Beijing in January
 

Hi, I'm planning on doing a 4-5 day trip to Beijing in January. I've heard people saying it would be cold, but I need to know how cold is cold? Will it be too cold to go out and check out the city?

Whats the best area to stay? In past trips I've stayed at the Peninsula and Park Hyatt...Wangfujing was pretty touristy...but very close to the Forbidden City, the area around Park Hyatt (2009) is pretty much dead at night...any other suggestions?

BJ in January can be pretty cold. The weather is a lot like Chicago, but drier.

If you haven't been here before, you'll probably be best off staying in Chaoyang. Look for a hotel close to a subway station, and you'll be able get most places in the city cheaply and easily (you won't be dependent on taxis that way).

I'm checking weather underground and January is usually below 0 for the whole day...I went to Beijing February 2009 and it was bearable.

January is normally coldest month of year, a bit colder than February. But for some reason, to me January always feels better than December. Go figure. At any rate, you'll need to have cold weather gear. Above comparison to Chicago weather (but much drier) is apt.

Since you've already stayed in the Wangfujing area in the past, maybe try something else. Maybe try something in a livelier area, like the Opposite House Hotel at Sanlitun Village? The Westin Chaoyang, Kempinski, and Kunlun Hotels are also within short walk of Line 10 subway, and closer to places that are more night-life friendly. Or the area of the JW Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton.

Just remember that in a Beijing January, people aren't going to hang out on the streets, sidewalks, and rooftop bars at night like they would in September-October. Everything goes indoors.

BJ
 

This forum has some great BJ comments, also CNewYear starts on Jan, 22nd...

The Palace is great, hard to top, but look at the RC-JW complex, its 5 minutes from line 1. If your wanting a good SPG, look at the new Westin in Chaoyang which is on line 10.

January is cool in BJ, but not below 0 F. Wheras Harbin is, & the winter Ice festival there starts on Jan. 5th. Its COLD there in January !.

I mean below 0 C...coming from the Philippines, I'm not sure if i'll still be able to go out of the hotel in that weather. Although I do have a good number of winter gear which needs to be aired out soon.

I was in Shanghai January this year and although it was cold, it didn't warrant any long johns or thermals just yet.

Remember the first LV store in China there.
Wow that was a long time ago.

BJ winter
 

Winter gear needed, Av. low 15 F, Av. high 35 F,
-So yes, below 0 C on most nights.

Again, be aware of the CNY holiday chaos the last 10 days of Jan. other threads have that info.

It changed its name to the Peninsula a few years ago.

As for the OP, I would advise him to stay near Sanlitun. I'm not too into the Opposite House myself, but it doesn't get any more Sanlitun than that.

My suggestions: Westin (cash + points) or Kunlun.

I saw Grace Beijing which is offering 40% off their rates for 21 day advance purchase, but The Opposite House looks great.

Just realized I have 1 free night on SPG plus the 4000 left could be used towards cash+points...which solves my 2 nights. just 1 night to go

Perhaps you could do one night at Grace (towards the airport, so would make sense for first or last night night) or the Opposite House.

+1, perfect example.

Having just 4 days in Beijing I don't know if it would make sense to move hotels, it means I need to check out and check-in again. At 1300RMB a night its a bit more expensive than Grace but cheaper than Opposite House at 1,500RMB.

I don't know. I guess I feel the Westin is a bit over priced. You might want to do a bit of research on SPG corporate codes to see if you get it down to around y900. Also check the Kunlun (Chinese managed, but nicer than the Westin in certain respects) directly across the street. And, 798 (where Grace is) is certainly worth exploring.

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!