Winter Travel in Beijing: A Feast of Fresh Delicacies

Due to the harsh cold and dry air in northern China during winter, it’s often not a top travel destination during holidays. However, the true flavors of old Beijing truly come alive in winter. The frozen lake at Beihai Park, the red-tiled rooftops of the Forbidden City’s Hall of Supreme Harmony blanketed in snow, elderly cyclists in thick coats and hats gliding deftly through the labyrinthine hutongs of Shichahai — these enchanting winter scenes in Beijing showcase even more of the charm of this ancient capital of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

The snow-white Temple of Heaven in deep winter, the silver-clad Great Wall, the sweet-and-sour tanghulu (candied hawthorn) at temple fairs, and the steaming hot lamb hot pot — this is the authentic atmosphere of old Beijing. Whether you’re on a group tour or traveling independently, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, Prince Gong’s Mansion, and Grand View Garden are must-visit attractions. When traveling to Beijing, price differences mostly lie in accommodation and meals. The star rating of hotels is the most basic criterion — if you want more comfort, don’t skimp on spending.

When visiting Beijing, you can’t miss the famous full-course feasts. The Fangshan Restaurant at Beihai, Quanjude Roast Duck, and the Honglou Feast are typically highlighted in Beijing tour packages. The Honglou Feast is the signature dish of the restaurant affiliated with Grand View Garden. Visiting Grand View Garden, staying there, enjoying the Honglou Feast, and savoring its flavors is like having an all-in-one experience of food, lodging, sightseeing, and culture. Quanjude Roast Duck is famous, but with many branches in Beijing, the original flagship store is located on Qianmen Street. Recently, many Taiwanese tourists have also been recommending other up-and-coming roast duck restaurants such as Da Dong, Bianyifang, and Ya Wang, which are favored by foodies in the know.

The Fangshan Restaurant at Beihai, known for its imperial Qing court cuisine, is especially famous for dishes loved by Empress Dowager Cixi, such as minced meat baked wheat cakes, pea flour cake, kidney bean rolls, and small steamed cornbread. It’s located within the scenic Beihai Park. Waitresses dressed in full traditional Qing dynasty attire welcome guests with a welcoming dance right at the entrance, immersing you in the ambiance of the imperial palace even before you dine. Additionally, gathering around a hot pot and savoring the faint aroma of charcoal smoke is an essential winter ritual when visiting Beijing.

Beijing hot pot is an entry point into the city’s Muslim cuisine, but it’s certainly no less refined. The lamb must be of high quality, and the meat is sliced paper-thin with exceptional knife skills. Paired with sesame pancakes, it’s truly unforgettable. In the past, hot pot restaurants didn’t focus much on presentation, but now they’ve made great improvements in tableware. For example, the renowned Donglaishun uses enamelware with a distinctly Chinese flair for their hot pots. Another classic brand is Shaguoju, which offers “clay pot pork” — a dish that highlights slow-cooked flavor in clay pots.

Traveling in Beijing during winter, especially around Chinese New Year, means not only savoring authentic cuisine but also visiting temples to pray for peace and good fortune. The White Cloud Taoist Temple outside Xibianmen Gate is not only a famous Taoist site and known as the “First Forest of Quanzhen,” but also one of the most popular temples during the Spring Festival season. Be sure to touch the small white marble relief monkey at the mountain gate — legend has it that touching the monkey will keep you healthy and bring blessings for the whole year. Experience the true taste of old Beijing by starting with festive feasts and temple prayers during the Spring Festival.

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