Snapshot of China in Winter: Beijing, Shanghai & Suzhou

Begin the day with a visit to the Forbidden City. Clear skies and crisp air bring the red palace walls and golden rooftops into sharp clarity, revealing the scale of the courtyards, the symmetry of the central axis, and the detailed craftsmanship of the former imperial palace.

Continue to Shichahai. The frozen lakes turn into an active winter gathering space, with opportunities to try ice bikes or ice carts, or simply watch local residents spending time on the ice throughout the winter season. Afterwards, walk into the surrounding hutongs for a Peking-style tea break. Warm up with a choice of traditional Chinese tea or freshly brewed coffee, paired with a selection of Beijing pastries and seasonal sweets. Take a moment to enjoy daily life in the old neighborhoods.

In the evening, a traditional copper hot pot is recommended, a classic Beijing specialty particularly suited to the colder months for its rich flavors and warming character.

Note:

Shichahai ice activities usually operate from mid-January to mid-to-late February, depending on natural ice conditions. If the ice rink is not open during your visit, you will explore Shichahai and the surrounding hutong streets. When the ice is available, your ticket includes ice carts and ice bikes. Speed skating, skate rental, and other optional activities are not included and can be purchased on site if you wish.

Travel approximately 2.5 hours from Beijing to Longqing Gorge, a canyon known in winter for its frozen river, ice formations, and dramatic cliffside scenery. As the temperature drops, sections of the gorge freeze over, creating a spectacular icy landscape. Ice bubbles and layered ice patterns appear along the valley walls and across the frozen water. During the day, explore the gorge and enjoy a variety of winter activities throughout the park.

Stay until the evening as large-scale ice lantern installations gradually light up the valley. Colorful lights illuminate the frozen river and surrounding cliffs, turning the canyon into a dazzling winter scene after dark.

Travel from Yanqing to the Badaling section of the Great Wall. In winter, the air is clear and the surrounding mountains appear more open, revealing the wall as it winds across the mountain ridges. Walk along restored sections of the wall, looking out over valleys and distant peaks along this historic route. The quieter winter season allows for a more relaxed visit, with fewer crowds and clear views across the landscape.

Return to Beijing in the afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure, leaving time to explore more of the city or enjoy a quiet evening after the day's visit.

Begin the day in Fuxing Park, a favorite gathering place for local residents enjoying morning exercise, dancing, and music. Walk through the tree-lined streets of Sinan Road and Bugao Li before wandering the narrow lanes of Tianzifang, filled with cafes, artisan studios, and local boutiques.

Pause for a leisurely dim sum lunch before taking an autonomous taxi ride, an emerging technology experience in Shanghai. Later, ascend Shanghai Tower for sweeping views across the city. End the day with a walk along the Bund, overlooking the Huangpu River with the skyscrapers of Lujiazui rising on the opposite bank.

Leave Shanghai after breakfast and arrive in Suzhou about 1.5 hours later. Stop at the Lingering Garden, a classic example of Chinese garden design. Pavilions, ponds, rockeries, and ancient trees are arranged in harmony, with each courtyard opening onto a different view.

Ride into the old town by traditional rickshaw, passing quiet canals, stone bridges, and lanes that still reflect the slower rhythm of local life. The route leads to Pingjiang Road, with whitewashed houses along narrow waterways, and small cafes, bookstores, and independent shops lining the street. Pause at a traditional tea house for a cup of hot tea and simple local snacks.

Travel from Suzhou to Tongli Water Town, a canal town defined by its network of waterways and traditional riverside homes. Houses sit directly along the water's edge, with bridges linking narrow lanes and courtyards across the canals. Stroll the town, moving through small stone bridges, residential passages, and quiet waterside paths. Take a traditional wooden boat through the canals, gliding slowly past close-set houses and still water surfaces that mirror the surrounding architecture with unusual clarity.

In the late afternoon, return to Shanghai, bringing your journey from the historic water town back to the modern city.