Winter may not be the best time for you to tour Beijing, because of its cold weather, but it undeniably has its advantages.
There is less crowding at the main attractions. Tourism has its lowest prices in winter. The air is dry and crisp. And Beijing is a good winter destination for those who love skiing, winter festivities, and snowy sightseeing.
Content Preview
Beijing Weather in Winter
Winter weather in Beijing starts in November when the first snow falls.
In December, the cold wind is biting, and snow sometimes covers the ground of Beijing. There are only about two rainy/snowy days per month from December to February.
January is the coldest month in Beijing and it is freezing and windy. Along with February, it is the best time for festivities, skiing, and snow and ice scenery.
In March, Beijing weather changes from freezing to cooling, but it is windy and sandstorms are possible.
On average, Beijing experiences about eight snowy days per winter and rainfall is almost absent.
| November | December | January | February | March | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average High (°C) | 10 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 11 |
| Average Low (°C) | 0 | -3 | -8 | -5 | -1 |
| Average High (°F) | 51 | 38 | 35 | 43 | 52 |
| Average Low (°F) | 33 | 21 | 17 | 23 | 30 |
What to Expect in Beijing Winter - Pros and Cons
Advantages: Dry, Not Hot, Less Busy, Economical
You should expect cold weather with much less rain. Winter is actually preferable for those tourists who love drier and not very hot environments.
Actually, winter is the driest time of the year all over China. Sunny days in Beijing's winters can be perfect for those who love sightseeing if temperatures below freezing point are not minded too much.
You also should expect fewer crowds (apart from at Chinese New Year), and it is the time tourist attractions, hotels, and flights reduce prices to encourage off-season travel spending, so expect to save a lot of money too. Some airlines even offer 80% off flights!
Disadvantages: Cold, Pollution
Beijing has very cold, long winters, starting early November and extending to early March. Beijing travelers should bring winter boots and coats, thick trousers, thermal underwear, sweaters, hats, and gloves.
Beijing pollution is also more likely to be an issue in winter, though you can escape it in the suburbs and beyond, and there can be some very good days in winter.
- 4-Day Beijing Private Tour to Visit the Great Wall at Night
- Half-Day Beijing Walking Tour in a Neighborhood
Beijing Winter Festivities
Winter is Beijing's time for most festivities and temple fairs, so you should expect the festive thrill among Chinese people. Chinese New Year is a holiday-mood-filled time when cultural activities held in parks and temples during the New Year holiday are the best way of experiencing Chinese culture.
Christmas in Beijing
There aren't many Christians living in China, but in recent years, the celebration of Christmas in China has become more popular and is celebrated in major cities like Beijing where a large number of foreigners live, and Western influence is greater.
You can also choose to visit Beijing's top theaters for Christmas performances, do some shopping (prices drop greatly in Winter), and visit Beijing's top attractions during Christmas.
Chinese New Year
Known as the "Spring Movement", the Chinese New Year travel rush is the world's largest annual human migration, where many people working in urban areas travel home for holidays, so you should expect crowds traveling, but tourist attractions still have fewer crowds.
There are many cultural activities to take part in including the Dragon Dances and Lion Dances. Many people go to Beijing's traditional temple fairs during the festival, for ritual praying, entertainment, snacks, and to buy crafts.
Decorations include decorating houses in red and wearing red clothes that signify power, happiness, and vitality and are believed to scare away ghosts.
After the dinner feast, many Chinese people go out to watch a huge fireworks display. Chinese fireworks are also thought to scare away evil spirits.
In 2022, Chinese New Year's Day will be Tuesday, February 1st. You can read about Chinese New Year Dates and How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Beijing.
Longqing Gorge Ice and Snow Festival
Longqing Gorge Ice and Snow Festival takes place from January to February every year at Longqing Gorge. Visitors enjoy ice art, including the more-than-400 massive ice sculptures and ice castles usually exhibited at the event.
The Best Things to Do in Winter in Beijing
Winter Sightseeing: the Great Wall, Beijing Scenery...
Gear up and try ice climbing, and you will discover a new kind of excitement!The Great Wall covered in snow: This iconic landmark of China provides a spectacular sight during winter, first due to the winter scenery and second, due to the absence of crowds than in any other times of the year.
The best places to see the special snow-sheeted sceneries of Beijing are at the Badaling Great Wall section, at the Badaling Ski Resort, and at the Forbidden City where you especially admire the beautiful snowy landscapes at the Meridian Gate Square and the Southeast Corner Tower out from Donghuamen (东华门).
Other places that you can visit to see snow and snow-covered sceneries in and near Beijing include the Longqing Gorge during the Beijing's Snow Festival, Taoyuan Xiangu for ice climbing over an ice wall made with frozen waterfall, and Jingshan Park to witness the Forbidden City peaks covered in snow.
You can also travel to the Shihua Cave in February. It offers a 2,500-meter tour with stalactites and underwater streams galore. You can also head to Chuandixia Village for dynasty-style courtyard homes and vistas that inspire snapshots and hand-drawn artistry souvenirs.
Skiing in Beijing
The best way to spend your winter in Beijing is skiing, including at the Badaling Ski Resort near the Badaling's Great Wall Section and in Shijinglong Ski Resort (one of the best ski resorts in China).
There are many other ski resorts to visit in Beijing in winter though, including the Nanshan Ski Resort, the largest ski resort close to Beijing.
Huaibei Ski Resort, which is 70 kilometers away from Beijing downtown, is the best for beginners.
And Beijing Snow World Ski Park is the nearest natural ski resort to Beijing city. It is located at Fenghuang Mountain of the Ming Tombs tourism area.
Soak in Beijing's Hot Springs
What better way to relax after a day of skiing or festivities than in the soothing waters of Jiuhua Hot Spring Resort in Changping District. It is near the Beijing Snow Ski Park and its waters contain numerous minerals and trace elements with curative effects. You can also get a traditional Chinese medicine health care massage in the spring.
Longmai Hot Spring Resort is built on the original site of the former imperial hot spring bathing area, as is Jiuhua, mid-way between the Badaling Expressway and the international airport.
Eat Special Chinese Winter Food
Chinese have special traditional winter food. You can taste warm winter specialties like hotpot at Haidilao Hot Pot (8F Tianyingtai Department Store, 88 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District) and at the Ghost Street in Dongzhimen Neidajie.
Other winter food specialties to try are Chinese congee at Jindingxuan near the Lama Temple (Hepingli Xijie, Dongcheng District) and roast lamb at the 'Leg of Lamb Street' (Beixinqiao Santiao, Dongcheng District), and chuanr (spicy meat skewers seasoned with cunmin and chilly powder).
Do Some Shopping in Beijing
Winter is the best time to do shopping in China because prices for all types of goods and services drop since there aren't many customers and visitors.
- 6-Day Beijing Winter Tour with Skiing in a 2022 Olympic Winter Games Venue
- 1-Day Beijing Hutong Tour
Experience Winter in Beijing Your Way with Us
Customize any of the tour recommendations below or tailor-make a China tour from your requirements.
- Private 4-Day Emperor's Tour of Beijing: Discover Chinese culture and history with a knowledgeable guide.
- 6-Day Beijing City Essence with Traditional New Year Activities: Celebrate the festival with fireworks, a New Year banquet, and decorate a house with a host family.
- 11-Day Classic Wonders Tour: The highlights of Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, and Shanghai are still very visitable in winter.