Spring is nearly here, but in case you¡¯re still feeling the winter blues, Jody Braverman offers some alternative ideas for unique weekend getaways

Spring is around the corner, but warm weather - and a sunnier mood - just can't come fast enough. When Thailand is just too far away, What about a tranquil escape, a cultural escape, a natural escape, or a historical escape? We went in search of winter retreats that offer up more than a tropical drink in the shade of a lazy palm (although we are by no means discounting the merits of that scenario). Below you wll find places where you can indulge in fine food, a tranquil atmosphere, luxurious accommodations, a warm fire, a walk in the woods or a day (or two) at the spa. This year, try something new - Thailand's sunny beaches will still be there when you get back.

An oasis of calm

About 45 minutes' drive outside Hangzhou, there isn't much to look at, massive development projects aside - a rather unlikely location for the heavenly Fuchun Resort. In 1347 Hong Gongwang, one of the Four Masters of the Yuan Dynasty, retired to his hometown of Fuyang in the Fuchun Mountains to pursue a life of leisure, culture and painting. It was there that Hong created his masterpiece, The Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains, which today is a national treasure depicting the harmony of man and nature. Fuchun Resort has managed to preserve Hong's idea of harmony and tranquillity in its sprawling retreat. Tucked far away from the two-lane expressway (growing to four lanes, so expect shorter travel times from Hangzhou) Fuchun is impeccably landscaped, with a long drive snaking through majestic stone gates and terraced hills and stunningly lit up in the evening. Much care has been taken in the design and layout of Fuchun; rooms are spacious and well-appointed and the common areas are warm and inviting. There are endless activities, if that's your thing - an award-winning golf course, a tranquil spa, a reading room, tai chi and yoga classes, a fitness area and an amazing Balinese-inspired swimming pool with three outdoor Jacuzzis facing the mountains. But what is most striking is the feeling of absolute serenity. Staff speak in hushed voices and barely a footstep can be heard in the long, silent corridors. Come here to golf and dine, or come here to do nothing but bask in silence and shed the stress of everyday life.

Beijing throwback

The capital has plenty of four- and five-star hotels with the usual luxury accoutrements for the average business traveller and tourist. But a weekend getaway in Beijing should have some real Beijing te se (special characteristics). Tucked away in an old courtyard house in a Beijing hutong, The Red Capital Residence and Club is far from ordinary. Sleep under vaulted ceilings and Chinese lanterns in an ornately carved opium bed; browse the large collection of kitschy Mao paraphernalia; and have a scotch and a cigar in the underground bar (it used to be a bomb shelter - watch your head!). Just down the street and around the corner is the Red Capital Club. Look for the vintage Red Flag limo - it was once exclusively reserved for high-ranking officials, but is now for hire. The menu offers Zhongnanhai cuisine, named after the secretive compound of China's top leaders, served banquet style with offerings like Tickling Kangxi's Rib - spare ribs prepared according to the official recipe for Emperor Kangxi - and Socialist Economic Model, described on the menu as anti-revisionist cuisine prepared in the spirit of Mao's poem. After dinner, retreat to your room for a nightcap and a copy of Dream of the Red Chamber and you will all but forget it's the 21st century and that you are not, in fact, one of China's ruling elite.

My own private Great Wall

Travellers in the know typically avoid the Badaling section of the Great Wall like the plague, but just a short drive away you can savour all the majesty of the Wall from your own private villa in a Manchurian hunting lodge setting. The Red Capital Ranch, also owned by Red Capital, is Beijing's first eco-tourism resort. The ranch has 50 acres with 360-degree views of untouched portions of the Great Wall accessible only to guests. During the day, scale a challenging section of the Wall to gain breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys. After working up an appetite you'll be ready for the Manchurian feast that awaits you after sunset. A large menu filled with delicacies you won't find anywhere else includes numerous preparations of lamb, salted fish, wild vegetables, yams and sweet potatoes in true Manchurian style. After dinner, a warm fire awaits you in the Tiger Lounge, where you can kick up your feet and indulge in a glass of port before retiring for the evening. The rooms are simple yet comfortable and the staff is some of the warmest you will meet in China. Unfortunately, the Ranch is closed from the end of November to the beginning of March (it's simply too cold during the winter months), but come springtime you won't want to miss your private section of the Great Wall in full bloom.