Chinese New Year, full of festive atmosphere

February coincides with the Chinese New Year holiday, which is the golden time for families to travel or explore winter secrets. From Xuexiang in the north to Chuncheng in the south, from the taste of ancient towns to the warm sunshine on islands, February in China presents a diverse and rich travel atmosphere. Whether immersed in the hustle and bustle of traditional festivals or enjoying the tranquility of natural wonders, February can bring unforgettable luxury experiences to travelers. Here are 14 selected luxury destinations for February in China, each city integrating seasonal features and high-end experiences, opening a magnificent chapter of the Chinese New Year journey.

 

1. Harbin

Sofia Cathedral, golden lights intertwined with snowflakes

Temperature: Minimum -18 ℃ • Maximum -8 ℃
Highlights: Sun Island Snow Expo, Saint Sophia Cathedral, Ice and Snow Carnival, Northeast Yangko, Russian Western food, Bingtanghulu
Other recommended travel dates: December, January, and February
Harbin in February is still the core of the Ice and Snow Kingdom. The giant snow sculptures and ice lantern art at the Sun Island Snow Expo complement each other, and the Hagia Sophia Cathedral appears even more solemn and mysterious on snowy nights. The slides, ice sails, and other activities of the Ice and Snow Carnival bring joy to the whole family, while the lively performance of the Northeast Yangge Dance allows people to experience the authentic flavor of the Northeast New Year.
Harbin's winter cuisine is not to be missed. Russian Western cuisine, such as red cabbage soup and canned beef paired with Italian bread, brings a strong exotic flavor; The sweet and sour taste and crystal sugar coating of Bingtanghulu have become a unique sweet memory in cold winter.

 

2. Sanya

Wuzhizhou Island, with clear layers of seven colored seawater

Temperature: Minimum 20 ℃ • Maximum 28 ℃
Highlights: Haitang Bay luxury hotel, Wuzhizhou Island coral reef diving, Nanshan Temple New Year blessing, Seafood hot-pot, coconut chicken, sea sunrise
Other recommended travel times: November December January February
Sanya in February is as warm as spring and is the first choice for winter vacation. Luxury hotels such as Atlantis and Addison in Haitang Bay offer private beaches and infinity pools, while diving projects on Wuzhizhou Island allow visitors to dance with tropical fish. The New Year prayer activities at Nanshan Temple attract many believers, and the magnificent sunrise over the sea adds auspicious atmosphere to the new year.
The food experience in Sanya is rich and diverse. Seafood hot-pot takes the seafood caught on that day as raw material, and matches with secret sauce, which is extremely delicious; Coconut chicken stews Wenchang chicken with coconut juice. The soup is sweet and the meat is tender and smooth. It is a health food with Hainan characteristics.

 

3. Lijiang

Naxi Torch Festival, people dance around the bonfire

Temperature: Minimum -2 ℃ • Maximum 14 ℃
Highlights: Spring Festival Lantern Festival in the Old Town of Lijiang, Blue Moon Valley in Yulong Snow Mountain, Ancient Tea Horse Road in Shuhe Ancient Town, Naxi Bonfire Party, Hot pot with preserved ribs, Dongba Paper Workshop
Other recommended travel dates: December, January, and February
In February, the Old Town of Lijiang was decorated with lanterns, and the Spring Festival Lantern Festival was intertwined with the Naxi traditional customs, presenting a strong national flavor. The Blue Moon Valley at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain shines with blue-green light under the winter sun, like a fairyland. The ruins of the Tea Horse Ancient Road in Shuhe Ancient Town allow people to travel through time and space, and feel the historical weight of the caravan culture.
The nightlife in Lijiang is equally exciting. At the Naxi bonfire party, tourists and local residents danced around the fire and tasted Roasted whole lamb and highland barley wine; Dongba Paper Mill offers a handmade paper-making experience, where you can personally make specialty paper with Dongba characters as a unique travel souvenir.

 

4. Kunming

Climbing high and overlooking the stone forest standing tall on the green carpet

Temperature: Minimum 8 ℃ • Maximum 20 ℃
Highlights: Seagulls at Haigeng Dam in Dianchi Lake, Stone Forest, Ice and Snow, Dounan Flower Market, Crossing the bridge noodles, Steamed chicken in casserole, Hot Spring SPA
Other recommended travel times: November December January February
In February, Kunming is at its best season as a "spring city". Thousands of red billed gulls dance gracefully on the Dianchi Lake embankment dam, creating a spectacular scene of "people and gulls enjoying themselves together". The Shilin Scenic Area, on the other hand, is less rainy in winter, and the karst terrain appears clearer and more spectacular under the sunshine, as if entering a fantasy world covered in ice and snow.
Dounan Flower Market holds a New Year's Eve flower exhibition before the Spring Festival, where lilies, roses, and large flowered orchids compete for beauty. It is an excellent place to purchase New Year's flowers and experience the charm of the Flower City. Steamed chicken in casserole is steamed with steam. The soup is clear, delicious and nutritious. It is served with Crossing the bridge noodles, and becomes the representative of Kunming cuisine.

 

5. Guilin

Riding on the Yulong River bamboo raft in Yangshuo

Temperature: Minimum 9 ℃ • Maximum 16 ℃
Highlights: Winter morning mist on Lijiang River, Spring Festival temple fair on Yangshuo West Street, bamboo raft drifting on Yulong River, night tour of Elephant Trunk Hill, beer fish, horseshoe cake
Other recommended travel times: September, October, January, and February
In February, the Li River in Guilin often experiences winter morning mist, with vast misty waves on the river surface and peaks faintly visible, like ink paintings. The Spring Festival temple fair on Yangshuo West Street is bustling with traditional performances such as dragon and lion dances and stilt walking. The shops on both sides of the street are adorned with red lanterns, exuding a festive atmosphere.
The bamboo raft drifting on the Yulong River is even quieter in winter, and tourists can enjoy the peaceful beauty of mountains and waters together. During a night tour of Elephant Trunk Hill, the mountain was outlined with golden contours by the lights, complementing the reflection in the river. Beer fish is made from fresh fish from the Li River and stewed in beer. The meat is tender and the soup is rich, making it a must try specialty food in Guilin.

 

6. Xishuangbanna

Elephants roam freely in Wild Elephant Valley

Temperature: Minimum 16 ℃ • Maximum 26 ℃
Highlights: Dai Ethnic Garden Water Splashing Carnival, Wild Elephant Valley Elephant Group Observation, Chinese Academy of Sciences Tropical Botanical Garden Night Tour, Dai style Barbecue, Pineapple Rice, Man Ting Park Bonfire Evening Party
Other recommended travel times: November December January February
The climate in Xishuangbanna in February is pleasant, and the water splashing carnival in Dai gardens reaches its climax during the Spring Festival. Tourists can participate in water splashing and pray for blessings, experiencing the joy of Dai New Year. The elephant herd in the Wild Elephant Valley is easier to observe in winter, and tourists can take cable cars or hike on boardwalks to observe the living habits of wild Asian elephants up close.
The night tour activities at the Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences are unique. Under the guidance of a tour guide, visitors can observe nocturnal insects, amphibians, and luminescent fungi, and experience the mystery and vitality of the tropical rainforest. The bonfire party at Manting Park combines Dai ethnic song and dance, martial arts performances, and interactive games, making it an excellent place to experience Dai culture.

 

7. Beijing

People are skating at the Royal Ice Rink in the Summer Palace

Temperature: Minimum -8 ℃ • Maximum 6 ℃
Highlights: Snow Scenery of the Forbidden City, Summer Palace Ice Rink, Yuanmingyuan Temple Fair, Shicha Sea Ice Lantern, Beijing style instant boiled meat, Lvdagur (Glutinous Rice Rolls with Sweet Bean Flour), Siheyuan private food
Other recommended travel dates: December, January, and February
In February in Beijing, the red walls and yellow tiles of the Forbidden City appear even more solemn and elegant against the backdrop of white snow. The Forbidden City, which has just cleared up after the snow, feels like traveling back to the prosperous era of the Forbidden City. The ice rink in the Summer Palace is one of the busiest places in winter, with ice bikes, ice skates, ice bikes and other activities allowing tourists to enjoy the fun of ice.
The Yuanmingyuan Temple Fair is held during the Spring Festival, featuring traditional snacks, handicrafts, and opera performances, recreating the bustling city of royal gardens. The ice lantern exhibition in Shichahai showcases the winter scenery of Beijing through ice sculptures, colorful lights, laser shows, and other forms. Beijing style braised pork features copper pot charcoal fire and clear soup sesame sauce, paired with freshly cut lamb and sweet garlic, making it a must try culinary experience in winter in Beijing.

 

8. Hangzhou

West Lake in Winter Snow

Temperature: Minimum 3 ℃ • Maximum 12 ℃
Highlights: West Lake Winter Snow, Lingyin Temple Prayer, Song City Eternal Love, Longjing Tea Garden, Dongpo Braised Pork, Dingsheng Cake
Other recommended travel times: January, February, and March
In February in Hangzhou, winter snow occasionally falls on West Lake, and landscapes such as broken bridges and lingering snow, as well as the sunset over Lei Feng, become even more poetic after the snow. As a millennium old temple, Lingyin Temple is bustling with incense during the Spring Festival, and tourists can pray for a safe and smooth new year here. The Song Dynasty Eternal Love Performance is set against the backdrop of Song Dynasty history, integrating song and dance, acrobatics, and special effects to create an immersive audio-visual feast.
Longjing Tea Garden remains lush in winter, and visitors can experience tea picking and frying techniques, as well as taste authentic West Lake Longjing tea. Dongpo Braised Pork is famous for its fat but not greasy, crisp but not rotten, which is a traditional famous dish in Hangzhou; Dingsheng cake symbolizes auspiciousness and is often used as a festive pastry. It is sweet but not greasy, with a soft and glutinous taste.

 

9. Chengdu

Rafting in Yuecheng Lake

Temperature: Minimum 5 ℃ • Maximum 12 ℃
Highlights: Kuanzhai Alley New Year, Qingcheng Mountain Snow, Dujiangyan Irrigation Project Water Conservancy Project, Hot Pot, Rabbit Head, Jinli Ancient Street Night Tour
Other recommended travel times: January, February, and March
In February in Chengdu, Kuanzhai Alley is adorned with lights and colorful decorations, with traditional Sichuan opera face changing performances, tea art performances, and modern cultural and creative shops intertwined, presenting a blend of ancient and modern flavors of the New Year. Qingcheng Mountain is covered with snow in winter. Taoist culture and natural snow scenery complement each other. It is a good place for self-cultivation. As a world cultural heritage, Dujiangyan Irrigation Project Water Conservancy Project has stable water volume in winter, which can clearly appreciate the miracle of ancient water conservancy wisdom.
Chengdu's cuisine is well-known, with hotpot featuring beef fat and spicy flavors, paired with hotpot dishes such as tripe, yellow throat, and duck intestines, making it a hot and spicy feast; Shuangliu rabbit head is most popular for its spicy and five spice flavors, with tender meat and a rich flavor. During a night tour of Jinli Ancient Street, the antique buildings are illuminated by lanterns, and the snack stalls emit a fragrant aroma, making it an excellent place to experience Chengdu's nightlife.

 

10. Xiamen

Gulangyu Island, a romantic and poetic island

Temperature: Minimum 12 ℃ • Maximum 19 ℃
Highlights: New Year Concert at Gulangyu Concert Hall, Cycling on Huandao Road, Zengcuo'an Cultural and Creative Market, Shacha Noodles, Sea worm jelly Jelly, Seaview Cafe
Other recommended travel times: October, November, January, and February
In February, Xiamen has a pleasant climate, and Gulangyu Music Hall holds a New Year's concert during the Spring Festival period. Classical music, traditional Chinese music, and modern pop music are performed alternately, bringing elegant artistic enjoyment to tourists. Cycling on the Ring Road is a classic leisure activity in Xiamen, where you can enjoy the sea view, beach, and coconut groves along the way, and feel the romantic atmosphere of the seaside city.
The Zengcuo An Cultural and Creative Market gathers numerous handmade artists and independent designers' works, ranging from ceramics and woodworking to fabric and painting, making it a great place to purchase specialty souvenirs. Sand tea noodles are characterized by the rich aroma of sand tea sauce, paired with seafood, tofu, lean meat and other ingredients to create a rich flavor; Sea worm jelly is a special snack in Xiamen. It is made of sand worms. It tastes like a Q-bomb. It can be eaten with sauce.

 

11. Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie Feilada, climbing above the sky

Temperature: Minimum -3 ℃ • Maximum 8 ℃
Highlights: Tianmen Mountain rime, Wulingyuan National Scenic Spot snow scene, glass walkway, Tujia nationality bonfire party, Sanxia pot, bacon
Other recommended travel dates: December, January, and February
In Zhangjiajie in February, Tianmen Mountain often exhibits the spectacle of rime, with branches and railings wrapped in ice crystals, resembling jade trees and flowers. The snow scenery in Wulingyuan National Scenic Spot Scenic Area is also magnificent, and the strange peaks and rocks are more steep and straight under the snow cover. Glass walkway has fewer tourists in winter, so you can enjoy the exciting experience of walking in the air alone.
The Tujia ethnic bonfire party is a characteristic cultural activity in Zhangjiajie. Tourists can sing and dance with local residents, taste Tujia cured meat, three pot and other delicious foods. Three pot stew with ingredients such as preserved meat, tofu, radish, etc., with a rich flavor, is a traditional delicacy of the Tujia ethnic group; Bacon, on the other hand, undergoes pickling, smoking, and grilling, resulting in a firm and firm texture with a long-lasting aroma, making it a delicious dish on winter dining tables.

 

12. Shangri-La

The morning bell of Songzanlin Temple

Temperature: Minimum -15 ℃ • Maximum 5 ℃
Highlights: Pudacuo National Park, Songzanlin Temple, Napahaila Grassland, butter tea, yak meat hotpot, Tibetan style homestay
Other recommended travel dates: December, January, and February
In February, in Shangri La, Pudacuo National Park is covered in white snow, with lakes, forests, and meadows forming a serene winter painting. As the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan, Songzanlin Temple is even more solemn and sacred in the morning bell and evening drum. Tourists can pray for good luck in the new year here. The Naphaiyila grassland becomes a winter pasture in winter, where yaks and sheep forage in the snow, presenting a magnificent scene of "wind blowing grass low and cattle and sheep visible".
Shangri La's cuisine is mainly Tibetan style, and butter tea is a daily drink of the Tibetan people. It is made from butter, tea leaves, and salt, and has a strong flavor that can keep warm and satisfy hunger; Yak meat hotpot mainly uses yak meat as the main ingredient, paired with mushrooms, vegetables and other ingredients. The soup is delicious and the meat is tender, making it a nourishing delicacy on the plateau. Tibetan style homestays offer traditional Tibetan fire pits, carved furniture, and Tibetan cuisine, allowing visitors to deeply experience Tibetan culture and life.

 

13. Pingyao

After the first snowfall, Pingyao Ancient City is quiet and peaceful

Temperature: Minimum -5 ℃ • Maximum 10 ℃
Highlights: Snow scenery of Pingyao Ancient City, Rishengchang ticket number, and performance at the County Government Hall
Other recommended travel dates: March/April/May/September/October/November
In February, the snow falls on the ancient city of Pingyao, with blue tiles, white walls, and red lanterns complementing each other. The Rishengchang ticket number tells the legend of Jin merchants. The county government performs daily court performances, restoring ancient judicial scenes.
For high-end accommodation, we recommend Jinzhai Inn or Yunjincheng Hotel, which can be paired with Pingyao beef, bowl holder and other special food, experience Paper Cuttings, window grilles and other intangible cultural heritage works, and feel the traditional flavor of the year.

 

14. Zhanjiang

The long and peaceful coastline of Jinshawan

Temperature: Minimum 15 ℃ • Maximum 22 ℃
Highlights: Chikan Old Street Arcade, Jinshawan Sunset, Pengzhou Island Volcanic Rock Coast
Other recommended travel dates: June/July/August/September/October/November
February in Zhanjiang is as warm as spring, and the arcade complex in Chikan Old Street is well preserved, suitable for city walking. Strolling along Jinshawan Beach and enjoying the sunset, watching the tide rise and fall along the volcanic rock coast of Shizhou Island.
High end accommodation is recommended at seaside hot spring resorts or Dinglongwan International Ocean Resort, paired with seafood delicacies such as oysters and shrimp cakes, to experience sailing and diving exploration.