Gibbons in China represent the northernmost marginof present day gibbon species distribution (aroundN25 ◦ ). Compared to tropical habitats, northern gibbonhabitats are characterized by low temperatures andremarkable seasonal variation in fruit abundance.How gibbons adapt to their cold and seasonalhabitats and what ecological factors affect theirsociality are key questions for understanding theirecology and social system evolution, the elucidationof which will contribute to the conservation of thesespecial populations/species. According to preliminaryshort-term studies, northern gibbons consume moreleaves and use larger home ranges than tropicalgibbons. Interestingly, some Nomascus groupsconsist of more than one adult female. However,these preliminary results are not well understood orincorporated into current socio-ecological theoriesregarding gibbon species. To better understandnorthern gibbons, our team has systematically studiedthree habituated groups of Nomascus concolor, threegroups of N. nasutus, and two habituated groupsof Hoolock tianxing since 2002. In this paper,we stress the challenges facing gibbons living innorthern habitats and summarize their behavioraladaptations to their harsh environments. We alsodescribe the northern gibbon social system anddiscuss the potential relationships between theirecology and sociality. Finally, we highlight futureresearch questions related to northern gibbons in China.