an hour, or 580 yuan for an all-day pass (40 percent cheaper if you bring your own kit). Private lessons cost 100 yuan per hour.

Travel tips

Direct long-distance buses and trains run regularly between Shanghai South Railway (Bus) Station and Hangzhou. A first-class ticket on a fast train (dong che) costs 62 yuan and takes 75 minutes. The same-class bus ticket costs 60 yuan and takes two hours. Travelers then need to take a 60-minute bus from Hangzhou North Bus Station to Anji County, another 80 km away in Zhejiang province.

Feast on the beach

Play with seashells by the seashore this winter in Ninghai while gorging on lobster (longxia), eel (manyu), oyster (muli) and crab (pangxie). Most restaurants have an aquarium allowing you to meet your dinner before you eat it, or rather, before you drown glasses of rice wine while searching for buried flesh inside a crab. A quick stopover in Ningbo city is recommended if only to visit one of its exquisitely decorated churches.

Travel tips

Take a bus directly from Shanghai South Railway (Bus) Station to Ninghai. The journey takes three hours and costs 150 yuan. From there it is another 40-minute bus ride to Qiangjiao Port (15 yuan), where most of the seafood stalls are concentrated.

Winter wonderland

As more tourists explore Macao's unique mix of Portuguese, Cantonese and Pacific island culture and cuisine, not to mention its heady combination of casinos and shopping centers, book your hotel in advance this winter. Carnivals, flower shows and historic lanes buried in the shadow of beaming skyscrapers are just some of the reasons to hit up Macao this Christmas, a place that Santa likes second only to Vegas.

Travel tips

Direct flights from Pudong to Macao run daily, with round trip tickets costing about 2,500 yuan with China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines. Early booking is advised. A shuttle ferry service connects Hong Kong and Macao.