China in January: Weather, Where to Go & Highlights

As the capital and transportation center of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin is the largest central city in the northeast China. There is no doubt that the Russian style of the city and the winter scenery of snow and ice are two important reasons for visitors to come to Harbin. The rich and special history has left the city with various styles of Western architecture, such as Russian, Baroque, Byzantine and so on. Therefore the city is also being praised as "The Moscow of the East" by many people. In winter, Harbin is transformed into a beautiful ice kingdom with unique scenery in the streets and lanes -- ice sculptures. The city is illuminated by snow and ice lights at night.

Harbin Ice and Snow Festival is one of the Four Great International Ice and Snow Festivals in the World. January is the best time to appreciate ice sculptures, less crowded but quite extraordinary. You can pay a visit to the the main venue of Harbin Ice and Snow Festival - The Ice and Snow World, head the Sun Island to see artworks of International Snow Sculpture Art Expo, and stroll around Zhaolin Park and meet the vast sea of ice lanterns in night. Moreover, as a reputed wonderland of ice and snow, Harbin boasts the so fancy No. 1 China Snow Town, Chinese largest ski resort at Yabuli… 

More useful travel guides of Harbin, please visit Harbin Travel Guide | Harbin Tours >>

Jilin Rime, Guilin Landscape, Yunnan Stone Forest and the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River are together known as “The Four Natural Wonders in China”. Wusong Island, about 40km north from Jilin City on the lower reaches of the Songhua River, is always being considered as the best place to appreciate the rime. With the peculiar shape of trees, the weeping willows along the river were covered with translucent frost flowers, silver willows flickers in the river wind under the sun attracts countless photography enthusiasts to visit every year. It requires some luck to see the vast landscape of rime, therefore find the right time is very important. Winter from late December to the end of February is best time to appreciate the rime. Therefore visiting Wusong Island in January, you may have a good chance to meet the most abundant and gorgeous scenery.

If you have a long vacation and would like to visit more attractions in Jilin province, you can continue your trip to Changbai Mountain. It’s one of the 10 Most Famous Mountains in China, famous for its’ unique and spectacular volcanic landform. Climb Changbai Mountain in January, you can get the best snowy scenery of Frozen Tianchi Lake, enjoy skiing at Wanda Changbaishan Ski Resort and relax yourself in natural hot springs there.

More useful travel guides of Jilin, please visit Wusong Island | Changbai Mountain | Top 10 Ski Resorts in China | China Winter Tour >>

Yuanyang County is located in the south part of Yunnan Province. It’s renowned for the core part of World Heritage Site - Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, a paradise for best natural landscape and a landscape miracle of agricultural civilization created by the Hani people. Yuanyang Rice Terraces mainly include three scenic spots: Bada Rice Terrace, Laohuzui Rice Terrace and Duoyishu Rice Terrace. Thousands of miles of terraced fields, scattered in the vast forest, with mushroom folk houses intersperse, under the cover of the boundless sea of clouds, forms a marvelous and magnificent landscape. Irrigation happens in late December, after sediments gone down in the water, the scenery reach to the best in January. During this month, the morning glow and sunset glow reflect on the water and the rice terraces turn into golden. Sea of cloud often appears, dress up the paddle with a jade coat.

For visitors who are fancy with the breathtaking tropical scenery as well as unique Dai culture and Hinayana Buddhism of Southeast Asia, Xishuangbanna is a heaven-like destination for you. With an average temperature of 21.8°C, January is warm and pleasant in Xishuangbanna. You can head to Banna Wild Elephant Valley to meet wild elephant there, spend a day to stroll around Tropical Plants Garden and let green plants to moisten your eyes. Learn more about Dai minority culture by visiting Dai Minority Park...

Besides Yuanyang and Xishuangbanna, if you are planning a long vacation, you are suggest to extend your tour to Kunming, Lijiang and Dali, the top 3 destinations in Yunnan. There will be less crowded and cheaper for visiting thees hot destinations in January.

More useful travel guides of Yunnan, please visit Yuanyang Travel Guide | Xishuangbanna Travel Guide | Kunming Travel Guide | Dali Travel Guide | Lijiang Travel Guide | Yunnan Travel Guide | Yunnan Tour >>

Located in the middle of the Tibetan Plateau, Lhasa, the holy land of Tibetan Buddhism, is the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region and the political, economic, cultural and religious center. This is a gathering place for the faithful and a pure land to enjoy a slow life. Staying in Lhasa for several days, you will find yourself unconsciously slow down your life pace. You can casually wandering around the Barkhor Street and make a new year wishes in front of the holy Potala Palace devoutly. Bask in the sun under the wall in front of Jokhang Temple, drink a cup of sweet tea, and make a few like-minded friends.

Visit Tibet in winter, You can't help marveling at the wonderful nature. The towering snow mountains echo with the emerald lakes, forming a beautiful picture scroll, like green gems were inlaid among the mountains. Winter is also a good season to see Mount Everest, because visibility of the Mount Everest reach the highest. It’s also the perfect time to admire the sacred mountain lakes in Tibet. The azure blue sky and majestic sacred mountains in this month would bring tourists unlimited moving and reveries. Even some places may not available for visiting in winter, such as Namtso Lake, EBC, Mount Kailash. But you can still discover Lhasa, Nyingchi, Gyantse, etc. The weather is not very cold in January. The hotel and tour rates are cheaper than usual.

More useful travel guides of Lhasa, please visit Lhasa Travel Guide | Lhasa Tours | Tibet Travel Guide | Tibet Tours >>

Guilin is located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, at the southern end of the "Western Hunan Corridor". Guilin has enjoyed the reputation of "the landscape is the best in the world" since ancient times. It is famous for its landscapes, people, customs and a leisurely and comfortable life. Guilin has beautiful scenery, the landscape is represented by the Li River and Karst landform. Moreover, ethnic cultures and folk customs are also diverse here. There are more than 10 ethnic minorities in Guilin including Zhuang Minority, Yao Minority, Miao Minority and Dong Minoritym, etc. It is an important tourist city in the world, as well as a famous scenic and historical and cultural city in China. 

Even though it’s a little bit cold in Guilin January with an average temperature of around 8~11°C. But it is the low tourist season, which means there will be less crowded and accommodation, transportation and scenic spot tickets might be cheaper than those in peak tourism season.

More useful travel guides of Guilin, please visit Guilin Travel Guide | Yangshuo Travel Guide | Guilin Tours | Yangshuo Tours >>

Sanya lies on a coastline that stretches for hundreds of kilometers in the southernmost part of Hainan Island. The stunning beachscape has made Sanya one of China's most popular seaside resorts and known as “The Oriental Hawaii”. Sanya is famous for its sandy beaches, lush rainforests and cheap inexpensive seafood. Visitors can experience the original jungle hiking, waterfall rock climbing at Yanuoda Scenic Spot, climb Canghai Tower and have a panorama view of Yalong Bay, head to the largest seafood market in Sanya - “The First Market” and treat yourself with substantial seafood feast. Sanya also boasts 2 stunning offshore islands, Wuzhizhou Island and West Island. Tourists who are interested in ethnic minorities customs can visit some Li and Miao villages to see the lifestyle of the indigenous people.

October to March is the best time to travel to Sanya. During this time, north China has entered the winter and became a snow and ice kingdom, but Sanya is still warm as spring. With pleasant weather, less rain and temperatures around 25°C, Sanya has ushered in the peak tourist season. Major festivals and activities spring up one after another. However, transportation, accommodation and other costs will be raised to some extent during peak seasons, therefore the overall travel costs might also rise. If time permits, try to avoid traveling during the crowded Spring Festival.

More useful travel guides of Hainan, please visit Sanya Travel Guide | Hainan Travel Guide | Sanya Tours >>

Before choosing the best places to go in January in China, you are required to ask yourself one question. What are you dreaming for the most in this month, the best snow scenery and festival atmosphere, the best natural beauty in warm or the best budget vacations to explore the classics? Choose your bests and then find the answers here!

If you are prefer the best snow scenery and festival atmosphere, Harbin, of course, is your best choice. And about 3~6 days are recommended then. Looking for great snow landscapes in China? Huangshan, Jiuzhaigou, Mount Emei, Hailuogou, Zhangjiajie and Jilin are also good. 10 Best Cold Weather Winter Destinations in China >>

>> 3 Days Harbin Ice Festival Tour

>> 6 Days Beijing & Harbin Stunning Winter Tour

For the visitors looking for somewhere warm to have a taste of summer and spring in winter, you are suggested to visit Yunnan (Kunming, Lijiang, Yuanyang, Dali, etc.), Fujian (Xiamen, etc.), Great Bay Area (Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, etc.), Sanya or Guangxi (Guilin, Yangshuo, etc.). And then you will relax and bathing in the sun of the south. Check more about Top 5 Warm Places to Visit in China >>

>> 5 Days Kunming, Jianshui & Yuanyang Rice Terraces Tour

>> 5 Days Xiamen, Nanjing Tulou & Mount Wuyi Discovery Tour (Xiamen / Nanjing Tulou / Wuyi Mountain)

>> 6 Days Hong Kong Guangzhou Macau Cultural Highlights Tour (Hong Kong / Guangzhou / Macau)

Interested in a budget tour to visit the classic destinations in China? Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin, Chengdu are all fantastic choices! 4~14 days are needed to explore some of or all of them.

>> 8 Days Best of China Tour

Check more about How to Plan a Winter Trip to China | China in December | China in February >>

Fujian Tulou

Kunming Stone Forest

Jiuzhaigou Winter View