Although China may not yet be a preferred winter destination for most foreign travelers in terms of specific winter activities (though China actually has some decent ski slopes, as our extensive ex-pat community can affirm), it does have its getaway beaches where one can escape winter entirely. In addition, there are many places of stunning natural beauty in China that have mild weather all year round, so there is always something compelling to see or fun to do in China during winter, regardless of the tourist's specific interests.
Why Visit China in Winter — less crowds, lower prices, Chinese New Year... Visiting China during the low season may be just the thing for you. Far less tourist crowding, cheaper hotels and flights, winter scenery and activities, and a cool (cold), dry (drier) climate may interest you. See more reasons below. China's low season begins in November and ends in March (excluding Chinese New Year, when it seems that the whole nation is traveling). Fewer Travelers, Less Crowds The Forbidden City covered in snow The Forbidden City covered in snow Normally, there are fewer travelers as most Chinese don't travel during this time for various reasons. You will have more space and time to enjoy your trip to the full.. Most of the most popular destinations in China (the Great Wall, Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Guilin, Hong Kong, Hangzhou, Chengdu,...) are still very accessible in the low season, but without the seething crowds of Chinese tour groups! The most recommended tour: 8 Days Beijing – Xi'an – Shanghai Private Tour
Great Deals on Hotels and Airlines Fewer travelers means most hotels and airlines offer great deals to attract customers; some airlines even offer 80% off flights. Attractions and resorts often sell low-season entrance tickets. If you believe in the saying, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”, then China is yours for a bargain in the low season. The colder weather is a trade-off against lower prices for hotels, transport, and even gate tickets. Chinese New Year Cultural Activities Celebrating Chinese new year Locals decorating their houses for the Chinese New Year We recommend being there for China's biggest festival, but bear in mind transport is packed for at least two weeks either side of the date. Hotel prices also go up during the holiday period. Winter Scenes and Winter Sports You can enjoy skiing in Beijing or Harbin, enjoy winter scenery, or experience Harbin’s Ice Festival. If you want to take in some characteristically Chinese mountain scenery in the snow, then we recommend safer, more-developed locations like the Yellow Mountains and Mount Emei. The rime scenery of Jilin is one of China’s four natural wonders. Recommended tour: 3-Day Harbin's Ice Wonderland Tour Cooler (Cold) Weather with Less Rain Dali, Yunnan Province Dali in Yunnan province has very comfortable winter. If you like it drier and not hot winter might be preferable for you, as it is the driest time of the year all over China, particularly in the north, where a few snow flurries is all you’ll get. China’s far south falls within the tropics and these places don’t really experience a winter. In fact going in the “winter” would be better time to visit these places for you if you don’t relish enduring the sweltering summer heat. Visit Xishuangbanna for minorities and rain forest, Sanya and Haikou for tropical island scenery and beaches, and the thriving Pearl River cities of Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou Winter Around China Winter in Beijing bei jing The Great Wall of China covered in snow Beijing experiences very cold, but usually dry, long winters. Winter begins in early November and extends into March. Average temperatures are below freezing, but frequent sunny days are perfect for sightseeing. The capital typifies northern China winter weather. Lakes, canals, and fountains are frequently frozen solid. Ice skating is very popular at the lakes in Beijing's parks. There are even bicycles designed to be ridden on the ice. The nearby sections of the Great Wall remain open to visitors during the wintertime. Tourists enjoy climbing the Great Wall and viewing the winter landscape in peace without the crowds. Winter in the Northeast Rime sceneryRime scenery in jilin, Northeast China Winters in northeastern China are long, cold, and snowy. The province of Heilongjiang borders Russia and its capital, Harbin, is called "Ice City." January temperatures average 10 °F, -12 °C, during the day. Harbin hosts ice and snow art festivals every winter. The tradition of ice lanterns dates back hundreds of years. The Ice Festival fills Zhaolin Park with magnificent ice sculptures. Sun Island hosts a Snow Sculpture Exposition and is the location of the largest indoor ice and snow art museum. Winter trips to Harbin should also include the Siberian Tiger Park and nearby ski resorts, and a trip to see the enchanting rime scenery of Jilin. Winter in Shanghai Shanghai experiences milder weather than Beijing. The winter season is from December to February. Winters are moist, but there is little snow and days are overcast. Temperatures usually stay above freezing, but will feel colder due to humidity. This is typical of southern China winter weather. Tourists can enjoy popular Shanghai attractions in the wintertime as long as they pack plenty of warm clothing and reserve heated hotel rooms. Chinese New Year celebrations towards the end of January, or as late as March, include the bell-striking ceremony at the notable Longhua temple, fireworks displays, and the lantern parade. Winter in Hong Kong Christmas in Hongkong Christmas in Hong Kong Hong Kong's winters are comparatively mild, even warm. Visiting during the cooler winter season is a welcome alternative to trips in hot and humid summers. Average winter temperatures are around a moderate 60 °F, 16 °C, and there is very little rain. Hong Kong's role as a global, sophisticated city has led it to embrace Western Christmas celebrations. Each year at Christmas skyscrapers are lit with Christmas lights and lavish displays are set up in shops and public spaces. Restaurants serve traditional Christmas fare and stores are filled with shoppers. Winter in the Southeast Like in Hong Kong, winter temperatures in the southeast are quite moderate, but feel chillier due to the humidity. The winter season in places like Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, is very short, usually lasting from late December through January. Winters in Guangzhou are famous for flowers. Flower stalls and markets appear throughout the city. Bright red Kapok blossoms, the official flower of Guangzhou, bloom all over. Top China Winter Destinations China winter destinations map Below is a list of China's prime winter destinations, with descriptions that will hopefully inspire you to choose China for your winter vacation this year. Hainan Island — Seaside Winter Escape Beach in Sanya Beach in Sanya Sun, water and beaches are what travelers enjoy about Hainan. For winter travelers, it is not unlike Hawaii in the US, which serves as a favorite tropical oasis to escape the frozen winter. Hainan is overflowing with the appeal of an island paradise: golden beaches, sea, waves and seaside holiday resorts. See below for the most famous beaches on Hainan Island. Covered below are some of China's top beaches. 7 Best Beaches in China China Ski Resorts — Enjoy Winter Sports Ski in China Despite the fact that ski resorts in China are currently still only beginning to be discovered by foreign travelers, winter travelers to China are increasingly opting for China's ski slopes as an alternative diversion. China's ski resorts are concentrated in Northeast China and the region around Beijing. However, there are a few in West China such as the Xiling Ski Resort in Chengdu. Yabuli Ski Resorts and the ski resorts around Beijing are the most popular among winter travelers. Find below the most famous ski resorts in China. Listed below are some of China's top ski resorts. Top 5 Ski Resorts in China 10 Best Ski Resorts close to Beijing Recommended China Ski Tour: 6-Day Harbin Sights and Yabuli Ski Tour Harbin — International Ice And Snow Festival The Ice And Snow Festival is undoubtedly Harbin's most famous attraction, held in Zhaolin Park every winter from January 5th to the end of February. During the festival, the the whole park is changed into a world of ice sculptures and lanterns. Fanciful and elaborate ice sculptures in teh shapes of animals, plants, buildings or motifs taken from legends sparkle in the frigid air. See China Highlights China Winter Vacation Deals to appreciate the Ice Lantern Festival in Harbin. Huangshan, Sichuan — Mountain Snowscapes yellow mountain winter The Yellow Mountain The Yellow Mountains Huangshan is famous for its marvelous and beautiful scenery. In winter, the mountains becomes a world of frost and ice with silver boughs and rocks everywhere. The Yellow Mountains is one of the best places to view snowy landscapes and rime and glaze scenery in China. Recommended tour: 4-Day Ancient Village and Yellow Mountains Hiking Tour — Winter Weekend Escape to Yellow Mountains Mt. Emei Mt. Emei, in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, is known for its sweeping cliffs, high reaching peaks, gushing waterfalls, gurgling springs, towering ancient trees and ancient temples. In winter the mountain is very quiet, free from the tourist crowds, allowing winter travelers to enjoy the mountain, which is a blanket of white with a capping of snow-laden trees. Yunnan — Warm Winter Lijiang Ancient Town, Yunnan Lijiang Ancient Town in Yunnan Yunnan is without doubt one of the most tempting travel destinations in China. Its varied landscape, with terrain ranging from topical rainforest to snow-capped peaks, never fails to allure even the most fastidious travelers. Winter travelers are fond of Yunnan because of its mild weather. Famous tourist cities in Yunan Province: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Xishuangbanna Take China Highlighs Yunnan Tours to have a warm winter vacation in Yunnan. Other famous warm travel destinations include Guangzhou and Hong Kong in south China. Beijing, Guizhou — Chinese New Year Miao ethnic people are celebrating their new year festivalMiao ethnic people are celebrating their new year festival Take a Beijing New Year Tour and celebrate an authentic Chinese New Year in Beijing as locals do. There are various cultural activities held in the temples and parks of Beijing during the Chinese New Year holiday usually from late January to early February. This is best time of the year to experience Chinese culture. Southeast Guizhou The Miao and Dong minority peoples hold their own traditional celebrations to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Colorful dress, folk performances and interesting activities can be seen during January or February. The Most Populat Winter Tours of China There are some bestsellers including major highlights cities that are little affected by weather and usually get better price in winter:
0 comments:
Post a Comment