A Month-by-Month China Travel Guide: Where to Travel in China in December
A year-round guide to discovering China’s most beautiful, culturally rich, and seasonally perfect destinations.
December in China is about choosing your season. You can chase the last sunshine to the tropical south, lean into winter’s hush in ancient snow towns, or wrap yourself in the glow of holiday lights in big cities buzzing with year-end energy. Whether you're sipping coconut water on a beach or hot milk tea in a misty mountain café, December brings the kind of cozy contrast that makes travel feel especially personal. It’s slower. More reflective. And quietly magical.
December
Snow Scenes, Hearty Food & Year-End Escapes
Hong Kong & Macau
Festive lights, hikes, and cool sea air
December is one of the best times to visit Hong Kong and Macau — dry skies, mid-20s warmth, and a calendar full of holiday markets, art fairs, and breezy hikes. Think skyline views without the sweat, egg tarts in the winter sun, and cultural mashups done right.
Top things to do (Hong Kong):
Hike Dragon’s Back or take the Lantau Island trail for views over sea and city.
Explore the holiday installations at Harbour City, Statue Square, and boutique markets in PMQ.
Sip cocktails above the skyline at Ozone or hidden speakeasies in Sheung Wan.
Take a ferry to Cheung Chau for sea breeze, seafood, and serenity.
Top things to do (Macau):
Wander the UNESCO-listed old town — Ruins of St. Paul’s, Senado Square, and colonial lanes.
Visit the Macau Light Festival for evening projections and installations.
Taste-test your way through Portuguese egg tarts, almond cookies, and African chicken.
Check out contemporary art at Art Macao or chill in a Taipa village café.
What to eat: Milk tea, hot claypot rice, pineapple buns, grilled squid, and winter soups with lotus root.
Travel tips:
Christmas through New Year is peak travel — book hotels early.
Weather is sunny, crisp, and ideal for hiking.
Ferries and trains between HK and Macau run frequently — make it a double feature.
Sanya, Hainan
China’s answer to the tropics
While the rest of China bundles up, Sanya is sunbathing. With average highs around 25°C (77°F), Hainan Island is a full-blown tropical escape in December. Palms sway, coconuts chill, and the South China Sea sparkles.
Top things to do:
Lounge on Yalong Bay or go snorkeling in Wuzhizhou Island’s coral waters.
Explore Nanshan Temple, a sprawling oceanside Buddhist complex.
Ride scooters through Houhai Village, Hainan’s rising surf town.
Try a beachfront massage, coconut water straight from the source, and nighttime barbecue stalls.
What to eat: Fresh mango, coconut rice, spicy Wenchang chicken, grilled seafood skewers, and tropical smoothies.
Travel tips:
December is peak season — book early and expect some crowds.
Airport transfers to Sanya’s beaches take 30–60 minutes depending on the bay.
Rain is rare — skies stay bright and blue most of the month.
Lijiang & Shuhe, Yunnan
Old towns with frost-dusted charm
In northwest Yunnan, Lijiang and its quieter sibling Shuhe offer stone-paved lanes, snow-dusted rooftops, and warm cafés glowing under the shadow of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. December brings bluebird skies by day and fire-pit chills by night — perfect for travelers who love texture and quiet.
Top things to do:
Stroll Lijiang Old Town’s cobbled alleys and Naxi courtyards, especially in the soft morning light.
Stay in Shuhe Ancient Town for a slower pace and mountain views.
Take a day trip to Baisha Village or Yuhu for frescoes and rural calm.
Ride the cable car up Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and catch a peek at the glacier.
What to eat: Yak hotpot, rose cakes, handmade noodles with wild mushrooms, and barley porridge.
Travel tips:
Nights are cold — heaters and electric blankets are standard.
Elevation is 2,400m — drink water and pace yourself on hikes.
Sunrise photography is beautiful this time of year — clear skies are common.
What other country lets you sunbathe on a beach, sip tea in local cha chaan teng? December in China is full of paradox and pleasure. It’s a time to slow down, reflect, and reward yourself. Whether you're chasing light, warmth, snow, or silence — this is a season for indulgence, wonder, and wrapping up your year with intention.
Ready to make December your reset month? Pick your pace: frozen stillness or barefoot warmth. And if you're already dreaming about next year’s travels, we’ve got a whole year of destinations waiting for you.