Beijing Winter: Weather, Temperature, Things to do, Clothes, Tours and Tips

Strolling around the ancient leafy parks in spring, boating over the rippling lake at the royal palace in summer, hiking up to the reddish Xiangshan Hill in autumn, tourists in Beijing will be captured by its beauty all year round, and winter leaves a mysterious question mark to every brave explorer: Is Beijing cold and lifeless in winter? The regime founder, Chairman Mao has answered it with a famous poem about Beijing in winter, "the scenery of the North, thousands of miles of ice, thousands of miles of snow that drifts. Looking inside and outside the Great Wall, the boundless land stretches; Looking up and down the river, the torrent seems small. A giant silver snake winding, a waxy elephant standing, from the snow, and reaching the heavens, for the snow’s sake."

Beijing, a world-renowned historic city, has witnessed the prosperity and decline of several dynasties, generations of Chinese emperors and left us a long-standing and profound Chinese culture. As the cultural and political center of the People's Republic of China, it has preserved many well-known cultural monuments, so where to explore in winter?

The Forbidden City: You can find the most beautiful snowscape in the Forbidden City. Located at the center of the central axis of Beijing, it is the imperial palace of Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the largest and most complete existing wooden palace building in the world, selected as the World Heritage Site. It is one of the key relics protection units in the country and is recognized as one of the top five major palaces in the world.

White snow and golden glazed tiles in the backdrop of the red walls make you feel like you are walking in the oil paintings with bright colors and royal atmosphere. As a representative of Chinese scenic spots, there is a large number of people all year round. To avoid the crowds, you may either go to the queue early (before it opens) or visit after 14:30, when most of the people have entered the back area of the palace! Winter opening time is from 08:30 to 16:30, and it will be closed on every Monday (it still opens on holidays). To enjoy the snow in winter, you may check the weather forecast in advance. Check more Forbidden City Tours >>

The Great Wall: Apart from the Forbidden City, the Great Wall in winter is also quite magnificent. Covered under snow, the Great Wall is like a dragon lying atop the mountains. Hiking along it, you will be amazed how wise and diligent the ancient is. Built with stones and bricks, the Great Wall endures for hundreds of years without falling down. In the era of manual labor, they made the wonder by hand. There are many great walls in different sections. The Badaling Great Wall is the most famous one and its fame also brings it a large number of tourists all year round. It is suggested to plan your travel schedule wisely, to avoid the crowded time, or choose to visit Mutianyu Great Wall and Jinshanling Great Wall where you can enjoy the same marvelous scenery. Check more Great Wall Tours >>

Summer Palace: It can be visited in every season. But in winter, besides the snowscape, there is a special natural wonder near a seventeen-hole bridge, and it only happens a few days in before the winter solstice. All the holes will be lighted in the rosy sunset and golden afterglow will shine through all 17 holes, which is such a spectacular view for every visitor. The construction of bridge is a perfect application for the ancient knowledge about astronomy and geography. Only when the sun is at the lowest point in the afternoon during the winter solstice, the sunlight can penetrate the intact bridge, presenting the wonder of "red light piercing holes", which is also the magic moment for the garden designers. Best time to visit: come around one week before and after the winter solstice.

Besides the royal architecture and stunning scenery, dozens of snacks and countless dishes in Beijing can always satisfy your picky tongue. Beyond each kind of delicacy lies the history. Various delicacies form this authentic Beijing flavor. The followings are some worth-trying popular cuisine in Beijing during winter.

Beijing Hot Pot: The authentic flavor of Beijing Hot Pot differs from the hot pot in Sichuan. The mutton will be the main dish. Fresh and tender mutton slice is so thin that can be cooked only in a few seconds. Using copper pot with charcoal burning under it, you can dip the cooked mutton into the fragrant sesame sauce, and next second your lips and teeth are ready to rejoice in the deliciousness of the meat.

Peking duck: It is a world-known dish in Beijing. It was a court food back to the olden time. The high-quality Peking duck roasted with charcoal, is dark brown and greasy, crisp outside but chewy inside.

Beijing Noodles: The original Beijing noodles are a featured local traditional food, made of fresh vegetables, fried sauce and noodles. Cut or boil cucumbers, bean sprouts, green beans, soybeans, and make them into dishes for reserve. After the noodles are cooked. They are taken out and poured with the fried meat sauce, and other reserved ingredients.

Recommended Beijing Tour in Winter

Located to the north of Beijing, Harbin is another stunning city yo can visit in winter, famed as “Ice City of China”. It is a popular winter destination that famous for its gorgeous ice and snow sculptures, exotic architecture and various kinds of winter activities. During winter, from December to February of the next year, the annual International Ice and Snow Festival attract millions of visitors both home and abroad. Features snow sculptures, colorful ice lanterns, interesting local ice activities…China Snow Town, the no.1 snow town in China, is about 350 kilometers from Harbin where you can take lots of gorgeous snow photos and enjoy fun of playing with snow to the fullest.

In only 2 or 3 days, you can have a trip in Beijing which will cover the most popular attractions - You can visit the Forbidden City to witness the royal buildings of the ancient China empire, hike on the incredible Great Wall, and wander along the traditional hutongs to experience the authentic local life...All of your dreams about Beijing can be tangible in our Beijing tours. Beijing is also available for to 144 Hours Visa-free for Transit, which allows you to have a short trip in Beijing without visa. If you have more time, you can go for an in-depth Great Wall hiking or photography tour, and explore more attractions in the city. If you have more days, taking a Beijing & Harbin Trip may become one of your lifelong memorable experience in China!

Recommended Harbin & Beijing Tour

☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour Package

☛ 6 Days Beijing & Harbin Stunning Winter Tour

☛ 6 Days Amazing Snow Ice Tour from Beijing by High Speed Train

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