China in February 2025: Travel Tips, Spring Festivals, More

Travel to China in February and unveil its charms! Experience Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) and Lantern Festival, marvel at the Terracotta Warriors and the awe-inspiring Great Wall cloaked in winter tranquility, indulge in hotpot in giant pandas' hometown Chengdu, and immerse in spectacular ice sculptures in Harbin. We will share with you the best places to visit and the best things to do for your China tour in February.

China's Weather in February

China in February offers a diverse range of climates. From the snowy north to the balmy south, the eastern coast to the western highlands, there are a plethora of activities that cater to your preferences.

Northern China

Travel to northern China in February is a winter wonderland, with temperatures often plunging below freezing. Beijing, with occasional snowfalls, offers a serene exploration of its historical sites like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Harbin, the Ice City, captivates people with its spectacular Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. Jilin presents fairy-tale rime views like no other.

Southern China

Southern China enjoys a milder climate in February. Places like Hong Kong and Guangdong have pleasant temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C, ideal for city exploration and festive celebrations. You can enjoy the iconic skyline from Victoria Peak in Hong Kong and the electrifying Yingge Dance in the Chaoshan region of Guangdong.

Western China

Western China in February presents a diverse climate. Chengdu, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 15°C, is a haven for leisurely exploration of its spicy cuisine, cultural gems, and adorable pandas. The high-altitude regions of Tibet and Xinjiang can be quite cold, while their breathtaking snow-capped peaks and icy lakes worth braving the cold.

Tibet

Eastern China

Eastern China experiences a cool winter in February, with temperatures hovering between 0°C and 10°C. In Shanghai, you can explore the world-class museums and savor the famous soup dumplings. Hangzhou offers the tranquil West Lake and the fascinating exhibits of the National Tea Museum.

Best Places to Travel in February

Beijing

The timeless elegance, modern allure, and festive ambiance in Beijing beautifully coalesce amidst the winter enchantment in February. The occasional snowfall bestows a distinct aura upon the majestic Forbidden City and Great Wall. The frozen Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace and the Houhai Lake become natural ice-skating rinks. Celebrating the Chinese New Year, the grand temple fairs, held at Ditan Park, Longtan Park, and Changdian, showcase folk performances, traditional snacks, and handicrafts. Besides, each bite in Beijing warms your soul, especially at Guijie Street, Wangfujing Snack Street, Nanluoguxiang, Guanganmen Food Street, etc.

Xi'an

The February travel in Xi'an unveils a captivating blend of historical grandeur, gastronomic delight, and vibrant festivities. You can explore the Terracotta Warriors and marvel at the intricate details of thousands of life-sized soldiers. A leisurely bike ride on the ancient City Wall offers breathtaking views of the skyline. The highlight of February is the light show for the Spring Festival, with thousands of lanterns and lights illuminating the famed Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Moreover, indulge yourself in this gastronomic paradise filled with tantalizing aromas of Yangrou Paomo, Biang Biang noodles, Roujiamo, and more.

Chengdu

Chengdu transforms into a cultural and natural wonderland in February. The Lantern Festival is a spectacle to behold, accentuated by Jinli Street, filled with vibrant lanterns and traditional performances. A visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding offers an opportunity to see these adorable creatures frolicking in the snow. The grand Wuhou Shrine and the tranquil Du Fu Thatched Cottage offer a peek into China's rich history. Kuanzhai Alley, bustling with teahouses, boutiques, and street food, offers a taste of local life. Leshan Giant Buddha, short from Chengdu, looks even more magnificent by the winter backdrop. Don't miss the Sichuan Opera at Shufeng Yayun Teahouse, with its unique face-changing performances.

Sichuan Opera

Hong Kong

Hong Kong in February is a delightful mix of cultural immersion, urban exploration, and culinary adventure. It celebrates the Chinese New Year with a grand parade at Tsim Sha Tsui and stunning fireworks over Victoria Harbour. A ferry ride across Victoria Harbour offers striking views and the skyline from Victoria Peak is iconic. You can also explore the sacred Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island. Shopping aficionados can browse through the fast-beating markets of Mong Kok, and food lovers don't miss the Temple Street Night Market for numerous local delicacies.

What to Do in February

Immerse in the Chinese New Year

The colors of luck and joy, countless delicious dishes, fireworks and firecrackers, and traditional music and dances create a symphony that is uniquely Chinese.

In Beijing, the historic temples host fairs featuring the lion and dragon dances, Peking Opera, and martial arts. Xi'an boasts grand lantern shows with distinctive lanterns, ancient poetry, and giant couplets. In Shanghai, the impressive skyline from the Bund is lit up with landscape lights. In Guangzhou and Hong Kong, you can feast on the poon choi, symbolizing prosperity and wealth, and special dim sum like lucky buns, wishing for good fortune. In Chengdu, the Spring Festival starts a fiery celebration of flavors, with the spicy Sichuan Hotpot taking center stage, delighting taste buds and warming hearts.

Marvel at the Chaoshan Yingge Dance

Among the myriad of cultural spectacles during the Spring Festival, the Chaoshan Yingge Dance (dance to the hero's song), a folk art native to the Chaoshan region in Guangdong province, stands out for its energy that brings people together.

Chaoshan Yingge Dance combines martial arts and Chinese opera, in relation to the Chinese novel, Outlaws of the Marsh. Performers dance and hit sticks in orderly formations to drive out evil spirits and welcome a new year. You can join the locals in the streets, watching this exhilarating dance. Besides, you can learn the dance under the tutelage of experienced performers. It's a hands-on way to immerse yourself in the local culture and festive cheer.

Embrace the Ice and Snow in Northern China

Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey of frozen rivers, snow-capped mountains, ice sculptures, and freezing fog this February in Northern China.

The world-renowned Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival displays surreal ice sculptures at the Harbin Ice and Snow World and hosts over 100 activities including ice sculpture competitions, the snow sculpture art expo, and ice lantern shows. At Changbai Mountain, you can strap on skis to explore the snow-blanketed forests or take a dip in the natural hot springs, and its Heavenly Lake, frozen over and surrounded by snow-dusted peaks, is a breathtaking sight. In Jilin, a walk along the Songhua River offers dreamlike views of rime (freezing fog) on trees.

Events & Festivals

Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)

During the Spring Festival, every corner of China comes alive with mouth-watering festive foods, resonating firecrackers, and bright lanterns and couplets. This celebration commences on the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar (typically falls between late January and mid-February) and ends with the Lantern Festival, on the 15th day.

You can learn paper cutting and Chinese calligraphy; watch fireworks, shadow puppetry, and sugar-figurine blowing; and taste festive food like dumplings, Spring Rolls, Tang Yuan, Nian Gao, and longevity noodles. Coming to the end of the holiday, the Lantern Festival, you can participate in lantern-making such as at Beijing temple fairs. Whether in bustling cities, like Xi'an, Beijing, Hong Kong, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, or in ancient towns like Lijiang Old Town and Pingyao Ancient City, you will have enriching experiences.

The Lantern of Chinese New Year

Crowds & Costs

Traveling during the Spring Festival in China offers cultural immersion and culinary experiences like no other. During this vibrant festival, China's cities, towns, and villages are swarmed with visitors, with airfares and hotel rates increasing. Remember to book your hotels and tickets as early as possible once confirming a Chinese New Year journey. Besides, Harbin is popular in the whole of February, so you also need to book everything earlier.

Outside the Spring Festival Holiday in February, the popular tourist spots, such as the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors, are relatively empty, allowing for a more leisurely exploration of China's rich history and stunning landscapes. Airfares and hotel prices return to their regular rates, ideal for budget-conscious travelers.

China Travel Tips in February

Prepare for the Winter Chill of North

Pack warm clothing, including thermal underwear, heavy coats, scarves, hats, and gloves. In Harbin and Jilin, heavy-duty winter gear, snow boots, as well as hand and foot warmers are necessary, and a pair of ski goggles is also recommended.

Sophias Church in Harbin

Plan in Advance

During the Spring Festival, hotels, airfare, vehicles, and attraction tickets can be lacking due to the increased demand, so please plan your itinerary and everything in advance.

Take a Family Trip

The Chinese New Year atmosphere and rich winter activities in February are great for a family vacation; outside the holiday, iconic attractions are much less crowded than in other months, making it easier for travelers with children and seniors.

Traveling to China in February? Check out These Great Itineraries

Marvelous China From Hong Kong to Beijing - 12 Days. Start in Hong Kong, with its sparkling skyline and bustling alleyways; delight in the scenic Li River cruise amidst towering karst peaks in Guilin; explore the impressive Terracotta Army and lively Muslim Street in Xi'an; and end in awe of the imposing Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing.

Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai - 8 Days. Immerse in the imperial grandeur of the Forbidden City and climb the iconic Great Wall in Beijing; proceed to Xi'an on a high-speed train to witness the renowned Terracotta Army; and admire the delicate Yu Garden for a heartwarming finale of your golden triangle sightseeing in Shanghai.

Highlights of China with Pandas - 12 Days. Marvel at the charming Shanghai, where ancient architecture coexists with skyscrapers; journey to Chengdu for the lovely Giant Pandas; board a high-speed train to Xi'an to admire the globally celebrated Terracotta Army; and conclude in Beijing's Forbidden City and Great Wall.