Weather: January is the coldest month in Beijing, it's freezing and windy. However, heating is supplied 24 hours a day, so it is warm inside the houses. It may snow a little this month, but otherwise it is very dry.
Low season: Travel to Beijing in China's Winter Low Season for less crowding and lower prices on accommodation and flights.
What to Wear/Bring for a January Beijing Trip
Clothing: A thin sweater is enough for indoors, but you need to bring warm clothes, such as thick sweaters, a down jacket, gloves and hat to keep warm outside.
Tips for Visiting Beijing in January
Chinese New Year.Chinese New Year may fall at the end of January or in early or mid- February. There are many cultural activities in the streets, such as lion dances, temple fairs, and displays of lanterns. The most popular temple fairs are held at Ditan Temple, Longtan Temple, and Dongyue Temple. This is the best time of the year to experience authentic Chinese culture.
Beware: The Spring Festival period is the busiest travel time all over the country, when trains and flights are fully booked days before departure.
Skiing: January is the best month to hit the slopes, as the skiing season is in full swing and there is usually most snow at the best skiresorts near the city: Nanshan Ski Resort, Badaling Ski Resort, Yuyang Ski Resort, etc.
Snow scenery: Some of the 10 best places to see snow in Beijing are the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and Jingshan Park. The snow actually augments, rather than detracting from, many tourist attractions.
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