December
The 9 best places to visit in China in December
With off-season prices, quieter attractions, and a wide variety of activities to enjoy from north to south, traveling in China in December will provide you and your family with a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s holiday experience.
While northern and central China usually experience a snowy Christmas, Yunnan and Sanya in the south have a warm tropical climate. Don’t be surprised if I say that Lhasa in Tibet is also a great place for a relatively warm vacation. Lhasa is known as the ‘city of sunshine’: with daytime highs of around 8 degrees Celsius in December, it feels much warmer.
The following 9 best places are our hand-picked list of the best places to visit during the 2025 holiday season. They’re all perfect for families, with fun for kids and adults alike.
1. Beijing - Great Wall, skiing, hot springs
■In winter, Beijing is extraordinarily quiet and sparsely visited, allowing you to feel a deeper sense of emotion as you tour the historical sites. The Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Summer Palace are still not to be missed.
■If you happen to have snowy weather (it always snows in December), you’ll enjoy the beautiful snowy scenery of the capital, especially the majestic Great Wall outlined by white ridges and the snow on the backdrop of the Forbidden City’s golden glazed tiles and red walls.
■Skiing is one of the most popular activities for families traveling to Beijing in December. By December, all Beijing ski resorts are open. Check out the top 10 ski resorts in Beijing >>>
■If you dream of enjoying the breathtaking night view of the Great Wall, are curious about Beijing’s traditional folklore, and like to enjoy a hot bath in the winter, then the Gubei Water Town (1 hour drive from Nanshan Ski Resort or 2 hours drive from Beijing) is not to be missed.
All our Beijing tours can be customized to make the most of the winter season!
2. Harbin - Ice World
■When winter comes, Harbin is filled with breathtaking snow and ice art. Harbin, the “Ice City”, has absolutely everything you need for a winter vacation.
■The Songhua River, which flows through the city, is frozen for more than six months of the year! At the beginning of December, ice picks start collecting huge blocks of ice for the annual Harbin Ice Festival. The frozen river is ready for all sorts of fun winter activities, including ice sledding, hovercraft, snowmobiles, off-road vehicles and more, for young and old alike, and no one can resist.
■Take a stroll down Central Avenue and you might see artists carving a tiny block of ice into a masterpiece. In winter, savoring the Matil ice cream is definitely the way to go.
■Want to experience a preview of the giant sculpture? During the Christmas season, illuminated, life-size ice sculptures, giant snow designs and gorgeous snow sculptures are already available for viewing. Get a sneak peek at the finished product!
■Yabuli Ski Resort is only a 3-hour drive from Harbin. Step into the icy wonderland of Yabuli Ski Resort from the top of the snow park and feel the joy and excitement of speeding through the snow.
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3. Changbai Mountain - snow, skiing, frozen heavenly pools
■Changbai Mountain means “ever-white mountain” and its summit is covered with snow all year round. It is located in Jilin Province on the border between China and North Korea. Located at 42°N latitude (the optimal latitude for snow and ice cover, similar to Switzerland), Changbaishan is considered a skiing paradise and one of the best areas in China to enjoy snowy scenery.
■In Changbaishan, in addition to exciting skiing programs, fairytale snow and ice theme parks, frozen Heavenly Lakes, the highest volcanic waterfalls, and soothing hot springs, you can be the coolest one in your circle of friends by experiencing rafting on the hot springs river at the foot of Changbaishan Mountain at -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit)!
■Changbaishan is the only place in China that offers a hot spring river rafting experience with beautiful freezing fog on both sides of the river (and it’s only open in the morning when the weather is clear). The water temperature stays between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius (43 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit) in winter and never freezes. Don’t worry about getting wet. Fall out of a rubber boat and the water will freeze immediately!
4. Inner Mongolia - feeding reindeer and experiencing nomadic life
■Inner Mongolia is not only popular among tourists for its beautiful grassland scenery, it is also known for its boundless snow and ice scenery and primitive nomadic culture, making it a popular winter destination.
■Traveling to Inner Mongolia in winter will undoubtedly refresh you and provide a beautiful contrast to the busy city life.
■Experience horseback riding, snowmobiling and ice fishing on the vast snowfields.
Visit the last reindeer herder tribe in China and get up close and personal with reindeer like Santa Claus.
Visit the last remaining six families in China’s coldest village, feel their passion for hard living and learn how they fight the extreme cold.
Sleep on a traditional kang and experience real Mongolian daily life with the locals.
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5. Chengdu - A Mixture of Ice and Fire
■If you are looking for a vacation that combines sightseeing, skiing experience, food and pandas, then Chengdu is the place for you.
■In Chengdu, you can sample authentic Sichuan cuisine and learn how to cook authentic Sichuan dishes. You can also enjoy skiing in the scenic Bipenggou National Park (3½ hours’ drive) and soak in natural mineral hot springs in an icy wonderland.
■On your way from Chengdu to Bipenggou, don’t miss a close encounter with adorable pandas at Dujiangyan Panda Base.
6. Northern Xinjiang - a Fairytale World
■The snow scenery in northern Xinjiang is definitely worth exploring.
■Kanas’s winter is like a Chinese ink painting. Villages are scattered in the boundless snowscape, the morning mist rises from the streams, the crystal-clear rime hangs on the birch trees… (How to Plan a Trip to Kanas)
■In Hemu Village, you will enter into a fairytale scene. The cabins deep in the snowy forest glow with warm orange light and their pointed roofs are covered with thick white snow.
■One factor to note is that all flights from Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou must stop first in Urumqi after a 4–5-hour journey. Two nights are suggested in Urumqi to take in its exotic Muslim folk culture. From Urumqi to Kanas, it takes less than 1½ hours. A comparatively long journey to Northern Xinjiang will reward your family with an awesome other-worldly experience.
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7. Yunnan - bathing in the sun
■With the clear skies of the Erhai Sea in Dali, the warm winter sunshine of Lijiang’s Old Town, the pristine sanctuary of Shangri-La, and the exotic rainforests of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan has become the destination of choice for Chinese expatriates, especially for family groups.
■Want an adventure? Then take a 2-3 day hike through Tiger Leaping Gorge! Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest gorges in the world. December is one of the best months for trekking, where you can enjoy the naturally pure turquoise color of the Jinsha River and take in the breathtaking views from the steep 28 bays. Our 4-day Tiger Leaping Gorge and Stone Village Trek will ensure you the ultimate adventure trekking experience in Lijiang.
8. Sanya - sun, sand and sea fun
■Sanya is the warmest city in China in December, with an average high temperature of 27°C (81°F).
■Its long coastline, bright sunshine, romantic islands and golden shores make Sanya a popular destination for winter travelers. Some people even call its beautiful beaches “Chinese Hawaii”.
■Here, you can take off your winter clothes and snorkel in the sparkling blue sea. You can also try some exciting water sports such as banana boat rides, jet skiing and sailing.
■Sanya has about seven bays with coveted beaches. Yalong Bay is a popular choice for couples and family outings, with some of the most beautiful beaches, cleanest waters and high-quality hotels. The Hilton Jinmao Sanya Yalong Bay offers first-class facilities for children. The Bird’s Nest Resort of Paradise on Earth offers a great rainforest experience, although it is far from the beach. Alternatively, you can choose Park Hyatt Sanya Sun Bay with its private beach for a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle.
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9. Lhasa - Sunshine, Potala Palace, Highland Scenery
■Compared to other seasons, Lhasa in December seems more leisurely.
■Pilgrims flock to the city from all directions. The locals are either basking in the warmth of the midday sun or sipping ghee tea and chatting in a teahouse. Off the beaten track, you may be the only one. The only way to experience the most authentic Lhasa life is to travel in Lhasa in winter.
■Although transportation in Tibet is usually expensive, airfare in December may be discounted like never before – up to 80%. All tickets are at off-season prices, and some attractions even offer free admission! Fall in love with the “City of Sunshine”.
China in December - December Travel FAQ
In order to enjoy the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays and make the most of your remaining vacation time, you may be hesitant to travel to China in December and have the following questions. Before moving on to the next step, please take some time to learn about the FAQs of traveling to China in December.
1. Is it worth traveling to China in December?
Despite the cold weather in most parts of China, you’ll find that there are actually more seasonal options for traveling in China in December, especially for sights and experiences that can only be enjoyed in winter.
■It’s time to take your skiing experience beyond the limits of indoor skiing. China’s ski resorts are about to have their grand openings, and Harbin’s ice and snow events will fill this frozen north with joy.
■Or imagine: while your friends are at home, you might be in your bikini/shorts, bathing by the sunny beaches of Sanya.
■You may have already been to Beijing, but winter is different: imagine an empty Forbidden City covered with snow-covered yellow roofs!
■While others are hesitant to travel to Lhasa in winter, you can bask in the warmth of the midday sun and chat with local Tibetans. The lack of crowds means you can have more time to explore the Potala Palace.
■Whether you’re looking for a warm getaway or unique winter activities, China 365 Travel has a range of itineraries to satisfy you, so it’s definitely worth traveling to China in December.
2. Is December a good time to travel to China?
■December is definitely a great time to travel in China: it’s an off-peak month in most parts of the country, so you can avoid the crowds and enjoy affordable travel.
■Airlines and hotels are ready to offer big discounts for winter travel. Since there are no public holidays in mainland China, crowds at popular attractions are sparse. You can take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy a relaxing Christmas vacation or a year-end getaway in December.
3. What is the weather like in China in December?
■December was extremely cold in northern and western China, with temperatures consistently below freezing but pleasantly warm indoors. While people in these regions revel in snow, ice and winter fun, the weather finally cools down in tropical southern regions such as Sanya or Xishuangbanna, where average highs are around 24°C (75°F).
■There may be light snowfall in central and eastern China, and more snowfall in the high mountainous regions of the south, but these areas can be very cold and much wetter. There is no central heating at all in these areas! But don’t worry, hotels, restaurants, cafes, tourist centers, and other places have air conditioning, so it’s still warm.
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