Xi'an Weather in January 2026: what to expect (4.2/10)

The month in detail

What to expect in January

Winter in Xi'an is cool (6.0°C during the day). Days are short (3.9h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Rain risk remains low (11.0% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities.

January ranks 12 out of 12 months in Xi'an. Compared to December: −2°C daytime, 5 pts more rainy days.

This month's conditions

What it's like in January

UV index

3 · moderate

protect during midday hours

Feels like

dry air

-7°

Daylight

9.9h of daylight

Air quality

poor

AQI 96

Compare

Is January the right month?

The best month in Xi'an is May (8.5/10), 4.3 pts higher than January.

See May →See all 12 months →

Context

Our verdict

Xi'an (Xian), capital of Shaanxi province in China: 9 million inhabitants, former capital of 13 Chinese dynasties (notably Han and Tang, for 1000 years, until the 9th century). Historic starting point of the Silk Road .

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 · Xi'an

Expedia →

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Activities

Tours, tickets, experiences

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Flights

Multi-airline comparator

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🎟️ Activities & tours · Xi'an

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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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 · 6°C

🌧️Rainiest month ⓘSeptember · 36%

🏛️ 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.

Similar climate

Nearby

ZhangjiajieChina590 km

Other top picks

← December February →

🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map

Location

Where is Xi'an ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World

🔍 Geographic context

China

Temperate climate with a 8.5 → 4.2 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.

34.26°N · 108.94°E

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Xi'an?

May is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 15.0°C lows, 6.5h of sunshine and 23.0% rainy days. The months of May & April offer comparable conditions.

How many hours of sunshine does Xi'an get in May?

Xi'an averages 6.5 sunshine hours per day in May. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.0/10.

What is the rainiest month in Xi'an?

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 Xi'an in May?

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

Is Xi'an good in winter?

In winter (December-February), Xi'an scores 4.1/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains May with a score of 8.0/10.

When should you avoid Xi'an?

January is the most difficult month to visit Xi'an, 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 Xi'an in January?

The average UV index reaches 3 in January in Xi'an (moderate), with about 9.9h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.