The Temple of Heaven during a snowfall.

The Temple of Heaven during a snowfall.

Snow in Beijing is no longer the rarity it once was, but compared to many cities at a similar latitude, it’s still uncommon. With possibly the last snowfall of the winter on the ground, now may be the best time to take advantage of this meteorological opportunity.

1. See the sights. Snow may be the best occasion to visit Beijing’s most famous tourist sights. Aside from winter crowds already being generally smaller than those in fairer weather, snowfall keeps away even more visitors, leaving you with large sections of top sights to yourself. Snow also makes for more unique photo opps, although snow is not as scarce as it once was. Still, a fresh, unbroken layer of white gives pictures of palaces, temples and other artifices a serene and pristine feeling that’s hard to match otherwise.

Although the Great Wall may be a bit more difficult to reach and climb when there’s snow on the ground, it’s worth any delays endured along the way. be sure to wear good snow boots or shoes, as steeper sections of the Wall can become slippery and even icy.

Named for the opposite season, the Summer Palace may be the best Beijing monument to visit in inclement winter weather. The combination of imperial architecture along with significant tree cover near its upper sections make for a nice contrast between the manmade and the natural. Also, Kunming Lake — the artificial lake that spreads in front of the palace — freezes in the winter, and walking on the ice (carefully) is a Beijing tradition. It also offers photographers new vistas, perhaps the best views of the palace in the entire complex.

The Temple of Heaven also assumes a different personality when wearing a white blanket. The snow covers its brilliant blue tiles, muting the overall effect of its main prayer hall. However, the part of the temple complex that receives less attention — the expansive, forested grounds to the south of the main halls — provides a silent oasis even more quiet as footfalls and voices are muted by the snow.

2. Eat. There’s no better time than a snowy evening for hot food. The many variations of hotpot are widely available in Beijing, namely the local favorite shuan yang rou, literally flash-boiled lamb, and Chongqing hotpot, the spicy kind that maybe too hot even in the winter.

Shuan yang rou is served in a round kettle with a cone shaped spout, to allow smoke from the coals that heat the kettle to rise up and out, away from diners. Ginger, baby shrimp and green onions (this recipe varies from restaurant to restaurant) are added to the water to create a very light broth. Ingredients such as lamb, beef, tofu, and leafy green vegetables are cooked in the boiling water. Normally, meat is only cooked for 30-40 seconds for maximum flavor. It is then dipped in a sesame paste before eating, which cools it along with adding a unique flavor. Ding Ding Xiang is one of the most famous spots for shuan yang rou at the moment.

For the more adventurous, Chongqing hotpot, which comes from the former Sichuan province city in southwest China, is a cauldron of chili oil to which more chili peppers are added. This is often accompanied by a chicken broth-based soup next to it for to offset some of the intensity of the spice. The ordering is similar, although lamb is less of a focal point, more in favor of beef, fish balls and even luncheon meat. On a cold night, it’s tough to beat hotpot. Try Hai Di Lao (literally, Raised from the Bottom of the Sea) for the pot that’s hot. Good luck getting a table.