From November 21 to 23, 2016, most cities in China's Northern provinces welcomed their first snow in this winter, like Beijing, Harbin, Xian, Shijiazhuang, and Zhengzhou. Though it came about ten days later this year compared with previous years, the snow was sort of heavy. Citizens woke up cheerily to find that their cities had been blanketed by a holy white cover. Despite the coldness, they go outdoors to appreciate the snow, take pictures and share them on social network.
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| The Forbidden City in Beijing |
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| A Church in Harbin After Snow |
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A possible coldest winter in a decade due to La Nina Phenomena
Well, it's a lot of fun to play with the snow, but you are strongly advised to arm yourself against cold snap as this winter may be very cold. According to reports, the temperature in this winter may hit the bottom in a decade due to La Nina Phenomena. Wear thick clothes, scarf, gauze mask, and warm anti-skid shoes when taking part in outdoor activities. Take a pair of goggles if you travel in a snow resort. Avoid going to mountainous regions on snowy days as the road condition may not be very good. Keep an eye on the real-time flight and train schedule in case they are delayed or cancelled.
Top travel destinations and activities for this winter
Good things do not last forever. If you miss this snow, you can still choose a destination for a winter travel.
Beijing and
Harbin are both wonderful choices. Beijing is more convenient in terms of transportation and facilities, while Harbin stands out for its exotic Russian flavor and
Ice and Snow Festival.
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| Skiing in Winter |
In addition to appreciating the snow, what else can you do? If you are a sport fan, of course skating and skiing will attract you. There are ski resorts in and around these two cities. Most of them are readily accessible and complete with advanced equipment, for example, Nanshan Ski Village and Jundushan Ski in Beijing and
Yabuli International Ski Resort in Harbin. Why not choose one and have a thrilling day on skateboard? If you just want to spend the holiday leisurely, you can take a hot spring bath. Beijing and Harbin abound with hot springs in suburban areas. However, the most famous should be
Huaqing Hot Springs in Xian, which is worth a visit.
Ski Resorts in Beijing
Tips on Skiing
Beijing Winter Travel
