Winter is an absolutely amazing time to tour around China! You can enjoy a total different vibe compared to the other three seasons. There’s nowhere better to experience Christmas markets and the magical twinkle of Shanghai’s lights than here in the city that never sleeps. If you’re looking for a heart-warming encounter with giant pandas and a sizzling Sichuan hot pot, you’ll find it in Chengdu! Or you can step into the enchanting world of the annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival! It is one of the oldest and largest in the world, where you’ll find the most intricate sculptures and snowy landscapes coming together to create a winter wonderland like no other! In this article, we’ll be sharing some of the most incredible places you can visit in China during the Christmas season!

Sanya

Sanya’s weather in winter from mid-December to late February is cool and comfortable, with no frost or snow. In spite of the cold winter in other places, here you can still wear your sandals and T-shirt, roaming the seaside under the enjoyable sunshine. A veritable paradise of sugar white sand, crystal clear waters, and dramatic scenery, Sanya’s tropical beaches are renowned around China for their beauty. From the family-friendly beaches on the Yalong Bay to the gorgeous beaches for the rich and beautiful on the incredibly spectacular Haitang Bay, you’re sure to find a stretch of sand that suits your fancy. Apart from the beach, you can hike the lush and old-growth rainforest, as well as obsessive a vast array of wildlife.

• Enjoy a variety of beach activities.
• Hike on the top of Tropical Paradise Forest Park.
• Fun dive in Wuzhizhou Island.
• See thousands of marine life species in The Lost Chambers Aquarium.

Yellow Mountain

The Yellow Mountains are worth visiting all year round, and some of you might have been before. But different from the normal Yellow Mountains with verdant pine trees and peculiar rocks, in December the mountain will become pure white owning breathtaking views of snow. In December, the average temperature in the Yellow Mountains is about -5 °C (23 °F) therefore it is more likely for visitors to see the magnificent sea clouds. After you visit the Yellow Mountain, visiting some Huizhou-style villages during your trip is a must! Hongcun Village is one of the most famous ancient villages that you might have seen in Ang Lee’s movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”.

• Warm up in the hot spring
• Enjoy the snowy view of Yellow Mountain
• Visit the “the most picturesque village of China” – Wuyuan
• Discover the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage – Hongcun Village

Sichuan

Chongqing City and Chengdu City are both worth your visit to Sichuan Province. If you want to visit Chengdu then Mount Emei is the place you must not miss! The winter scenery in Mount Emei is fantastic on the 3,099 meters above sea level you will be totally hiking into the wonderland of snow. Besides, hot springs, seeing the sunrise, and skiing are also recommended activities. Jiuzhaigou is one of the most impossibly pretty locations in all of China. Winter transforms it into a scarcely believable fairyland of frost and ice, and with far fewer tourists, this could be an ideal time to visit. As for Chongqing, you can explore Wulong Karst UNESCO World Heritage Site and the urban city itself.

• Walk around the nature reserve
• Visit Tibetan village – Shuzheng village
• Warm your stomach with the Sichuan hotpot
• Meet and learn some knowledge about panda

Harbin

Located in China’s northern Heilongjiang province, Harbin often sees quite chilly winter temperatures. It is the perfect holiday destination for travelers in search of winter spirit. The average temperature in the winter is -16.8°C (1.8°F), with lows dropping as much as -38.1°C (-36.6°F). Here, the festive season pulsates with the lively Ice and Snow Festival, where you can enjoy sculptures made from ice while your kids can enjoy winter activities. Take a few days to tour the city with a mix of Chinese and Russian cultures. Besides, add the Yabuli Ski Resort to your trip to enjoy all the fun of skiing.

• Visit St Sophia Cathedral
• Try north-eastern Dongbei cuisines
• Enjoy skiing fun in Yabuli Ski Resort
• See ice sculptures at the International Snow and Ice Festival
• Have fun on the frozen river for ice bowling, ice cycling and other entertainment

Beijing

Don’t let Beijing’s long, cold and windy winter put you off. It’s still a great time to visit this amazing city. If you can’t make it up north to the famous Harbin Ice Festival, don’t worry! We’ve got another amazing alternative for you: the Longqing Gorge Ice Festival. Along with the amazing snow and ice sculptures, there are also lots of colourful lantern displays in the shapes of dragons, flowers, animals and more. If you love outdoor activities, you’re in for a treat. One of the best things about Beijing in winter is that it’s cold enough for Beijing’s lakes to freeze, which means you can enjoy outdoor ice skating. There is also a Huaibei Ski Resort located just around an hour’s drive outside of Beijing. Huaibei has 11 trails and is a great place to go for any beginner-level skiers out there. Being surrounded by the Great Wall makes this one of the most beautiful skiing spots in all of Beijing.

• Visit the Great Wall covered in snow
• Warm up yourself by eating Mongolian-style hotpot
• Experience temple fairs during Chinese New Year
• Go skiing at Nan Shan Ski Resort or Huaibei Ski Resort
• Enjoy ice skating on frozen lakes in one of the parks

Yunnan

Yunnan is the most diverse province in all China, both in its extraordinary mix of people and in the splendor of its landscapes. Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La and Xishuangbanna are the top five cities you can visit. Especially, we would like to suggest travel to a rain forests destination – Xishuangbanna. The annual average temperature is 21 ℃ where you can escape the cold winter with many fun activities for all ages.

• Explore the Stone Forest in Kunming
• Wander in a leisurely Ancient Town and Erhai Lake in Dali
• Stroll in magical Lijiang Ancient Town while hiking the amazing Jade Dragon Sno Mountain and Tiger Leaping Gorge in Lijiang
• Experience Tibetan Culture at Songzanlin Lamasery in Shangri-La
• Immerse in the tropical paradise in Xishuangbanna

Zhangjiajie

If you’ve watched the movie “Avatar” before, then you’ll definitely find the Avatar Hallelujah Mountain familiar, and yet this is the reason why Zhangjiajie is loved by the visitors. Furong Ancient Town and Fenghuang Ancient Town are two other attractions you need to add into your itinerary. We are sure you will not want to miss the Furong Ancient Town that hangs on a waterfall and the Diaojiaolou perched on the cliffs. The riverside town of Fenghuang is a historic gem where you can explore traditional shops, temples, and ancestral halls along the alley while taste famous sweet ginger candy on your hand.

• Hike Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area.
• Experience the 326-meter high Bailong elevator in Yuanjiajie Scenic Area.
• Meet wild monkeys in Tianzi Mountain.
• Enjoy the glass walkway on top of Taimen Mountain.

Guilin

If you needed to describe Guilin as destination with only one word, it would be “Family”. It is a place suitable for all ages of children. If your family likes to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities then go hike the Xianggong Mountain and Longji Rice Terraces, enjoy bamboo rafting on the Yulong River or join a countryside biking tour.

• Discover the Yangshou countryside by bike.
• Bamboo Rafting on Yulong River in Yangshuo.
• Visit the Longji Rice Terraces and minority Villages.
• Explore Guilin city’s famous sites such as Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill.

Beach destinations and Skiing resorts are very popular not only among expats but also Chinese people. Prices for flight tickets, hotels, and guides might fluctuate day by day. Besides, it often happens that the phenomenon of demand exceeds the supply. Therefore, we advise you to book early or have a plan B if possible. Haven’t decided yet where to travel this christmas? Please feel free to chat with our travel consultants and tailor-make your special itinerary!