China in Winter: Where to Go in December, January and February

Winter is one of the most underrated times to visit China. The big sights are quiet, hotels are better value, the skies in the north are often clear and blue, and you can choose between real snow in the north and spring-like days in the south.

How cold is it? A quick guide

• Very cold (snow and ice): Harbin, -15 to -25°C. Come for the ice festival.
• Cold and dry: Beijing and Xi'an, about -5 to 5°C. Sunny, crisp days, with occasional snow.
• Cool and damp: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Chongqing, about 3 to 10°C. Grey days are common, and indoor heating is weaker in the south.
• Mild and sunny: Kunming, Dali and Lijiang in Yunnan, about 5 to 18°C, with blue skies.
• Warm: Guangzhou, around 12 to 20°C, and Xishuangbanna in the far south, around 20 to 25°C.

December

A great month: the autumn crowds have gone and Chinese New Year is still far off. Beijing and Xi'an are cold but bright. Late December is when the Harbin ice festival opens. Yunnan is at its clearest, with snow on the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and sunny days in Lijiang.

Best for: Beijing, Xi'an, Yunnan, the start of the Harbin season.

January

The coldest month and the heart of the snow season. Harbin's ice sculptures are at their best. In Beijing, the Great Wall may have snow, and the Forbidden City is at its quietest. In the second half of January, prices start rising as families prepare for the new year.

Best for: Harbin, Beijing in the snow, Yunnan and the south.

February

Chinese New Year usually falls in late January or February. In 2027 it is on 6 February. The week around it is the busiest travel period of the year: trains and flights sell out, and many shops and restaurants close for a few days. After the holiday, late February is quiet again and a good time to travel. Read our guide to Chinese New Year and Golden Week.

Best for: late February in the south and Yunnan, lantern festivals.

Where to go for snow

• Harbin for the ice festival: see snow in China.
• Beijing for a chance of snow on the Great Wall.
• Zhangjiajie in cold spells, when the peaks turn white.
• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Yunnan, with snow all year.

Where to escape the cold

• Yunnan: sunny, mild days and dramatic mountains. See our Yunnan guide.
• Guilin and Yangshuo: cool, misty and very quiet in winter.
• Guangzhou: mild weather, great food and shopping.

Winter tips

• Pack layers: a warm coat for outdoors, lighter clothes for heated hotels and restaurants.
• Days are short in the north. We start sightseeing a little later and finish before dark.
• Some mountain cable cars and boats close for maintenance in winter. We check every one before planning your days.

How we help

Tell us your dates and whether you want snow or sunshine. We build a winter route that fits, with warm hotels and an easy pace, and reply on WhatsApp within 24 hours.

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