For the ultimate winter travel experience, China's celebrated ice and snow festival is set to return to Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province, from January 5 to the end of February.

The spectacular wintry set-up includes Ice & Snow World, the International Snow Sculpture Expo that features dramatic sculpted pieces by artists from around the world, and an ice lantern art fair. Visitors have the opportunity to ski and snowboard, try out dog-sledding, ice skating or snowmobiling, and watch performances of winter swimming, diving and fishing, while the snow-covered forests and surrounding mountains set a stunning scene for sleigh rides.

The Harbin Ice Festival website highlights tours that can be taken from major Chinese cities or all the way from Singapore, but if you'd rather travel independently, the nearest airport is Harbin Taiping International. Temperatures in Harbin reach -30 in the winter months, so be prepared to wrap up warm.

A top spot to stay is plush hotel Shangri-La Harbin, situated on the scenic banks of Songhua River and a convenient base for the festival events.