WildChina: Where to Travel this December

WildChina theBeijinger 2021-01-19

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This post comes courtesy of WildChina Journeys (Wechat: WildChina Journeys), who aim to let travelers experience China differently by pointing the way toward life-changing experiences in every corner of this vast and endlessly inspiring nation without cropping out reality or cocooning in a tourist bubble.

Traveling in December can mean discounted prices and fewer crowds!

The last month of the year has arrived and in most other countries, traveling during December means hiked up pricing and limited availability. But in China, December is the low season. If you're hoping to get away after the school term finishes or are considering spending Christmas out of town, you'll likely be treated to great hotel deals and far fewer crowds than normal.

Here are some of our favorite destinations to visit in December:
Anhui

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is eastern China's most sublime mountain landscape. Its mist-swathed vistas are a recurring motif in Chinese art and literature, and, tamed by thousands of stone steps (and a few cable cars), they are accessible to anyone with a head for heights. During this time of year, you might chance upon powdery, snowcapped peaks on your hike above the clouds. You'll also see far fewer people than at other times of the year.

Don't miss:

Learning to weave bamboo with an artisan
Hiking Huangshan’s Xihai Grand Canyon with no one else around
Dining with a local family in a traditional Hui-style home

Guizhou

This southwestern province is home to several ethnic groups, including many types of Miao as well as the Yi and Buyi people, each with their own special clothing, customs, and language. Guizhou’s natural beauty ranges from jutting karst peaks and gushing waterfalls to river gorges and azalea gardens. Visit in December to join Miao villagers in song and dance as they celebrate the annual Jiyou Festival.

Don't miss:

Meeting different ethnic minority communities and learning about their traditions and cultures
Joining a Miao community in their Jiyou Festival celebrations
Taking in the peaceful, snowcapped scenery on a hike up Mount Fanjing

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Cizhong, Yunnan

Hidden away among the misty, terraced hills above the Mekong valley, the picturesque village of Cizhong was settled by French Catholic missionaries 150 years ago. Today, the town is home to Lisu, Yi, and Tibetan people, who still tend the vineyards the French grew and attend the church built in a captivating blend of Chinese and European architectural styles. Get ready for a Christmas like no other as you join the town in their annual festivities.

Don't miss:

Dining in the shadow of the Meili Snow Mountains
Celebrating Christmas Day with Tibetan Catholics in Cizhong
Learning about snub-nosed monkey conservation at Tacheng National Park

Guangdong

Sun-seeking doesn't have to mean heading to a resort in Sanya! In Guangdong province, you've got beaches that stretch for miles along the coastline. Although the weather, admittedly, won't be quite as warm as Hainan, it's pretty nice at this time of year (average highs of 20 °C/68 °F). The food, culture, and traditions of Guangdong are diverse and unique, so you'll never be wanting for things to do. From the bustling metropolis of Guangzhou to the charming villages of Chaoshan, there's no shortage of things to see (and eat).Don't miss:

Dining at the Foodom Robot Restaurant in Guangzhou
Understanding Chaoshan history as you explore rural villages
Exploring Guangzhou's trade history at Shamian Island, on the banks of the Pearl River Delta

Xishuangbanna

If you are missing a slice of southeast Asia, Xishuangbanna may be calling your name. Bordering Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, Yunnan's southernmost prefecture will lead you to the jungles south of the southern clouds that hug the Mekong as it makes its way out of the mountains. Banna remains, as it always has been, a hidden enclave, tucked away in the greenery of southern China. The perfect retreat from winter in the north.

Don't miss: