January is the coldest month in China, and the main tourist themes in this month are related to ice and snow.
You can experience great winter scenery and ski resorts in northern China, such as inHarbin,Beijing, andChangbaishan. Theofficial opening ceremony of the annualHarbin Ice and Snow Festivalis on January 5th and the celebration will last till late February of the next year.
YunnanandSanyabecomes a favorite for people who prefer a warm winter holiday.
Chinese New Year 2023 falls on January 22nd. Travel with your family to immerse in thetraditional Chinese New Year celebrations.
![Best Places to Visit in January in China](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
1. Harbin — Enchantment at Minus 20 °C
![Harbin Ice and Snow World](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
- Average January temperatures: -24–-13°C (-11–9°F)
- Read more onHarbin Weather: Ice Festival Temperature & Packing, 6 Day Forecast
Harbin, located in the northeast of China, is the city for the annualHarbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festivalruns throughout January. It's a crystalline fairyland of ice palaces, famous figures, cute animals, etc.
World famous landmarks, such as the Great Wall and Disney Castle, are carved out of ice and snow and lit up with colorful lights.
滑雪是另一种流行的行为ivity. Harbin has one of China's best ski resorts calledYabuli Ski Resort. Staying 3 nights in the Club Med Yabuli to enjoy a all-inclusive skiing holiday with your family.
Recommended winter tours including Harbin:
- 6-Day Harbin Ice Festival and Yabuli Club Med Tour
- 5-Day Harbin and China Snow Town Tour
- One-Day Ice and Snow Fairyland Tour
2. Beijing — Traditional Temple Fairs of Chinese New Year
![Chinese New Year](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
Thespecial silence of winterwith fewer tourists in Beijing will make your visits to historical sites (Forbidden City,Great Wall,Summer Palace, etc.) much more peaceful and profound.
Chinese New Year 2023 falls on January 22nd. Many people go to Beijing's traditional temple fairs during the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) for ritual praying, entertainment, snacks, and buying crafts. They are a great opportunity to experience local culture and traditions. (Check outBeijing's Top Temple Fairs)
Recommended Beijing Tours:
- 6-Day Beijing Chinese New Year Tour
- 6-Day Beijing Winter Tour with Skiing in a Winter Olympic Cluster
- 5-Day Beijing Family Tour
3. Jilin & Mt. Changbaishan — Rime Wonder and Skiing
![Jilin Rime](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
- Average January temperatures: -24°C–2°C (-11°F–36°F) >
Rime in Jilin, the karst landscape of Guilin, the Stone Forest in Yunnan, and the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River are the "Four Amazing Natural Wonders of China".If you like photography and look for spectacular winter scenery,the rime wonder of Jilin City should not be missed.
松花江是冰冻的冬天,但temperature of the water flowing under the ice is kept at 4°C. The big difference in temperature produces a lot of mist, which turns into rime hanging on the trees along the banks of the river.
The best time to appreciate the rime lasts from December to late Februaryand the city holds its Rime and Ice Festival in mid-January every year.
Skiing is another main tourist theme in Jilin City, and the best ski resorts areChangbai Mountain Resort, Beidahu Ski Resort, Songhuahu Ski Resort, and Zhuqueshan Ski Resort.
Recommended Winter Tours:
- 7-Day Harbin, Yabuli, China Snow Town, and Jilin Tour
- 7-Day Harbin, China Snow Town, and Changbai Mountain Tour
4. Yunnan (Yuanyang Rice Terraces, Dali, Lijiang, Xishuangbanna)
![Yuanyang Rice Terraces](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
- Average January temperatures: 7–29°C (45–48°F)
- Read more aboutKunming Weather in January.
With clear skies prevailing above Erhai Lake inDali, warm winter sunshine in the ancient town ofLijiang, the pristine and holy land ofShangri-La, and exotic tropical rainforest inXishuangbanna,Yunnanhas become a top destination for China expats, especially family groups.
The Yuanyang Rice Terraces in Kunming is one of China's five most beautiful rice terraces. It is recommended for magnificent natural scenery and mild winters.The best period to visit the rice terraces lasts from December to March (when the rice terraces are irrigated but without crops), andJanuary is the best month.
At the beginning of the twelfth Chinese month (which always falls in December or January),the local Hani people hold a "long street banquet" — always hundreds of meters long — to sacrifice to their dragon god. You can experience unique minority customs there.
Recommended Yunnan tours for winter:
- 9-Day Yunnan Family Tour to Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-la
- 7-Day Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang Winter Tour
- 6-Day Jianshui and Yuanyang Terraced Fields Tour
- Check out moreYunnan Tours
5. Chengdu — Glacier, Hot Pot, and Pandas
![Chengdu Bipenggou Valley](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
- Average February temperatures: 3–11°C (37–52°F)
- Read more onChengdu Weather in January.
Getting close to pandaswill be an unforgettable moment in your winter holidays.
Besides meeting the lovely Giant Pandas, you cantaste realSichuan foodand learn how to cook authentic Sichuan cuisine. The hot and spicy food will ward off the cold.
You can alsoenjoy the fun of skiingin beautiful Bipenggou National Park (3½ hours away by car), andsoak in a natural mineral hot springin a snowy wonderland.
In addition,Mount Emeiprovides beautiful snowy scenery in winter with sweeping cliffs, high-reaching peaks, gushing waterfalls, gurgling springs, and towering ancient trees.
Recommended Chengdu Tours
- 4-Day Wolong In-Depth Panda Tour
- 5-Day Chengdu and Bipenggou Tour
- 5-Day Chengdu, Leshan, and Mount Emei Tour
6. Xiamen — Explore Mulan's Hometown
![Fujian Tulou](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
- Average January temperatures: 11–18°C (52–64°F)
- Read more onXiamen Weather in January.
相对温和的温度t相比1月份o China's northern cities make Xiamen a good place to visit, though it is not as warm as Sanya (below).Although a popular destination, there aren't many tourists in Xiamen in January. You will have more space and time to enjoy your trip to the full.
Feel the artistic temperament of uncrowded Gulangyu Island, and pay a visit to the Fujian Tulou (earthen castles) — Mulan's movie home, which is the traditional architectural style of Hakka people in the Fujian area.
Recommended Xiamen Tours
7. Sanya — Sunny Beach Time
![Sanya](http://www.l-line.net/data/grey.gif)
- Average January temperatures: 20–27°C (68–81°F)
- Read more onXiamen Weather in January.
Lying in the tropics, Sanya's "winters" feature sun, blue sea, clear skies, soft sand, and warm weather.
There, you can sunbathe on a private beach, do some water activities such as surfing, snorkeling, swimming, and motorboat riding, and enjoy a rainforest hot spring at nightfall while you listen to the birds' evening chorus.
Recommended Sanya Tours
Plan Your Winter Holiday with Us
For travelers who prefer snow scenery and activities, see our most recommendedcustomizable ice and snow tours:
- 7-Day Harbin, Yabuli, China Snow Town, and Jilin Tour— Charming Northeast China
- 7-Day Harbin, China Snow Town, and Changbai Mountain Tour— Fascinating Changbai Mountain
- 6-Day Beijing Winter Tour— Skiing in a 2022 Olympic Winter Games Venue
- 5-Day Chengdu and Hailuogou Tour— a Song of Ice and Fire
For those who'd prefer a warm winter escape, see our top recommendedcustomizable warm winter tours:
- 5-Day Sanya Tour with the Best Beach— a Feast of Sea, Shore, and Sun
- 6-Day Xishuangbanna and Pu'er Tour— Escape to the Rainforest
- 7-Day Kunming, Dali and Lijiang Winter Tour— A Warm Winter Trip in Yunnan
- 8-Day Yunnan Tour of the Nu River and Tengchong— Discover Northwest Yunnan
Orcontact usif you have any questions or requirements to design a tour.