UTE Expo Reveals Top Destinations for January 2026! 6 Must-Visit Spots to Get You Going!

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Standing at the starting point of 2026, are you already itching to set off?

January is a symphony of year-end and beginning, a carnival of ice and snow in the Northern Hemisphere, and the prelude to summer in the Southern Hemisphere. In this month full of ritual, we've handpicked three must-visit destinations in China and three abroad. Whether you're looking for pristine beauty in frigid -30°C or want to while away the hours in basking sunshine at 25°C, this list will fulfill all your travel fantasies.

Domestic Section: The Battle Between the Snowy Landscapes of the North and the Warm Sunshine of the South

Harbin: Harbin's Ice and Snow Fairytale, Still a Top Destination in 2026

If winter has a color, it must be Harbin's "ice blue." The Harbin Ice and Snow World in 2026 has been upgraded in scale and creativity once again, not only continuing the grandeur of previous years but also incorporating more futuristic digital light and shadow technologies. When you stand beneath the ice castle tens of meters high , watching the colorful lights pierce through the crystal-clear ice, it feels as if you've truly stepped into a real-life version of "Frozen."

Unique experience:

· drift in snow tubes on ice surfaces up to half a meter thick , or try the viral "water-to-ice" trick and watch hot water instantly freeze into ice arrows in the air.

Snowfall at Hagia Sophia: 

· As night falls, watch the snowflakes dance between the dark green dome and red brick walls. The unique melancholy and romance of that Russian architecture is a unique memory that Harbin gives you.

The "freezing sensation" on Central Avenue:

· Wearing a thick down jacket and eating a Madier popsicle on the street in minus 20 degrees Celsius—this "fighting the cold with cold" way of eating is the most authentic Harbin flavor.

Xishuangbanna: Experiencing a tropical New Year in a 20-degree winter.

While the north is still blanketed in snow, the sun shines gently on the broad palm leaves of Xishuangbanna. In January, Xishuangbanna enjoys a comfortable temperature of 20-25 degrees Celsius, free from summer heat, offering only the refreshing coolness of a gentle breeze – the perfect escape from the cold.

Unique experience:

· The dazzling Starlight Night Market awaits. Don a gorgeous Dai ethnic costume and stroll through the market along the Lancang River. When thousands of colorful lights illuminate the market, the overwhelming Southeast Asian exoticism will make you instantly forget what time it is.

The Breathing of the Rainforest: 

· Step into the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to see the giant Victoria water lilies, strangler figs, and other exotic flowers and plants. Breathing in the high concentration of negative oxygen ions in winter is a complete cleansing for both body and mind.

An Encounter in Wild Elephant Valley:

· Strolling along the rainforest boardwalk, if you're lucky, you might spot wild Asian elephants foraging in the forest. This harmonious coexistence between humans and nature is the most captivating aspect of Xishuangbanna.

Altay, Xinjiang: Have some fun in the "birthplace of skiing"