Beijing Weather in December 2026: what to expect (4.3/10)

The month in detail

What to expect in December

Winter in Beijing is cool (3.0°C during the day). Days are short (5.7h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Rain is virtually absent (3.0% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup.

December ranks 10 out of 12 months in Beijing. Compared to November: −8°C daytime.

This month's conditions

What it's like in December

UV index

2 · low

no protection needed

Feels like

dry air

-14°

Daylight

9.2h of daylight

Air quality

poor

AQI 129

Compare

Is December the right month?

The best month in Beijing is May (9.0/10), 4.7 pts higher than December.

See May →See all 12 months →

Context

Our verdict

Beijing concentrates 3000 years of imperial history: Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall nearby. May is my favourite month (9.0/10): 15-28°C, 15% rain, the year's clearest sky, Yiheyuan gardens in bloom.

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

🏨

Stay

Hotels & rentals · Beijing

Expedia →

🎟️

Activities

Tours, tickets, experiences

See ↓

✈️

Flights

Multi-airline comparator

Kiwi →

🎟️ Activities & tours · Beijing

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

See all →

Affiliate link · GetYourGuide

Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.

Country · China

🗣️LanguageMandarin

💶CurrencyYuan renminbi (¥)

🚗DrivingRight-hand

🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5

💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate

📈Climate trend ⓘStable

🔥Hottest monthJune · 33°C

❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 2°C

🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJuly · 48%

🏛️ City break

📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August

☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round

🚇Public transportGood

Explore

Other destinations in December

If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate

Nearby

Other top picks

🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map

Location

Where is Beijing ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World

🔍 Geographic context

China

Temperate climate with a 9.0 → 4.3 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.

39.90°N · 116.40°E

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Beijing?

May is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 15.0°C lows, 8.6h of sunshine and 15.0% rainy days. The months of May & September offer comparable conditions.

How many hours of sunshine does Beijing get in May?

Beijing averages 8.6 sunshine hours per day in May. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.6/10.

What is the rainiest month in Beijing?

January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.

What are the temperatures at night in Beijing in May?

In May, overnight lows reach 15.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.

Is Beijing good in winter?

In winter (December-February), Beijing scores 4.1/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains May with a score of 8.6/10.

When should you avoid Beijing?

January is the most difficult month to visit Beijing, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.

Do you need sun protection in Beijing in December?

The average UV index reaches 2 in December in Beijing (low), with about 9.2h of daylight. No protection needed.