Nanjing Weather in December

December feels like winter

Nanjing is cold in December, with daytime highs around 10°C and nights that can dip below freezing. It's usually drier than November, though you may still get a grey, damp day. The short daylight hours make long outdoor plans less appealing.

You can still walk the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum's tree-lined paths or explore Nanjing's City Wall, but keep outdoor visits flexible when it's cold or wet. The Nanjing Museum and Presidential Palace offer good indoor breaks. Save Purple Mountain hikes for a clear, milder day; the trails can feel chilly.

Quiet days, solemn events

December is generally quieter than Nanjing's popular April and October periods. You'll find fewer sightseeing crowds, though prices vary by hotel and date. The main exception is December 13, the national memorial day for victims of the Nanjing Massacre. A ceremony takes place at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre, and the area can be busy and emotionally intense.

If you hate crowds, visit the memorial on another day and give yourself time to see it respectfully. Christmas isn't a major public holiday in China, so don't expect citywide festivities.

Make the most of a cold day

Travelling with kids? Pair a short City Wall walk with a warm lunch of duck blood vermicelli soup, a Nanjing speciality. It's a comforting way to warm up between sights.

For the memorial hall, take the metro to Yunjin Road station, close to the entrance. The visit is quieter and more reflective than a typical museum stop, so leave room in your day rather than rushing straight on to another attraction. At the end of a chilly afternoon, try salted duck at a restaurant around Fuzimiao; the historic riverside area is pleasant to explore, but can be cold after dark.