BEIJING, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The China Guide (http://www.TheChinaGuide.com ) welcomed Beijing's first snowfall this November 1st. The heavy snow started in the early morning and was an unusual sight for the Mainland. The changing weather lets coming travelers know that Beijing winter activities will soon be underway and The China Guide has plenty of seasonal recommendations.
Beijing's many lakes offer great ice skating during the winter. The most popular destination suggested by The China Guide is Houhai Lake. Here, visitors can purchase skate rentals or metal skating chairs that can be pushed around with ski poles. Houhai Lake is in central Beijing surrounded by many small boutiques, cafes and restaurants including Starbucks. After a skate around the lake, visitors can stroll through the area, shop, enjoy a hot drink or purchase snacks from one of the many vendors. Houhai Lake is next to the Drum and Bell Towers and Beijing's historic hutong district, making it a great activity during the day's sightseeing.
Some visitors may be hesitant to visit the Great Wall in winter, but it is still worth a trip. Judy Huang, The China Guide's Travel Manager says, "Mutianyu Great Wall is perfect in winter. The clear winter sky creates a beautiful setting and if there is a light snowfall, it is really special." Mutianyu is a short drive outside of Beijing and there are plenty of good restaurants at the base of the Wall to warm visitors up with a good coffee or Chinese lunch.
"One activity that is often overlooked in Beijing and China is winter skiing and snowboarding," adds Huang. "We have great ski resorts just outside of Beijing city. We can plan skiing day trips for travelers or turn it into a weekend getaway." The closest location to Beijing is Nanshan Ski Resort which offers full amenities including ski, snowboard and clothing rentals. The hills are not too difficult and perfect for travelers trying out the slopes for the first time. The China Guide arranges return transportation to the hill including entrance tickets and will arrange overnight accommodation as well.
For travelers who need lots of time to warm up in the winter, Beijing has plenty of options. There are numerous indoor shopping markets and large malls to stroll through during a cold afternoon. The China Guide can plan shopping tours to help travelers find and bargain for any special items. Numerous cafes and coffee shops have opened up in the city offering a warm setting and a warm drink. Stopping for a famous Hot Pot lunch will also do the trick.
Beijing offers beautiful sights and historic culture year round. All of the famous attractions including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace are open throughout the winter months. The China Guide will design custom city tours that include famous Beijing sights along with popular winter activities. They plan trips throughout China with stopovers in Harbin, home to the famous Ice & Snow Festival held every winter. For travelers, who need slightly warmer temperatures, The China Guide will include visits to cities in the south of China such as Guilin and Yangshuo. These destinations experience warmer weather year round.
The China Guide
The China Guide, http://www.TheChinaGuide.com , is a Beijing based travel agency, American owned and operated. Specializing in western-style service and quality with hassle free web bookings, they work with clients to customize tours that match their travel style. Operating only in China, they have up to date knowledge and offer exciting experiences for travelers including their famous Sleep on the Great Wall tour. The China Guide avoids the common factory shopping stops that are not reflective of the true China.
