Taipei Weather in December

December weather

December is one of the best times to visit Taipei, but the weather rates only Fair, at 6.2 out of 10. Expect cool, damp days rather than cold ones. Highs reach about 19°C and lows sit near 15°C. Cloud cover is heavy, with only about 1.6 hours of sunshine a day, and rain falls on around 16 days. November is a little warmer but wetter, and January is about as good, with slightly less rain.

That grey, showery pattern means the pavements around Ximending and Dadaocheng can stay slick, so plan your days around the weather. Museums, temples and food stops work well between showers. Try the National Palace Museum, or duck into a tea house in Maokong when the weather turns. Long outdoor walks and a full day at the coast are less reliable, so keep your plans flexible. If you want clearer skies, nearby Taichung rates Excellent this month, at about 132 km away.

Festive days

Christmasland in New Taipei City fills Banqiao with lights and displays through the season. Taipei 101's New Year's Eve fireworks draw big crowds to the Xinyi district, especially near the tower.

If you hate crowds, visit Xinyi on an ordinary December evening instead of New Year's Eve. The season is busier than the quieter summer months, and hotels can cost more around the holidays. Since December falls within Taipei's best travel window, from November to March, the sights can feel lively even outside the festivities.

Rainy-day plans

Rain doesn't have to spoil a city break. The MRT makes it easy to link indoor sights, and a hot bowl of beef noodle soup is especially welcome on a damp evening. For a warmer-weather outing, Beitou's hot springs are an easy trip from central Taipei.

A local tip: at Taipei 101, use the Taipei 101/World Trade Center MRT station, then follow the underground signs into the building. You can stay dry on the way to the shops and food court. December's short days make indoor stops useful, so save outdoor plans for clearer spells.