China Beijing Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Beijing is low
December is low for Beijing.
December is firmly winter — highs around 3°C, nights to -6°C, very dry, and often windy. Like the rest of the cold season, it's the cheapest and least crowded time to visit, with short queues at the Forbidden City and Mutianyu and a quiet, atmospheric feel at the imperial sights.
The rewards are the low prices, the elbow room, and the occasional dramatic sight of the Forbidden City or the Great Wall under a dusting of snow. The downsides are the genuine cold and the winter air quality, which can spike into unhealthy ranges during smog episodes — check a live AQI app daily and carry an N95 mask.
Travel score
Beijing December Weather Stats
Avg High
3°C
Avg Low
-6°C
Rainy Days
1
3mm total
Sunshine
6.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
45%
dry
UV Index
2
Low
Wind
12 km/h
Gusts 26
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
90 μg/m³
PM10
135 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
0°C
Nighttime
-11°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
12 km/h
Max gust 26 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cheapest prices of the year
- Thin crowds at major sights
- Snow-dusted Forbidden City and Great Wall (occasional)
- Crisp, clear, sunny days when not smoggy
Cons
- Cold and dry — nights to -6°C
- Worst air-quality season (winter smog)
- Short daylight
- Biting wind
December Events & Festivals
- Cold and dry — deep winter
- Lowest prices and thinnest crowds (outside any New Year travel)
- Forbidden City and Great Wall striking under occasional snow
- Worst air-quality season — check the AQI
Beijing in December — Full Picture
December is firmly winter — highs around 3°C, nights to -6°C, very dry, and often windy. Like the rest of the cold season, it's the cheapest and least crowded time to visit, with short queues at the Forbidden City and Mutianyu and a quiet, atmospheric feel at the imperial sights.
The rewards are the low prices, the elbow room, and the occasional dramatic sight of the Forbidden City or the Great Wall under a dusting of snow. The downsides are the genuine cold and the winter air quality, which can spike into unhealthy ranges during smog episodes — check a live AQI app daily and carry an N95 mask.
Dress in serious layers, plan indoor sights (the National Museum, the Capital Museum, the Lama Temple halls) for the harshest or smoggiest days, and reserve the Great Wall for a clear, calm one. Note that the Western Christmas and New Year are not major holidays in China, but Lunar New Year travel can begin in very late December some years.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cold, dry winter — highs around 3°C, nights to -6°C with a sharp wind. A heavy down jacket, hat, gloves, scarf, and thermal layers. Keep an N95 mask for smoggy days.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
19.3°C
7.3°C
3.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
30.3°C
20.7°C
10.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
18.3°C
6.7°C
4.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current3.3°C
-6.3°C
1/mo
Beijing Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2° | -8° | 1d·3mm | 6.5h | 45% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 5° | -5° | 1d·5mm | 7h | 45% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 12° | 0° | 2d·9mm | 7.5h | 45% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 20° | 8° | 3d·22mm | 8h | 50% | 6 | Busy | Peak | |
| May (Best) | 26° | 14° | 5d·35mm | 8.5h | 50% | 8 | Very busy | Peak |
| 30° | 19° | 8d·70mm | 8h | 55% | 9 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 22° | 13d·175mm | 6.5h | 65% | 9 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 30° | 21° | 11d·160mm | 7h | 65% | 8 | Very busy | Peak | |
| September (Best) | 26° | 14° | 7d·50mm | 8h | 55% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| October (Best) | 19° | 7° | 4d·22mm | 7.5h | 50% | 4 | Very busy | Peak |
| 10° | -1° | 2d·10mm | 6.5h | 50% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 3° | -6° | 1d·3mm | 6.5h | 45% | 2 | Quiet | Low season |
View Other Months
Beijing December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Beijing?
Beijing in December is low. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Beijing in December?
Beijing December averages a high of 3°C and a low of -6°C.
Does it rain much in Beijing in December?
Beijing December averages 3mm of rainfall over about 1 rainy days.
What should I wear in Beijing in December?
Cold, dry winter — highs around 3°C, nights to -6°C with a sharp wind. A heavy down jacket, hat, gloves, scarf, and thermal layers. Keep an N95 mask for smoggy days.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Beijing in December?
Beijing December sunrise is 07:20 and sunset is 16:50, with 9h 30min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Beijing in December?
Beijing December air quality (AQI) averages 125, rated Poor. PM2.5 averages 90μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Beijing in December?
In December, Beijing is great for Snowy Forbidden City on a clear day, National Museum and Capital Museum (indoor), Lama Temple (Yonghe Gong).
Is December peak season in Beijing?
Beijing December crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Beijing
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.