When winter is upon us, we choose to retreat to our homes for cozy nights in. Some people are enchanted by winter’s first snowfall, while others are eager to escape the season’s cold weather. But all around the world, winter is the time when some cities really shine. Here are seven places that look more beautiful in winter:

1. Chicago, USA

   

Chicago is best known as the Windy City, although it’s even more beautiful during the winter months when it transforms into the Snowy City. From January to February, people are able to witness Chicago at its coldest; temperatures can drop so low that Lake Michigan partially freezes over – truly a sight to behold.

2. Richmond Park, UK

   

London’s biggest park is even more beautiful in winter. At 2,500 acres, it’s three times the size of New York’s Central Park, and with wild deer galloping through the park it feels like you might be lost in the middle of the English countryside. On the few winter days when snow falls in the capital, Richmond Park is the place to be.

3. Gobi Desert, Mongolia

   

If you’re the kind of person who might travel to deepest Mongolia to check out some woolly camels in the middle of the bitter winter, then this is the place for you. During the Thousand Camel Festival, local camel herders take part in polo competitions and races. Everyone is welcome to mount a camel and join the opening parade.

“Most people visit Mongolia in the summer, but I recommend visiting in winter. Yes, it’s cold BUT the Gobi isn’t overrun with tourists and the experience is far more authentic as you truly experience how Nomadic people live. It genuinely has been one of the best experiences of my life (so far).”-Educatingkavita (TripAdvisor)

4. Bruges, Belgium

   

With its cobbled alleyways, frozen canals, and gingerbread architecture, Bruges is without a doubt at its most beautiful during the winter months. During January and February, the popular Christmas markets are packed away and people have the town to themselves. It’s unlikely that anyone will return home without seeing at least one castle and some of the Christmas markets. 

“The Christmas market was in the centre, but it had a lovely atmosphere and the Christmas lights were very festive”-Suzanne K (TripAdvisor)

5. Schloss Neuschwanstein, Germany

   

Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty was inspired by Neuschwanstein Castle. The only difference is that you won’t find any adults dressed as furry rodents lurking around. Located on a hill above the village of Hohenschwangau, in southwest Bavaria, Neuschwanstein Castle is even more beautiful in the winter months, when the surrounding forest is dusted in snow.

6. Lapland, Finland

   

During the summer months, this is the land of twenty-four hour sun, but during the long winter Lapland is engulfed in almost total darkness. This would be a fairly grim time of the year to visit, were it not for the chance of catching a display of the Aurora Borealis dancing in the sky. January, February, and March tend to be the best times to see the Northern Lights.

“The tour was amazing – it gave me the opportunity to see the natural beauty of the Finnish wilderness and the indigenousness people (Saami). I had the opportunity to feed reindeer, go on a huski safari, ride a snowmobile in the night and to learn skills if I were to be stuck in the Arctic!”-Bharath (TripAdvisor)

7. Harbin, China

   

January is the best time to visit Harbin, as it’s the time when the city hosts the largest ice and snow sculpture festival in the world. Participants travel from all corners of the planet to exhibit their enormously, spectacular ice designs. This part of northeastern China has been known to have temperatures drop below -20°C in the winter.