China in January 2025: Your Ultimate Winter Travel Guide

Your journey will add to the incredible differences in China in January. Here are great immersions beyond your expectations, from snow-covered landscapes in Northern China to pleasantly warm beach resorts in the south. You can enjoy a significantly different taste in just one China tour.

China's Weather in January

With average temperatures ranging from -5°C to 5°C, January is considered one of the coldest months in all of China. Large areas in January are chilly and windy. But with vast territory, temperatures would vary significantly from north to south, offering great diversity in winter landscapes.

Northern China

Northern China is extremely freezing and dry under the control of cold air. Cities like Urumqi can be very dry and gusty. Harbin, Jilin, and Shenyang may encounter heavy snow, with temperatures ranging from -25°C to -10°C. If one of these cities is your destination, putting on thermal underwear and a wind-proof jacket is necessary.

Central China

Not as cold as in the further north, the maximum temperature in major cities including Beijing, Tianjin, and Xi'an tends to range from -5°C to 5°C. But the weather is still freezing and bitingly windy. You can take beautiful photos of ancient Chinese complexes blanketed by snow in this area. Overcoats, woolen sweaters, and creams are indispensable to cope with the cold and dry weather.

Southern China

It seems magical to say the winter of the southern part in the same month. It is warm, humid, and full of sunshine, with a maximum average amazingly as high as 26°C (in Sanya). Many cities, including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Guangzhou, are pleasant and warm around 10°C. The weather is nice for the city outdoors with lighter clothes.

The Best Places to Travel in January

Beijing

January may not be the best time for you to visit Beijing, but during the month, fewer tourists allow peaceful and ultimate sightseeing at these historical sites, and their tickets have lower prices. Main attractions picturesquely covered by snow, like the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the Great Wall, hold their distinctive appeal too.

If Chinese New Year happens in January, Beijing will be full of snowy festivities, featuring local traditional temple fairs. You can join local people for ritual praying, choose some exquisite handicrafts at flower markets, and try some tasteful snacks in Hutong Alleys.

Summer Palace

Yunnan

It is well-known that Yunnan is like spring all year round. Even in January, Yunnan's average high temperature can reach around 15°C. It boasts delightfully mild air for travelers to avoid the cold in the northern area.

It is a tranquil time to go around the lake hiking and get incredible pictures of Dianchi Lake and Erhai Lake; spend your energy exploring the fantastic Stone Forest; and catch sight of a beautiful slice of snow blanket at the peak of West Hill. The warm weather is suitable for going deep into the city's old traditions and culture, like Shuanglang Old Town and Yunnan Nationalities Village, which show you a distinct facet of minority life.

Sanya

As the joke goes, "People in north China wear down coats while people in Sanya wear T-shirts." The northern part of China is getting bitterly cold in January, while Sanya is just like in summer. Given the tropical monsoon climate, Sanya's temperature in January averages around 20°C.

The city of Sanya is a very popular destination to escape the cold while visiting China in January. During this time, you can take a pleasant sunbath and enjoy a comfortable, warm atmosphere on the beach. You have a chance to explore the lush rainforests and sample cheap, fresh seafood that you haven't gotten in the north.

Harbin

Winter's Harbin is a snow kingdom that is considered one of China's most beautiful snow towns. Despite the chilliness at minus 20°C in January, the city has wonderful snowy landscapes and forests, making it a good winter destination for those who prefer skating, skiing, and snowboarding on the Songhua River.

Every year from early January on, Harbin will hold many attractive snow festivals, like Harbin's International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. You can see colorful styles of beautiful snow sculptures and ice-light shows. Besides the snow fun, some European architecture, including Central Avenue, Sofia Church, and Alex Hall, is an exotic sight to visit.

What to Do in January

A Dazzled Hike on the Snow-capped Great Wall in Beijing

The winter Great Wall holds a distinguishing feature from other seasons. The snow dresses the classic attraction in white and solemnity. January is quite a golden time for snow viewing of the Great Wall.

You can make the best use of the low crowds to drink in the winter beauty. You can choose a hike on the Mutianyu Great Wall or Jinshanling Great Wall, where you can find a marvelous layer of old brown brick walls under white blankets winding far away on silver mountains. The run-down steps and watchtowers are surprising spots to discover.

Immersion Into Winter Holiday in Chengdu

Fun is packed in Chengdu in January. Spicy food, giant pandas, and skiing must be an unforgettable part of your Chengdu journey.

January is a good time to visit pandas, which are highly vibrant in the cold. You won't miss seeing these lovely animals eating bamboo, climbing trees, and playing with snow in their outdoor base. To catch more adventures, you can go skiing at Xiling Ski Resort or Bipenggou Ski Resort to seek the best winter charm. Outside of snow activities, hot pot is a must-try in Chengdu. Here you can taste authentic Sichuan cuisine, spicy and hot to resist the cold.

Exceptional Photography of Yuanyang Rice Terraces in Yunnan

Yuanyang boasts rare spring scenery, even in January. Every year from this month on, Yuanyang Rice Terraces in the county show breathtaking beauty at their most. January is absolutely one of the best times to take photos of this Hani ethnic minority masterpiece for nature lovers and shutterbugs.

The time is just when the terraces have been irrigated and filled with water, which reflects the sunshine. You can expect dramatic layers of glass-like rice fields changing colors in blue, golden, rose, purple, red, and so on. Covering a large area of over one hundred square kilometers, it must be a particular spectacle to feast on the eyes. Later, the sunset will draw a more stunning picture in return for your travel day.

Yuanyang Rice Terraces

Fabulous Enjoyment at China's Snow Town Around Harbin

The superb snow fun is always a good match for a winter trip, just as China's Snow Town is. It consists of around twenty wooden houses characterized by strings of golden corn and red dry chili hanging on their front doors.

Amazing with a two-meter-deep snow cover, China's Snow Town is blessed with a pure and stunning snowscape that is perfect for snow photography and entertainment. You can seek a high point for a panoramic view of the white village and snow-capped forests interspersed with hopping local people, horses, dogs, and reindeer, more brilliant with lights after dark. For ultimate enjoyment, it is an unforgettable experience to do dog or horse sledding on the village street. You can also go snowtubing or skiing at one of the ski resorts just close to the town.

Events and Festivals

The New Year

Every year on January 1st, Chinese people enjoy a three-day vacation for supreme fun. There are many choices of destinations for you to pass New Year's Eve in seconds. The "slim waist" of the Canton Tower in Guangzhou has a romantic night light show to grip on you. The two sides of Victoria Harbor will see a brilliant display of sparking fireworks. And you can stroll along the snow-covered avenues in Harbin to capture the spectacle of the exquisite ice lanterns. It would be a memorable moment to have a cheerful countdown to welcome the New Year together with thousands of people.

Spring Festival

January has pretty good chances to meet the celebrations of the Spring Festival, which is China's most important and largest cultural event. It is a rewarding time for family reunions and fortune collection.

There are a lot of traditions to celebrate. You can follow the tradition by putting New Year scrolls, a New Year picture of the upside-down Chinese character "福", or exquisite paper-cutting in your accommodation. During the celebration, you should not miss the traditional performances of lion dance and dragon dance. You can also enjoy different types of impressive celebrations, such as fireworks displays, temple visits, and horse races, in different regions.

Worship the Earth God

The Ice and Snow Festival

In Harbin's winter, the Ice and Snow Festival is one of the unbeatable highlights to battle against the cold. This is a fabulous ice and snow exhibit. Here you can find great varieties of handmade ice-and-snow artworks, including large snow sculptures (like castles, Disneyland, and palaces), snow animals and cartoon characters, and various well-designed ice lanterns. You can admire various snow sculptures and build a snowman by hand. In the nighttime, all the ice and snow artworks are lit up, which creates a remarkable sight to photograph. Outside the snow viewing area, you can soak up joyous snow activities like ice boating, skating, skiing, and snowboarding.

Crowds and Costs

January is the off-season in China for tourism, there will be small crowds at most times, so you can go sightseeing without much concern. Moreover, you can enjoy quicker and more affordable transportation and accommodation services, thanks to fewer tourists.

January may see a peak season in some cities, like Harbin for its spectacular snow events and Sanya for its perfect warm temperatures in winter. As a result, airplane and hotel rates may see a significant increase.

Meanwhile, this month may experience New Year's Day or Spring Festival. You should expect a large crowd of students and workers off for this "Golden Week" holiday at most scenic spots. And traffic and accommodations are expected to be pricey and challenging.

China Travel Tips in January

Avoid the Holiday Crowds

Spring Festival typically takes place in late January or early February. This China's most important festival is definitely a high season for tourism. It will be very crowded in most cities in the country. Many restaurants and stores are closed for the holiday. If you tend to take a quieter trip, try to avoid the crowds at this time. But if you really expect a Lunar New Year, plan your China tour as soon as possible.

Be Aware of the Bitter Cold

If you plan to visit China's northern part in January, be prepared for the bitter cold. Average temperatures can reach minus ten, plus dry almost guaranteed dry weather. So put on more long underwear and make sure you are bundled up to ensure your enjoyment in the snowy wonderland.

Recommended China Tour in January

10-Day Best of China. You will be surprised by the diverse China. In January, marvel at the unique charm of grand architecture and ruins covered in snow in Beijing. Learn Xi'an which has a long history and its special status in past China. Meet precious and cute pandas in Chengdu. Enjoy futuristic Shanghai to conclude the tour.