Weather in China in January
January in China is deep winter. Days are short. The outdoor plan is a window in the middle of the day or not at all.
A country pin in January is a warning: one region of China will not match another. Use a city page if you already know where you are going. January is the cold side of the year in China. Pack for that, not for a leftover summer photo.
- Average temp
- -6°C
-13–0°C
- Rainfall
- 3 mm
Not much rain
- Sunshine
- 5.8 h
hours per day
What to expect
Daytime
Days in China in January are about getting between indoor places. The cold is the story. Gloves are not a fashion choice.
A clear spell is for a short walk, then back in. Do not plan a long outdoor day as the default. Night falls early and the cold deepens with it.
Rain
Rain is not the story in China in January. Pack for sun. A shower would be news, not a plan.
Do not build the trip around weather windows. Build it around shade if it is hot, and around getting outside if it is not.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What to pack
A layer for cooler evenings
Where to stay in China
Featured stays on trip1. Dates are a starting point for January.
Travel guides for China
What to read before you book.
Average weather in China
TemperatureRainfall
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FAQs about China
Climate averages for China, 1991–2020.
The best time to visit China is between April and September, the most comfortable stretch of the year on these averages.
July is the hottest month, with an average around 20°C.
August is the wettest month, with about 71 mm of rain.
No. These are 1991–2020 climate normals from Meteostat, not a live forecast. Actual weather in any given week can differ.
