The month in detail
What to expect in January
Winter in Beijing is cool (2.0°C during the day). Days are short (6.1h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Rain is virtually absent (2.0% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup.
January ranks 10 out of 12 months in Beijing.
This month's conditions
What it's like in January
UV index
2 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
-16°
Daylight
9.5h of daylight
Air quality
poor
AQI 135
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Is January the right month?
The best month in Beijing is May (9.0/10), 4.7 pts higher than January.
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.
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
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
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🎟️ Activities & tours · Beijing
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
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 January
If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Beijing ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
ChinaTemperate 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 January?
The average UV index reaches 2 in January in Beijing (low), with about 9.5h of daylight. No protection needed.