Taiyuan Weather in December

December: cold and dry

Taiyuan is properly wintry in December. Days reach about 3°C, but nights fall to -9°C, so outdoor sightseeing feels much better in the bright middle of the day. There's little rain, and you'll often get sunshine, but the cold can make long walks tiring. Jinci Temple's halls and gardens are worth seeing, though you may not want to linger outside. Save time for the Shanxi Museum, where you can warm up among exhibits on the province's history.

If you hate crowds, December is a quieter time to visit than spring or autumn.

What to do

Keep outdoor plans short and choose sights with indoor stops. At Jinci, focus on the main temples and the famous old cypress, then head back into the city. Shanxi Museum is a good cold-day choice, as is trying Taiyuan's knife-cut noodles in a warm restaurant. December's short daylight means you'll have less time for wandering than in summer.

The winter solstice, Dongzhi, falls in December. Families in northern China often eat dumplings for the occasion, though it isn't a major visitor festival in Taiyuan. Christmas may bring decorations to shopping areas, but it isn't a public holiday here.

Quieter streets, lower rates

December is low season, so you'll generally find fewer visitors and lower hotel rates than during the popular April-to-May and September-to-October periods. The trade-off is the cold: this isn't the best month for long outdoor days or a relaxed stroll through old streets.

Travelling with kids? Plan a short visit to Jinci rather than a full day outside. For a local warm-up, order a bowl of Taiyuan knife-cut noodles, called dao xiao mian, after sightseeing. They're made by shaving dough into boiling water, and make a comforting end to a chilly day.