This resort in Hokkaido prefecture, 1000km north of Tokyo, gets enough snow to allow skiing for seven months of the year.

For further information see 360niseko.com.

New Zealand has a rival for the world's most breathtaking landscapes, writes Hayden Donnell, after taking in the view from Mt Annupuri during a skiing trip to the resort of Niseko on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

Justine Tyerman takes a 'virtual' hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia.

Sheriden Rhodes checks out some of the best spa-cations across Asia and Australia.

Communist Laos is still close to its agricultural roots, writes Yvonne van Dongen.

Helen van Berkel senses the suffering of the prisoners of war who died to build the Death Railway.

Hugh Biggar goes in search of exotic and elusive wildlife in Indonesia.

Rare pictures of Kim Jong-un as a boy have been shown during a televised concert for the air force in North Korea.

The Chinese government has shut down thousands of websites and social media sites in a bid to purge the internet of online pornography, it was revealed today.

Solar power has won the global argument. Photovoltaic energy is already so cheap that it competes with oil, diesel and liquefied natural gas in much of Asia without subsidies.

Singapore serves up the food of the gods - and the devil, writes Sharon Stephenson.

Duncan Gillies saddles up for a surprisingly pleasant ride in a very busy city.

The "Palace on Wheels" is an extravagant week you won't forget, writes Kevin Pilley.

Indian Ink Theatre's Jacob Rajan returns to Southern India and is thrilled by his company's historic first.

Much hangs on whether the Japanese Government sides with its future-focused Foreign Ministry or its inwards-looking pro-whaling fisheries agency, writes John Armstrong.

Comparisons to Cambodia's tourist sites are unavoidable, writes Tim Roxborogh.

A Thai satellite has detected about 300 objects floating in the Indian Ocean near the search area for the missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner.

Ian D. Robinson dresses in traditional clothes to watch equally traditional Japanese theatre.

"Rule No 1," the Travel Editor said: "Don't get killed." Helen van Berkel looked for angry mobs in Bangkok and found only scenes of calm.

Myanmar's countryside hosts a lifestyle that has scarcely changed over centuries, Angela Lock discovers.

John Armstrong asks, "Whatever your opinion of Judith Collins, she has chutzpah in abundance. Or is it foolhardiness masquerading as chutzpah?"

Justine Tyerman meets some magicians in Turkey...

You don't have to be able to see to enjoy India's magic, writes Fraser Alexander.

Kate Shuttleworth gets a bargain, or several, on a Kuala Lumpur spree.