December is not a particularly good time to visit Beijing, unless you enjoy cold weather.
You can expect cold, dry weather and clear blue skies with around five hours of sunshine daily and little to no rain.
Daytime temperatures climb to an average high of 4°C (39°F), with a low of -7°C (19°F) at night.
How hot is it in Beijing in December?
December is usually a cold month. The average temperature is 1.6°C (29°F), with a high of 4°C (39°F) and a low of -7°C (19°F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature can reach 10°C (50°F).
How sunny is it in Beijing in December?
There are normally five and a half hours of bright sunshine each day in Beijing in December – that's around 59% of daylight hours.
Sunrise & sunset in December?
Sunrise is around 7:30am with sunset around 4:50pm.
Does it rain in Beijing in December?
There are usually two days with some rain in Beijing in December, and the average monthly rainfall is 2mm (≤1in).
How windy is it in Beijing in December?
December sees an average hourly wind speed of 11 kilometres per hour (7 mph; 6 knots).
What to do in Beijing in December?
Weather conditions in December are ideal for outdoor ice-skating (at Bei Hai Gongyuan, Qian Hai and the Summer Palace) as well as indoor ice-skating (at Le Cool, Guomao Liubing Chang).
Despite the cold, conditions in December are good to explore Beijing’s amazing treasure trove of stunning monuments, including the magnificent Summer Palace, the exquisite Temple of Heaven and the splendours of the Forbidden City.
It’s also a good time to stroll along the Great Wall of China at Badaling, only one hour from downtown Beijing. Or, for a more strenuous but rewarding adventure, hike (or cycle) the 9km route along the Great Wall from Jinshanling to Simatai (or visa versa).
December is considered low season in Beijing, with lower hotel rates and fewer visitors except for the New Year holidays.
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High Temp: 4°C (39°F) |
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Low Temp: -7°C (19°F) |
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Sunshine: 5.5 hours per day |
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Daylight: 9 hours per day |
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Wind speed: 11 km/h (7 mph; 6 knots) |
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Wet Days: 2 days with some rain |
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Rainfall: 2 mm (≤1 in) per month |
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Comfort Level: Cold; 47% humidity |
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UV Index: Low |
Beijing, China |
The best time to visit Beijing is during spring and autumn: April and May, and September to early November – so avoiding the heat and rains of summer, as well as the cold of winter.
At these times the many tourist attractions are less crowded while it’s warm and dry, with an average temperature of 23°C (73°F). Early summer is also a good time to visit Beijing.
Source: Meteorological data for Beijing is based on weather statistics gathered for the 30-year period 1992 to 2021 by the China Meteorological Administration at the closest weather station: Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA), also called Capital Airport or Beijing Airport, located 32km (20mi) northeast of Beijing.
Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.
Latest update: Beijing weather: 12 June, 2024
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