Article by XIANEASE

It’s a fact that some people just aren’t cold weather people. Whether you find the bitter winds a little too overbearing or you just don’t like having to layer up only to have your nose and ears still freezing off, winter weather is just not for everyone. With the extended amount of time off that the winter season brings, what with the Christmas and Spring Festival holidays, people often look at this time as an opportunity to travel to new places. Even though the coronavirus continues to restrict our movements abroad, there are still plenty of interesting places within China to explore that will allow you to step out of the cold zone and embrace a sunny day or two while getting to experience more of what China has to offer.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration for your travel destination, then check out this list of a few warm weather locations for your holiday vacation.

Yuan yang
Yunnan Province

We probably could have written an entire article about destinations in Yunnan that you can visit during the winter, but we restricted ourselves to just two. Yuanyang County, located in the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province is the home to the Hani minority group, one of the many distinct groups that inhabit Yunnan. Yuanyang County is most famous for the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These striking rice terraces are flooded in the winter months from November to April, reflecting the clear blue sky and creating a view you won’t find elsewhere. Fantastic for photographers and nature enthusiasts who don’t mind a bit of hiking around these expansive terraces. Temperatures in this area range from 12-24C in the winter, so you might want a jacket for those early morning photo shoots, though you’ll most likely shed it before noon.

Xi shuang ban na
Yunnan Province

Xishuangbanna is a place that will strike many as both incredibly strange and yet very familiar, especially if you’ve done any travel through Southeast Asia. Wedged between Myanmar and Laos, Yunnan’s southernmost province is vastly different from other areas of China, different even than other areas of the culturally diverse Yunnan. Xishuangbanna is a place teeming with wild life, including Asian elephants, peacocks, and other creatures you won’t find naturally elsewhere. You can also experience the traditional culture of the local Dai people, including unique foods and cultural festivals. Temperatures in winter tend to be even warmer than in Yuanyang County, with the high temperatures in winter going up to 29C, though the mountain locations can still get cold at night, so a light jacket might be required. Xishuangbanna also has its own airport, meaning it’ll be easier to access than some other places in Yunnan.

Sanya
Hainan Island

We did an entire article back in July on Hainan, as it is one of the few good beaches in China. The island is a major tourist destination, though the island is big enough to allow you to get away from the crowds, should you so desire. If you’re looking for a winter in the sun, then this is where you want to go. Sanya is the main city on the island, and the concentration of tourism on the island. Expect crowds during the Spring Festival holiday, when airfare and hotel prices will spike. It’s also the dry season, which makes the island even more attractive to visitors at this time. Unless you are strongly craving some beach time, it might be best to leave this visit for non-holiday time. The average temperature in winter is 19C and shorts and t-shirts are the common dress. If you want more info, read our July article on the island.

Yang shuo
Guangxi Province

Located next to Yunnan province, Guangxi province shares the same kind of temperate climate and warm sunshine throughout the winter months. One of the main destination in Guangxi is the city of Yangshuo, a popular city for tourists, especially rock climbers. The karst peaks, natural mountain structures with steep sides, make for great climbing at a variety of skill levels, and also provides some interesting natural landscapes for photographers and tourist selfies alike. A bit cooler than Yunnan, the highs average around 14C in winter, so you’ll want a jacket, but the sun is usually shining, which should warm you up considerably. To access Yangshuo, you’ll want to first travel to Guilin, then take a bus or train to Yangshuo

Guang zhou
Guangdong Province

Located in the Southern Province of Guangdong, Guangzhou is a city that most foreigners would’ve heard of before, as it ranks as one of the major cities in China. If you’ve never visited the city, winter may just be the best time to do so, as the typically heat and humidity take a break during this time, allowing you to stay outside without becoming drenched in sweat. Guangdong is famous for its cuisine, and you can visit cities like 顺德 to experience some of the best that Cantonese cuisine has to offer. The weather in winter averages around 18-20C highs during the day and only drops to around 11C at night, meaning that you’ll never get that cold while outside in the city, and the typically wet city experiences its fewest days of rainfall during this time. So if you’re looking to check Guangzhou off your list of cities to travel to, winter will be your best bet.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed this article. If you get a chance to travel to any of these destinations, or you have your own suggestions for Warm Winter Getaways, let us know by contacting us through our official WeChat account or by email at info@xianease.com. Safe Travels!