Shantou Weather in January

Mild winter days

January is one of the best months to visit Shantou, scoring 9.5 out of 10 on our comfort score. You'll find afternoons around 19°C and nights near 12°C, so it feels cool rather than cold. The air can feel damp, and it rains on about six days, but plenty of days still suit a walk through the old town's arcaded streets or a visit to the Shantou Museum. Cloud can dull the light, so don't count on a bright beach day, and sea swimming may feel chilly. December and February fall in the same best stretch, so if your dates are flexible, you have room to move.

If you want an easy city break, you'll enjoy exploring without summer heat. Once you've settled on your dates, check the holiday calendar too.

Holiday crowds

New Year's Day is a public holiday in China. The bigger travel rush depends on when Lunar New Year falls, and since its date changes each year, it can land in January. Around that holiday, trains and popular sights can get busy, and fares may rise. Outside the holiday period, Shantou is generally calmer than during major Chinese travel peaks.

Travelling with kids? Check the Lunar New Year dates before choosing your week, especially if you'll travel by train.

What to eat and do

January sits in Shantou's cooler season, alongside December and February. It's a good time to linger over a meal after sightseeing, though brief showers can interrupt a day outdoors. If you're heading to Queshi Scenic Area, keep your plans flexible, since the views across the bay are best when the sky clears.

For a local meal, try Chaoshan beef hotpot, where you dip thin slices of beef into simmering broth at the table. In the old town, it makes a cosy stop after walking the arcades.