Qingdao Weather in January 2026: what to expect (4.2/10)

The month in detail

What to expect in January

Winter in Qingdao is cool (5.0°C during the day). Days are short (5.2h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Rain is virtually absent (7.0% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup.

January ranks 10 out of 12 months in Qingdao.

This month's conditions

What it's like in January

UV index

3 · low

no protection needed

Feels like

dry air

-5°

Sea

6°C

cold, for the brave

Daylight

9.8h of daylight

Air quality

poor

AQI 65

Compare

Is January the right month?

The best month in Qingdao is September (8.3/10), 4.1 pts higher than January.

See September →See all 12 months →

Context

Our verdict

Qingdao, coastal city of Shandong on the Yellow Sea in China : 9.5 million inhabitants. Former German concession 1898-1914 which bequeathed unique colonial architecture in China + the Tsingtao brewery (1903 by the Germans, today the 2nd largest brewery in China and the most internationally exported Chinese brand).

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.

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Stay

Hotels & rentals · Qingdao

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Activities

Tours, tickets, experiences

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Flights

Multi-airline comparator

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🎟️ Activities & tours · Qingdao

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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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 beach holiday.

Country · China

🗣️LanguageMandarin

💶CurrencyYuan renminbi (¥)

🚗DrivingRight-hand

🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5

💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic

📈Climate trend ⓘ+1.15°C/decade

🔥Hottest monthAugust · 29°C

❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 5°C

🌧️Rainiest month ⓘAugust · 45%

🏖️ Beach holiday

📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept

🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée

Explore

Other destinations in January

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

Similar climate

SavannahUnited States

Nearby

SuzhouChina531 km

ShanghaiChina548 km

JejuSouth Korea630 km

Other top picks

← December February →

🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map

Location

Where is Qingdao ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World

🔍 Geographic context

China

Temperate oceanic climate with a 8.3 → 4.2 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.

36.07°N · 120.38°E

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Qingdao?

September is the best month with 26.0°C highs, 20.0°C lows, 6.7h of sunshine and 23.0% rainy days. The months of September & June offer comparable conditions.

How many hours of sunshine does Qingdao get in September?

Qingdao averages 6.7 sunshine hours per day in September. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.8/10.

What is the rainiest month in Qingdao?

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 Qingdao in September?

In September, overnight lows reach 20.0°C, while afternoon highs average 26.0°C.

Is Qingdao good in winter?

In winter (December-February), Qingdao scores 4.0/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains September with a score of 7.8/10.

When should you avoid Qingdao?

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

Can you swim in Qingdao in January?

In January, the sea averages 6°C in Qingdao: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.

Do you need sun protection in Qingdao in January?

The average UV index reaches 3 in January in Qingdao (low), with about 9.8h of daylight. No protection needed.