01Weather
Beijing weather in January
Afternoons in January average 3.9 °C (39 °F) and nights cool to -8.7 °C (16 °F). The month brings about 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain spread over roughly 0 days. Compared with December it is 1.0 °C cooler; February is 3.4 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 9 °C / 48 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | -1 °C / 30 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -13 °C / 9 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 30.4 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 2 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 14.0 °C / -23.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 07:36 | 16:59 | 9.4 h |
| 15 January | 07:34 | 17:12 | 9.6 h |
| 31 January | 07:24 | 17:31 | 10.1 h |
Daylight grows by about 42 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Shanghai).
03Crowds
How busy Beijing is in January
quiet The main sights are quiet in January. What drives it:
- bitter cold
- Spring Festival in late January or February
- ice festivals at Shichahai
04Public holidays
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Beijing in January
Every year in January
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) | late January or February, week-long holiday and temple fairs at Ditan and Longtan | holiday |
07Packing
What to pack for Beijing in January
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- gloves: frost on about 30 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January is the coldest month, with afternoons just above freezing and nights around minus ten, but dry and often brilliantly clear, with the Summer Palace lake and Houhai frozen for skating and ice-bike riding. Spring Festival can fall in late January, closing businesses for a week and filling the temple fairs at Ditan and Longtan parks. Hotel rates are low outside the holiday. Snow falls on only a few days.
The Great Wall under snow is magnificent and empty on weekdays, though the cable cars may pause in high wind. Air quality can dip during the heating season on windless days. The Forbidden City closes on Mondays and is quiet in the cold. Daylight runs from about half past seven to five. For the temple fairs and the Lantern Festival, see February.
09Compare
Beijing month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 °C | -9 °C | 0 | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 7 °C | -6 °C | 3 | – | moderate | Good |
| March | 16 °C | 2 °C | 4 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 23 °C | 8 °C | 4 | – | busy | Excellent |
| May | 29 °C | 14 °C | 6 | – | very busy | Good |
| June | 33 °C | 20 °C | 9 | – | busy | Mixed |
| July | 33 °C | 23 °C | 12 | – | busy | Mixed |
| August | 32 °C | 22 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| September | 28 °C | 16 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 20 °C | 7 °C | 5 | – | very busy | Good |
| November | 12 °C | 0 °C | 2 | – | moderate | Good |
| December | 5 °C | -8 °C | 1 | – | quiet | Good |
Not sure about January? See the best time to visit Beijing.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul in January | 3 °C | – |
| Shanghai in January | 10 °C | 11 |
| Kyoto in January | 10 °C | 6 |
| Tokyo in January | 10 °C | 4 |
| Bangkok in January | 33 °C | – |
| Singapore in January | 30 °C | 11 |
11FAQ
Beijing in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit Beijing?
January is a good month to visit Beijing. Daytime highs average 4 °C (39 °F), rain falls on about 0 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are quiet.
What is the weather like in Beijing in January?
Expect cold days around 4 °C (39 °F) and nights near -9 °C (16 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 9 °C, and one in ten stays below -1 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Beijing in January?
January brings about 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain over roughly 0 days, which is dry by Beijing standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 2 percent.
What should I wear in Beijing in January?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Beijing crowded in January?
The main sights are quiet in January. Main drivers: bitter cold; Spring Festival in late January or February; ice festivals at Shichahai.
What time does it get dark in Beijing in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 17:12 and rises at 07:34, giving 9.6 hours of daylight.