Thanks guys...just came from my doctor this morning to get my sinuses cleared. He said Beijing would be extremely cold and I need masks to avoid my face from drying and I pretty much might end up just in my hotel room. I'm going there around the 11th of January just a week before CNY...is it going to be this cold??

Haven't been to Chicago during winters...I absolutely have no idea how cold it could get. I tried googling images of Beijing in January and its really a mix of overly wrapped tourists and jacket clad locals.

TMK, none of us are fortune tellers. It could be shockingly cold like last Thursday, balmy like Saturday, or anywhere in between. No matter what, you have nothing to fear; I really dislike cold weather yet I've managed to endure numerous BJ winters and maintain good spirits.

I have sinus issues as well, and actually Beijing in January is not a problem for that (actually, it's helpful--I never seem to have sinus flareups in dead of winter). It is very dry and a good facial moisturizer and body lotion (yes, even for a guy) is good to put on at least once a day or at night. My standard Beijing January outdoor weather gear:

1) Long underwear under pants. Pants should be fairly thick or wool blend, or heavy athletic sweatpants. No jeans!

2) Turtleneck or similar, usually not with thermal underwear. Heavy cotton blend or wool if you prefer.

3) Fleece over that (may not be needed if you instead use thermals under your shirt).

4) Heavy coat over that. If coat has a built-in hood, no need for additional hat or cap unless you are balding.

5) Reasonably thick wool-blend socks. Or use thin cotton pair then thin wool pair over that. Socks that come up at least calf-high. Then any sort of closed in-shoe or boot, in Beijing athletic shoes are OK for casual sightseeing even in winter. You don't need fur-lined boots or anything like that!

6) Long Scarf or muffler--wool or fluffy acylic. You can wrap lower part of your face in this if the wind is biting (not always necessary).

7) Gloves, lined. They don't need to be ski gloves, but something leather or closed-in, with thermal lining---no open-weave knitties.

8) No exposed metal, this includes ear and nose piercings. They will freeze to your skin, so take things like this off.

Old Norwegian proverb: There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes. If you are properly geared up, even tropical-living people can get through a few days in a Beijing January. Heck, my Fiji friend and I (from Florida) survived Ice Festival in January in Harbin--which is a couple of magnitudes colder than Beijing and which needs even heavier/better winter gear. If it's anything like today, the sky will be blue, cloudless, and lovely.

Thanks Jiejie! I'm pretty much ready for the cold now...got everything i need so I guess all I need to do is get my ticket and book my hotel!

If you guys think Beijing is cold in Jan, head to Harbin for the ice festival. I spent a whole day outside last year there when it was -20F...

Yikes...I think I'll just stick to Beijing for 2012.

I have never found Beijing to be too cold. It's practically the same lows and highs like NYC. And Beijing in Jan is so much easier to walk around since there are less people and the skies are usually clearer than in the summer. Chicago gets much much colder than Beijing does.

I would say just put on a coat, gloves, hat and scarf and you should be fine. Once you start moving around from place to place you will stay warm.

I'll be in Beijing on New Year's and also on Jan 13, but only in the morning....afternoon flight back to NYC.

Despite average temps in BOS being lower than PEK, I find Beijing colder in practice. Lots more walking and being outdoors, long waits for taxis or bus, and most imporantly, the biting wind. The real killer here is having to wait for transport, be it bus or taxi. Even when not driving in Boston, one was always quickly walking, or just getting into a cab/ getting on the T.

tb

I finally decided to stay an extra night in Beijing, instead of taking the late afternoon flight to HK and get to Manila close to midnight. Now I have a full day on my hands and I don't know where to go!

Any suggestions for an off-the-beaten-path adventures? I'm a foodie, so food suggestions would be nice. I like visiting temples too...I dunno why, I guess its like going to Rome and visiting all those Basilicas and churches..

Lama Temple on the near north side should be a must-do, but it's well known and pretty heavily touristed. Kesler, I recall you from the shopping thread and the jade search. Go re-read what I wrote about the west side area by Yangrou Hutong. The Guangji Temple would be a good active one to go to that is nearby. For active temples (worshipping vs just museums):
Lama Temple + Guangji Temple (near W side, Xisi district) or
Lama Temple + Fayuan Si (near SW side nr Muslim Quarter)

I'm tempted to add that if you are visiting the Lama temple (a good suggestion I should add) - and given that you are a foodie - that you should also pay a visit to Jindingxuan (the big restaurant just north of the Lama temple, across the second ring road).

However, I haven't been there for a few years and have heard from some people it is not as good as it used to be. Any other FTers have any recent experience with this place?

PS: Just arrived back in Beijing yesterday - in time to celebrate the New Year. Best wishes for 2012 to all!

Wow great suggestions. I think I'll do that on my last day with Yangrou Hutong. plus maybe a few more hutongs to walk around in.

In Shanghai there's a shop in Tianzifang that specializes in old eyeglass frames...I'm wondering if there is a place around Beijing that sells those stuff too.

Oh and a Happy New Year!