I am off to Inspirational China for Christmas & new year & just had a look at Beijing, Xian, Chengdu & shanghai on Metcheck next 6 months tab. Obviously things may change but at the moment when we land in Beijing the forecast is -14 and will feel like -22 :s that's pretty darn chilly 😃 when we fly to Xian it will be slightly warmer at -6 feeling like -10 but the forecast is for heavy snow, Chengdu is showing as 0 feeling like 0 & shanghai will be positively balmy at 6 deg so all in all I think I need to purchase some thermal knick knacks!! 🙂 looks like it will almost definitely maybe be a white Christmas!

Cheers

Debbie

You are right to be prepared - I did this trip at the start of October and weather.com was quoting an average of 23-25 degrees, but that didn't account for the cloud cover and the horrendous pollution - it was absolutely freezing!

You jest about thermals but, believe it or not, I always travel with a couple of pairs for night time long haul flights and I ended up wearing them for 75% of the trip!

Don't be put off though. For starters, I have heard that a lot of the pollution has cleared since my trip because they shut down all the factories in preparation for Obama and Putin's recent visit (they did the same thing a month before the Beijing Olympics). Take loads of layers and you will be fine. Also, take loads of toilet paper and antibacterial hand wipes because the 'facilities' for ladies are, how shall I put this.....,'variable'.......

It is an amazing trip and you will have a ball - let me know if you have any questions and I'll be happy to help. One special recommendation, whether you are an animal lover or not especially, is to do the 'Panda Keeper Experience' in Chengdu. It costs 2000 Yuan (£200ish and they need cash) but it is truly worth every penny. Those of us who did it left with our hands shaking and a goofy grin on our faces that didn't fade for days. One of those 'once-in-lifetime' moments that you will remember forever.

Have a super time

Mandy

I have just returned from the Ultimate Polar Bear experience holiday and our temperatures were down to -31C!!! I live in Scotland so I'm used to cold weather, but I would thoroughly recommend Icebreaker thermals - 200 and 260 weight. They do tops and leggings, both of which I took to Canada, and was very grateful for them. There are various websites which have them discounted, just Google Icebreaker.

Have fun, and keep warm!

Cheers,

Hils

Nowadays it is not easy to predict the weather as it changes all the time. Gone are the days when the weather was predictable! You may be lucky with the weather and it may not be so cold, but best to be prepared.

Have a wonderful holiday.

Jaya

I've got back from the same trip with just you last week Beijing,Xian,chengdu were all around the same temperature as the uk while Shanghai was quite nice was warm enough to sit outside till the early hours of the morning in a short sleeve shirt !