Beijing Weather in December

Cold, clear days

December in Beijing feels properly wintry. Days reach about 3°C, but nights can fall to -8°C. There's little rain, and the skies are often clear, though daylight is short. You'll feel the cold most in open places like Tiananmen Square and the courtyards of the Forbidden City.

The dry weather suits sightseeing, and clear days can give you crisp views from the Great Wall. But icy paths and biting wind can make a long wall walk uncomfortable. Keep outdoor plans flexible, and save the warm hours for major sights. The cold isn't ideal for lingering in parks or taking long evening walks.

December traditions

The winter solstice, Dongzhi, falls in December. It's a family holiday, and dumplings are a familiar northern Chinese dish for the occasion. You may also see Christmas decorations around shopping areas such as Sanlitun, but Christmas isn't a public holiday in China.

Travelling with kids? A short visit to the Forbidden City can work well, with a warm break afterwards in a café near Wangfujing.

Quieter, with a local tip

December is usually quieter than Beijing's popular spring and autumn months, April to May and September to October. You'll often find fewer visitors at major sights, and accommodation can cost less than in those busier periods. The trade-off is the cold, not rain: December is as dry as January in the data.

At the Forbidden City, don't expect the palace halls to shelter you from the cold; much of the visit is outdoors. Take the subway to Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West, then keep your route through the vast courtyards focused. A shorter visit can feel much better than trying to see every hall in one go.