Where to visit for winter vacations in China? With a vast territory, China actually can dish up a host of wonderful winter travel destinations, from ski resorts and winter hiking destinations to warm winter escapes and hot spring resorts.
On this blog, we come up with a roundup of best places to visit in china in winter - picture yourself enjoying the fantastic ice and snow festival in Harbin, participating in Beijing cultural experiences, take in the amazing views of snow-capped Yellow Mountain, or sunbathing in Sanya’s blessing beaches…
Before you settle on your China winter travel plan, you will also need consider the peculiarities of China weather in winter, best things to do, and what to pack.
China Snow Destinations: Ice Festival, Winter Hiking & Ski Resorts
1. Harbin: Ice and Snow Festival
The best place to visit in winter in China for families, friends, and couples alike, Harbin, known as the "Icy City of China"，presents a wonder world of ice and snow in winter. Annually Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival features a range of ice-related activities - Ice Lantern Exhibition at the Zhaolin Park, Snow Sculpture Art Fair at Sun Island, Ice & Snow World and winter swimming on the Songhua River... Also, travelers can go high-mountain skiing in Yabuli for a great adventure tour. one of the best ski resorts in China, for a great adventure tour in winter.
- Best time to visit: Mid-December – End of February of the following year
- Best for: Family tourists, couples, photographers, winter adventurers
- Winter foods to eat: Braised pork, Northeastern large flat noodles, red sausage, large leavened bread, Maltal ice cream, frozen pears, sugar-coated skewers
- Recommended: 3 Days Harbin Ice Festival Tour
2. China Snow Town
About 280 kilometers away from Harbin, the Snow Town in China is located in Shuangfeng Forest Farm of Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province. For those seeking the best places to visit in China during winter, the Snow Town is undoubtedly the most representative winter snow scenery spot.
Blessed with a unique microclimate, the area boasts deep, high-quality snowfall that forms the renowned “snow mushroom houses” scenery. Log cabins, rising smoke, red lanterns, and deep snow intertwine to create a unique winter fairy tale painting of Northeast China's charm.
After nightfall, when the lights come on, the entire Snow Village becomes warm and romantic, making it an ideal place for photography, family trips, and experiencing traditional Northeast Chinese culture.
Additionally, for travelers passionate about outdoor activities, you can experience hiking China Snow Town through the snow-covered forests.
- Best time to visit: Mid-December to mid-February
- Ideal for: Families, couples, photography enthusiasts
- Winter specialties: Northeast hotpot stew, pig slaughter feast, stir-fried three fresh vegetables, crispy pork with sweet and sour sauce, chicken stewed with mushrooms
- Recommended:4 Days Harbin & China Snow Town Tour
3. Jilin: Changbai Mountain + Jilin Rime Island
If you plan to travel to China in winter to embrace the snow, the snow-covered Changbai Mountain in Northeast China is an excellent choice. It features Tianchi Lake, volcanic landscapes, primeval forests, and natural hot springs, and boasts one of China's best ski resorts with hot spring. At the nearby Wanda Resort, you can ski, soak in hot springs, shop...
Jilin's Rime Island is renowned for its “world-famous rime ice”—where mist from the Songhua River crystallizes on branches, forming translucent “tree frost.” Photographers can capture breathtaking sunrises and rime ice landscapes.
- Best time to visit: Late November – March for Changbai Mountain; December – February for Fogsong Island
- Best for: Skiers, winter sports enthusiasts, photographers
- Winter food to eat: Korean-style cold noodles, Yanbian barbecue, Changbai Mountain mushroom soup, ginseng chicken soup, spicy kimchi hotpot
4. Kanas & Altay, Xinjiang
Where to visit in China this winter for the purest snowy landscapes? Winter in Kanas and Altay, where pine forests, lakes, and villages are blanketed in snow, earning it the nickname “China's Alps.”
In addition, Altay is the birthplace of skiing in China. The ski resorts in Furong, Keketuohai and Jiangjunshan have fewer people, more magnificent scenery and better snow quality compared to those in Northeast China.
The nearby villages such as Hemu and Baihaba are as quiet as a fairy tale world in winter, making them ideal for in-depth travel, photography and New Year's Eve celebrations.
- Best time to visit: November - March of the following year
- Best for: Skilled skiers, outdoor enthusiasts, photographers
- Winter foods to try: Hand-held mutton, Xinjiang large plate chicken, grilled mutton kebabs, naan, and baked buns.
Destinations for Winter Festivals in China
5. Beijing for Cultural Experience
- Best time to visit: Mid-December to February of the following year
- Best for: Traditional culture enthusiasts, families with children, photographers, food lovers
- Winter foods to try: Old Beijing-style copper pot braised mutton, Beijing Roast Duck, Donkey Roll, Ai Wuwoo, Stir-fried Liver, Braised Food
- Recommended:7 Days Beijing Harbin Winter Tour
6. Hangzhou - Iconic West Lake Winter Scenery and Serene Atmosphere
Hangzhou is also one of the best winter destinations in China. Unlike the bustling crowds of spring and summer, winter brings fewer tourists, transforming the city into a tranquil and romantic retreat.
What to see and do for winter Hangzhou travel? West Lake features the Broken Bridge in the Snow, while Lingyin Temple exudes an even deeper sense of Zen and elegance. Additionally, soak in hot springs, savor winter Longjing tea, and stroll through ancient streets.
Compared to northern cities, Hangzhou's winters aren't bitterly cold, allowing you to comfortably experience its culture and scenery.
- Best time to visit: December – February
- Best for: Couples, culture and history enthusiasts
- Winter foods to try: Pickled Fish Soup, Hangzhou Rice Cake Dishes, West Lake Vinegared Fish, Clay-Pot Roast Chicken, Longjing Winter Tea
- Recommended: 3 Days Essential Hangzhou with Wuzhen & Grand Canal Heritage Tour
Warm Winter Escapes in China
7. Yunnan for Scenic & Warm Winter Locations with Colorful Ethnic Cultures
In addition, the local minority cultures and unique delicacies, as well as the slow-paced lifestyle that winter in Yunnan offers, can bring you endless surprises.
- Best time to visit: November - February of the following year
- Best for: Tourists seeking warmth, families with children, couples, nature lovers
- Winter foods to try: Mushroom hot pot, over-the-bridge rice noodles, steamed chicken in earthenware pot, Dali sand pot fish, Lijiang dried pork hot pot, Xishuangbanna hand-pulled rice dish
- Recommended: 9-day Kunming Dali Lijiang Shangri-La Tour
8. Sanya for Seaside Winter Escape
- Best time to visit: October to April of the following year
- Best for: Tourists seeking warmth, families, couples and honeymooners
- Winter foods to try: Seafood, coconut chicken hot pot, clear replenishing dessert, coconut rice, tropical fruits
- Recommended: 3 Days Sanya Tour
Top Places to Visit for Gorgeous Winter Landscapes
9. Zhangjiajie - The Avatar Mountains in the Snow
Take a Zhangjiajie tour in winter. You will feel as if you have entered a real fairyland - clouds, snow scenes and quartz sandstone peak forests blend together. Whether it's Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianmen Mountain, or Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, the number of tourists is relatively small.
- Best time to visit: December to February of the following year
- Best for: Nature lovers, casual outdoor travelers, active families and couples
- Winter foods to try: Three dishes are cooked in one pot, cured pork and sausages, Xiangxi blood cake duck, and Tujia spicy fish.
- Recommended: 4-day Zhangjiajie Highlights Tour
10. Huangshan for Mountain Snowscape
At the foot of Yellow Mountain, the ancient Hongcun and Xidi Villages, part of the Huangshan UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are also should not be missed on your Huangshan tour in winter.
- Best time to visit: December to February of the following year
- Best for: Photography enthusiasts, hiking and mountain climbing enthusiasts, people who enjoy natural wonders
- Winter foods to try: Huizhou Stinky Carp, Bamboo Shoot-Dried Duck Soup, Huizhou Soft Bean Curd, Winter Delight Pot, Huizhou Salted Pork, Salted Sausage and Vegetables
- Recommended: 3 Days Huangshan Highlights Tour
Winter Travel Tips for China
- What to wear: Decide on your outfit based on your destination. If going to the northern parts of China (such as Xinjiang, Harbin, Beijing), clothing, shoes, gloves, hats, etc. must be able to withstand temperatures as low as -20℃ or even lower. Anti-slip shoes are also necessary. If going to the southern regions (such as Yunnan, Hangzhou, and Huangshan), it is recommended to adopt the onion-style clothing method, which allows you to put on or take off clothes as the temperature changes. Rain gear is also necessary. If going to Hainan Island, a short-sleeved or long-sleeved T-shirt or shirt will suffice.
- Best things to do in China during winter with kids: A well-designed winter trip to China will be all about fun, learning, and playing. Enjoy the huge ice slides in Harbin Ice Festival, go skiing in Yabuli, and go horse-sledding in China Snow Town. There are also various themed museums and cultural lessons for you to learn.
- Senior-friendly destinations in China in winter: If you are not afraid of the cold, Beijing and Harbin are the best destinations. If you want a warm vacation spot, Sanya and Yunnan are the best choices.
- Protect your electronic devices in low-temperature environments: In places like Harbin, the batteries of mobile phones, cameras, etc. will quickly run out of power or even shut down automatically. Therefore, try to store the devices close to your body or use special thermal protection covers.
Keep reading:
- Discover Most Popular Chinese Food in Winter
- Winter Hiking in China: 9 Best & Most Beautiful Winter Hikes, Plus Tips
- 10 Best Places in China for Winter Birding
- Best Places to Visit in China for Autumn Color