Beijing in December: a seasonal travel plan
Beijing, China. In december, the average daytime high is 2.8 °C and the night-time low is -8.3 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Choose a month
Selected month: December
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Beijing
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 2.8 °C
- Nighttime low
- -8.3 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 2.5 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 0.6
- Daylight
- 9.4 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 4.9 | -6.1 | 0.2 |
| Days 11–20 | 1.8 | -8.9 | 0.4 |
| From day 21 | 1.7 | -9.8 | 0.0 |
What this month is like
Beijing, China. In december, the average daytime high is 2.8 °C and the night-time low is -8.3 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
There are 0.6 wet days on average, with about 2.5 mm of precipitation. There are relatively few wet days, so build the plan around walks and keep one indoor option.
How to plan the day
Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Average daylight is 9.4 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. There are relatively few wet days, so build the plan around walks and keep one indoor option.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
There are relatively few days with precipitation. Build your plans around walks and keep an indoor activity for a wet-weather day.
What to pack
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Average night-time temperatures fall below freezing, so add warm clothes for early outings.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 9.8 °C, December — 2.8 °C, next month — 2.0 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 3.0, 0.6 and 0.3.
Things to do
Beijing is built in rings around the Forbidden City: Dongcheng holds Tiananmen and the imperial palace, Xicheng has Beihai and the hutongs, Chaoyang has Sanlitun and the business towers. The metro covers almost every district, so distances rarely upset a day's plan.
The Forbidden City and Jingshan
Enter through the Tiananmen gate into the Forbidden City and walk the sequence of courtyards to the northern exit. Climb Jingshan Park hill afterwards: from the pavilion the tiled roofs of the whole imperial complex fill the view.
Temple of Heaven and the hutongs
The Temple of Heaven in the south is best in the morning, when locals exercise in the park. Return to the Beihai area after lunch and walk the hutongs around Shichahai lake to the Drum Tower.
The Great Wall
For a Wall trip choose the Mutianyu section, which is calmer than Badaling. Leave early, carry water and wear shoes for stone steps, and keep the evening free.
Where to stay
Dongcheng
Dongcheng suits anyone who wants to stay near Tiananmen and the Forbidden City. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants, though the district goes quiet early, with Chaoyang better for late evenings.
Xicheng
Xicheng draws people for the hutongs around Beihai, the quiet lanes and the small courtyards. Street noise and narrow passages are part of the district; rooms in the lanes are usually small, but the centre is close.
Chaoyang
Chaoyang is modern Beijing, with towers, the 798 galleries and the bars of Sanlitun. The historic centre is a metro ride away, yet new hotels and evening entertainment are easier to find here.
Getting to and around Beijing
The Airport Express runs from Capital airport to Dongzhimen, and a fast line connects Daxing airport with Caoqiao. Within the city the metro is the main network, covering almost every district and joining the rings. Tickets come from machines or a phone; taxis are useful for trips beyond the city.
Three days in Beijing
Tiananmen and the Forbidden City
In the morning cross Tiananmen Square into the Forbidden City and follow the courtyards north. Leave at the Shenwu gate and climb Jingshan hill for sunset over the palace roofs.
Temple of Heaven and the hutongs
See the Temple of Heaven and its park in the morning, when locals gather to exercise. After lunch return to Beihai, walk the hutongs to Shichahai lake and the Drum Tower, and finish at a courtyard café.
The Great Wall
Leave early for the Mutianyu section and give the Wall half a day. Come back towards evening, have dinner in Chaoyang and walk off the day in Sanlitun.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2.0 | -9.7 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 9.7 |
| February | 5.8 | -6.4 | 8.1 | 1.6 | 10.7 |
| March | 14.8 | -0.7 | 10.5 | 2.2 | 11.9 |
| April | 22.2 | 5.9 | 24.5 | 4.5 | 13.2 |
| May | 29.0 | 12.8 | 37.7 | 6.9 | 14.4 |
| June | 33.0 | 18.5 | 65.7 | 9.9 | 15.0 |
| July | 32.2 | 21.5 | 218.4 | 17.3 | 14.7 |
| August | 30.1 | 20.1 | 155.5 | 14.7 | 13.7 |
| September | 26.6 | 14.5 | 74.8 | 8.7 | 12.5 |
| October | 19.0 | 5.7 | 27.6 | 4.1 | 11.2 |
| November | 9.8 | -1.7 | 21.9 | 3.0 | 10.0 |
| December | 2.8 | -8.3 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 9.4 |
Frequently asked questions
Beijing: what is the temperature in December?
The average daytime high is 2.8 °C and the night-time low is -8.3 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and indoor activities for mornings and evenings.
How many days with precipitation are there in December?
On average, there are 0.6 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 2.5 mm. There are relatively few days with precipitation. Build your plans around walks and keep an indoor activity for a wet-weather day.
What should I pack for walks in December?
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Average night-time temperatures fall below freezing, so add warm clothes for early outings.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 4.9 °C; 11–20 — 1.8 °C; 21 to month-end — 1.7 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in December?
The average is 9.4 hours. Daylight is limited. Set aside time for views and photographs before dusk.
Is Beijing worth visiting in December?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 2.8 °C and nights around -8.3 °C work for you. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
What can I do in Beijing on a wet day in December?
There are relatively few wet days, so build the plan around walks and keep one indoor option. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Beijing in December?
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Average daylight is 9.4 hours.