If you go on vacation in the winter, why not visit such an exotic country in which it would be interesting to celebrate the New Year not with a glass of champagne, but with some exotic dish of rice, snakes and bamboo? Most likely, such pleasure can be obtained on a vacation in China in December on Hainan Island.
Where to go in December
China is interesting for travelers at any time of the year. After all, a country with a vast territory lies in three climatic zones. In December, winter begins in China according to the calendar, but not in all provinces. In northern and western weather conditions are severe. Air temperature - from -10 to -18 ° . In the southern provinces, it is still summer with an air temperature of +23 ° .
Therefore, if the choice of vacation fell on December, it is worth noting that this month of the year travelers can perfectly relax both on the beaches of Hainan in southern China, under the shade of coconut palms, and in the northern ski resorts that are relatively inexpensive. Tourists who gather in the Middle Kingdom in December should make a choice for themselves: to go to the winter fairy tale of the north or enjoy the beaches of the south. In any case, no matter what vacation you choose, it will be remembered for a lifetime, as this will be one of the brightest events of the New Year's Eve.
Beach vacation
It is impossible to know in advance what the weather is like in China this December on Hainan Island, which is located in southern China. But if you look at the statistics of meteorological observations, then it is clear that the average daily temperature ranges from 21 to 23 ° C, cooler at night, about 16 ° C. If you want to walk around the night island, you can not do without a windbreaker. Those who want to come to the island to sunbathe or swim in the sea, it is better to choose another month to relax. If the tropical heat is not to your liking, then a Chinese island with a comfortable temperature of air and water, of course, is suitable for relaxation.
Of course, there are hot days on an island in China in December, and the water temperature then rises to +25 ° C, which is very comfortable for swimming. Although some compatriots, despite the cool water, bathe, causing Chinese bewilderment and surprise. The amount of precipitation in December is insignificant, but cloud cover is a rather frequent phenomenon. But despite this, the sunny days in December are from ten to seventeen.
Hainan Festivals
Festivals are held on the island at the beginning of winter. An impressive and colorful wedding festival, which is interesting to attend and participate in its events. It is concentrated in the "End of the World" park (it houses the extreme point of southern China). Anyone can take part in the festival: newlyweds, and couples with experience. During it, concerts, photo shoots, the passage of couples on the red carpet are held. The Chinese have a belief that alliances made on the island during the festival are strong and eternal.
The second festival is no less interesting. It also takes place in China in December. This is a beer festival. During it, there are tastings of this drink delivered from different parts of the world. By the way, Baltika is a regular participant in the festival. The beer of this Russian enterprise is known in China.
The Christmas festival hosts musicians and singers from various provinces and cities in China. Music lovers resting on this island at this time of the year will be interested in attending such a festival. The beautiful flower festival also falls in the month of December, as does the food festival.
Island Attractions
In addition to the festivals, which are traditionally held in the month of December, you can visit the folklore village where the natives of the island live. They came to the island long before the Chinese. These are the Li and Miao peoples. Special attention deserves the center of Buddhism Nanyshan.
The best pearls in China are mined in the waters of the South China Sea, and tourists can get acquainted with the technology of growing it and see the process of extraction on the pearl plantation at the Jingjun Pearl Museum. You can go on an interesting excursion to the crater of the extinct volcano Ma An.
The sights of China include its cuisine with exotic dishes. Therefore, to visit the Celestial Empire and not to taste these dishes in local restaurants is equivalent to the fact that you have not been to China. What is interesting about Chinese cuisine? Its skillful combination of not only five tastes (salty, sweet, bitter, sour, spicy), but also three more, which are inherent only in Chinese dishes. It has fresh, fragrant and golden flavors.
Ski resorts
Without a doubt, the most popular ski resorts in China in December. After all, many people still associate the New Year holidays with snowy landscapes and winter sports. There are several beautiful ski resorts in northern China. The most visited of them, the largest is the resort of Yabuli. In 1996, III Asian Games were held on its slopes, so its equipment is beyond doubt. 15 tracks of varying difficulty are prepared for beginners and eminent skiers. In December, in China, this resort is crowded. The temperature is kept at about -10 ° C. Better for skiing and you can imagine!
Another ski resort is Hubei, whose trails run near the Great Wall of China. Trails have a different category of difficulty. On children's tracks an additional degree of safety.
What to see in Beijing
If you come to a ski resort, you will not only find time to go to a market in Beijing and go to a restaurant for tasting Chinese dishes, but be sure to visit the Gugun palace complex and go to the Temple of Heaven. And for every tourist it will be interesting to visit an area equal to 61 football fields (500 m wide and 800 m long) - Tananmen. This is the heart of Beijing, the main square of China and the largest urban square in the world. From Chinese, this name translates as "the gate of heavenly tranquility."
Many interesting events await vacationers who came to China in December. Usually, by the third decade of December, celebrations begin here. On the 21st, the Chinese celebrate Dongzhi - the winter solstice. By the end of the month - a large-scale festival of fireworks.
Before Catholic Christmas, an ice festival kicks off in Harbin, which hosts a competition of ice figures, fairs and theater performances.
Booking tickets and hotel rooms
In December, China usually does not have such an influx of tourists, as happens during peak vacations in other seasons of the year. In winter, those who like tropical coolness go to China to relax. Many enjoyed celebrating the New Year on Hainan Island. There is no excitement for tickets and hotel rooms this season, but early booking will not hurt. Usually the price level for hotel accommodation jumps closer to the New Year. If there are last-minute tours to tours, then their number is limited. A regular budget tour costs 62 thousand rubles at the beginning of winter. It includes the cost of a round-trip flight for two and accommodation for a week at the hotel.