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China Winter Tours

As temperatures drop, it is time to plan your 2024-2025 winter vacation to China!

Many travelers would be enchanted by winter’s first snowfall and look forward to attending the grand Ice and Snow Festival in the snowy paradise, while many others are itching to escape the season’s frigid weather. Thanks to the size, natural diversity and varied climates of China, there are plenty of suitable destinations across the country well suited for travelers who flee cold weather and those who flock to it. From the deep snow of the northeast to the beaches of the south, from skiing at the best ski resort, hiking on the snow-capped Great Wall, to indoor cultural activities and delicious food tasting, there’s nothing that this diverse country can’t offer you.

To help you find the locale that meet your winter vacation wants and needs, China Discovery has selected the most recommended China winter tour packages based on our expert analysis and past customers’ choices. If you have your own interests and favorite places to go, you can feel free to pick the winter destinations after getting the general ideas and temperatures about each destination, or, you can take a moment to design your own winter vacation by adding different experience into the trip. Besides, No matter what side your fall on, you’re bound to find some travel inspirations in the “China Winter Vacation Planning and Useful Article” section. For those who are hesitate to decide where to go and what to do, just move to read our customers winter travel stories and witness their true happiness in the winter days.

Come on! Let’s plan and play! Your life will be different and more colorful after the COVID-19 and the winter in China is not cold any more!

    Why Visit Winter in China?

  • Lower Prices & Less Crowds- Most places are in off season, offering discounted entrance tickets, flights...
  • Amazing Festivals to Enrich Your Memories- Attend big festivals to fully enjoy the happiness of the festivals bringing you.
  • Exciting Winter Activities with Great Fun- Skiing, hot spring, hiking, photography, sun bathing, cruising... all are available.
  • Stunning Sightseeing & Wonderful Cultural Experience- Each destination offers classic sightseeing and cultural activities.
  • Tailor-made Winter Vacation- You can customize your winter trip on your own totally based on your likes.

Pick Your Favorite Winter Destinations with Snow or Sun

What is your favorite winter destination in China? No matter you are limited in time for short breaks, or you just want to focus on some featured winter-sun / cold-weather destinations, you’ve got the perfect choices. From the “Ice City of China” and “Moscow in the Orient” in the Northeast China with temperatures dropping to -13℃ and even lower, to the City of Eternal Spring with warm temperatures around 15℃ in winter days, you can either choose to immerse into the snow paradise with lots of fun or escape to a warm area to enjoy gentle sunshine and beautiful landscape... Below are top 8 winter destinations with general information and recommended winter itineraries - just feel free to select your favorite to spend a different winter this year.

  • Yunnan
  • Harbin
  • Sichuan
  • Huangshan
  • Guilin
  • Yangtze River
  • Xiamen
  • Sanya
  • Zhangjiajie
Why Go to Yunnan in Winter?

Enjoy nature beauty and ethnic diversity beyond time limit!

Most travelers would like to put Yunnan as the no.1 winter-sun destination into their bucket list. Located in the southwest China, with subtropical latitude combined with high altitude, Yunnan has mild winters in most of destinations. It is still COLORFUL in winter with special winter scene to enjoy!

  • Location: Southwest China (Warm Place)
  • Winter Average Temperature: around 15 ℃
  • Type: Gentle Sunshine on High Altitude, Ethnic Culture Experience
  • Best Places to Go: Kunming, Lijiang, Dali, Yuanyang Rice Terraces
  • Recommended Trip Length: 5~8 days
Ashima Featured Limestone Rock

6 Days Kunming, Dali & Lijiang Essence Tour

Reach the place south of the colorful clouds, enter into the “Plant and Animal Kingdom”, see the magnificent mountains and plateaus, appreciate the breathtaking river and lakes, and join in minority village to enjoy ethnic culture…

Price from $972

Bada Rice Terrace-20201216-Anne from German-CD-Z

5 Days Kunming, Jianshui & Yuanyang Rice Terraces Tour

Start from Kunming for a magical journey to Stone Forest and head to explore amazing Yuanyang Rice Terrace and feel authentic life in historic town. This is the best trip traveling to South Yunnan for 5 days.

Price from $984

Why Visit Harbin in Winter?

Come to the Ice City of China to attend the largest ice and snow festival in the world.

Every winter from the end of late December to the next late February, the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival is holding including the world’s biggest ice sculptures. You can also enjoy skiing, winter-swimming, ice lantern exhibition and numerous snow activities in the “Snow Paradise”. Learn more about Winter Travel & Tips of Harbin >>

  • Location: Northeast China (Cold-weather Place)
  • Winter Average Temperature: -13℃ ~ -24℃
  • Type: Snow, Ice and Snow Festival, Nature
  • Best Places to Go: Harbin Downtown Area, Yabuli Ski Resort, China Snow Town
  • Recommended Trip Length: 3~6 days
David’s group from USA - Harbin Ice and Snow World

3 Days Harbin Ice Festival Tour

This Harbin Ice Festival Tour is best suitable for global travelers who want to join in the 2022 38th Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin at its best time from late December 2021 to February 2022.

Price from Request

Hiking Experience in China Snow Town

6 Days Harbin Tour with China Snow Town & Yabuli Skiing

This tour offers comprehensive way to explore all the bests in and around Harbin with both natural and cultural fun, including exciting skiing, white snow, exquisite ice sculptures...

Price from Request

Why Go to Sichuan Province in Winter?

Experience “Fire & Ice” on the Land of Abundance!

Sichuan, called “the Land of Abundance”, has diverse landscape and cultural sites to explore. If you want a short break, you can visit Chengdu with two famous tourism cards - Giant Panda and Sichuan Cuisine. For more winter experience, extend to Mount Emei and Leshan Giant Buddha or enjoy skiing at Xiling Snow Mountain... Learn more about Winter Travel & Tips of Sichuan >>

  • Location: Southwest China (Cold-weather Place)
  • Winter Average Temperature: 5℃ ~ 11 ℃
  • Type: Pandas, Food, Snow, Historic & Cultural Site, Nature
  • Best Places to Go: Chengdu Downtown Area, Mount Emei, Leshan Giant Buddha, Xiling Snow Mountain, Dujiangyan, Hailuogou Glacier Park
  • Recommended Trip Length: 2~7 days
Look up at Leshan Giant Buddha from its foot stage

4 Days Classic Leshan Buddha & Mount Emei Tour from Chengdu

A great tour of a visual feast to explore two magnificent World Heritage Sites around Chengdu - Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei in a leisure way, also visit the adorable Giant Pandas in Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Price from $570

Changping Valley Muluozi in Autumn

8 Day Diverse Sichuan Exploration Tour

This is the best combo to savor the wonderful diversity of scenery and culture essences in vast Sichuan with great visits to Western alpine area, Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei in one go!

Price from $1300

Why Visit Huangshan in Winter?

Enjoy Five Incredible Wonders of Yellow Mountain in the Lovely Winter!

The top reason to come to Huangshan is for the Yellow Mountain, the loveliest mountain of China, renowned for its magnificent scenery made up of many granite peaks and rocks emerging out of a sea of clouds. The top reason to visit Yellow Mountain in winter is for its “snow” and “hot spring experience” after the mountain visiting. Learn more about Winter Travel & Tips of Huangshan >>

  • Location: East China (Cold-weather Place) in Anhui Province
  • Winter Average Temperature: -5℃ ~ 5℃
  • Type: Geologic Formations, Nature & Parks, Winter Snow
  • Best Places to Go: Yellow Mountain, Huangshan Downtown Area, Hongcun & Xidi Ancient Villages
  • Recommended Trip Length: 3~4 days
Hongcun Village - Mr. and MRS. Jorge from Peru

4 Days Best Huangshan Hongcun & Xidi Tour

You will have a leisure tour on Huangshan Mountain to admire its archetypal granite peaks, twisted pines, beautiful cloud sea and fabulous sunrise and visit two remarkable ancient villages - Hongcun and Xidi which are listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Price from $540

Anjali from USA - Yellow Mountain

4 Days Huangshan Hongcun Winter Vacation with Hot Spring

Enjoy beautiful snowscapes of Huangshan Mountain as well as the wonderful Hot Spring! The Hot Springs of Huangshan with nationwide fame has been in use as a resort and health spa for over a thousand years.

Price from Request

Why Visit Guilin in Winter?

East or West, Guilin Landscape is the Best!

Guilin belongs to classic destination in China that you can come in four seasons. With the surreal Karst Mountains and the winding Li river as its backdrop, it’s no wonder Guilin is a favorite city among travelers to China. From hiking and river cruises to bustling markets and delicious food , the city offers a variety of places and activities to suit anyone.

  • Location: South China (Warm Place)
  • Winter Average Temperature: 8℃ ~ 16℃
  • Type: River Cruise, Karst Landscape, Ethnic Culture
  • Best Places to Go: Yangshuo Countryside, Guilin Downtown Area, Longji Rice Terraces
  • Recommended Trip Length: 3~4 days
Claire from UK - Li River, Guilin

4 Days Highlights of Guilin, Yangshuo & Longji

This short 4-day tour covers the three most popular destinations of Guilin - Li River, Yangshuo County and Longji Rice Terraces. Only 4 days are needed to get them all in a single trip.

Price from $464

Claire from UK - Yangshuo, Guilin

3 Days Guilin Li River Cruise Tour

During this 3 days brief but really classic Guilin vacation, you will never miss the landmarks of Guilin city, Elephant Trunk Hill, but surely catch enough inspiring hours to get relaxed by cruising down along the stunning Li River to Yangshuo Town.

Price from $350

Why Go to Yangtze River in Winter?

Cruising on the longest river in China with great discounts offered in winter days!

Enjoying a Yangtze River cruise sailing leisurely on central China is a popular choice in winter time. Floating between Chongqing and Yichang, you can relax a lot both onboard and onshore. With the same experience, you can enjoy great discounts, saving off 10~30% off.

  • Location: Central China
  • Winter Average Temperature: 4℃ ~ 10℃
  • Type: River Cruise, Three Gorge Scenery, Three Gorges Dam Project
  • Best Ships in Winter: Century Cruises, Victoria Cruises
  • Recommended Trip Length: 4 or 5 days
Temple of Heaven Shot by Our Customer Harty

11 Days Classic China Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

As one of the most classic tour itineraries, this 11 days China tour is recommended for the first time visitors to China. It provides a great perspective to observe China's yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Price from $1979

Relaxing Yangtze River Cruise

4 Days Chongqing Essence Tour with Yangtze Cruise

This Chongqing Yangtze tour is the most classic route for a single Yangtze cruise experience in China! If you want a relaxing way to relax your body and feast your eyes with countless charming natural scenery, this short cruise trip is definitely the perfect one for you.

Price from Request

Why Visit Xiamen in Winter?

Have fun in “Island for Egrets” & Explore Hakka Culture with comfortable weather!

Xiamen is a coastal city in Fujian Province with moderate and relatively dry winters. It was ranked as China’s second “most suitable city for living” and as well as China’s “most romantic leisure city”. It is a year-round destination that you can explore Gulangyu Island and Hakka culture in comfortable pace.

  • Location: Southeast China (Winter-sun Destination) in Fujian Province
  • Winter Average Temperature: 14℃
  • Type: Island, Hakka Earth Building, Folk Culture
  • Best Places to Go: Xiamen Downtown Area, Fujian Tulous, Mount Wuyi
  • Recommended Trip Length: 2~5 days
Mount Wuyi Joyous Jiuqu Stream Rafting

5 Days Xiamen, Tulou & Mount Wuyi Discovery Tour

The most popular Fujian trip to discover all best sightseeing, culture and history of Fujian Province with great fun, including classic visit to Xiamen with Gulangyu, Fujian Tulou in Nanjing and Yongding and Wuyi Mountain with Jiuqu Stream rafting!

Price from Request

Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster

3 Days Classic Xiamen and Fujian Tulou Tour

Spend three leisure days and marvel at the essence of Xiamen, the Garden City on the Sea. You will not only visit the famous Gulangyu Island, but will also view the earth buildings in Nangjing County.

Price from Request

Why Visit Sanya in Winter?

Beach Lay Back and Diverse Water Sports Fun

Sanya has long been favored as the top best warm sunny winter destination to bathe on the beautiful soft coastline, dive in the wonderful sea, taste various fresh seafood and more importantly soak in the total vacation release!

  • Location: Southmost China (Winter-sun Destination) in Hainan Province
  • Winter Average Temperature: 25℃
  • Type: Island, Beach, Sea, Rain Forest
  • Best Places to Go: Nanshan Buddhist Park, Yalong Bay, Betelnut Valley, Yanoda Rainforest
  • Recommended Trip Length: 3~7 days
Stunning Yalong Bay Lying under the Tropical Paradise Forest Park

5 Days Sanya Classic Vacation Tour with Luxury Hotel

Best-selling Sanya tour package to experience the most recommended beaches, attractions and other highlights of Sanya with luxury hotels and private transfer and tour guide.

Price from Request

Peaceful Beach of Haitang Bay

6 Days In-depth Luxury Sanya Tour with Two Free Days

This value-packed Sanya vacation features beautiful landscape, local cultural experience and exciting adventures. You will stay 5 nights at a luxury beach front hotel of resort style.

Price from Request

Why Go to Zhangjiajie in Winter?

Get into a world of incredible Avatar Mountains and experience thrilling Glass Bridge over Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon.

Winter gives another different feeling of Zhangjiajie - more charms and less crowds. Capped with light snow, the 3,000 narrow sandstone pillars and peaks dominated in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park shows you striking beauty, taking you to get into Avatar world. Extend to Fenghuang Ancient Town will offer you more cultural experience to get “jollification” in a lovely town. Learn more about Winter Travel & Tips of Zhangjiajie >>

  • Location: Central China (Cold-weather Destination) in Hunan Province
  • Winter Average Temperature: 4℃ ~ 11℃
  • Type: Mountains, Nature
  • Best Places to Go: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Tianmen Mountain, Fenghuang Ancient Town
  • Recommended Trip Length: 3~5 days
Bernhard’s group from German - Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge

4 Days Zhangjiajie Exciting Adventure with Glass Bridge

If you show interests in the natural splendid landscapes and like to take challenges, this 4 Days Zhangjiajie Exciting Tour will be your satisfactory selection.

Price from $618

Fenghuang Ancient Town - Helen from Australia

5 Days Amazing Zhangjiajie & Fenghuang Ancient Town Tour

This 5-day Zhangjiajie Fenghuang tour is the best way to fully make use of your time in Zhangjiajie. Admire all natural must-sees in UNESCO Zhangjiajie Forest Park with a cultural relaxation at antique Xiangxi flavored Fenghuang Ancient Town.

Price from $699

China Winter Vacation Planning & Useful Articles

Do you have some questions about planning a China winter tour? Do you want to pick the most suitable places and the best things to do in the special season? No worry! Our experts have done a lot of research in the past years and have good understanding about each destination - weather & temperature condition, featured activities, useful travel tips, etc. are provided in each article. No matter you are first time to China or the second time, you are guaranteed a DIFFERENT and COLORFUL winter vacation in the year of 2024!

China Winter Vacation Ideas

-- Get Where to Go in December, January and February & Practical Travel Tips

The weather in China in December has an average temperature of just 2°C across this huge country. It is cold across the north and milder in the central zone, which includes Beijing and in the southern city of Guangzhou and around Hong Kong, the temperatures are much warmer with a good deal of sunshine in December. In January, most of China has cold weather that you will need to come prepared for. Northern and eastern regions, including Beijing, are bitterly cold and windy, but dry at this time of year, while temperatures are a bit warmer in coastal Shanghai. Don’t miss the grand opening ceremony of Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in the northeast China. February is wintertime across the country, and most parts of China have cold weather at this time. With such cold weather in North China, make sure you pack plenty of warm winter clothes including a thick coat, along with a hat, scarf and gloves. Temperatures will rise up at the end of February and rape flowers and other kinds of flowers are going to bloom.

Whether you like embracing the chill or escaping to the heat, China has the perfect winter destination for you. From the deep snow of the northeast to the beaches of the south, there’s nothing that this diverse country can’t offer you. Get inspired about where to go and what to do in December, January and February in China!

Get Inspired by Our Customers’ Amazing Winter Travel Stories

“Seeing is believing”! In the past years, thousands of travelers have taken winter trips to different destinations all over China with us. Many of them chose to head to the Northeast China with snow scenery and grand Ice and Snow Festival, part of travelers went to the classic destinations covering Beijing, Xian, Guilin or Shanghai and some of them headed to the south / southwest China to escape the coldness. While, many groups wanted to challenge themselves with a trip to Tibet - the Roof of the World... Whether a snowy retreat, or a beach haven, these winter trips have surely warmed their soul. Now, it’s your turn and your time to write your own stories in this winter! >> Read All Our Customers Travel Stories during 2011-2024

Delightful Family Time with Winter Sunshine in Dreamland Yunnan
-- David's 8 Days Family Winter Trip to Picturesque Yunnan with Colorful Nature and Ethnic Culture Encounter
We had a great time on our Yunnan trip. We feel amazingly privileged to have been able to spend these few days in Yunnan Province. The natural heritage of the region is stunning and includes both the wildlife and the landscape.It is fantastic to see a completely different side of China.

Destinations Visited: Beijing - Kunming - Dali - Lijiang - Shangri-La - Beijing
China Winter Travel Story
Timely Donation and Infinite Care from Warm-hearted US Friend Guest
-- Ronald's Caring Coronavirus (COVID-2019) Donation to Wuhan after 3 China Trips with China Discovery
All people living on Earth are one warm family that we always help each other to go through various difficulties and build our wonderful world full of love! Ronald, who comes from USA and enjoyed 3 China trips customized by our expert Lyn since 2017, gave his timely and warm-hearted donation to Wuhan, the disaster area of Coronavirus outbreak at end of 2019, and encouraged the medical team and Chinese people to go through the difficulty!
China Travel Story
12 Days in Yunnan - Retreat to the Serenity of Life
-- Mr. Pang and Wife's 12-Day Leisure Yunnan Holiday for Body and Mind Relaxation
The China Yunnan landscape is spectacular. We enjoyed the dynamic Yunnan performance in Kunming which artfully encapsulated the beauty and colours of the various tribes in Yunnan.

Destinations Visited: Shenzhen - Kunming - Stone Forest - Yuanyang - Jianshui - Kunming - Dali - Shangri-La - Lijiang - Kunming - Shenzhen/Hong Kong
China Winter Travel Story
Family Date with Kung Fu Panda and Frozen
-- 9 Days China Panda Tour with Kids
My family had a fantastic time in Chengdu & Xian tours organized by China Discovery. Professiional and responsive Wing (my travel consultant) and funny and knowledgeable tour guides made the tour a lot more interesting. Our volunteer experience at Dujiangyan Panda Base was a highlight...

Destinations Visited: Chengdu - Dujiangyan - Leshan Giant Buddha - Mount Emei - Xian - Mount Hua
China Winter Travel Story
Travel Alone: 12-Day Tibet Adventure to Meet the Everest Journey
-- Anthony's 12-Day Tibet Discovery of the Everest and Buddhism Appreciation
Anthony reached the top of the world and visited several famous Tibetan monasteries in his Tibet trip. It was an amazing experience, not only for the unparalleled scenery but also for the total different lifestyle of the local people.

Destinations Visited: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Tingri - the Everest - Shigatse - Lhasa
China Winter Travel Story

2024-2025 China Winter Vacation with More Fun

Stone Monkey Watching the Sea (on Lion Peak)
9 Days East China & Mt. Huang Tour by High Speed Train

Shanghai / Suzhou / Hangzhou / Huangshan

from $1,572

Claire from UK - 20 RMB Note View, Li River, Guilin
10 Days Classic China Tour from Beijing - First Touch of China

Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Yangshuo / Shanghai

from $1,999

Lijiang Old Town Full View-2021-Louis from Singapore
14 Days Wild China Tours from Shanghai to Yunnan on Expresses

Shanghai / Zhangjiajie / Kaili / Kunming / Lijiang / Shangri-la / Kunming

from $2,758

Bizarre Fanjingshan Mushroom Stone - Jessica's Group from Malaysia
8 Days Guilin Guizhou In-depth Highlights Tour (Start from Guilin)

Guilin / Longsheng / Yangshuo / Zhaoxing / Kaili / Fanjingshan

from Request

Dive Performance off Diaoshuilou Waterfall at Jingpo Lake
7 Days Amazing Northeast China Winter Tour with Changbai Mountain & Wusong Island

Harbin / China Snow Town / Jingpo Lake / Dunhua / Changbai Mountain / Jilin

from Request

Wim's Group - Longji Rice Terraces (Pingan, Nine Dragons and Five Tigers), Longsheng, Guilin
8 Days Classic Sichuan & Beautiful Guilin Landscape Tour

Chengdu / Emeishan / Leshan / Guilin / Longji / Guilin / Yangshuo / Guilin

from Request

Harbin Zhongyang Pedestrian Street Night View
8 Days Best Winter Tour to Beijing Harbin Shanghai

Beijing / Harbin / Shanghai

from Request

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