Beijing Winter - Weather, Clothing & Tour Tips

Beijing winter is chilly cold, accompanied with northwest winds and low humidity. In general, the Beijing winter season starts from late November and lasts to early March. Beijing winter weather is chilly cold, accompanied with northwest winds and low humidity. The average high temperature is 10°C (50°F) and average low temperature is -9°C (16°F). In the coldest days, it can drop to as low as -12 °C (11°F). The snow season in Beijing winter is December to February, while snowy days are concentrated in December and January.
 

Recommended winter clothing in Beijing are down coats, padded overcoats, wool sweaters, padded trousers and snow boots, which can help a lot fight against the coldness. Besides, woolen gloves, hats, scarves and masks are also a must to keep warm during the coldest winter in Peking.

 

Beijing is a wonderful place to go during winter when the city assumes different landscapes for visitors to admire. Here are some reasons why you should be tempted to visit Beijing in winter.

 There are several interesting activities that can only be enjoyed in winter, such as skiing, skating, and appreciating ice lanterns and snow scenery. See also Guide on Skiing in Beijing

 Several Chinese traditional festivals are celebrated in winter, like the Laba Festival, Chinese New Year, and Lantern Festival; during the celebration periods, visitors can taste delicious festival foods and experience local folk customs. Thus, it is one of advantages of Beijing Winter Tour. 

 Travel expenses are greatly reduced in winter apart from during public holidays. There are savings to be made on such things as flights, hotels, admission fees, and charges for using facilities at scenic spots. Besides, during Beijing winter season, it would be much easier for visitors to book accommodation and transportation.

 Scenic spots would be less crowded in winter. Thus, visitors will certainly have a much better and impressive travel experience. 

Skating over Frozen Shichahai

Festival decorations during Chinese New Year

 Appreciating Snow Scenery
As a typical northern city in China, Beijing is endowed with snow in winter. Sometimes, it snows to everyone’s surprise and the city presents a unique landscape. Everything is so peaceful and charming. Come out and enjoy the snow scenes; it will leave you with a deep impression. Visiting Forbidden City, Badaling Great Wall and Mutianyu Great Wall are highly recommended in Beijing winter season.

 Read more: 15 Wonderful Places To See Snow in Beijing

 Skiing
When visiting Beijing in winter, you must try. There are many popular ski resorts in Beijing, including Wanlong Ski Resort, Huaibei Ski Resort, Nanshan Ski Resort, Snow World Ski Resort, Jundushan Ski, Shijinglong Ski Resort, Yuyang Ski, Qiaobo Ice and Snow World, Yunfoshan Ski Resort, Badaling Ski Resort.
 

 Skating
In Beijing winter, many outdoor lakes turn into natural skating rinks, like those in Shichahai, Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan), and Taoranting Park. It is lots of fun to slide and gyrate on the pure ice. There are indoor skating rinks as well in Olympic Sports Center and other places. 

 Hot Spring Bathing
It is a unique and beneficial experience to beat the low Beijing winter temperature by hot springs. Hot springs are abundant with minerals and essential microelements. It can help to ease metabolic diseases, joint and respiratory disorders. Furthermore, they can make one's skin smooth and delicate. You can go to Longmai Hot Spring Village in Xiaotangshan, Nangong Hot Spring Resort, Hot Spring Resort at the Yingda Biological Garden, etc. 

 Read more:  Tips on Hot Spring
 

Colorful Ice Lanterns

 Enjoying Ice Lanterns
Ice lanterns are a beautiful winter decoration if you travel during Beijing winter season. After being lit, the various crystal lanterns in different shapes present different colors. Enjoying ice lanterns is a traditional custom during Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival. The popular places to go include Longqing Gorge in Yanqing, Olympic Park, and Workers' Stadium.

 Attending Temple Fairs in Beijing
Various temples fairs are held during Chinese New Year. Tourists can enjoy wonderful folk performances, such as the Oral Stunts, the Beijing Opera, and the Diabolo Performance. They can also appreciate other aspects of cultural heritages, including the paper-cut, pottery and shadow puppetry.

 Read more: Best Temple Fairs in Beijing

Mouth-watering Hot Pot

 Eating Hot Pot
In cold Beijing winter, in cannot be more comfortable to enjoy the hot pot. You and your friends can sit around a simmering pot at a table, place your favorite ingredients into it, and then you can help yourselves. The most representative hot pot dishes in Beijing is sliced mutton, which have the function of warm body up.

  Read more:  Top 10 Things to Do in Beijing in Winter
 

 Although Beijing winter temperature is low, the heating indoor is provided 24 hours a day. Be aware of catching a cold because of the large temperature difference indoor and outdoor.
 Remember also that Beijing winter weather is dry. You should drink plenty of water, eat enough fresh vegetables and fruit, and apply some moisturizer to your exposed skin.
 Wear a pair of antiskid shoes after snow because the road will be slippery.
 Wear a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes when skating and enjoying snowy scenery outside for long.
 Book transportation tickets at least one month in advance during the Chinese New Year Holiday to make the travel smoothly.